Are there certain framerates that are better at avoiding tearing?

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futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
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On a 60hz monitor are there certain framerates that might mathematically lead to less tearing? I tend to limit my graphics heavy games at 40fps so I can max out details and still get a somewhat smooth experience. But I do get some tearing at that framerate, I'm wondering if due to refresh rates and frame intervals and stuff if I might have better luck with like 39, 41, or 42 fps etc..., as they might mathematically "fall into place" in a way that helps avoid tearing?

Or is this engine/game dependent as well?
 

hjalti8

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Apr 9, 2012
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I was using a frame limiter(radeonpro) in skyrim since the game engine gets buggy at high frame rates. I wasn't using vsync due to input lag.

While using the frame limiter I noticed some horrible (very consistent) tearing(always at the same part of the screen if I remember correctly). I tried limiting to 60fps,59fps,61fps with no luck.

When I turned the frame limiter off, everything was fine, there was still tearing but it did not bother me at all.

I havent done any more testing with frame limiters but I would love to see some more info ;)

Also is there a difference between radeonpro vs ingame frame limiter?
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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every game and game engine is different. one game may tear in the exact same spot on your screen at 40 fps while another game may have multiple tears going on in a different spot at the same framerate.

plus the effects happening on the screen will determine amount of tearing too. flickering lights, muzzle flash and such will cause noticeable tearing in many games regardless of framerate.
 

DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
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every game and game engine is different. one game may tear in the exact same spot on your screen at 40 fps while another game may have multiple tears going on in a different spot at the same framerate.

No, it tears at the point where the buffer flips. What point on the screen is determined by the individual timing mismatch between FPS and monitor refresh. The engine doesn't come into the picture at all.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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No, it tears at the point where the buffer flips. What point on the screen is determined by the individual timing mismatch between FPS and monitor refresh. The engine doesn't come into the picture at all.
you are out of your mind if you claim every game tears the same at the same framerate. it can vary wildly from game to game and thats a fact. all it takes at least one good eye to see that.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
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Skyrim for example tears a lot at the map display when I run no vsync. The actual gameplay? Not so much and I'm still at 75fps both times.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
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I notice it a lot in Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon. Because it has a lot of strong neon lights on a fairly desaturated landscape.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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the original FEAR was the first game that made me use vsync. the sections with flickering lights gave insane tearing.
 
Feb 19, 2009
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OP: Run with ingame vsync on, and in Radeon Pro, force triple buffering. This should eliminate tearing in a lot of dx9/10 games.

Alternatively, run with dynamic vsync enabled and disable ingame vsync, Radeon Pro's dynamic vsync works very well in all the games i've played, even slightly better than NV's control panel global adaptive vsync, which i still notice infrequent tearing in World of Tanks.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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OP: Run with ingame vsync on, and in Radeon Pro, force triple buffering. This should eliminate tearing in a lot of dx9/10 games.

Alternatively, run with dynamic vsync enabled and disable ingame vsync, Radeon Pro's dynamic vsync works very well in all the games i've played, even slightly better than NV's control panel global adaptive vsync, which i still notice infrequent tearing in World of Tanks.
what? if vsync is on then there will be no tearing at all. and triple buffering has nothing to do with tearing.
 
Feb 19, 2009
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Vsync on in game will not tear, but it will stutter if scenes drop below the vsync 60/59 fps mark. Stutter and tearing are both annoying, hence triple buffering eliminates stutter and vsync eliminates tearing. I say this in the context of OP's post, he limits it to 40 fps to prevent tearing AND to provide smooth gameplay, but still has issues with tearing.

Generally graphically demanding game will drop below the vsync limit and become a stutter mess. Triple buffering or dynamic/adaptive vsync is the way to go.
 
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DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
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you are out of your mind if you claim every game tears the same at the same framerate. it can vary wildly from game to game and thats a fact. all it takes at least one good eye to see that.

40FPS is a frame every 25ms. 60Hz is a refresh ever 16.6ms. This is a mismatch of 8.4ms. This has nothing to do with the game or the engine. Neither the game nor the engine have anything to do with when the buffer flips -- it flips when it's done drawing, which at 40FPS will be every 25ms.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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40FPS is a frame every 25ms. 60Hz is a refresh ever 16.6ms. This is a mismatch of 8.4ms. This has nothing to do with the game or the engine. Neither the game nor the engine have anything to do with when the buffer flips -- it flips when it's done drawing, which at 40FPS will be every 25ms.
I don't care what technical jargon you throw out as it changes nothing. again its a FACT that one game can tear completely different than another at the same framerate.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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It's math. You should learn it. That way you might have some clue as to what you're talking about.
Now run along. Adults are talking.
your math does NOT change what I see on the screen. you are joke claiming the tearing is the same. open your damn eyes and look for yourself instead of "acting" smart. cap several games at 40 fps and you will see that the tearing can be completely different. hell there are some games where the tearing is almost not noticeable while others can drive you mad. and that's at the same framerate, genius. :rolleyes:
 

stahlhart

Super Moderator Graphics Cards
Dec 21, 2010
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Since it's apparent from this thread that that neither of you have recently reviewed the AnandTech Forums Guidelines and TOS, here's a refresher:

We also intend to encourage respect and responsibility among members in order to maintain order and civility. Our social forums will have a relaxed atmosphere, but other forums will be expected to remain on-topic and posts should be helpful, relevant and professional.

Next time, it won't be a warning.

-- stahlhart
 
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