VSync required for "Hardware Composed: Independent Flip" in some games

using PresentMon (GitHub - GameTechDev/PresentMon: Capture and analyze the high-level performance characteristics of graphics applications on Windows.), in some games you only get "Hardware Composed: Independent Flip" when enabling VSync in-game. also, it appears Vulkan games for example, arent effected by graphics control panel VSync options, at least on Radeon.

When VSync is off in-game, PresentMon shows "Hardware: Independent Flip" instead. heres a graph that fully explains the difference between the two.


has anyone else experienced this issue where VSync is required to be enabled in-game for "Hardware Composed: Independent Flip"?

Radeon RX 5500 XT
Adrenalin 25.10.25.02 (Aug 5th 2025)

i noticed when SyncInterval is 1 in PresentMon, Hardware Composed: Independent Flip is used. When SyncInterval is 0, Hardware: Independent Flip is used. SyncInterval=1 is VSync ON and SyncInterval=0 is VSync OFF.

changing the in-game VSync will change SyncInterval corresponding.

im in the same situation, did u find a solution? i had an rtx 2060 super, in cs2 i get hardware independent flip but when i turn on gsync or vsync it kicks to hardware composed independent flip

i havent found a solution, but i think its by design. the special-k website does mention that "Hardware Composed: Independent Flip" can be active even though PresentMon reads "Hardware: Independent Flip". i feel VSync causes this scenerio but im not for certain.

are you on a non-tweaked vanilla system?