What is Variable Refresh Rate?

Learn about variable refresh rate (VRR) and how it prevents screen tearing. Also, we explain the differences between AdaptiveSync, FreeSync, and the different flavors of G-Sync.

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[Mr.Morden]

Variable refresh rate makes your refresh rate variable. One might also consider it as the equivalent to variable rates of refreshing. Then there are those who describe it as the rate refreshing variably.

[Chasm]

Vsync causes judder, not stutter.
Micro-tearing can also occur with VRR with fps below monitor's refresh rate. Vsync is always needed if you want a completely tear free experience. Preferably Adaptive sync if you care about latency and you get enough fps.

The latest NVIDIA driver includes new version of ULLM - in DX11/12 games it limits your fps to few fps below your monitor's refresh rate so that the Vsync buffer is not saturated (116fps on a 120z panel) - this provides the lowest latency, NO tearing and the smoothest experience you can get.
In Vulkan games, you just limit your fps manually in RTSS/NVCP and you're good to go.

Edit: don't use RTSS to limit your FPS anymore. The latest NVIDIA App frame rate limiter has the lowest latency available. It honestly feels like it forces Reflex even in Vulkan games.

[bttlemastr]

The biggest problem with (triple buffer) vsync is that it increases latency noticeably

[albertweskerk]

Variable refresh rate, oh what a fate,
It's a display's ability to oscillate.
Instead of fixed frames, it can fluctuate,
Syncing with the GPU, isn't that great?

When gaming or streaming, it's truly a boon,
For smoother visuals under the moon.
No screen tearing, no jittery tune,
Just fluid motion, from dawn until noon.

[thatsamazin-]

Something that doesn’t get mentioned much. This is from an article and I’ve experienced this first hand with my C2 oled. “Finally, OLED owners may be particularly displeased with how the picture looks with VRR activated since many models exhibit a strong shift brightness or "gamma." Those lovely inky blacks that OLEDs are known for suddenly look gray and washed out, which isn't ideal for anyone who bought an OLED for this key strength!” THIS is why I only enable if I have to. My helldivers 2 runs great and looks much better with VRR disabled. It’s been the same experience with every game whether hdr is on or off. Vrr also disables local dimming on many led TV’s which also hurts the contrast. So only use it if you need to. 👍

[aJazzyFeel]

the cute little tearing animation at the end there was very cute! :D thanks for all the efforts put into the littlest of details, team! great job, extremely educational video!

[CoolJoshk]

What about the other way: screen sync tech.
Your rendering of frames is done to arrive just in time for the monitor and not too early, but requires a great minimum FPS instead of average FPS.

[notenoughmonkeys]

I've adopted Variable Refresh in my day to day life by resetting all my clocks to WAN time on a weekly basis. Now the WAN show is always on-time, though weirdly everyone else is now early, or late, or somehow both?!?

[albanmarku]

You should still enable vsync non triple buffered with a vrr display and cap the FPS slightly below your monitor hz. You don't get vsync input delay like this and you keep the image tear free.

[ApfelJohannisbeere]

More James!!!! Missed having him in Short Circuit or such!
Also, awesome info and thanks for the great video!

[HedgehogYK]

0:49 or in the case of films-stutter or judder. DVDs have largely accounted for this except that makes VirtualDub2 conversions a little off considering the content is supposed to be 24fps but DVDs have tricks to make it appear 30 as a flag. Do yourself a favor and buy a Bluray copy of your favorite media because they don't do that weird 30fps thing-am-a-flag trick and just retain it in 24fps, and... A 120/144Hz display will make 24fps look ridiculously smooth and kinda makes you wish content was made in 20 or 22fps instead.

[AlexSterk]

omg perfect timing, my new build finally gives me more frames then my monitor knows what to do with

[luxyj]

Been watching long enough to get a redo explanation. Good stuff

[Rachit]

There are non-Gsync monitors that do variable overdrive well too. And Gsync ultimate isn't a guarantee, although they do tend to be good.

[Cyberz]

Very good! keeps videos like this coming.

[duhmez]

VRR is not about fixcing screen tearing, at least not for normal people with weaker hardware. Most people hardware is UNDER the max monitor framerate, tearing is for the 1% that have top end stuff, just a few of them. And top end people dont need vrr for screen tearing, they can just lock the framerate at 120 or whatever or use v sync to stop it. VRR is really about all us normal peple with 120 hz display and we are pusing 70 to 10 hz, which causes droped frames and stuttering, not tearing. If u R so strong u r tearing, you have a beast pc an djust turn on v sync.

[madri]

does freesync premium monitors allows a nvidia gpu to get at the same time hdr and vrr/freesync ?

[ChristopherToro]

VRR gets rid of most screen tearing and ghosting blur, while smoothing the frame rate for a more consistent gaming experience.

[Tracex]

Is gsync noticably better than free sync?

[youruberhasarrived]

I was excoted there for a moment, the thumbnail almost looked like a Big Tugg video. But you've got a new video so I'm excited nonetheless