Monitor's built-in refresh rate counter fluctuates a lot even when my framerate is perfect constant capped ?

[ChadMeat]

Monitor: Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 27-inch WLED GamingMy monitor is Gysnc - Compatible, max variable refresh rate of 165 fps.

When I cap the game below 165 in RTSS, my monitor's built-in fps counter would flicker all over the place when the framerate is constant at the capped fps max.

In the video, I capped my fps at 85 fps, and you can see from my in-game fps is 85, it is constant, but my monitor's built-in fps counter moves around a lot.
If I uncapped the fps with RTSS, then the monitor's refresh rate number wouldn't go crazy.

This happens with both RTSS and Nvidia Control Panel frame cap.
Does anyone know if this is normal for games capped below the max fps of variable refresh monitors?

Here's the video proof

phpBB [video]

[RealNC]

That's normal. Many built-in "FPS" counters do that. It doesn't mean anything, especially if you don't see stuttering.

[jorimt]

Does anyone know if this is normal for games capped below the max fps of variable refresh monitors?

To confirm what RealNC stated, for FreeSync monitors in G-SYNC Compatible mode, yes, it's normal; those OSD meters tend to be approximated and not entirely reliable. Also, unlike G-SYNC native OSD meters, they usually include LFC multiples, and not just the literal current frame/refresh rate.

They're really only useful for determining whether G-SYNC is active; fluctuating, active, static, not active.

[ChadMeat]

That's normal. Many built-in "FPS" counters do that. It doesn't mean anything, especially if you don't see stuttering.

Thanks for the reply!

Interesting, so this is normal. My question is, when I cap the fps in RTSS, even though the monitor's built-in fps counter is going all over the place at the 85 fps cap, is my monitor actually refreshing at all those crazy all-over-the-place rates? Or is that just a bug and the monitor is actually staying at the capped 85 fps?

Edit:

phpBB [video]

I just tested a new game, capped at 161 fps. Even when the game is not hitting the capped fps, the refresh rate number is going crazy and not in line with in-game fps. I assume this is normal as well as this is the G-Sync Compatible issue?

[RealNC]

It's like jorimt said. The monitor's counter is just being stupid. Everything is fine. You can easily check if the monitor is refreshing correctly by panning the camera in a game with the analog stick of a gamepad. I recommend a game that performs well and never stutters, like Doom 2016. The panning should be perfectly smooth. If the FPS would really jump around like that, it would be a stutter mess.