2 easy ways to LIMIT the FRAMERATE in games

[MrBrown]

So limiting the framerate in games seems to be required for Gsync in order to avoid additional Input Lag, that occures when the framerate reaches 144 fps.

Some games offer this feature through the engine itself, like fps_max in Source based games. Some other games dont offer this fps limitation.

So I will share with you 2 easy ways how you can limit the framerate in those games.

The first option is through Nvidia Inspector. You can set the Framerate Limit globally for every single game or you can set it individually for each game. Also the frame rate limit is controlled by the nvidia driver itself, so this is the best solution I assume.

Here is a nice thread on how to do it via Nvidia Inspector, it also explains how to create custom fps entries in the Nvidia Inspector, so you can select your custom frame limit from the dropdown menu:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1368777/how- ... -inspector

The second option is by using the MSI Afterburner:

Heres a good video description how it works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CvoHXzaHKY

As far as I understand the Afterburner only offers global FPS limit for every game, whereas with Nvidia Inspector you can have different FPS limits for each game. Also Im not sure if the Nvidia Driver itself limits the FPS when using MSI Afterburner, but I assume it is.

Personally, I limit the fps to 132 in every game when using Gsync and I dont notice additional input lag when using 132 fps limit. By the way I didnt create that video or the thread on overclock.net, so credit goes to the guys who made those descriptions.

[omgBlur]

Awesome tip here! I was generally curious how this was going to work as I play quite a few games.

[fenderjaguar]

Rivatuner statistics server is the best. Far more accurate, precise and well timed than DXTory. RSS is what you're actually using with msi afterburner. You can download the standalone RSS without using afterburner, if you don't want to be running two programs.

nvidia driver level capping has been broken for some time now (since september last year, I think). And some speculated this has actually happened because of G-sync being incorperated into the drivers. frame rate limiter disables itself after some time, for some reason. Unless they have fixed it, I would not use it. Also, it can actually increase input lag for some games. It is/was an excellent frame rate capper in terms of timing/precision. And driver level capping had to be more 'solid' than software, didn't it? And yet, RSS is so good, I just cannot recommend driver level capping, especially if it's still getting disabled 10 minutes into your game.

[fenderjaguar]

As far as I understand the Afterburner only offers global FPS limit for every game, whereas with Nvidia Inspector you can have different FPS limits for each game. Also Im not sure if the Nvidia Driver itself limits the FPS when using MSI Afterburner, but I assume it is.

First, RSS does have individual profiles:

http://i.imgur.com/VjCdHFm.png

Second, RSS does not flick the switch for the drivers to cap the frame rate. It's done with software. EVGA precision does flick a driver switch. Which is why noobs over at the evga forums are complaining about precision software, when it's the drivers themselves that are buggy. They are barking up the wrong tree when complaining about precision, when precision itself doesn't cap anything, it's the drivers.

http://forums.evga.com/Frame-rate-targe ... 75140.aspx

My post is the last one on page 2. This is the before I discovered the wonderful RSS capping feature.

[MrBrown]

well unless its the game engine itself that is limiting the fps, I dont think its possible to limit fps via 3rd party software.. So I think the MSS also uses the driver level fps capping. But Im not quite sure about that, and the actual RSS dev would have to answer that question...

Seeing how the game profiles in RSS look the same as Nvidia Inspector, Id assume both are utilizing the nvidia drivers to limit fps and other things.

I didnt experience problems with Nvidia Inspector fps limiting, which uses the nvidia driver. I didnt notice additional input lag so far and it didnt suddenly disable after 10 minutes or so. Also Ive rarely seen ppl report problems with fps limiting through nvidia inspector, but i guess its pc dependent...

[whitestar]

It would be nice to have it confirmed that Rivatuner can actually work as good as an in-game limiter. This is kind of important to know before purchasing a GSYNC-monitor.

[fenderjaguar]

I didnt experience problems with Nvidia Inspector fps limiting, which uses the nvidia driver. I didnt notice additional input lag so far and it didnt suddenly disable after 10 minutes or so. Also Ive rarely seen ppl report problems with fps limiting through nvidia inspector, but i guess its pc dependent...

Yeah, I suppose. But maybe they fixed it since I last used it. I'll get back to you on that. I've not played PC games for a few months now, just emulators.

well unless its the game engine itself that is limiting the fps, I dont think its possible to limit fps via 3rd party software..

So.. you never used dxtory then? As far as I know, driver level capping can't be used on the fly (ie, alt tab from the game and alter the frame rate, which is what software level fps cappers like RSS and dxtory can do)

[fenderjaguar]

It would be nice to have it confirmed that Rivatuner can actually work as good as an in-game limiter. This is kind of important to know before purchasing a GSYNC-monitor.

bro...it works.

Infact, I know you'll find this hard to believe (I did myself at one point) but RSS is actually better than driver OR engine based capping.

Why don't you just try it? It's not like you need g-sync to try it out:

http://www.guru3d.com/files-get/rtss-ri ... oad,8.html

[Chief Blur Buster]

well unless its the game engine itself that is limiting the fps, I dont think its possible to limit fps via 3rd party software..

External frame rate limiters work, but internal framerate limiters (fps_max) will have less input lag. Most people will not notice, except for highly attuned competitive game players sensitive to input lag differentials of just a few miliseconds.

[whitestar]

It would be nice to have it confirmed that Rivatuner can actually work as good as an in-game limiter. This is kind of important to know before purchasing a GSYNC-monitor.

bro...it works.

Infact, I know you'll find this hard to believe (I did myself at one point) but RSS is actually better than driver OR engine based capping.

Why don't you just try it? It's not like you need g-sync to try it out:

http://www.guru3d.com/files-get/rtss-ri ... oad,8.html

I don't find it hard to believe at all. I'll take your word for it. Sounds good.