Vertical Sync - Use it?

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Sep 10, 2005
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Should I use vertical sync in games? Is there ever a time when I shouldn't? You can see my rig in my sig. I'm playing BF3, Diablo 3, Metro 2033, Crysis 2, Skyrim, etc.
 
i use adaptive vsync and see no penalty not to. i run a 120hz monitor but if your only running at 60hz i would suggest using adaptive.
 
i use adaptive vsync and see no penalty not to. i run a 120hz monitor but if your only running at 60hz i would suggest using adaptive.
I'm just wondering as far as performance goes. Apparently vsync removes tearing. It also seems to work the video card less hard.
 
vsync is probably one of the most discussed topics and there is really no point in repeating everything that has already been discussed to death. really only you can decide but take it on a game by game basis and don't force it globally. I would probably just go with adaptive vsync though if you do decide to use vsync in any game.
 
I usually put it on for any non-reflex/precision/competitive games. Mostly to save the video card, as I got used to tearing countless years ago.
 
no need for it (source: been playing every 3d game to death since wolfenstein 3d)
 
I usually put it on for any non-reflex/precision/competitive games. Mostly to save the video card, as I got used to tearing countless years ago.

I go with this as well. A strategy game (like Shogun or something) on, racing games on, shooters like BF3 off. Best thing to do is try it both ways and see what you prefer - some people are sensitive to input lag and like it off, and others are sensitive to tearing and want it on. Mostly personal preference.
 
I go with this as well. A strategy game (like Shogun or something) on, racing games on, shooters like BF3 off. Best thing to do is try it both ways and see what you prefer - some people are sensitive to input lag and like it off, and others are sensitive to tearing and want it on. Mostly personal preference.

+1 to what he said ^
 
I'm just wondering as far as performance goes. Apparently vsync removes tearing. It also seems to work the video card less hard.

Not really "removes" as much as "lessens". You still see it from time to time but its often much smoother.

It also varies game to game. I've found it to be pretty awesome and for some games that like V-Sync on at all times its a god send.

Excellent leg up on AMD for the moment.
 
No it's terrible, as if LCD's wernt bad enough I'm not introducing even more lag.
 
It all depends on your personal preferences. I can't stand screen tearing, it ruins the whole experience for me. I need V-Sync. Thankfully, now that adaptive V-Sync is around, it's much less of a compromise.
 
I use Adaptive Sync with BF3. It works really well. I see no screen tearing or stutter or any lag that normal sync gives you. I've been very pleased using adaptive try it :)
 
I use vsync all the time. I'm more sensitive to screen tearing. I adjust to it so for me I don't notice any input lag in most titles.
 
I always use V-Sync. Tearing looks horrible to me and gives me a headache. I also game in 3D exclusively, and you need to use V-Sync with 3D.
 
I always use V-Sync. Tearing looks horrible to me and gives me a headache. I also game in 3D exclusively, and you need to use V-Sync with 3D.
how are you possibly running demanding games smoothly with vsync on using a Core 2 duo and gtx470? some games would be a choppy mess doing that since you cant come close to maintaining 60fps.
 
I seriously doubt that. Clock your CPU to 3.0 with turbo disabled. Thats about a 3.6Ghz wolf.
 
I seriously doubt that. Clock your CPU to 3.0 with turbo disabled. Thats about a 3.6Ghz wolf.
so what are you doubting? there is no way a 3.6 Core 2 Duo and gtx470 can maintain 60 fps in demanding games. that certainly means some noticeable stuttering and hitching if trying to use vsync in those games.
 
He's only using 16x10 monitor. I say no problem.
well that will help in gpu limited games but he still cant maintain 60 fps in some demanding games. I know because I had an E8500 at 3.8 and used a gtx470 before upgrading to my current pc. I cant even maintain 60fps in all demanding games with my new pc either. and he is trying to run 3D too.
 
I turn on v-sync on for all games that run 60+ fps 99% of the time. Reducing the evil of screen tearing is a must. Also, my gaming experience since the early 90s has been a steady fps is better than a fluctuating fps. A steady 60 fps feels smoother than an fps jumping between 100-300 fps. Many first/third person shooters running above 100 fps feel "jittery" imo (maybe because of all the screen tearing).
 
I turn it on. I game at 120Hz, there's no need for more frames, honestly.
 
how are you possibly running demanding games smoothly with vsync on using a Core 2 duo and gtx470? some games would be a choppy mess doing that since you cant come close to maintaining 60fps.

Well I just put all the settings on medium or low. On Metro 2033 with everything on low I can get 90FPS IN 3D!!!! Still looks great, and probably more impressive than people playing with high settings on a 60Hz 2D monitor.
 
Should I use vertical sync in games? Is there ever a time when I shouldn't? You can see my rig in my sig. I'm playing BF3, Diablo 3, Metro 2033, Crysis 2, Skyrim, etc.
It depends on the game. Some games suffer from horrible screen tearing, and some do not. In the games that do have screen tearing, I enable VSYNC. In other games, if there is an in game option for it I will usually turn it on, but otherwise I won't force it on through the CP.

Nvidia, for example, has a built in frame limiter now. I just set that to 60 so none of my games will ever go over 60 FPS, so screen tearing (and the need for VSYNC) should never come about, since my monitor is 60Hz.

The downside to VSYNC is some people say the game/mouse feels less responsive when it is enabled. I don't notice that myself but many say they do.

Another option for VSYNC is Triple Buffering, which basically allows the game to buffer 2-3 frames ahead of what's being displayed, which can also tremendously help reduce screen tearing. TB is supported in all OpenGL games, and some DX games. TB is superior to VSYNC.
 
7950 crossfire here, my LED-LCD supports 120hz refresh and I find games that run at or above that benefit from V-sync, in BF3 and metro i change my refresh to 60hz and turn v-sync on for a smoother expierience, if i play with it off i get really nasty dips in some areas and i'd rather have 55-60 FPS constant that 30-150 intermitent
 
Can't use V-Sync due to input lag, at least in 99% of games. Everything from Homeworld 2 to Left 4 Dead just feels sluggish. For the few games with no input lag then it doesn't matter to me so being on is fine.
 
I always use V-Sync, because tearing drives me batty. I, also, won't use public toilets. I finish every quest in every game that I begin. I have never thrown anything away, including the original packaging of everything that I purchase. It is get dirt under a fingernail, I immediate clean it out.

I'm one of those "easy-going" types.



K, I don't use V-sync, usually. Playing mostly MP games... I wouldn't like the lag...
 
I use V-Sync for the reason to reduce the temps on my gpu, seriously. Higher frames adds more temperature to your video card and 60 fps is smooth anyway.
 
I use V-Sync for the reason to reduce the temps on my gpu, seriously. Higher frames adds more temperature to your video card and 60 fps is smooth anyway.
if that is the only reason that you use vsync then why not just use a framerate cap?
 
Should I use vertical sync in games? Is there ever a time when I shouldn't? You can see my rig in my sig. I'm playing BF3, Diablo 3, Metro 2033, Crysis 2, Skyrim, etc.

I have it disabled in CCC and in game. I don't get terrible tearing like I did on my old TNT panels. But be warned you have unlocked the FPS cap of 60 and your videocard is going t o go as fast as it can. Thus it's going to consume more power and produce more heat.

With Vsyn disabled I lose the input lag I get with FPS. That's also one reason why I had it disabled.
 
I have it disabled in CCC and in game. I don't get terrible tearing like I did on my old TNT panels. But be warned you have unlocked the FPS cap of 60 and your videocard is going t o go as fast as it can. Thus it's going to consume more power and produce more heat.

With Vsyn disabled I lose the input lag I get with FPS. That's also one reason why I had it disabled.
you can just cap the framerate at whatever you want
 
I used to be on the side of not using it, but nowadays when only a few games can drop below 60fps at certain resolutions i really don't see a reason not to use it
 
I will typical use Vsync on games which are pushing 120fps on my 60hz monitor. The idea is to lower the load on the computer. No point having the computer going 100% flat out to render 120fps if 60 is MORE than enough.
 
I will typical use Vsync on games which are pushing 120fps on my 60hz monitor. The idea is to lower the load on the computer. No point having the computer going 100% flat out to render 120fps if 60 is MORE than enough.
again if that is the only reason you turn on vsync then you could simply just use a framerate cap instead.
 
vsync always off, as it induces mouse lag, which i notice immediately. i can't play with that. tearing on the other hand... i don't even notice it. i'm gaming on a 120 h S27A750D now, mostly fast shooters, and it gives me no headache, unlike the old 60 hz display.
 
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