Refresh Rate vs FPS Calculator
Understand how your monitor's refresh rate interacts with your GPU's frame rate.
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Explore Gaming ToolsRefresh Rate vs FPS: What's the Difference?
Refresh rate (Hz) is how many times per second your monitor updates the image. FPS (frames per second) is how many frames your GPU produces per second. These are independent values, but they interact in important ways.
If your GPU produces 200 FPS but your monitor is 144 Hz, you'll only see up to 144 distinct frames per second. The extra GPU frames are either discarded (V-Sync on) or cause visual artifacts (V-Sync off).
V-Sync Modes Explained
- V-Sync Off — No frame cap. You may see screen tearing if FPS exceeds refresh rate, but input lag is minimal (1-2ms). Best for competitive gaming.
- V-Sync On — FPS is capped at the refresh rate. Eliminates tearing but adds input lag (half a refresh cycle). Best for visual quality in single-player games.
- Adaptive V-Sync — Caps FPS at refresh rate when FPS is high, disables when FPS drops below. A good compromise between visual quality and responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I enable V-Sync for gaming?
It depends on the game type. For single-player games where visual quality matters, V-Sync can eliminate screen tearing. For competitive multiplayer games, V-Sync adds input lag and should generally be off. Adaptive V-Sync is a good middle ground.
Can my FPS exceed my refresh rate?
Yes, your GPU can produce more frames than your monitor can display. However, with V-Sync off, you may see screen tearing. With V-Sync on, your effective FPS is capped at the refresh rate. G-Sync and FreeSync monitors solve this by dynamically matching the refresh rate to your FPS.
What is the difference between G-Sync and V-Sync?
V-Sync is a software feature that caps FPS at the refresh rate, which can cause input lag. G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) are hardware features that dynamically adjust the monitor's refresh rate to match the GPU's FPS, eliminating tearing without adding input lag.
Disclaimer
This refresh rate calculator is for educational and estimation purposes only. Actual input lag, screen tearing, and effective FPS depend on your specific hardware, drivers, and game engine. Results are theoretical estimates, not measured values.