Is Variable Refresh Rate Worth It For Gaming?

If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably heard of variable refresh rate (VRR). This feature is starting to become more and more popular in gaming displays, but is it actually worth it? In this blog post, we’ll discuss what VRR is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth the investment for gaming.

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What Is VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)?

If you’re looking to take your gaming to the next level, you’ve probably considered getting a display with a higher refresh rate. A standard 60Hz monitor is fine for most people, but a 144hz or 240hz is often a better option for a smoother gaming experience. But what does a screen’s refresh rate really mean?

Refresh rate is a measurement of how often a display is refreshed or drawn per second. A 60Hz monitor is refreshed 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor is refreshed 144 times per second.

If the screen has a consistent refresh rate, for example, a smooth 60 fps, all is good, but what happens when the refresh rate starts to dip? When the refresh rate is unstable and, for example, shifts from 40 to 60 fps while the screen is calibrated to consistently show 60 fps, sometimes you’ll notice a visual glitch called screen tearing. Screen tearing is when the image is split into two separate images, each being drawn at a different time. This is where variable refresh rate comes into play.

Variable refresh rate is a technology that allows for the synchronization of the GPU and display so that both are working together to produce one smooth image. With VRR, you don’t ever have to worry about screen tearing again!

Is Variable Refresh Rate Worth It for Gaming?

The answer is a resounding yes! If you are a serious gamer, getting a screen that supports a variable refresh rate is definitely worth the investment. Not only will it eliminate screen tearing, but it will also provide a smoother and more immersive gaming experience overall.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync

The two major graphics card manufacturers, AMD and Nvidia, each have their versions of VRR technology. AMD’s is called FreeSync, and Nvidia’s is G-Sync. Both will eliminate screen tearing by synchronizing the refresh rate of your monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card. Which one to go for depends on your graphics card and screen. If you have an AMD graphics card, you’ll need a monitor that is FreeSync-compatible. The same goes for Nvidia graphics cards and G-Sync monitors.

G-Sync

G-Sync is Nvidia’s hardware-based technology for syncing the refresh rate of a monitor to the frame rate of an Nvidia graphics card. It is designed to eliminate screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag. G-Sync is available on select gaming monitors from Acer, Asus, BenQ, LG, and ViewSonic.

At the moment, G-Sync monitors are more expensive than FreeSync monitors. G-Sync is a proprietary technology and therefore costs more to implement.

AMD FreeSync

AMD FreeSync is the open standard variable refresh rate solution. Any display that is FreeSync certified is compatible with an AMD graphics card. Like G-Sync, there are different versions of FreeSync. The baseline option is FreeSync, and the premium option is FreeSync Premium. The premium option allows for 120hz VRR and supports resolution over 1080p.

Considerations For a VRR Monitor

There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for a VRR monitor. First, make sure that the monitor has a fast response time. This is the time it takes for the pixels on the screen to change from one color to another. A fast response time is important for gaming because it reduces ghosting and blurring. Second, make sure that the monitor supports a high refresh rate, for example, a gaming laptop with a 240hz refresh rate. A higher refresh rate means that the image on the screen will be refreshed more often, resulting in a smoother image. Finally, make sure that the monitor is compatible with your graphics card. If you’re thinking about getting a gaming laptop, make sure to get the right screen from the get-go since it’s one of the things that you can’t upgrade for gaming.