Why should you cap FPS 3 to 4 frames below your monitor refresh rate?

Due to frametime variance, instantaneous frame deliveries fluctuate slightly around the average. Without a 3 to 7 FPS buffer below the maximum refresh rate, frame bursts breach the upper VRR limit, engaging standard V-Sync buffering and adding 15 to 25ms of input lag.

Should V-Sync be ON or OFF in-game when using G-Sync?

Always turn V-Sync OFF inside the game's video settings, and turn Vertical Sync ON globally in the NVIDIA Control Panel (Manage 3D Settings). Driver-level V-Sync acts as a frame-pacing regulator without triggering the in-game double/triple buffering queue.

Micro-Tool #34 • Display Synchronization Lab

G-Sync + V-Sync + Reflex FPS Cap Calculator

Calculate the exact frame rate cap required to prevent G-Sync and FreeSync from exceeding your VRR boundary. Based on Blur Busters G-Sync 101 principles to achieve 100% tear-free gaming with zero input lag.

Monitor & Adaptive Sync Parameters

Monitor Refresh Rate (Hz)144 Hz (6.94ms)

60 Hz (Standard)144 Hz (Esports Base)240 Hz (Competitive)540 Hz (Ultra High Speed)

Adaptive Sync Protocol

Exact In-Game Frame Rate Limit

141FPS CAP

Safety Margin: -3 FPS below 144Hz ceiling

Capped Input Delay4.5 ms

VRR Instant Scanout

Uncapped Buffer Penalty+32.4 ms

V-Sync Frame Queue

The Perfect G-Sync Setup Checklist (The "Golden Triad")

To achieve tear-free gaming with zero added input latency, all three settings must be configured simultaneously:

1NVIDIA Control Panel: G-Sync ON

Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC → Enable for full screen and windowed mode → Select your display → Check "Enable settings for the selected display model".

2Driver V-Sync ON, In-Game V-Sync OFF

In NVIDIA Manage 3D Settings → Vertical sync: set to ON. In your game's video menu → Vertical Sync: set to OFF. Driver V-Sync compensates for frametime variance without buffering.

3FPS Cap at 141 FPS

Set the in-game framerate cap to 141 FPS (or use NVIDIA Reflex). This prevents instantaneous frame bursts from touching 144Hz and triggering classic V-Sync input lag.

Common G-Sync & FPS Cap Questions

Why should V-Sync be turned ON with G-Sync?

G-Sync only synchronizes frames when framerates remain strictly inside the VRR window. Without driver V-Sync, frame time jitter causes tearing along the bottom edge of the screen even if average FPS is below refresh rate.

Does NVIDIA Reflex automatically cap my FPS?

Yes! In supported titles (CS2, Valorant, Apex, Warzone), turning on NVIDIA Reflex automatically caps the framerate to the exact optimal Blur Busters offset (e.g. ~138 FPS on 144Hz, ~225 FPS on 240Hz).