How does Vsync work?

[AstroBenny]

If my monitor is set to 120Hz in the nvidia control panel but in game it is set to 60Hz will the game override the nvidia control panel? And if I'm playing at 60Hz, is there a difference if I have Vsync enabled or not if I am playing at under 60fps? - Because I understand that adaptive Vsync disables Vsync when fps drop below 60Hz (my refresh rate) but why? What happens if you have Vsync enabled and you go under 60fps?

[LiamApex]

V sync Makes the FPS lock at a maximum of your monitors refresh rate so for example if you get a 60 Hz monitor and turn on v sync you will get 60fps max or if it goes bellow 60 it will drop itself to 30. it prevents artifact and tearing etc

[AstroBenny]

V sync Makes the FPS lock at a maximum of your monitors refresh rate so for example if you get a 60 Hz monitor and turn on v sync you will get 60fps max or if it goes bellow 60 it will drop itself to 30. it prevents artifact and tearing etc

How come with Vsync enabled my fps goes down to as low as 40 but never 30..

Also what is the point of having refresh rates like 59Hz and 119Hz? What does this do?

[LiamApex]

How come with Vsync enabled my fps goes down to as low as 40 but never 30..

Also what is the point of having refresh rates like 59Hz and 119Hz? What does this do?

its just where the software stabilizes you FPS and 59 HZ is no real difference to 60 IMO as is 119 to 120

[sgtcool]

snip

can your system even achieve 120 fps?

if it cant ,it should lock it to 60 i belive (like if you cant get 60 it goes to 30,correct me if im wrong)

 

its not actually 60fps, its more about 59.9*something*

[tomison25]

Syncs your frames to avoid screen tearing. Also avoids stuttering in some cases.

[Sharkyx1]

can your system even achieve 120 fps?

if it cant ,it should lock it to 60 i belive (like if you cant get 60 it goes to 30,correct me if im wrong)

its not actually 60fps, its more about 59.9*something*

On a 120hz display it goes 120-60-45-40-30,which makes me wonder why consoles never pushed for 120 TV's as it gives you 40 and 45 fps vsync that 60 lacks, which would make the experience much smoother