How to Set Up G-Sync and FreeSync Correctly (No Extra Lag)

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G-Sync and FreeSync give you tear-free gaming without V-Sync’s input lag — but only when set up as a trio: VRR on + driver V-Sync on + FPS cap below refresh. Most players miss one of the three and either get tearing back or add hidden latency. Here’s the exact setup.

How to Set Up G-Sync and FreeSync Correctly

VRR only works inside its window. The frame cap is what keeps you there.

Why all three pieces matter

  • VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) makes the monitor refresh when the GPU finishes a frame — no tearing, no waiting.
  • Driver-level V-Sync catches edge-case tearing at the bottom of the screen inside the VRR range. It does not behave like old V-Sync while VRR is active.
  • The frame cap stops FPS from reaching your refresh ceiling. At the ceiling, VRR hands over to real V-Sync — and that’s where the input lag everyone blames on G-Sync comes from.

NVIDIA setup (G-Sync / G-Sync Compatible)

  1. Monitor OSD: enable Adaptive-Sync / FreeSync (for G-Sync Compatible displays).
  2. NVIDIA Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC: enable for fullscreen (or fullscreen + windowed if you play borderless).
  3. Manage 3D Settings → Vertical sync: On (yes, On — this is the driver-level catch).
  4. Manage 3D Settings → Max Frame Rate: refresh minus 3–5 (e.g. 141 on 144 Hz, 237 on 240 Hz).
  5. In games: V-Sync Off, and enable Reflex where offered — Reflex auto-caps inside the VRR window for you.

The rest of the panel settings are covered in the NVIDIA Control Panel guide.

AMD setup (FreeSync)

  1. Monitor OSD: enable FreeSync.
  2. Adrenalin → Gaming → Display → AMD FreeSync: On.
  3. Enable Radeon Anti-Lag; set a frame cap with Frame Rate Target Control at refresh minus 3–5.
  4. In games: V-Sync Off.

More in the AMD Adrenalin settings guide.

Verify it’s working

  1. Most G-Sync monitors have a refresh-rate OSD readout — it should fluctuate with your FPS in game. A pinned value means VRR isn’t engaging.
  2. NVIDIA users can enable the G-Sync indicator overlay (Control Panel → Display menu).
  3. Feel test: pan the camera fast across high-contrast edges — no tear lines anywhere on screen.

When to skip VRR entirely

At very high FPS in esports titles (CS2, Valorant at 400+ FPS), many pros run uncapped with VRR off — tearing is less visible at huge frame rates and every queued frame matters. That tradeoff and the cap-vs-uncap decision are covered in how to cap your FPS correctly and how to fix screen tearing.

Frequently asked questions

Should V-Sync be on or off with G-Sync?

On — but in the driver, not in the game, and combined with a frame cap a few FPS below your refresh rate. That trio gives tear-free play without V-Sync's usual latency penalty.

Does G-Sync add input lag?

Set up correctly, no meaningful amount. Lag appears when your FPS hits the refresh ceiling and traditional V-Sync takes over — which is exactly what the frame cap prevents.

What FPS cap should I use with a 144 Hz VRR monitor?

Around 138 FPS, roughly 3 to 5 below refresh. It keeps you inside the VRR window where the monitor tracks the GPU and no V-Sync queuing occurs.

Is FreeSync setup different from G-Sync?

The logic is identical: enable VRR on monitor and driver, driver V-Sync on, cap a few FPS below refresh. Only the menu names differ between AMD Adrenalin and NVIDIA Control Panel.