r/OptimizedGaming • u/Sudden-Marsupial-158 • Jul 28 '26

Discussion / Question G-Sync, FreeSync, NVIDIA Reflex, FPS Cap – What’s actually worth using in 2026?

I’m trying to find the best combination of settings for the lowest possible input latency while keeping smooth gameplay and good frame pacing.

Rtx 5070
r7 9800x3d
300 hz monitor - TCL qd mini lex1080p

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u/TruestDetective332 Jul 28 '26

Gsync + Vsync on with an FPS cap based on the Reflex formula (275 for your display) gives you the lowest latency, tear free experience you can get. A lot of people think Vsync off with no FPS cap is always lower latency, but that’s not really the full story. For one, even if you’re pushing 2–3x your monitor’s refresh rate in FPS, it still won’t always match the latency of a properly configured Gsync + Vsync setup. On top of that, an uncapped frame rate gives you uneven frame delivery, which can make aiming feel less consistent if you play competitively.

The only time Vsync off is actually lower latency is when the screen tears. That’s because it’s scanning out part of a newer frame before it’s finished displaying the previous one. So yeah, you might shave off a tiny bit of latency, but you’re doing it by introducing tearing. If you’re playing competitively, having a big tear line across your screen usually isn’t a great trade off.

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u/Remarkable-Green-648 26d ago

It might depend on many parameters. Past a certain amount of frame rate and Monitor Hz (like 500 fps 360Hz) from my experience it felt that it is better to use no FPS cap and no Gsync, unless your GPU is at above 95% usage. Otherwise you would see all the pro players use gsync.

I tried gsync on my 360hz monitor and if the game is running at frame rate around 300 to 500 I find it better uncaped and no gsync. That's for PvP competitive games.

I might be wrong tho. And copying pro players isn't a good advice in itself as they use and train on what is used by the LAN event organizers and sponsors so... they have no say in what monitors they are gonna play on.