I'm using an RTX 5090 along with an LG C4 144 Hz display, and I haven't capped my FPS. Since I often exceed the monitor's refresh rate, I'm wondering if capping the FPS to match the refresh rate would actually have any downsides. It seems logical that running above 144 FPS might not make much sense, but I'm curious about what others think. Do people typically cap their FPS, and would I lose any advantages by doing so?
5 Answers
If you play at 200 FPS on a 144 Hz screen, you're bound to experience tearing as too many frames are competing to be displayed at once. I’d recommend capping it closer to 120 FPS—your GPU won't have to work as hard and you'll hardly notice the difference in frame rates, especially with a VRR setup.
To avoid tearing altogether, you might want to cap it at around 141 FPS—just below your monitor's refresh rate. It’s all about maximizing the smoothness of your gameplay without pushing your GPU too hard. If you need more responsiveness, some people even suggest going slightly above the refresh rate!
While you can technically get slightly fresher frames with an uncapped setup, you'll notice this more on lower hz monitors. For your 144 Hz monitor, consider capping at around 139 FPS to enable G-Sync and help avoid tearing—it helps the visuals feel smoother. Just try both and see what feels better for you!
Capping your FPS can save energy and also reduce heat output from your GPU, keeping things cooler which is always a good thing. Besides, you probably won’t even notice the difference between 120 and 144 FPS, and a lower FPS cap could improve your overall gaming experience with less stress on the hardware.
Capping your FPS can actually help your system run quieter and cooler. I do it just to minimize noise from my fans. So, there's definitely an advantage if you're looking for a quieter experience!
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