Vertical synchronization

While waiting for the localized PC Gamer to hit the store at my place (Yes its pretty slow). I picked up a local game magazine out of boredom and while reading it, I stumble upon an interesting statement while reading their comments about the recent GTA IV performance and tweaking tips;

"...V-Sync - Vertical synchronization, used only for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors, not required if you use an LCD..."

I'm not sure about general usage but the author is obviously referring to game, GTA IV in this case. I did some research but only found few sites with limited information or dated discussion (2~3 years ago) which end up turning into CRT > LCD war.

I myself thinks the statement is not true, as I clearly knew and experienced V-sync's magic works even on an LCD screen. It get rid of the tearing and provide "smoothness" to the gameplay (Of course if the game stay above playable frame rate).

How true is his statement?

 

I agree with you nic.

I initially learned the same thing about v-sync as you read, but I've found that NOT true in my experience...maybe my laptop GPUs have never been powerful enough and that causes the tearing...but I get tearing using mame32 if I don't enable v-sync, and it's CPU, not GPU, intensive...and not even very CPU intensive if you're playing PacMan...

If I don't turn on v-sync, several games exhibit tearing on my XPS m1710 LCD...supposedly, enabling triple buffer helps offset the fps penalty of v-sync, but introduces other issues...

I don't globally enable v-sync or triple buffering...if the game doesn't have a v-sync option and I feel that it needs it, I use the .exe list in the nVidia control panel to enable it for that game...

My nVidia control panel doesn't have a triple buffering option for individual applications, so if the game itself doesn't have the option, I just live with the (small) fps penalty...

 

i usually always enable Vsync. it takes some load off the GPU, and it prevents tearing. i mean, why would i want 120fps if my screen can only display 60 fps? stupid, really...

 

vsync on for me..since 90s...

 

Vsync is a must, helps the video cards last longer since it only makes them work as hard as they have too.

It makes a huge difference in my desktop both in heat & noise, also prevents tearing.

The only reason to have it off is for benchmarking really.

 

Based on Vicious' comment, maybe my GPU is too fast with v-sync off...that would explain mame and most of the older games I play...

But I also get tearing with v-sync off on Dead Space...

 

Playing CS:S with Vsync on is just... unbearable o.o

The mouse lags like no tomorrow, I'd like to utilise Vsync since this laptop needs to last me awhile. But can anyone that plays CS:S confirm that there is a difference in the mouse feeling after Vsync is on? I hope it's not just me =S

 

I don't use VSync because I choose high enough settings so I don't exceed 60FPS.

 

does Vsync matter if you only get say 40 FPS in a game?

 

No. Apparently anything below your screens refresh rate (lets assume 60Hz for most) won't cause the tearing that Vsync is used to fix.

 

Thanks for all your input... So can we safely conclude that his statement is false?