[SOLVED] Aiming and Smoothness with Changing Framerate and Adaptive Sync

[richk1853]

Hi everyone, I just got a HP25x which is a 1080p FreeSync Monitor that is also G Sync compatible with my RTX 2070 and it has a range of 48hz-144hz where the Adaptive Sync works. I play a lot of Triple A multiplayer FPS games, and even with a RTX 2070 and i7 6700k playing these games like Modern Warfare and Battlefield V on low settings at 1080p I can't always expect to maintain 144fps due to either in Modern Warfare a graphics bottleneck or in Battlefield V a CPU bottleneck.

My question is, even with Adaptive Sync and no screen tearing, will there be any micro jittering that can affect my aim and consistency if the framerate hovers between say 120fps-144fps and my refresh rate is 144hz? Is it better to run the games say at 120hz instead of 144hz if I get drops below 144 fps so I have a more smooth and consistent experience and my aim is always the same and no micro stutters or jitters? My main concern isn't screen tearing, but to have a smooth and consistent experience so my mouse aim is always true.

 

[tennis2]

Your VRR monitor refresh rate is whatever the frame rate is.

I would think that it's always better to leave frame rates alone since it gives you the most recent game output on the display. However, some games (and actually the latest Nvidia driver) have a frame rate limiter setting. Setting the limit slightly lower than the uncapped potential COULD allow the system to narrow the amplitude between the lows and the highs, but you're taking away those instances where maybe you are seeing the game world at >120fps then.

 

[richk1853]

Your VRR monitor refresh rate is whatever the frame rate is.

I would think that it's always better to leave frame rates alone since it gives you the most recent game output on the display. However, some games (and actually the latest Nvidia driver) have a frame rate limiter setting. Setting the limit slightly lower than the uncapped potential COULD allow the system to narrow the amplitude between the lows and the highs, but you're taking away those instances where maybe you are seeing the game world at >120fps then.

Yes, but would not the mouse aiming and and overall feel be more consistent at 120hz with framerates between 125-200 fps VS bouncing between 125fps and 200fps with a 144hz refresh rate? I know the FreeSync would smooth things over and there would be no screen tearing, but won't it screw up your aiming and feel if the refresh rate is always changing?

 

[tennis2]

So you're asking if you should leave variable refresh on or off? DEFINITELY on

 

[richk1853]

So you're asking if you should leave variable refresh on or off? DEFINITELY on

No, I'm keeping FreeSync ON for sure. What I'm asking is should I just cap the refresh rate at 120hz where it will stay 99% of time vs cap the refresh rate at 144hz and have a constantly changing refresh rate between 120-144hz? Either case FreeSYNC will be ON. I am after the smoothest experience when aiming with a mouse.

 

[tennis2]

Ok, that's what I was initially explaining. It comes down to how the frame rate cap is being achieved.

What is your actual frame rate variance? (Use something like FRAPS to log the frame time of every frame)
Here's an example (@1440p Ultra Settings w/ an i9-9900K):

If the frame rate variance is only 120-144 I think you're splitting hairs and are better off leaving things uncapped. Ultimately it'd be a waste to cut yourself out of aiming situations where you're seeing the game world at 144FPS. However, it may just be a personal preference thing. Test both ways and choose the one you prefer.

If you're getting regular dips that are quite large, then there's probably an issue somewhere else (ie RAM or CPU)

 

[richk1853]

Ok, that's what I was initially explaining. It comes down to how the frame rate cap is being achieved.

What is your actual frame rate variance? (Use something like FRAPS to log the frame time of every frame)
Here's an example (@1440p Ultra Settings w/ an i9-9900K):

If the frame rate variance is only 120-144 I think you're splitting hairs and are better off leaving things uncapped. Ultimately it'd be a waste to cut yourself out of aiming situations where you're seeing the game world at 144FPS. However, it may just be a personal preference thing. Test both ways and choose the one you prefer.

If you're getting regular dips that are quite large, then there's probably an issue somewhere else (ie RAM or CPU)

Most of the time I am able to maintain 144fps (>90% of the time) so I think I will just keep it at 144hz. My hardware is working optimally compared to all the benchmarks I have studied, 144fps at all times on the latest Triple A games is hard even for an i9 9900k and 2080ti to maintain even at a modest resolution and settings like 1080p, which I suppose is the whole point of Adaptive Sync. I think I will just keep the refresh rate at 144hz. Thank you for your time and explanation!