Frame Generation Broken? Try This One Setting
Frame generation can look broken—ghosting, smearing, or a stuttery image—when the game’s frame rate is too low or the wrong upscaling mode is active. The single most impactful setting to fix this is forcing the game to run at a stable base frame rate of at least 60 FPS (or 2× your monitor’s refresh rate if it’s below 60Hz) before enabling frame generation, and then enabling V-Sync in the driver or game to prevent the generated frames from tearing. This article explains why that works, what else can cause artifacts, and how to configure it correctly.
What Frame Generation Actually Does
Frame generation (FG) is a technology that inserts artificially created frames between real rendered frames. It is available in several forms: NVIDIA’s DLSS 3/3.5 Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR 3, and Intel’s XeSS. The GPU uses optical flow accelerators or motion vectors to estimate where objects will be in the next frame, then creates an intermediate frame. The result is a higher frame rate displayed on screen, but the actual rendering workload (the “real� frames) is unchanged.
Because the generated frames are based on prediction, they are never as accurate as real frames. The quality of the output depends heavily on the input frame rate. If the real frame rate is 30 FPS, the GPU must generate 30 fake frames to reach 60 FPS—that’s a 50% fake content. If the real frame rate is 60 FPS, generating 60 more frames to reach 120 FPS means only 50% fake content, but the temporal distance between real frames is halved, making predictions much easier. Most manufacturers recommend a base frame rate of at least 60 FPS for acceptable quality.
The One Setting That Fixed It: V-Sync
Many users report that frame generation looks “broken� because of screen tearing or a shimmering effect. The cause is often that the game’s frame rate exceeds the monitor’s refresh rate, or the generated frames are not synchronized with the display. The fix is to enable V-Sync (vertical synchronization) in the game’s video settings or in the GPU driver control panel. This caps the frame rate to the monitor’s refresh rate (or a multiple of it) and prevents tearing. With frame generation, V-Sync also helps the GPU pace the generated frames correctly, reducing stutter and ghosting.
Why does this matter? Frame generation works by inserting frames between real ones. If the display refreshes at 144Hz and the game produces 200 FPS (with generated frames), the display can’t show all of them, causing tearing. V-Sync forces the game to output only as many frames as the monitor can display, ensuring each generated frame is shown for exactly one refresh cycle. Without it, the generated frames may be displayed out of order or skipped, leading to visual artifacts that users describe as “broken.�
How to Enable V-Sync for Frame Generation
The exact steps depend on your GPU and game, but the general process is:
- In-game: Look for a “V-Sync� or “Vertical Sync� option in the video settings. Set it to “On.� If the game has a “Frame Rate Limit� option, set it to your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 144 for 144Hz).
- NVIDIA: Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to “Manage 3D Settings,� and set “Vertical Sync� to “On� for the specific game. Also set “Max Frame Rate� to your monitor’s refresh rate.
- AMD: Open AMD Software, go to the game’s profile, and enable “Radeon Chill� or set a frame rate target. Set “Wait for Vertical Refresh� to “Always On.�
- Intel: In the Intel Graphics Command Center, enable “Vertical Sync� and set a frame rate limit.
If you have a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, you can also enable V-Sync in the driver and let the monitor handle the refresh rate. This is often the best combination: V-Sync in the driver, G-Sync/FreeSync on, and the game’s frame rate limited to slightly below the monitor’s max refresh rate (e.g., 138 for 144Hz).
Other Settings That Affect Frame Generation Quality
V-Sync is the most common fix, but other settings can also cause artifacts:
- Upscaling Mode: Frame generation is often paired with upscaling (DLSS, FSR, XeSS). If you use upscaling at a low preset (e.g., “Performance�), the internal resolution is very low, and the upscaled image may have ghosting. Try “Quality� mode.
- Base Frame Rate: As mentioned, if the real frame rate is below 60, the generated frames will look bad. Lower other settings (like shadows or reflections) to raise the base frame rate.
- Frame Generation Mode: Some games offer “Frame Generation� and “Frame Generation + Reflex� (NVIDIA). Reflex reduces latency, but if you have it off, the game may feel less responsive, which can be mistaken for broken visuals.
- Hardware Acceleration: If you have hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling enabled in Windows, it can sometimes interfere with frame generation. Try turning it off in Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Default Graphics Settings.
Common Misconception: Frame Generation Is Not a Substitute for Low FPS
Many users believe frame generation can turn a 30 FPS slideshow into a smooth 60 FPS experience. While it does increase the frame rate, the visual quality suffers because the generated frames are based on a small amount of real data. The result is often a “soap opera� effect, ghosting around moving objects, and input lag. The technology is designed to make a high frame rate feel even higher, not to fix a low frame rate. If your game runs at 30 FPS, you should first lower settings or upgrade hardware to get to 60 FPS, then enable frame generation to reach 120 FPS.
Another misconception is that frame generation reduces input lag. It does not—it can actually increase it because the GPU has to process the extra frames. NVIDIA’s Reflex helps mitigate this, but it is not a cure. For competitive games, you may want to disable frame generation entirely.
When to Use Frame Generation vs. Traditional Upscaling
Frame generation is best for single-player, visually demanding games where you want high frame rates on a high-refresh monitor. It is not recommended for competitive multiplayer games where input latency is critical. Traditional upscaling (DLSS, FSR, XeSS without frame generation) is a better choice if you want to improve performance without the extra latency and potential artifacts. Many games allow you to enable upscaling without frame generation—try that if you see ghosting or blurriness.
If your monitor is 60Hz, frame generation is less useful because you can’t display more than 60 FPS. In that case, use upscaling to maintain a stable 60 FPS and enable V-Sync to avoid tearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does frame generation cause ghosting in some games?
Ghosting occurs when the generated frames are not aligned with the real frames, often due to a low base frame rate or fast-moving objects. Enabling V-Sync and ensuring a stable 60+ FPS base reduces ghosting. Also, check if the game has a “Motion Blur� setting—turning it off can help.
Q: Should I enable V-Sync with G-Sync/FreeSync?
Yes, it is recommended. Enable V-Sync in the driver (not the game) and G-Sync/FreeSync on the monitor. Then limit the frame rate to 3-5 FPS below the monitor’s max refresh rate. This combination provides the smoothest experience without tearing.
Q: Does frame generation work on all GPUs?
No. DLSS 3 Frame Generation requires NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs (or newer). FSR 3 works on a wider range, including older AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, but quality varies. Check your GPU’s compatibility before enabling.
Q: Can frame generation cause crashes or driver issues?
Sometimes, especially if the game is not optimized. Ensure your GPU drivers are up to date. If you experience crashes, disable frame generation and report the issue to the game developer.
Q: Why does my frame rate show higher, but the game feels laggy?
Frame generation increases the display frame rate but not the actual rendering rate. Input lag can increase. Enable NVIDIA Reflex (if available) to reduce latency, or disable frame generation for competitive play.
Q: What is the ideal base frame rate for frame generation?
Most manufacturers recommend at least 60 FPS. For the best quality, aim for 60-80 FPS base. If your base frame rate is below 60, consider lowering settings or using upscaling instead.
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