Some questions regarding fps, V-sync and 144hz monitors

[Roboslash1]

I recently got a 1080p 144 Hz monitor and honestly it feels great on games where I can actually hit that frame rate (Nvidia GTX 980 Ti). Everything is insanely smooth and there definitively is a perceivable difference between a 60 hz and 144 hz monitor.

 

However when I play games such as The Witcher 3, when my PC is not capable of hitting 144 fps on the graphics settings I'm using, I would just like to cap the fps to 60. So in such games I'm assuming if there an option to do so, limiting the screen refresh rate for the game itself is the best option. But what if the only options are enabling/changing V-Sync or fps limit? So while limiting the fps to 60, should I turn V-sync off or on? Will limiting the fps to 60, while running a 144 hz monitor cause stuttering or tearing? Essentially I'm asking: using a 144hz monitor, what display settings are best to use in games where I cannot reach 144 fps (smoothest experience without screen tearing)?

 

Thank you.