What Is Screen Tearing in Gaming & How Do You Fix It?
Lennon Byatt
Have you ever been playing a game, moved your camera quickly and noticed the image looks like it has been split across the screen?
That’s called screen tearing.
It can look distracting, especially in fast-paced games, but it usually doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your gaming PC.
Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications
For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:
| Component | Recommendation |
|
CPU
|
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
|
|
GPU
|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
|
|
RAM
|
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
|
|
Storage
|
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
|
|
Motherboard
|
B650
|
|
PSU
|
750W 80 PLUS Gold
|
This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
What Causes Screen Tearing?
Screen tearing happens when your graphics card and monitor are not perfectly in sync.
Your GPU creates the frames you see, while your monitor displays them at a certain refresh rate.
For example, if your PC is producing 140 FPS but your monitor is running at 60Hz, the graphics card may send a new frame before the monitor has finished displaying the previous one.
This can cause parts of two different frames to appear on screen at the same time, creating the visible “tear”.
When Is Screen Tearing Most Noticeable?
You are more likely to notice screen tearing during fast movement, such as:
- Quickly turning your camera in a shooter
- Driving at speed in a racing game
- Moving through busy environments
- Playing games at a very high FPS
It can happen even when your PC is producing strong performance, so high FPS does not always mean perfectly smooth visuals.
You are more likely to notice screen tearing during fast movement
Is Screen Tearing the Same as Low FPS?
No.
Low FPS means your gaming PC is struggling to produce enough frames.
Screen tearing happens when those frames are not being displayed in sync with your monitor.
You can therefore have a game running at a high frame rate and still experience tearing.
If you’re unsure what FPS actually means, check out our simple guide to FPS in gaming.
How Can You Reduce Screen Tearing?
There are several common ways to help reduce it.
FreeSync and G-SYNC
Modern gaming monitors often support technologies such as AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC.
These allow your monitor to adjust its refresh rate to better match the frames being produced by your graphics card.
This can help make gameplay look much smoother.
If you’re looking to upgrade your display, browse AWD-IT’s range of gaming monitors.
Limiting your frame rate can help create more consistent performance and reduce unnecessary strain on your GPU.
V-Sync
V-Sync is another option found in many games.
It helps prevent your graphics card from sending frames faster than your monitor can display them.
This can reduce tearing, although some players may notice a small increase in input delay depending on the game and setup.
Limit Your FPS
You can also try setting an FPS limit.
If your monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate, for example, there may be little benefit in allowing some games to run at several hundred FPS.
Limiting your frame rate can help create more consistent performance and reduce unnecessary strain on your GPU.
Average FPS vs 1% Low
Here’s a simple example:
| Gaming PC | Average FPS | 1% Low |
|
PC A
|
160 FPS
|
65 fps
|
|
PC B
|
145 FPS
|
110 FPS
|
At first glance, PC A looks faster because it has the higher average FPS.
But PC B maintains much stronger performance during demanding moments.
For someone actually playing the game, PC B may therefore provide the smoother and more consistent experience.
This is one reason AWD-IT's existing performance guides sometimes refer to maintaining strong 1% lows alongside average FPS.
Check Your Monitor Refresh Rate
It is also worth making sure your monitor is actually running at its advertised refresh rate.
A 144Hz, 165Hz or 240Hz monitor may not always automatically run at its maximum setting when first connected.
Checking your Windows display settings can help make sure you are getting the full benefit of your monitor.
Does Your Gaming PC Matter?
Yes.
Your graphics card, processor, monitor and game settings all work together to create the final gaming experience.
A powerful GPU paired with an older low-refresh-rate monitor may not feel as smooth as expected, while a balanced setup can make a noticeable difference.
If you’re considering an upgrade, explore AWD-IT’s range of gaming PCs built for different resolutions, games and performance levels.
Your graphics card, processor, monitor and game settings all work together to create the final gaming experience.
What About 0.1% Lows?
If you've watched detailed PC benchmark videos, you might have also seen 0.1% low FPS.
This looks at even rarer slow frames.
For the average customer comparing gaming PCs, you don't need to obsess over it.
The easiest way to think about the numbers is:
Average FPS = How fast does it normally run?
1% low = How well does it hold up when things get demanding?
That's really all you need to know.
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Don't Forget Your Monitor
Your PC can produce hundreds of frames every second, but your monitor also needs to be capable of displaying high refresh rates for you to fully benefit from them.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
If you're unsure what Hz means, read AWD-IT's guide to why monitor refresh rate matters, or browse the latest gaming monitors.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
Expected Gaming Performance
|
Game
|
1440p High
|
1440p Ultra
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
120 FPS
|
90 FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
120 FPS
|
95 FPS
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
150+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
200+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.
1440p Gaming
1440p provides a sharper image than 1080p but requires additional graphics power.
The AWD-IT Ares Ryzen 5 RX 9060 XT Gaming PC is a suitable option for players who want higher graphical settings, stronger frame rates and the ability to move into 1440p gaming.
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT
High-End Gaming
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT.
These cards provide the additional performance needed for demanding modern games, detailed graphical settings and higher-resolution monitors.
Browse AWD-IT’s range of RX 9070 XT gaming PCs.
Should You Pair Radeon with Ryzen?
A Radeon graphics card does not need an AMD Ryzen processor, but pairing the two can create a well-balanced all-AMD gaming system.
The most important consideration is balance. Your processor should be powerful enough to support the graphics card, while sufficient RAM, SSD storage and cooling will help the entire system perform reliably.
You can explore AWD-IT’s AMD Ryzen and Radeon gaming PCs for complete systems using both technologies.
Prebuilt or Build Your Own?
Building a PC gives you control over every individual component, but it also requires additional research, assembly and troubleshooting.
A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled and tested, making it a more convenient option for many first-time buyers.
It also gives you one main point of contact if you require technical support or warranty assistance.
Which Radeon Gaming PC Should You Choose?
Before choosing, consider:
- The games you want to play
- Your target resolution
- The frame rates you expect
- Your monitor’s refresh rate
- How long you want the PC to last
An RX 9060 system can be a strong choice for 1080p gaming, while the RX 9060 XT provides more room for higher settings and 1440p. The RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are better suited to demanding high-resolution gaming.
Should You Care About 1% Lows When Buying a Gaming PC?
You don't need to become obsessed with benchmark numbers.
But if you're comparing two gaming PCs, don't judge them purely by their highest or average FPS figure.
Consistent performance matters too.
The ideal gaming PC isn't simply one that can reach a massive FPS number for a few moments. You want a balanced system that can keep your gameplay feeling smooth when a game becomes more demanding.
That's why components such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and cooling all matter when putting together a gaming system.
You can explore AWD-IT's complete range of gaming PCs to find systems designed for different games, resolutions and performance targets.
The Simple Answer
Screen tearing is simply what happens when your graphics card and monitor are displaying frames out of sync.
It usually does not mean your PC is broken.
Using features such as FreeSync, G-SYNC, V-Sync or an FPS limit can help create a smoother and cleaner image.
For the best experience, try to match your gaming PC’s performance with a monitor that has the right refresh rate for the games you play.
Related Guides
- Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
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- Best CPU for RTX 5070
- What Is Resizable BAR?
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
