Vsync-off stutter - inevitable??

[GTLguy]

I find this difficult to believe...

When Vsync is enabled, by graphics are smooth (unless <60 FPS). When Vsync is *disabled*, there's a jerkiness unless the frame rate is above about 100 FPS. I returned the computer to the seller and they've swapped out the GPU, CPU and memory and say it's the same: that there is a small effect and that's it's slighly diminished with a CRT. This leads them to think it's just related to the monitor and graphics card refresh rates. They're sending it back.

Can this really be correct; that with Vsync disabled, graphics in race sims for example (and flight sims too, presumably) are doomed to always exhibit a slight juddering/vibration effect that you don't get with Vsync enabled? Or should there be no discernible difference (apart from lack of tearing) when vsync is disabled (above 60FPS)?

EVGA NForce 680i
Intel E6700 core duo 2.67GHz
XFX 8800 GTX 768MB
Corsair Twinx 2GN DDR2 6400C4
2x500G Seagate SATA2
PSU: 850W Enermax EGA850EWL
X-fi Fatality
Dell 2407WFP (1920x1200x32) 60Hz refresh rate.
XP Pro.

 

[-=Antimatter=-]

In my experience, vsync should always be enabled on an LCD monitor, otherwise the tearing is just too much to handle. If you're getting at least 60-70FPS, and you have triple buffering on, then you shouldn't have a problem leaving vsync on for better IQ.

 

[GTLguy]

Without wanting to get sidetracked on tearing..yes. I agree it's horrible. But I'm seeing this (above) as a symptom of a hardware issue. Because even with Vsync enabled (plus triple buffering courtesy of Rivatuner), it becomes noticeably choppy below 60 FPS - even at say 50 FPS. Now, I hear of people playing driving sims like GTLegends and GTR2 on modest systems at 45 FPS. Either they're blind, or I've got an issue, it seems to me.