Optimal RTSS Settings for Smooth Frame Pacing with G-Sync & FreeSync

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync dynamically synchronize your monitor's refresh rate to the GPU's render rate. However, without proper framerate limiting in RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), VRR can easily break, reintroducing input lag spikes and tearing.

The Golden Rule: The "-3 FPS" Cap Formula

Whenever your framerate matches or exceeds your monitor's maximum refresh rate, G-Sync/FreeSync disengages immediately. When this occurs, one of two bad things happens:

• If V-Sync is OFF: You experience screen tearing along the bottom edge of your screen.
• If V-Sync is ON: Traditional V-Sync buffer queuing activates, introducing sudden, noticeable input latency.

To keep your display permanently within its VRR operating window, always set your RTSS framerate limit to 3 frames below your maximum refresh rate:

The Optimal 3-Pillar Setup for Zero Tearing & Lowest Input Lag

1. G-Sync / FreeSync: Enabled in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software for Fullscreen and Windowed mode.
2. V-Sync: Set to ON in the NVIDIA Control Panel / AMD Software globally (set to OFF inside all individual game menus). This manages frametime alignment without buffering latency.
3. RTSS Framerate Limit: Set to your target (e.g. 141 FPS on a 144Hz screen). RTSS catches the frames before they hit the render queue.

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