Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): What It Is & How to Enable It

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Common questions answered at a glance

What is variable refresh rate?

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of a monitor with the frame rate of a game to prevent screen tearing. Instead of refreshing at a fixed rate, the monitor waits until each complete frame is produced. The visuals become much smoother and the latency increases by approximately 1ms (as opposed to V-Sync, which produces 15-30ms of input lag).

What is the difference between VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync?

Will VRR reduce my game's FPS?

Should I enable VRR?

How do I enable VRR?

G-Sync and FreeSync are two technologies developed by NVIDIA and AMD respectively, which provide variable refresh rate (VRR). These technologies work to synchronize the monitor's refresh rate with the game's frame rate so as to prevent screen tearing. However, while most gamers view G-Sync and FreeSync as separate technologies, they are not. In fact, the key similarity between them is that they provide variable refresh rate. Therefore, the question arises as to why we have two different names for such similar technologies.This article will explore exactly what VRR is, how it relates to G-Sync and FreeSync, and how to enable VRR for DirectX 11 games in Windows. There is no jargon used in the article. The intent is to provide clear answers and real data.

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What is variable refresh rate?

A monitor refreshes the image that it displays multiple times per second. Commonly, this occurs at 60Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz. Typically, the monitor refreshes the image at a fixed interval. For example, a 60Hz monitor would normally refresh 60 times per second, every 16ms.The issue arises in that your game does not produce frames at a fixed interval. If the monitor refreshes while the game is in the process of creating a new frame, you will observe screen tearing, which manifests as a horizontal line that divides the top and bottom halves of the frame into two distinct images.Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) resolves this issue by allowing the monitor to wait for the completion of each frame before it refreshes the image. Frame ready? Refresh now. Frame not ready? Wait. The end result is that you do not experience tearing, your visuals become smoother, and the additional latency introduced by VRR is relatively small (~1ms).VRR vs G-Sync vs FreeSync. VRR refers to the underlying technology. G-Sync is NVIDIA's version — although originally proprietary hardware, NVIDIA now also supports G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors. FreeSync is AMD's version, which is based upon the open Adaptive-Sync standard. Consequently, FreeSync monitors are generally less expensive. The primary point to note is that all three technologies synchronize the monitor's refresh rate with the frame rate of your game. The Windows VRR setting functions with both G-Sync and FreeSync monitors.

How VRR affects gaming

Eliminating screen tearing. Screen tearing occurs when the monitor begins refreshing before the Video Card completes rendering a new frame. VRR entirely eliminates this issue — each refresh is displayed with one continuous frame. This will have the greatest impact during rapid camera movement in shooter style games, racing games, and panning the map.Latency comparison. Prior to VRR, V-Sync was the most popular solution to resolve screen tearing. V-Sync forces the game to wait for the monitor's next refresh, thereby introducing 15-30ms of input lag. Conversely, VRR allows the monitor to wait for the game, resulting in only ~1ms of additional latency. As discussed extensively on the Blur Busters forums — the leading authority on display latency research — VRR with V-Sync enabled prevents tearing without the traditional buffering penalty, since the driver holds frames only until the next scanout rather than queuing them. The comparison: V-Sync off = 0ms of latency with tearing. V-Sync on = 15-30ms of latency with no tearing. VRR = ~1ms of latency with no tearing. For the vast majority of gamers, VRR is the better solution.

Should you enable variable refresh rate?

Who benefits most. Variable refresh rate benefits those who have a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, players who experience screen tearing during rapid motion, DirectX 11 game players (older titles that do not natively support VRR), and gamers who currently employ V-Sync and desire ~1ms of latency as opposed to 15-30ms of latency.Compatibility requirements. You will require a G-Sync or FreeSync compatible monitor, Windows 10 version 1903 or later, an NVIDIA or AMD Video Card with updated drivers, and G-Sync or FreeSync enabled in the Video Card's control panel. If the VRR toggle does not appear in Windows Settings, ensure that your Video Card drivers are current and that G-Sync or FreeSync is enabled in the Video Card's control panel.Trade-offs and limitations. VRR adds ~1ms of latency into the system. Although this may be imperceptible to most gamers, some competitive players prefer to operate with absolutely no latency. Furthermore, in rare instances, VRR may introduce minor flicker at extremely low frame rates on certain monitors. Finally, the Windows VRR toggle is specifically designed for DirectX 11 games; however, most modern DirectX 12 and Vulkan games typically manage VRR independently. Reversible — toggle VRR off, restart, and you will be returned to your previous state.

How to enable variable refresh rate

1. Press Windows + I to access the Settings application.2. Select System.3. Select Display.4. Select Graphics.5. Find the “Variable refresh rate” section.6. Toggle the “Variable refresh rate” option to On.7. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.Note: On some versions of Windows, you may need to select “Change default graphics settings” prior to viewing the VRR toggle.Upon restarting, navigate to the same Settings page to confirm that the toggle indicates “On.” To verify that VRR is functioning properly, start a DirectX 11 game in which you have observed tearing. Perform a quick camera pan across the game world — the visuals should be smoother, and you should not observe any horizontal tearing lines.

Troubleshooting

Toggle not visible. Ensure that your Video Card drivers are current, and that G-Sync or FreeSync is enabled in the Video Card's control panel. Confirm that your version of Windows is 1903 or later.Still experiencing tearing. Verify that your monitor supports G-Sync or FreeSync. Ensure that VRR is enabled in the Video Card's control panel. Attempt to turn off in-game V-Sync, as it may interfere with VRR.Visual performance appears degraded. Disable VRR and restart your computer. Examine the game to determine if it has its own VRR or adaptive sync feature, and utilize that alternative setting instead.

Monitor setup and testing

Verify your monitor supports VRR. Not all monitors are equipped with VRR capabilities. Check your monitor's specifications or product information for “G-Sync,” “G-Sync Compatible,” “FreeSync,” or “Adaptive-Sync.” Alternatively, you can check in Windows: open Settings → System → Display → Advanced display. If your monitor is capable of VRR, you will commonly see a range of refresh rates (for example, 48-144Hz) as opposed to a single fixed rate.Testing that VRR is functional. Following activation of VRR in Windows, launch a DirectX 11 game in which you experienced screen tearing. Perform a quick camera pan during gameplay — fast horizontal panning is the best way to test VRR. If VRR is functional, you will no longer observe the horizontal tearing lines. For a more detailed test, NVIDIA users can activate the “G-Sync Indicator” in the NVIDIA Control Panel under Display settings. Similarly, AMD users can check Radeon Software for a FreeSync activity indicator.If you continue to experience tearing, examine the in-game V-Sync status to ensure that it is disabled — V-Sync and VRR may conflict with each other on some configurations. Additionally, confirm that VRR is enabled in both Windows Settings and your Video Card's control panel.

Why we create these guides

Our goal with creating IQON is to assist the individuals who need guidance the most, yet receive the least amount of accurate assistance. Searching for “what is VRR” will yield numerous articles that fail to clearly describe the relationship between G-Sync and FreeSync, and numerous guides that fail to provide sufficient context as to why you would wish to enable VRR.Each article addresses the “why” before the “how” and commences from scratch. The knowledge that we possess should be freely accessible to everyone — regardless of whether you employ our application or not.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): What It Is & How to Enable It

Quick Answers

What is variable refresh rate?

How VRR affects gaming

Should you enable variable refresh rate?

How to enable variable refresh rate

Troubleshooting

Monitor setup and testing

Why we create these guides

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