Why does V-Sync cap my 144 Hz monitor at 120 FPS?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I have a 144 Hz monitor, and Windows is already set to 144 Hz. FreeSync prevents tearing in some games, but in others I need to enable V-Sync even when the frame rate is capped manually. The problem is that enabling V-Sync limits the game to 120 FPS instead of 144. What settings or hardware checks would let me use the full refresh rate and eliminate tearing?
Answers
FreeSync or G-Sync should normally handle tearing in supported games, so confirm that adaptive sync is enabled in the monitor’s settings as well as in the graphics driver. If the issue only happens in certain titles, they may have their own hard FPS limit or unusual V-Sync behavior. The monitor model, GPU, connection type, and affected games would help identify the exact cause.
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If you have FreeSync or G-Sync, enable it in the monitor and graphics driver settings. A common setup is to enable V-Sync in the driver control panel, leave it disabled in the game, and cap the frame rate slightly below the refresh rate—around 141 FPS for 144 Hz. This keeps variable sync active while avoiding the point where traditional V-Sync has to take over.
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Check for another frame-rate limit before troubleshooting V-Sync. Windows dynamic refresh rate, the game’s own FPS cap, driver software, or an individual game setting could all be locking it to 120. Test with the frame rate completely uncapped to see whether the game can exceed 120 at all.
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First check that the monitor itself is actually running at 144 Hz. Some displays require an overclock setting to be enabled in the monitor’s on-screen menu, and certain models only support their maximum refresh rate over DisplayPort. Also verify the connection and refresh rate in both Windows and your graphics driver settings.
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VelvetOrbit3: Some monitors have a separate overclock option, and a few older models need specific cables or inputs for 144 Hz. The monitor menu is worth checking even if Windows already shows 144 Hz.