I'm using a 144Hz monitor with G-SYNC enabled in the NVIDIA Control Panel, but games capped around 120 FPS still don't look consistently smooth. I assumed G-SYNC would eliminate frame-rate mismatch issues. Is there a setting I'm missing, or could uneven frame times be causing the stutter?
4 Answers
G-SYNC can smooth out normal frame-rate variation, but it can’t hide large frame-time spikes. An FPS counter may still show 120 FPS on average even if the game briefly stalls several times per second. Try monitoring the frame-time graph with a tool such as MSI Afterburner; inconsistent spikes would point to the game, drivers, background tasks, or CPU/GPU bottlenecks rather than the refresh-rate number itself.
V-SYNC is not strictly required for G-SYNC to function, but pairing driver-level V-SYNC with a frame cap below 144Hz is commonly recommended because it helps prevent tearing when the frame rate reaches the top of the VRR range.
There isn’t one universal setup that works perfectly for every game. Some people use G-SYNC with V-SYNC and an FPS cap, while others disable both and rely on the game’s frame pacing. If you still see stutter at a stable cap, check frame times, make sure the monitor is actually set to 144Hz in Windows and the driver, and test whether the issue happens in more than one game.
For the most consistent G-SYNC behavior, enable G-SYNC and V-SYNC in the NVIDIA Control Panel, then cap the game a few frames below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate—around 141 FPS for 144Hz. The cap keeps the display inside the variable-refresh range and prevents the GPU from exceeding the refresh ceiling. You can usually leave the game’s own V-SYNC setting disabled if the driver profile is handling it.
So the important thing is keeping the cap below 144 FPS and checking frame times, rather than assuming the average FPS tells the whole story.