What does V-Sync actually do to your PC's frames per second?

Vertical Synchronization, commonly known as V-Sync, is a graphics technology designed to synchronize a game's frame rate with the refresh rate of a monitor. By forcing the GPU to wait for the display to finish its current refresh cycle before sending a new frame, V-Sync effectively eliminates screen tearing—a visual artifact where multiple frames appear on screen simultaneously. However, this synchronization process often comes at a cost. Enabling V-Sync can introduce noticeable input lag, as the GPU is prevented from rendering frames as quickly as possible. Furthermore, if a system cannot maintain a frame rate consistent with the monitor's refresh rate, V-Sync can cause significant stuttering. While it remains a useful tool for preventing visual glitches in slower-paced games, competitive players often disable it to prioritize responsiveness and lower latency over perfect visual alignment.