What is vertical synchronization?

Vertical Sync, also known as VSync, is a technology used to prevent “screen tearing” in video games. VSync synchronizes your computer’s game graphics output with your monitor’s refresh rate, providing a smoother, smoother gaming experience.

Tearing occurs when screen graphics change rapidly and the monitor cannot keep up by displaying two or more frames simultaneously. VSync eliminates this problem by matching the number of frames your graphics hardware can handle with the number of times your monitor refreshes the screen.

VSync can help reduce the load on your GPU, as well as providing a smoother gaming experience. Rather than forcing your GPU to render as many frames as possible, VSync sets a frame limit appropriate to your monitor’s refresh rate. This limit can help prevent overheating and GPU fatigue.

While newer technologies like AMD’s FreeSync and NVIDIA’s G-Sync offer more advanced solutions to the same problem, VSync is still a critical choice for many gamers. It is a widely supported and accessible framework synchronization solution that can help you improve your gaming experience.

What is Vertical Sync (VSync)?

Vertical sync, or better known as VSync, synchronizes the refresh rate and frame rate. GPU manufacturers developed this technology to solve the screen tearing problem. Screen tearing occurs when the GPU displays parts of multiple frames simultaneously. As a result, screens may appear split along a horizontal line. Tearing occurs when the frames per second are not synchronized with the GPU’s refresh rate.

VSync fixes the problem by limiting the graphics card’s refresh rate to the frame rate, preventing the frames per second from exceeding the monitor’s capacity. It uses page flipping and double buffering to display frames after the refresh cycle ends to prevent users from experiencing tearing.