G-Sync and FreeSync in CS2: on or off?

How G-Sync and FreeSync work, whether they help in CS2, how to set them up correctly and why most players turn them off.

20 October 2026 1 min read 15

#cs2 #g-sync #freesync #vsync #monitor #guides

G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) sync your monitor's refresh rate with your FPS to remove screen tearing. In competitive play they have some caveats.

📌 What they do

No tearing when FPS is below the refresh rate.
Smoother image when FPS is unstable.

⚖️ Downsides for CS2

They only work when FPS is below the refresh rate. In CS2 FPS is usually much higher, so sync simply does not kick in.
Set up wrong together with V-Sync, they add latency.

🔧 If you want to use them

Enable G-Sync/FreeSync in your GPU driver and monitor menu.
In-game V-Sync — off.
Cap FPS slightly below your refresh rate, e.g. fps_max 237 for 240 Hz.
Enable NVIDIA Reflex (on NVIDIA).

🎯 What pros choose

Most disable sync and play with FPS well above the refresh rate — latency is lowest, and slight tearing is barely visible at high refresh rates.

⚠️ Tip

If your FPS is consistently below your refresh rate, G-Sync/FreeSync will genuinely make the game feel better.

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