Performance remains inconsistent even at over 60 frames per second without VSync.
Performance remains inconsistent even at over 60 frames per second without VSync.
I purchased my PC and set up Windows 8.1 for the first time, and everything functioned flawlessly with games. After replacing my HDD with an SSD and reinstalling Windows 8.1 on it, performance improved significantly. When games ran without VSync, they appeared poor, often showing low frame rates like 60-120 FPS or even 80 FPS. However, with VSync enabled, the experience became smooth and buttery. I accept lower framerates for demanding titles but struggle with games that drop to around 57-58 FPS, especially titles like Dying Light and Far Cry 4. My ultra settings usually hit about 80 FPS, yet it feels sluggish without VSync. The issue might stem from driver conflicts, background processes, or hardware limitations despite the solid specs listed.
As I mentioned earlier, I played these games smoothly on the same PC and monitor with 60-120fps. Everything worked fine until I upgraded to an HDD and reinstalled Windows 8.1. It seems like that caused issues, though I don’t think the HDD is the main problem—I’m using Windows 8 on an SSD just like Dying Light. I also tried reinstalling Windows again, but it didn’t help either.
Your display will always show games at 60 frames per second, no matter what your applications indicate. The sensations you perceive have no real impact; your monitor can only operate at 60 FPS whether it receives 80 or 800 FPS in the game. Consider adjusting or disabling one setting at a time to identify which might cause issues. Also, ensure you have the most recent drivers for your GPU and verify if any problems exist with your overclocking.
On a 60 Hz display, you notice jagged lines when the refresh rate doesn’t match common multiples like 0.5x, 2x, or 4x of 60 FPS. It’s hard to explain why it looked smooth before and then stopped, but it seems unrealistic for ~80 FPS on such a monitor. The variation in game performance might be influencing the issue.
I've learned that enabling VSync usually costs some frames, but with my setup I run games at 1080p ultra and use VSync while playing with the controller—it works great. I also add all my games to D3DOVERLAY and enable VSync plus triple buffering. It solved my black flag problems with a smooth frame rate and I've been using it ever since. Consider giving it a shot. Good luck!
Get a display with 120Hz or 144Hz at 1920x1080 resolution, using G-SYNC or Free Sync. I won’t suggest Vsync due to timing problems. Vsync only causes delays.