V-Sync and Fast Sync are tools that synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate and GPU’s frame output. Both options help to reduce screen tearing and input lag.
Low input lag is important for fast shooter eSports games. Wondering what sets these two options apart and which one is the best for you? Here’s what you need to know about V-Sync and Fast Sync.
Contents
What is V-Sync?
V-Sync (Vertical Sync) synchronizes your games’ frame rates to the monitor refresh rate. This ensures that neither the monitor nor the game will get capped at 60 fps. V-Sync unlocks the max frame rates that your monitor and system can handle.
If you play the fastest eSports games, 60fps may feel a bit low. However, this frame rate is the best for single-player titles. For competitive FPS games, it’s advisable to disable V-Sync because it limits your frame rate and boosts input lag. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference, your PC rig, and the games you’re playing.
You should use V-Sync when you start to see screen tearing. Screen tearing is a horrible effect visible when moving the camera rapidly in a game. You’ll observe that the screen is tearing as the display and the game image become out of sync.
Screen tearing makes gaming difficult, especially when fast eSport games demand rapid movement and reflexes. Your eyes may feel uncomfortable when gaming on a screen with screen tearing.
If you’re experiencing screen shuttering, tearing, or other frame rate syncing issues, you can lock the frame rate to 60fps.
How does V-Sync work?
When you enable V-Sync, your GPU only sends frames to your monitor when it’s ready to display them instead of sending several frames randomly. Therefore, with a 60Hz monitor, you will get a maximum of 60fps with no screen tearing.
Although it eliminates screen tearing, your monitor will face input lag since your graphics card is being forced to wait by the monitor. Furthermore, if the GPU isn’t powerful enough to release the required frames in time, it will show the last full-frame, which leads to screen stuttering.
The higher the monitor’s refresh rate, the lower the screen tearing. Most competitive FPS gamers with 144Hz and 120Hz monitors don’t use V-Sync because screen tearing is not an issue.
Some gamers are more sensitive to screen tearing while others to input lag. You can try gaming with both V-Sync off and V-Sync on and see what suits you.
Pros of V-Sync
Nothing beats the feeling of gaming without screen tearing. V-Sync’s 60fps lock can help you run any game at high settings. If you have a low-quality gaming monitor, you can take advantage of V-Sync to make it more stable when playing a game requiring 60fps as the base.
V-Sync also comes in handy when using a TV as a gaming monitor. TVs have different refresh rates, so you may face extreme screen tearing when gaming. Therefore, enabling V-Sync will help eliminate screen tearing.
Cons of V-Sync
In fast-paced competitive games, input response time should be your top priority. However, if you turn on V-Sync, you will notice that your input response is slightly slower. If your games demand instant results from click to screen, this can be a tricky compromise.
How to Turn on V-Sync
Most games have V-Sync enabling and disabling features in the game settings menu. However, if your game doesn’t come with V-Sync settings, here’s how you can turn it on from Nvidia settings.
- Go to the Nvidia Control Panel.
- Tap Manage 3D Settings
- Go to Global Settings Tab
- Navigate and Click on Vertical Sync
- Click On from the menu
- Click on Apply and close the Control Panel.
What is Fast Sync?
Fast Sync functions by eliminating screen tearing even when your FPS surpasses the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. This increases input lag, but it cannot match what V-Sync does.
If the monitor’s refresh rate is slower than the GPU’s frame output, then Fast Sync commands the system not to send a frame to your monitor. However, gamers differ on whether Fast Sync should be used simultaneously with G-Sync or if the frame rate is lower than your monitor’s refresh rate.
Pros of Fast Sync
Fast Sync is far much better than V-Sync. With Fast Sync, you’re guaranteed impressive performance when playing fast-paced action games that produce more fps than your monitor’s refresh rate.
Cons of Fast Sync
Fast Sync is less effective if your monitor performs neck and neck with the GPU format. Fast Sync isn’t compatible with AMD GPU, and it’s only available in NVIDIA GPUs.
How to Turn on Fast Sync
If your graphics card supports Fast Sync, go to NVIDIA’s GPU driver settings. Navigate to Manage 3D settings, go to Vertical Sync, and set it to Fast. Ensure you disable V-Sync in the video games’ settings.
If you want to use Fast Sync, ensure you have the newer NVIDIA graphics card or a GeForce 900-series.
V-Sync vs. Fast Sync: Which is Better for Gaming?
For gaming enthusiasts, Fast Sync is better than V-Sync. V-Sync will suit all your gaming needs if you’re a low-end gamer. V-Sync is a reliable tool that gives you an impressive gaming experience than traditional settings. But, if you’re a competitive gamer and have a high-end gaming monitor, Fast-Sync is a good bet.
Conclusion
V-Sync and Fast Sync are among the best graphical inventions in the world of gaming. If you want to run high-quality titles on a budget gaming monitor, you can use V-Sync to improve your gaming experience. Fast Sync carries the day in every way and will help you deal with screen tearing by capping your monitor’s fps to 60.