What options do I have... VSYNC/Screen Tearing

[Dreakon13]

To preface, my PC specs are on my Steam profile. Let me know if anything else is needed to try and troubleshoot. I have the latest NVIDIA drivers.

Basically it seems, no matter what I do, I have one of two problems...
1. Heavy screen tearing
2. Jarring framerate drops from 60fps to 30fps.

My understanding was originally that setting VSYNC and Triple Buffering to ON in the NVIDIA Control Panel would correct this issue, but I'm coming to realize through Google research that the Triple Buffering setting actually only applies to OpenGL games. So having both ON causes games like GTAV and Dying Light to have jarring framerate drops from 60fps to 30fps, as though Triple Buffering weren't enabled (because they aren't OpenGL).

In an effort to fix that, I tried D3DOverrider to get these DirectX games to force VSYNC and Triple Buffering... and whether it's an issue with the software being old and obsolete, not supporting Windows 10 or the games I'm trying to play, conflicting with the NVIDIA Control Panel settings maybe... I dunno, I couldn't get it to hook in. All three games above ignored these "forced" settings when I had the software running.

Next attempt, I tried Adaptive VSYNC... my understanding is that it enables VSYNC when the framerate goes over the monitors refresh rate (60hz in this case) to avoid screen tearing, but disables it when it goes below the refresh rate to avoid the jarring framerate dips. However that's supposed to work, I was still getting heavy screen tearing in Dying Light and GTAV.

Next attempt, I used RivaTuner Statistics Server to framecap at 60fps. I figured, as long as the framerate stayed below the refresh rate... no screen tearing. Right? It seems that's an incorrect assumption, even capping at 50fps and 30fps still had tearing.

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I'm at my wits end here. What other options are out there? I guess I'd prefer the screen tearing to the jarring framerate drops... but getting something to actually work would be ideal. Would prefer to not have to invest in a GSync monitor (if that's what I have to do, I may just cut my losses and go back to the Playstation).

How do you guys fix this, or do you just deal with it?

Thanks.

[_I_]

specs?

better cpu/gpu may solve the issue
gta5 takes a fairly good cpu/gpu to run good

post a cpuz validation link
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
cpuz -> validate button -> submit button
it will open a browser, copy the url (address) and paste it here

overclocking or overheating can cause throttling too

[Dreakon13]

引用自 _I_：

specs?

Since you didn't read the first line of my post, I'm going to assume you didn't read any of the lines after it either...

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Upgrade your graphics card, Dying Light and GTA V are demanding games and your GTX 670 is no better then modern medium range GTX 960.

GTX 970, 980, 980 Ti depending on your budget.

[joetheplumber68]

I had the same issue and all I did was get rid of my Anti Virus software and installed Microsoft Security Essentials. Most Anti Virus software is intrusive constantly running in the background. Just throwing it out there. A new GPU is needed as well. 970 SLI / 980 or 980ti

[Dreakon13]

Just in case someone missed it, this isn't a "y is my gamz runnin bad, plz i dunno wats rong" thread. I'm curious if there's an alternative to the jarring framerate jumps introduced by having VSYNC enabled. Just making sure... no one has referenced the words VSYNC, Triple Buffering or some combination of the two yet.

Assuming that important detail wasn't overlooked... what I've gathered is my only option is upgrading my PC so it can maintain a consistent 60fps, because playing a game that dips to 55fps without screen tearing or crazy framerate jumps is unrealistic... do I have that right?

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Windows 10 is not that great with older generation cards like GTX 600 and 500 series, upgrading to at least GTX 970 should fix lot of problems giving you better fps, more VRAM and better Windows 10 support.

[Dreakon13]

引用自 Rumpelcrutchskin：

Windows 10 is not that great with older generation cards like GTX 600 and 500 series, upgrading to at least GTX 970 should fix lot of problems giving you better fps, more VRAM and better Windows 10 support.

Is this in any way referencing the question I asked in the topic, or are you just suggesting generic ways to make games run better?

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Well, you are trying to run latest demanding games that like to use more then 2 Gb VRAM with latest OS on old 2 Gb VRAM graphics card that is not powerful enough to avoid fps drops.
I would say it's referencing the topic.

[Dreakon13]

引用自 Rumpelcrutchskin：

Well, you are trying to run latest demanding games that like to use more then 2 Gb VRAM with latest OS on old 2 Gb VRAM graphics card that is not powerful enough to avoid fps drops.
I would say it's referencing the topic.

The drops from 60fps to 30fps are a result of having VSYNC enabled. Because the frames occasionally dip below 60, even only by a few frames, because of VSYNC, it immediately drops to 30. With VSYNC off, the games consistently run around 70-100fps, and never go below 50fps. I'm looking for a way to truly cap the game at 60fps, without the unnecessary staggering drops introduced by having VSYNC enabled (which I believe would be corrected by Triple Buffering if I could force it in games that use DirectX). That's why I'm here looking for options.

Since you haven't used the words VSYNC, Triple Buffering, screen tearing or anything in your answers that would make me think you have any idea what I'm talking about... I'm kind of assuming you glanced at the topic, saw the words "framerate drop", looked at my specs, and just started typing. If you're saying "you have no other option but to upgrade the PC so that it can maintain 60fps at all times so that VSYNC doesn't have an opportunity to reduce the framerate to 30fps"... then just say it? Why all the mystery? Why go out of your way to sort of vaguely answer my question, but not actually? Several times?

[Revelene]

Vsync does more than just limit your frame rate to your refresh rate, which is why you have tearing even though you had a limiter limiting the frame rate.

Short explaination: Vsync limits rendered frames and only displays at your refresh rate, making sure to display a new frame at the exact time that the screen is refreshing (syncs the frames, get it?). It also will render ahead to insure a steady frame rate (this is why it puts more strain on the gpu when enabled).

GTA 5 has a known bug with vsync that causes it to act like the older double buffer technique. A simple turning it off and back on again usually fixes it. Unfortunately, you'll have to do that every time you load the game up.

Dying Light did have an issue with triple buffer not working... but it was fixed long ago. You could try turning it off and back on again.

[Dreakon13]

引用自 Revelene：

Vsync does more than just limit your frame rate to your refresh rate, which is why you have tearing even though you had a limiter limiting the frame rate.

Short explaination: Vsync limits rendered frames and only displays at your refresh rate, making sure to display a new frame at the exact time that the screen is refreshing (syncs the frames, get it?). It also will render ahead to insure a steady frame rate (this is why it puts more strain on the gpu when enabled).

GTA 5 has a known bug with vsync that causes it to act like the older double buffer technique. A simple turning it off and back on again usually fixes it. Unfortunately, you'll have to do that every time you load the game up.

Dying Light did have an issue with triple buffer not working... but it was fixed long ago. You could try turning it off and back on again.

I very much so appreciate the reply. And I do get it. I guess there's a bit more going on than simply locking the framerate to the monitor's refresh rate.

The real conundrum isn't how to get VSYNC working though, since it seems like either enabled in-game or in the NVIDIA control panel... I can get the screen tearing to go away without too much intervention. It's just that pesky side effect where VSYNC basically says "this game can either run at 60fps or 30fps and nothing inbetween" that causes the jarring framerate drops. Seems no matter what combination of tweaking settings on and off with these games, I can't get it to work.

Do I have any options in regards to keeping stable framerates and getting rid of the screen tearing? Other than just upgrading my PC until it never goes below 60fps in any game ever?

[MrMcSwifty]

Everything you're describing is precisely the reason why Gsync/Freesync were developed.

If you're not satisfied with standard Vsync (60-30 drops), adaptive Vsync (less drops, more tearing), and can't get tripled buffered Vsync to work right... then the only choice you really have left is to upgrade to a Gsync or Freesync- capable monitor.

[Revelene]

引用自 PleaseHoldOn：

引用自 Revelene：

Vsync does more than just limit your frame rate to your refresh rate, which is why you have tearing even though you had a limiter limiting the frame rate.

Short explaination: Vsync limits rendered frames and only displays at your refresh rate, making sure to display a new frame at the exact time that the screen is refreshing (syncs the frames, get it?). It also will render ahead to insure a steady frame rate (this is why it puts more strain on the gpu when enabled).

GTA 5 has a known bug with vsync that causes it to act like the older double buffer technique. A simple turning it off and back on again usually fixes it. Unfortunately, you'll have to do that every time you load the game up.

Dying Light did have an issue with triple buffer not working... but it was fixed long ago. You could try turning it off and back on again.

I very much so appreciate the reply. And I do get it. :ghlol: I guess there's a bit more going on than simply locking the framerate to the monitor's refresh rate.

The real conundrum isn't how to get VSYNC working though, since it seems like either enabled in-game or in the NVIDIA control panel... I can get the screen tearing to go away without too much intervention. It's just that pesky side effect where VSYNC basically says "this game can either run at 60fps or 30fps and nothing inbetween" that causes the jarring framerate drops. Seems no matter what combination of tweaking settings on and off with these games, I can't get it to work.

Do I have any options in regards to keeping stable framerates and getting rid of the screen tearing? Other than just upgrading my PC until it never goes below 60fps in any game ever?

Well, what I was saying is that the vsync in GTA 5 and Dying Light is not supposed to drop frame rates to half of the refresh rate (60 to 30 in your case). GTA 5 can be resolved with merely turning the vsync option off and back on again. It is a common issue. I'd say the same might work for Dying Light.

Vsync dropping to half of your refresh rate is double buffered vsync. This is an old method. Triple buffered vsync will not do that, neither will adaptive vsync.

Your options are to do more troubleshooting to get triple buffer to work, use adaptive vsync, or take the extreme (and lazy... also expensive) route and get a G-Sync monitor.

My advice... stop letting Nvidia Control Panel mess with game settings. Just enable the option that lets the app decide. You'll save yourself the headache in the end. I've helped many, many people with issues like this and others... and simply letting the app decide cures a lot of said issues. The Nvidia Control Panel is nice but can cause conflicts if you do not know what you are doing.

[DeadPhoenix]

you could cap the fps with MSI Afterburner. set it to something like 59 or 58, this would solve any screan tearing plus the fps won't drop to 30 fps.

[MrMcSwifty]

引用自 DeadPhoenix：

you could cap the fps with MSI Afterburner. set it to something like 59 or 58, this would solve any screan tearing plus the fps won't drop to 30 fps.

This will do nothing to stop screen tearing and was already addressed in the original post.