In these two examples, 2 back frame buffers are used ensuring that a frame is always stored on the second back buffer ready to be drawn on the display as it refreshes.

Video cards and the multi buffering programs can run independently of each other reducing strain on the cards which prevents tearing and minimizes lag during gaming. This ensures that only one frame can be drawn at a go. In multiple buffering ( double/triple frame buffers), 1 or 2 frames (back buffer) are prepared by the video card but are not drawn until the already displayed frame/front buffer ( on the monitor) is swapped. Vertical synchronization/Vsync and multiple buffering technologies have been implemented to mitigate screen tearing and stutter. In addition, most games are played at lower frame cycles.Ī defective cable can also cause issues with stutter, tearing, and other video artifacts but this should be fairly easy to troubleshoot since it also affects the audio signals. With high refresh rate monitors ( 120 Hz+), screen tearing is unlikely as they are made of high-quality panels, have better processors, and are able to sync better with the GPU’s frame rate. When the refresh rate is significantly larger than the frame rate, gaming will feel laggy and slow as some frames may be skipped. In this example, the stutter will be more noticeable since 144 is not a multiple of 60 (the monitor’s panel refreshes 2.4 for each frame) causing timing issues.

What you end up with 2-half frames or more being displayed concurrently.Ĭonsequently, you may experience stuttering if your GPU can’t keep up with the display’s refresh rate (i.e running 60 fps at 144 Hz). However, this is more likely to happens when the FPS is higher than the refresh rate (i.e, running 120 fps at 60Hz).Īs the display circuitry tries to output the already rendered frames at a frequency higher than its refresh rate, one or more frames start displaying on an already displayed frame causing phase issues and tearing. A buffer is a physical memory in a video card where data is stored before being moved to the display’s processor. Screen tearing is caused by buffer switch synchronization issues between the video processor (GPU/graphics card) and how fast the display can refresh each frame.

4 Screen tearing myths? Causes of screen tearing.

Bandicam screen tearing