VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync explained: what they do and should you turn them on
Your screen or TV has a VRR, G-Sync or FreeSync setting and you're not sure what it does. In short: it makes the screen wait for the game, instead of the game waiting for the screen.
The problem VRR solves
A game makes frames at an uneven pace: 70 a second in a quiet corridor, 52 in a big fight. A fixed-rate screen can't follow that, so you get one of two bad choices.
| Setting | What you see | Lag |
|---|---|---|
| V-Sync off, no VRR | Tearing: the top of the picture is one frame and the bottom the next, with a visible line, worst when turning quickly | Lowest |
| V-Sync on, no VRR | No tearing, but stutter: when a frame misses a beat the old one is shown twice, so a game wobbling around 50 fps on a 60 Hz screen judders | Higher: frames queue up waiting for the beat, often a frame or more |
| VRR (G-Sync / FreeSync / HDMI VRR) | No tearing and no judder while the frame rate is inside the range | Close to V-Sync off |
The names, untangled
- Adaptive-Sync: the open VESA standard for DisplayPort (and some HDMI) that most VRR monitors use underneath.
- FreeSync / FreeSync Premium / Premium Pro: AMD's certification on top. Premium adds LFC (below) and at least 120 Hz at 1080p; Premium Pro adds HDR requirements.
- G-Sync: Nvidia's version. Some monitors have Nvidia's own hardware module; most are "G-Sync Compatible", meaning a FreeSync / Adaptive-Sync screen that Nvidia has tested. Modern Nvidia cards can use most FreeSync screens either way.
- HDMI 2.1 VRR: the HDMI Forum's version, used by PS5, Xbox Series X|S and many recent TVs. Xbox also supports FreeSync Premium. Some TVs label it "Game Motion Plus", "Freesync" or just "VRR".
VRR range and LFC
Every screen has a range, often something like 48 to 144 Hz on a monitor or 40 to 120 Hz on a TV. Inside it, VRR works perfectly. Above it, you're back to tearing or V-Sync. Below it, screens with LFC (low framerate compensation) show each frame two or three times so 30 fps becomes a smooth 60 or 90 Hz redraw; without LFC you fall back to tearing or judder. That's why VRR on a TV with a 48 Hz floor does little for a game stuck at 30 fps.
How to set it up
- Turn it on in the screen's menu. On TVs it is often per HDMI input and needs the input's "enhanced" or HDMI 2.1 mode switched on. Use an HDMI 2.1 port if only some ports support it.
- Use the right cable and port. On a PC, DisplayPort is the safest bet for monitors. For consoles, use the HDMI cable that came with the console or an Ultra High Speed one.
- Turn it on at the source. PS5: Settings > Screen and Video > VRR. Xbox: Settings > General > TV & display options > Video modes > Allow variable refresh rate. Nvidia: Control Panel > Set up G-SYNC. AMD: Adrenalin > Gaming > Display > AMD FreeSync. Windows: Settings > Display > Graphics > Variable refresh rate (for windowed games).
- On a PC, cap the frame rate a few below the maximum, for example 141 on a 144 Hz screen or 117 on 120 Hz, using the game's own limiter or the graphics driver. That keeps you inside the range so VRR never hands over to V-Sync at the top. Nvidia's usual advice for G-Sync is V-Sync on in the control panel and off in the game, plus that cap; games with Reflex can apply a cap for you (see Reflex and Anti-Lag).
Downsides and odd things
- Flicker in dark scenes on some OLED and VA screens, especially on loading screens where the frame rate jumps around. It's a known side effect; some TVs have a setting to reduce it, or turn VRR off for that game.
- Films and video don't need it. It only matters when the frame rate changes.
- It can't fix a low frame rate. 40 fps with VRR is smooth, but each frame still takes 25 ms. More frames still means less lag; see 60 vs 120 vs 144 Hz.
To see what V-Sync costs in your own setup, compare the "V-Sync on" and "Normal" game settings in the input lag calculator; VRR behaves close to Normal.
Want to see it rather than read it? The interactive flip-book lesson plays judder, screen tearing and VRR in slow motion, with a 24 fps film on 60 vs 120 Hz.
Related
144 Hz option missing? · Screen tearing: how to fix it · Stutter even with high FPS · 60 vs 120 vs 144 Hz: can you tell? · Nvidia Reflex and AMD Anti-Lag · TV game mode: what it does · Controller lag: wired vs wireless vs Bluetooth
Questions
What does VRR do?
It makes the screen redraw whenever the game has a new frame ready, instead of on a fixed beat. That removes tearing and the stutter of V-Sync, with almost no extra lag.
Should I turn VRR on for PS5 or Xbox?
Yes, if your TV supports it. Games whose frame rate moves around look smoother. If you see flicker in dark scenes on your TV, try it off for that game.
Is G-Sync better than FreeSync?
They do the same job. Screens with Nvidia's hardware module historically had wider ranges and overdrive tuning, but good FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible screens are very close in practice.
Can I use FreeSync with an Nvidia graphics card?
Usually yes. Modern Nvidia cards support most Adaptive-Sync / FreeSync monitors over DisplayPort as G-Sync Compatible; turn it on in the Nvidia Control Panel.
Why should I cap FPS below my refresh rate with G-Sync?
If the game goes faster than the screen's maximum, VRR stops working and V-Sync or tearing takes over. A cap a few frames below, such as 141 on 144 Hz, keeps you inside the VRR range.
What is LFC?
Low framerate compensation. When the frame rate drops below the screen's VRR minimum, each frame is shown two or more times so VRR keeps working.
Published 路 updated .