Use GLX_SGI_video_sync to get a vblank signal.

ui/gl/gl_surface.h

Index: ui/gl/gl_surface.h
diff --git a/ui/gl/gl_surface.h b/ui/gl/gl_surface.h
index 56d8ae7a126015b3ecba46466c7c87afcc578dc2..e87801c9e7d669c55a3cf4e485f7e25cd0c37b0c 100644
--- a/ui/gl/gl_surface.h
+++ b/ui/gl/gl_surface.h
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
+#include "base/callback.h"
 #include "base/memory/ref_counted.h"
 #include "build/build_config.h"
 #include "ui/gfx/native_widget_types.h"
@@ -107,11 +108,15 @@ class GL_EXPORT GLSurface : public base::RefCounted<GLSurface> {
   // Get the GL pixel format of the surface, if available.
   virtual unsigned GetFormat();
 
+  typedef base::Callback<void(const base::TimeTicks timebase,
+                              const base::TimeDelta interval)>
+      UpdateVSyncCallback;
+
   // Get the time of the most recent screen refresh, along with the time
-  // between consecutive refreshes. Returns false when these values are
-  // unavailable.
-  virtual bool GetVSyncParameters(base::TimeTicks* timebase,
-                                  base::TimeDelta* interval);
+  // between consecutive refreshes. The callback is called as soon as
+  // the data is available (possibly never). The callback will not be called
+  // if the instance of this class is destroyed.

[piman, 2012/11/08 23:51:16]

Can you just mention that possibly the callback is called directly from the
function (as opposed to later)? It's fine, but it's possibly surprising.

[jonathan.backer, 2012/11/09 17:02:35]

Done.

+  virtual void GetVSyncParameters(const UpdateVSyncCallback& callback);
 
   // Create a GL surface that renders directly to a view.
   static scoped_refptr<GLSurface> CreateViewGLSurface(
@@ -164,8 +169,7 @@ class GL_EXPORT GLSurfaceAdapter : public GLSurface {
   virtual void* GetDisplay() OVERRIDE;
   virtual void* GetConfig() OVERRIDE;
   virtual unsigned GetFormat() OVERRIDE;
-  virtual bool GetVSyncParameters(base::TimeTicks* timebase,
-                                  base::TimeDelta* interval) OVERRIDE;
+  virtual void GetVSyncParameters(const UpdateVSyncCallback& callback) OVERRIDE;
 
   GLSurface* surface() const { return surface_.get(); }