The VSync Poll - Image vs. Performance

[futurefields]

What is more important to you, having maximum image integrity or maximum game performance? What tradeoffs are you willing to make? Would you rather play at 30 fps locked with vsync, or 40-50 fps locked without vsync? Are you willing to drop to "medium settings" in order to lock 60 fps? What are the first settings you are willing to sacrifice in order to gain performance? Do you drop the anti-aliasing or the ambient occlusion?

Let's discuss!

 

[Soundmanred]

Both.

 

[blackened23]

Highest possible settings I can use for a steady 60 fps, I use adaptive vsync.

There's a vast difference between 30 and 60 fps average in terms of perceptible smoothness, so 60 is a pre-requisite for me. Most games are pretty scale-able in terms of options that increase framerate, and most of the time you can simply lower 1-2 settings for a huge framerate increase while not changing the image quality.

Case in point: I can't really spot a difference in quality between VH and H in crysis 3. They both look great. But the framerate difference is immense. Not to mention the differences between MSAA and FXAA, I use FXAA most of the time.

 

[Pandora's Box]

adaptive vsync. 60fps when possible, vsync disables when falling below 60fps.

 

[toyota]

I just approach it on a game by game basis. some games have little to no visible tearing at all and others can drive me mad.

adaptive vsync sounds great in theory but in Metro 2033 it actually caused more problems in my testing. even on settings that never dropped below 60 fps there was hitching with adaptive vsync where regular vsync worked just fine.

I have a 144hz screen coming this week so things will get interesting. I am sure I will be using no vsync in really demanding games and half refresh rate vsync or capping for less demanding games. I see no real point in going past 60 or 72 fps for the single player gaming I do. I am getting the 144hz screen though as I need a new monitor anyway and 144hz still has benefits on lower frameartes too.

 

[mike5757]

I always do vsync with triple buffering. I notice the tearing more than the small frame delay of vsync with triple buffering. If you're getting 40-60 fps, then the average frame delay will be 8.33-12.5 ms compared to no vsync.

Here's an article Anandtech did on triple buffering if you haven't seen it: http://anandtech.com/show/2794

 

[futurefields]

So with triple buffering you can drop below 60 fps AND not have tearing?

 

[toyota]

So with triple buffering you can drop below 60 fps AND not have tearing?

triple buffering has nothing to do with tearing. you force it on with some 3rd party app or in a game that offers it and does nothing without vsync on. you can simply google it if you are confused.

 

[BrightCandle]

I run 60-120 hz depending on the game and how quickly I need to respond. I always run vsync off so that the input latency is at a minimum.

 

[Silverforce11]

Dynamic Vsync on Radeon Pro, or Adaptive Vsync on NV control panel.

 

[futurefields]

triple buffering has nothing to do with tearing. you force it on with some 3rd party app or in a game that offers it and does nothing without vsync on. you can simply google it if you are confused.

So if you run Vsync with triple buffering you can drop below 60 fps and not have tearing?

 

[toyota]

So if you run Vsync with triple buffering you can drop below 60 fps and not have tearing?

you just said the same thing again. so I guess I will too... triple buffering has nothing to do with tearing

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Vsynch with 60 fps/dynamic as others said, except in games that get input delay... I cant stand that so Ill take tearing over it

Ideally Im fine with 45+ fps, less than that it gets noticeably "slow"
When it comes to which options I disable, its funny you mention Ambient Occlusion because thats always my first choice... Heck, I disable it regardless of performance

Worst feature that has come out recently... It always creates these horrible fake looking shadows whenever two objects collide, its awful... Far Cry 3 was a particularly bad example of it, the characters even had black halos around them for no reason

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) with most games nowadays, there is little difference between medium-high and max settings... You pretty much have to stop and stare at things to notice it, which is something you will never do while playing a fast paced game

So those of us with midrange cards can enjoy great performance with 90% of the quality
Im looking forward to see how this will change with the new consoles

 

[futurefields]

adaptive vsync sounds great in theory but in Metro 2033 it actually caused more problems in my testing. even on settings that never dropped below 60 fps there was hitching with adaptive vsync where regular vsync worked just fine.

I had the same finding as well when I am testing Crysis 2 today. The Dynamic VSync in RadeonPro worked good for the most part but I noticed an odd stutter that was there sometimes. When I enabled Always On VSync it was a lot smoother.

 

[futurefields]

you just said the same thing again. so I guess I will too... triple buffering has nothing to do with tearing

Well, you aren't really answering my question.

With VSync enabled and triple buffering, can you drop below 60fps and the image won't tear? As it would in Dynamic Vsync where the Vsync actually switches off when it drops below 60fps so you get tearing?

Does that question make sense?

 

[toyota]

Well, you aren't really answering my question.

With VSync enabled and triple buffering, can you drop below 60fps and the image won't tear? As it would in Dynamic Vsync where the Vsync actually switches off when it drops below 60fps so you get tearing?

Does that question make sense?

I did answer you. again triple buffering plays no role at all with screen tearing.

 

[futurefields]

Ok, you aren't helping.

I'll ask it again. This time, Toyota, do not respond. Please, put me on ignore.

Guys -

If you run VSync with Triple Buffering enabled, does that mean you can can drop below 60 fps and the screen won't tear AND it won't automatically drop down to 30 fps?

 

[DominionSeraph]

If you run VSync with Triple Buffering enabled, does that mean you can can drop below 60 fps and the screen won't tear AND it won't automatically drop down to 30 fps?

Yes.

 

[tweakboy]

vysnc off will causing tearing of images. vsync always on ,,,,, is what you want.. gl

 

[toyota]

Ok, you aren't helping.

I'll ask it again. This time, Toyota, do not respond. Please, put me on ignore.

Guys -

If you run VSync with Triple Buffering enabled, does that mean you can can drop below 60 fps and the screen won't tear AND it won't automatically drop down to 30 fps?

you will not have tearing if vsync is on and triple buffering will not change that. jeez

 

[BrightCandle]

If you run VSync with Triple Buffering enabled, does that mean you can can drop below 60 fps and the screen won't tear AND it won't automatically drop down to 30 fps?

Even with Vsync on with double buffering the FPS wont drop down to 30 fps, that isn't what happens anyway.

 

[futurefields]

do you have mental problems? triple buffering has NOTHING to do with tearing. so use at least one brain cell and you will understand how stupid it is to keep asking the same question. you will not have tearing if vsync is on and triple buffering will not change that. jeez

...

 

[stahlhart]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2794/2

Hint, hint.
-- stahlhart

 

[bystander36]

Well, you aren't really answering my question.

With VSync enabled and triple buffering, can you drop below 60fps and the image won't tear? As it would in Dynamic Vsync where the Vsync actually switches off when it drops below 60fps so you get tearing?

Does that question make sense?

The answer is simple.

V-sync prevents tearing.

Triple buffering allows the GPU to get started on another frame while waiting to write to the front buffer due to V-sync.

 

[bystander36]

I personally play with and without v-sync, depending on the game, but I require 80+ FPS for optimal play, and will reduce settings to get there. I also use a 120hz monitor.

In 3D Vision, I'm forced to have a max of 60 FPS, which I reduce settings to prevent any drops in FPS. V-sync is required for 3D Vision, you can't turn it off, or it would ruin the effect.