Goodbye, V-sync! Nvidia G-Sync synchronizes monitor refresh rates with GPU render rates

The standard display refresh rate is 60Hz—that's 60 images per second—but fancy GPUs can render way more than 60 frames per second. We like more frames. More frames means more responsive input—and screw compromise!—but when out-of-sync rendering traps multiple frames in a single refresh, the Horrible One emerges: screen tearing . The best we can do now is tame the beast with V-sync, but in Montreal today, Nvidia unsheathed a new weapon which it claims will put tearing and stuttering down for good.

The G-Sync module will be installed in displays and works with Nvidia's Kepler GPUs. It kills the fixed 60Hz monitor refresh rate and instead begins a monitor refresh cycle every time the GPU has finished rendering a frame. As your game's framerate rises and falls, the monitor refresh rate follows along. This means "no more tearing, no more stuttering," promises Nvidia's announcement .

G-Sync capable displays will be available early next year, and Asus, BenQ, Philips, and ViewSonic are on board.

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Tyler grew up in Silicon Valley during the '80s and '90s, playing games like Zork and Arkanoid on early PCs. He was later captivated by Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, all the shooters they call "boomer shooters" now, and PS1 classic Bushido Blade (that's right: he had Bleem!). Tyler joined PC Gamer in 2011, and today he's focused on the site's news coverage. His hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League.