A computer device, comprising: a memory to store data and instructions; a processor in communication with the memory; and an operating system in communication with the memory and the processor, wherein the operating system is operable to: render at least one image frame received from an application for a virtual reality image for display on a display device; receive a selection of one of a plurality of tear thresholds, wherein each of the plurality of tear thresholds define conditions for tearing in a displayed image; determine whether the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds occurs after a frame timing event that corresponds to a deadline for initiating display of a new frame; and communicate the rendered image frame to the display device for presentation on the display device when the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the display device comprises a display that presents a portion of a prior rendered frame and switches to presenting a current rendered frame when the operating system receives the rendered frame by the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds. a memory to store data and instructions; a processor in communication with the memory; and an operating system in communication with the memory and the processor, wherein the operating system is operable to: render at least one image frame received from an application for a virtual reality image for display on a display device; receive a selection of one of a plurality of tear thresholds, wherein each of the plurality of tear thresholds define conditions for tearing in a displayed image; determine whether the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds occurs after a frame timing event that corresponds to a deadline for initiating display of a new frame; and communicate the rendered image frame to the display device for presentation on the display device when the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the display device comprises a display that presents a portion of a prior rendered frame and switches to presenting a current rendered frame when the operating system receives the rendered frame by the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds. render at least one image frame received from an application for a virtual reality image for display on a display device; receive a selection of one of a plurality of tear thresholds, wherein each of the plurality of tear thresholds define conditions for tearing in a displayed image; determine whether the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds occurs after a frame timing event that corresponds to a deadline for initiating display of a new frame; and communicate the rendered image frame to the display device for presentation on the display device when the rendered frame is received prior to the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds, wherein the display device comprises a display that presents a portion of a prior rendered frame and switches to presenting a current rendered frame when the operating system receives the rendered frame by the selected one of the plurality of tear thresholds.