VSync aligns graphics card frame rates with monitor refresh cycles
Engadget explains how vertical synchronization matches a PC's frame output to a display's refresh rate to prevent screen tearing.
How VSync prevents visual glitches
Screen tearing occurs when a display shows parts of two different frames at once. This happens if a graphics card renders frames faster than the monitor can update them. Turning VSync on forces the GPU to wait for the next refresh cycle before sending a new image.
Impact on performance numbers
Activating this feature stabilizes frame rates but limits the maximum output to the display's refresh speed. A game running at 100 FPS will drop to roughly 60 FPS on a 60 Hz screen. Conversely, a 144 Hz monitor allows the system to render up to 144 frames per second.
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