Optimal Freesync Settings?

[Moof]

We all know the one and done method of Nvidia's G-Sync, where you enable both ULLM and Vertical Sync in the Nvidia Control Panel. Simple, no need to tinker with too much and can be applied globally.

As for AMD's Freesync I still confused how to set it up properly. I have read many forums and guides and I don't know what to stick with for AMD specifically. I'm mostly confused about one thing: the V-Sync Method

I have tested two configs that I think is the correct way to use Freesync, but I want another opinion. Which one of these is properly utilizes Freesync?

Config #1
AMD Freesync - AMD Optimized
Radeon Anti-Lag - Enabled
Radeon Enhanced Sync - Enabled
V-Sync Off In-game

Config #2
AMD Freesync - AMD Optimized
Radeon Anti-Lag - Enabled
Radeon Enhanced Sync - Disabled
Wait for Vertical Refresh - Off, unless application specifies
Frame Rate Target Control - (-3 Max Refresh Rate)
V-Sync On In-game

[Stizzie]

I set and forget according to this recommended by AMD
https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/free-sync-settings

Config #1
AMD Freesync - AMD Optimized
Radeon Anti-Lag - Enabled
Radeon Enhanced Sync - Enabled
V-Sync Off In-game

Enhanced Sync is horrible terms of fluidity. Often times there'll be annoying micro stutters.
Use driver Vsync and In game Vsync off instead.

Config #2
AMD Freesync - AMD Optimized
Radeon Anti-Lag - Enabled
Radeon Enhanced Sync - Disabled
Wait for Vertical Refresh - Off, unless application specifies
Frame Rate Target Control - (-3 Max Refresh Rate)
V-Sync On In-game

FRTC is not reliable as it doesn't work in some games. If you want a FPS cap use RTSS.
For input lag -3 Max Refresh Rate cap is what you want. Though I've seen some game doesn't like being RTSS capped. A Vsynced cap is absolutely fine. The input lag is totally negligible.
Other than those above config #2 is good.

[sky_dynasty]

AMD Freesync - AMD Optimized
Radeon Anti-Lag - Enabled
Radeon Enhanced Sync - Disabled
Wait for Vertical Refresh - Off, unless application specifies
V-Sync On In-game

Cap fps using in-game engine if possible.

Average latency for fps caps sorted from best to worst:
in-game, driver cap, rtss

FPS cap depends on monitor refresh rate.
240hz = 192fps
165hz = 140fps
144hz = 124fps
120hz = 106fps

For more info, watch this video by Graphically Challenged on YouTube:
This Setting is Ruining Your PC - Gsync/Freesync & FPS Caps

[Stizzie]

FPS cap depends on monitor refresh rate.
240hz = 192fps
165hz = 140fps
144hz = 124fps
120hz = 106fps

Why such an aggressive frame cap below refresh rate ? With Vsync On only 3 frames below refresh will be suffice for proper VRR.

[sky_dynasty]

FPS cap depends on monitor refresh rate.
240hz = 192fps
165hz = 140fps
144hz = 124fps
120hz = 106fps

Why such an aggressive frame cap below refresh rate ? With Vsync On only 3 frames below refresh will be suffice for proper VRR.

VRR used by g-sync and freesync displays needs 1ms of additional time to work.

real refresh rate when using variable refresh rate / g-sync / freesync
to get no tearing, you must add 1ms

1000ms (1 second) / 138fps (display refresh) = 7.246ms
7.246ms + 1ms (of freesync) = 8.246ms

new framerate therefore is
1000ms (1 second) / 8.246ms = 121.27fps

round down to nearest even number -> 120

240hz = 192fps
165hz = 140fps
144hz = 124fps
120hz = 106fps


My source for the information above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OQjqWOm1uA

[Stizzie]

real refresh rate when using variable refresh rate / g-sync / freesync
to get no tearing, you must add 1ms

Vsync coupled with VRR already taken care of tearing. Only a frame cap needed to ensure FPS never reach the VRR ceeling. I also noticed games paced better ( terms of frame time ) when Vsync enabled.

[sky_dynasty]

real refresh rate when using variable refresh rate / g-sync / freesync
to get no tearing, you must add 1ms

Vsync coupled with VRR already taken care of tearing. Only a frame cap needed to ensure FPS never reach the VRR ceeling. I also noticed games paced better ( terms of frame time ) when Vsync enabled.

Correct.

Why such an aggressive frame cap below refresh rate ? With Vsync On only 3 frames below refresh will be suffice for proper VRR.

For Nvidia graphics cards:
Using the data given by the video I quoted above, when combining VRR with v-sync (in nvidia control panel), you only need to add 0.3ms of latency for VRR to work correctly. Therefore the FPS caps should be:

240hz = 233fps
165hz = 156fps
144hz = 138fps
120hz = 115fps

Reflex caps fps automatically when used with VRR and v-sync.

AMD graphics cards need 1ms additional time for VRR to work. Therefore the fps caps (if needed) are lower.

240hz = 192fps
165hz = 140fps
144hz = 124fps
120hz = 106fps

************************************

My display is 165Hz freesync premium. Fps cap should be 140. GPU - RX 6700 XT.

I tested some games using RTSS (frametime on in OSD, text, graph) to check for frametime variances. AMD Freesync and v-sync were turned on.

Rise of the Tomb Raider
Unstable frametime when fps between 142-146, both in full screen exclusive and borderless fullscreen.
vsync in amd adrenalin and in-game did not affect this range.
fps cap @ 140 fixed frametime variances.

Overwatch 2
Unstable frametime when fps between 142-146
fps cap @ 136 works best to remove frametime variances.

Far Cry: New Dawn
Unstable frametime when fps between 140-144
fps cap @ 136 works best to remove frametime variances.

[Unwinder]

My source for the information above:

That's not a source of information, that's a source of misinformation. That 1ms rule is utter nonsense.