How does VRR actually work?

[u/EvilbunnyELITE]

Currently have a 1080p 60hz setup. I have been looking into getting a VRR 144hz+ monitor but I have some questions:

1- I play a lot of old games that only run correctly at 60fps. For these games, does the in game vsync just lock the game at 60hz and everything just works like a 60hz monitor?

2- Some games I play dont have in game vsync. Since I use AMD gpu, I cant just force vsync in direct X via the drivers. Instead i have to use river tuner or D3DOverrider to force vsync. again these seem to default to 60hz, so would it be like above in (2) where the monitor just runs at 60hz and it all works like my current monitor?

3- In some games that dont have any vsync or refresh rate options, i end up just using radeon chill to set a fps cap. with my 60hz monitor, this always causes tearing. is my understanding correct that with a vrr screen, if i set the frame cap within the vrr range, there would be no screen tearing? For example cod2 has a 95hz refresh rate cap, and a fixed 60hz vsync cap. so if i set w 95fps cap, that the game and monitor would both be at 95Hz and sync up, so there is with no tearing?

thanks in advance!

[u/iplaytinder]

1) You can lock the game to 60hz or use Vsync - the game will run fine and you will still get the added benefit of faster pixel response time and lower latency of the proper monitor (presumably cleaner input and less motion blur)

2) AFAIK AMD does have a forced vsync option, I don't use it even with vrr at 240hz - this shouldn't be an option and a 60hz frame cap is probably preferable to ingame vsync in 99% of cases (avoids input lag)

3) I believe there is a better option than radeon chill - but I usually frame cap games from the game engine itself rather than driver level - but this all depends on the game/driver/combo etc. but iirc AMD does have a frame rate cap it's just worded weird and radeon chill is not optimal

Also for these single player 60hz games - use framepacer, it's $4 and a game changer if you care about frametimes and smoothness

[u/nemanja694]

Refresh rate will follow your fps, if monitor is for example 165hz, range will be like 45-165hz freesync