What happens if my FPS is higher than my refresh rate?

The monitor can only show as many unique frames as its refresh rate allows, so the excess frames are discarded. Without VRR or V-Sync those frames arrive mid-refresh and produce screen tearing, a horizontal seam where two frames are visible at once.

Does a 144Hz monitor help if I only get 60fps?

Only partly. The monitor repeats the same frame until a new one arrives, so it is smooth but you are not using the full capability. Low frame rate also means longer frame times, which causes perceived stutter regardless of the refresh rate.

Does V-Sync add input lag?

Yes. V-Sync buffers frames to wait for the next refresh cycle, typically adding one to two frames of delay, which is 7 to 14ms at 144Hz. Running 60fps with V-Sync on a 144Hz monitor can add up to 33ms.

Frame Rate vs Refresh Rate: FPS vs Hz Explained

Q: What is the difference between FPS and Hz?

FPS is how many unique frames your GPU renders per second, set by your CPU, GPU, game settings and resolution. Hz is how many times per second your monitor redraws the screen, set by the monitor and your display settings. One is produced by the graphics card, the other by the display.

Q: How do G-Sync and FreeSync fix the mismatch?

Variable refresh rate makes the monitor refresh when the GPU delivers a frame instead of on a fixed schedule. At 87fps the monitor refreshes at 87Hz, at 143fps it refreshes at 143Hz. Within the supported range this removes tearing without the input lag penalty of V-Sync.

Frame rate and refresh rate are not the same thing

Frame rate (FPS): how many unique frames your GPU renders per second. Determined by your CPU, GPU, game settings, and resolution.

Refresh rate (Hz): how many times per second your monitor redraws the screen. Determined by your monitor and set in display settings.

They are produced by different devices (GPU vs monitor) and are almost never perfectly synchronized.

What happens when FPS ≠ Hz

FPS lower than Hz (e.g. 60 fps on 144Hz)

The monitor redraws the same frame multiple times until a new one arrives. Smooth enough, but you are not using the full 144Hz capability. Low FPS also means longer frame times, increasing perceived stutter independent of Hz.

FPS higher than Hz (e.g. 200 fps on 144Hz)

The monitor can only show 144 unique frames per second. The excess 56 frames are discarded. Without VRR/V-Sync, frames are delivered mid-refresh, causing screen tearing: a horizontal seam where two frames are visible simultaneously.

FPS equals Hz

Ideal and rare in practice. Consistent 144fps on 144Hz = perfectly smooth. Even small dips to 143fps cause occasional frame repeats.

V-Sync

V-Sync synchronizes the GPU's frame delivery to the monitor's refresh cycle, eliminating tearing. Downside: it buffers frames to wait for the next cycle, adding input lag (typically 1-2 frames worth, which is 7-14ms at 144Hz). At 60fps V-sync on a 144Hz monitor, input lag can be up to 33ms.

VRR: G-Sync and FreeSync

Variable Refresh Rate solves the mismatch problem elegantly. Instead of the monitor refreshing at a fixed Hz, it refreshes when the GPU sends a new frame. When your GPU renders a frame at 87fps, the monitor refreshes at 87Hz. At 143fps, it refreshes at 143Hz.

Within the VRR range (typically 48Hz to 144Hz or 165Hz), you get no tearing and no V-Sync input lag: the best of both worlds.

G-Sync vs FreeSync

G-Sync (NVIDIA): proprietary hardware module in the monitor. Historically more consistent, wider VRR range.

FreeSync (AMD): based on VESA Adaptive-Sync standard. Works on most modern monitors. Most G-Sync monitors also support FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync.

G-Sync Compatible: NVIDIA certification for FreeSync monitors that pass quality testing.

Both technologies work with modern integrated graphics and modern AMD/NVIDIA GPUs.

Why FPS above monitor Hz still helps

Even if your monitor is capped at 144Hz, running 300fps vs 144fps reduces the average time between frames that your system "knows about" before rendering. This reduces input lag in the GPU driver by keeping the frame queue shorter. This is why competitive players turn off V-Sync and run uncapped fps even on 144Hz monitors.

Refresh rate and FPS for gaming

For the smoothest experience:

Identify the FPS your hardware produces in your target game

Match monitor Hz to FPS capability: no benefit running 240Hz if you average 90fps

Enable VRR for the best experience below max Hz

Run uncapped and without V-Sync for lowest input latency when above Hz

Quick reference

Scenario	Result	Fix
FPS > Hz, no VRR, no V-Sync	Screen tearing	Enable VRR or V-Sync
FPS > Hz, V-Sync on	No tearing, added lag	Use VRR instead
FPS > Hz, VRR on	Smooth, low lag	Ideal
FPS < Hz, VRR on	Smooth, may need low framerate compensation	Check FreeSync Premium
FPS < Hz, no VRR	Stutter at low fps	Target higher FPS or use V-Sync

Use our Refresh Rate Test to confirm what Hz your browser is running at, and Frame Skip Test to detect dropped frames.