The difference between V-Sync, G-Sync, and FPS cap: how each works, when to use it, and which setup to pick depending on whether you're chasing latency or smoothness.
I'll give you my settings upfront: 300 FPS, V-Sync always off, G-Sync disabled even though both my monitors support it. If your first instinct was "that's wrong according to every guide out there" — good news: plenty of guides get it wrong, and in an honest one this is a perfectly valid choice. Here's why I play this way, what each of those three settings actually does, and the different setup you probably want if you're not a competitive purist.
The three concepts on one page
V-Sync syncs your GPU's frames to the monitor's refresh rate to eliminate tearing — that horizontal "split" you see when two frames overlap. The cost: added input lag. There are modern variants (Fast Sync, Enhanced Sync) that cut down on that penalty, but none of them eliminate it entirely.
G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) are variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies: the monitor dynamically adjusts its refresh rate to match whatever the GPU is outputting. Result: zero tearing without V-Sync's input lag. The catch: it only works within a range (typically 48–240 Hz), and above the monitor's max refresh rate the effect disappears.
There are two flavors: native G-Sync (dedicated module built into the monitor — pricier, better implementation) and G-Sync Compatible (a VRR/FreeSync panel that NVIDIA has certified via driver — more common and cheaper). For 9 out of 10 players, Compatible is good enough.
FPS cap limits the number of frames your GPU produces. It serves several purposes at once: lower GPU power draw and temps, more consistent frametimes, and keeping your render output within G-Sync's range.
These three settings can be mixed in many ways, and the "optimal" choice depends on what you're after: latency, visual smoothness, or power consumption. There is no single universal combo, no matter what YouTube tells you.
This is going to sound heretical: I'm running two monitors (a 240 Hz and an older 144 Hz), both G-Sync Compatible, and I have G-Sync disabled on both. V-Sync always off. I cap at 300 FPS in-game (where the option exists).
Why?
Because for competitive shooters I prioritize minimum latency over perfect visual smoothness. Tearing exists (my 300 cap is above the 240 Hz refresh, so there's some light tearing), but I accept it in exchange for minimum input lag and consistent high framerates. In CS2 and Valorant, where the difference between hitting your shot and missing it is milliseconds, that tradeoff is worth it.
Why 300 FPS specifically, not higher or lower?
Higher than the max refresh rate (240 Hz) → the monitor always has fresh frames to pick from, without depending on GPU sync timing.
High enough for the game engine to maintain consistent frametimes; many engines become unstable when frames swing from 600 to 200 during fights.
Not so high that the GPU chokes and starts introducing microstutters from thermal throttling.
In LoL (where mechanics matter more than aim), 300 is way more than enough.
Did I land on this setup through testing or reading? Testing. I enabled G-Sync years ago because "everyone recommended it," and honestly I couldn't feel any gameplay difference. The light tearing at 300 FPS over a 240 Hz display is visible, but it doesn't bother me. The added input lag with V-Sync? I always noticed that. So I went back to no G-Sync and stayed there.
The "standard" setup you probably want
If you're not playing at an obsessive competitive level, my setup isn't for you. The most widely recommended combination by the technical community — and the one that gives the best balance for 90% of players — is:
G-Sync on + V-Sync ON (in the NVIDIA global control panel, not in-game) + FPS cap 3–5 below max refresh + Reflex where supported.
I know V-Sync ON sounds weird. Here's the trick: inside the G-Sync range, V-Sync ON doesn't introduce the classic input lag. It only "catches" frames that push above the monitor's max refresh rate. The below-max cap prevents G-Sync from hitting its ceiling, where it does add lag. The result is zero tearing with no perceptible latency penalty — except in the milliseconds that only purists notice (I count myself among them).
To enable G-Sync on a compatible monitor:
NVIDIA Control Panel → Display → Set up G-SYNC → check "Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible" → "Enable for full screen and windowed mode" → select your monitor.
In "Manage 3D settings" → Vertical sync → On.
In each game: V-Sync off, FPS cap 3–5 below your refresh rate (236 for a 240 Hz monitor, 141 for a 144 Hz monitor).
If you have a 240 Hz monitor and a GPU that holds >240 FPS without breaking a sweat, this setup becomes invisible: zero tearing, zero stutter, rock-bottom latency. It changes when your GPU is struggling to hold 200 FPS in heavy scenes; that's where G-Sync really earns its keep, adjusting the monitor to your actual frametimes so you don't feel the dips.
Reflex: the free setting (that I haven't tried yet) that should be on your radar
Disclaimer: I haven't tested NVIDIA Reflex on my setup. I'm including it because it's relevant and because several games you're probably playing already support it: Valorant, CS2, Apex, CoD, Fortnite, and more.
Reflex is an NVIDIA technology that reduces in-game input lag by communicating directly with the driver and engine to sync rendering to your inputs. The free part: it's a checkbox in the game menu, no special hardware required (beyond an NVIDIA GTX 900 or newer GPU), and it typically cuts lag by 10–30 ms depending on the title.
NVIDIA's recommended combo: G-Sync + V-Sync ON + Reflex On (+ Boost if your GPU isn't maxing out) + the automatic cap Reflex applies for you. In this setup, Reflex handles the cap, dynamically adjusting it a few FPS below your refresh rate so G-Sync stays in range.
If you're playing at a level where 10–15 ms matters, enable it. If you're casual or on titles without Reflex support, it doesn't apply. I'm going to test it, and if it convinces me, I'll write a dedicated guide with real numbers.
FPS cap: where to apply it (and why it matters)
There are three places to apply a cap:
In-game (settings → FPS limit / max framerate). This is the best option because the engine knows how to manage itself and the cap is applied with minimum penalty.
RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server): the classic third-party tool for capping outside the game. Useful for titles without a native cap. This is what the community relied on for years before engines built it in.
NVIDIA Control Panel → Frame Rate Limiter, global or per-game. It works and is convenient if you don't want to install RTSS, but NVIDIA's implementation adds slightly more input lag than the in-game or RTSS cap on some titles. For competitive shooters, I prefer the other two.
If you're using Reflex, don't set a manual cap — Reflex applies its own and conflicts with any external limit.
What's not worth your time: Fast Sync, Triple Buffer, and DIY "VRR Limiters"
A bunch of alternative settings people debate on Reddit that in 2026 no longer add value:
Fast Sync (NVIDIA): it was an old solution for "reduced tearing" without V-Sync or G-Sync. Today, if you have G-Sync you don't need it; if you don't, you're better off going raw like me. It's a relic.
Triple Buffer in modern games: it made sense in older engines (DX9, DX11). In DX12/Vulkan it's no longer a user-facing toggle — the engine handles it.
"VRR Limiter" or automatic panel cap: NVIDIA and AMD have both integrated "when G-Sync is on, apply automatic cap." Sometimes this interferes with the in-game cap. Disable one, keep the other — running two caps at once creates frametime noise.
Capping so your GPU runs at 99% usage "to avoid finishing the frame too early": a technique that circulated in CS:GO forums. On modern engines it doesn't change anything measurable.
And a bridge to the next guide: monitor color
If you've made it this far, there's an optimization almost nobody bothers with that will change how you see your games more than any FPS cap: properly calibrating your monitor's color, contrast, gamma, and sharpness. That's out of scope for this guide but it's on my list. If your monitor is still on factory settings, there's a good chance you're losing enemies in dark areas or blowing out colors. In esports, the difference between spotting an enemy at 80 meters and missing them comes down to color just as often as aim.
My setup (latency purist): - G-Sync off even though my monitors support it. - V-Sync always OFF. - Cap at 300 FPS in-game. - I accept light tearing in exchange for minimum latency and consistent frames.
"Standard" setup for most players: - G-Sync ON (Compatible or native). - V-Sync ON in the NVIDIA global control panel. - Cap 3–5 FPS below your monitor's refresh rate (236 for 240 Hz, 141 for 144 Hz). - Reflex ON in games that support it (Valorant, CS2, Apex, CoD…).
Don't waste time on: Fast Sync, Triple Buffer, duplicate "VRR Limiter," double-capping.
If you take one thing from this: decide what you're optimizing for before touching anything. Minimum latency above all else? No sync, high frames, accept light tearing. Best visual balance without obsessing over milliseconds? G-Sync + V-Sync ON + cap a few points below refresh + Reflex. Both are valid; any guide that tells you one of them is "wrong" is selling you something.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to enable V-Sync if I already have G-Sync on?
Inside the G-Sync range, V-Sync ON doesn't introduce the classic input lag; it only catches frames that exceed the monitor's max refresh rate. The FPS cap 3–5 points below your refresh rate prevents G-Sync from hitting its ceiling, where it does add lag. The result is zero tearing with no perceptible latency penalty — except in the milliseconds that only purists notice.
What FPS cap should I use with a 240 Hz monitor?
The recommendation is to cap 3–5 FPS below your max refresh rate: 236 FPS for a 240 Hz monitor, 141 FPS for a 144 Hz monitor. If you have Reflex enabled, don't apply any manual cap — Reflex applies its own and conflicts with any external limit.
Is it worth disabling G-Sync for competitive play in CS2 or Valorant?
It depends on what you're optimizing for. This guide goes with G-Sync off, V-Sync off, and a 300 FPS cap because in CS2 and Valorant, where the difference between hitting your shot and not is milliseconds, minimum latency is worth the light tearing. If you're not playing at an obsessive level, the setup with G-Sync ON, V-Sync ON in the NVIDIA panel, and Reflex gives better balance with no perceptible penalty.
Where's the best place to cap FPS: in-game, in RTSS, or in the NVIDIA control panel?
The best place to cap is in-game, because the engine knows how to manage itself and applies the limit with minimum penalty. If the game doesn't have a native cap, RTSS is the alternative. The NVIDIA Control Panel cap is convenient but adds slightly more input lag than the other two on some titles, so for competitive shooters the other options are preferred.
