Vertical synchronization

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Vertical synchronization (v-sync) refers generally to the synchronization of an event with the vertical blanking interval. Generally video displays are refreshed sequentially and on older CRT based displays, a short delay is required between updating the lowest horizontal line of the display and returning to refresh the highest. This delay, which is preserved by more modern display equipment, gives an opportunity in computer graphics to alter the contents of a framebuffer without visible graphical errors such as partially redrawn graphics or page tearing (when the top part of the display shows part of one frame and the bottom part shows of another).

Computer games often allow vertical synchronization as an option, but is sometimes disabled because it has the effect of limiting frame rates to the monitor's refresh rate frequency.