G-SYNC 101: G-SYNC Ceiling vs. V-SYNC


Identical or Fraternal?

As described in G-SYNC 101: Range, G-SYNC doesn’t actually become double buffer V-SYNC above its range (nor does V-SYNC take over), but instead, G-SYNC mimics V-SYNC behavior when it can no longer adjust the refresh rate to the framerate. So, when G-SYNC hits or exceeds its ceiling, how close is it to behaving like standalone V-SYNC?

Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings
Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings
Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings
Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings
Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings
Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Input Latency & Optimal Settings

Pretty close. However, the G-SYNC numbers do show a reduction, mainly in the minimum and averages across refresh rates. Why? It boils down to how G-SYNC and V-SYNC behavior differ whenever the framerate falls (even for a moment) below the maximum refresh rate. With double buffer V-SYNC, a fixed frame delivery window is missed and the framerate is locked to half the refresh rate by a repeated frame, maintaining extra latency, whereas G-SYNC adjusts the refresh rate to the framerate in the same instance, eliminating latency.

As for “triple buffer” V-SYNC, while the subject won’t be delved into here due to the fact that G-SYNC is based on a double buffer, the name actually encompasses two entirely separate methods; the first should be considered “alt” triple buffer V-SYNC, and is the method featured in the majority of modern games. Unlike double buffer V-SYNC, it prevents the lock to half the refresh rate when the framerate falls below it, but in turn, adds 1 frame of delay over double buffer V-SYNC when the framerate exceeds the refresh rate; if double buffer adds 2-6 frames of delay, for instance, this method would add 3-7 frames.

“True” triple buffer V-SYNC, like “alt,” prevents the lock to half the refresh rate, but unlike “alt,” can actually reduce V-SYNC latency when the framerate exceeds the refresh rate. This “true” method is rarely used, and its availability, in part, can depend on the game engine’s API (OpenGL, DirectX, etc).

A form of this “true” method is implemented by the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) for borderless and windowed mode, and by Fast Sync, both of which will be explained in more detail further on.

Suffice to say, even at its worst, G-SYNC beats V-SYNC.



2778 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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ULA
Member
ULA

Hi there!

First of all, thanks for the guide! helped a lot.

Now, to my question. I am looking to play Cyberpunk with the path-tracing settings, which is obviously a computional nightmare—even for my 4090. This would be the first time I will enable DLSS 3.0, which I will refer to as frame-generation (FG) from here on it. I will be using the perfomance-mode of DLSS 2.0, since I game at 4k and I want to mininze the input lag from FG; I believe the higher the native frame rate, the lower the input delay due to FG.

Now, from what I know, is that I should still enable V-sync from the NVIDIA control pannel. However, it is not needed to set the frame rate 3FPS below the monitor’s refersh rate, since that is automatically done by Reflex (which will be enabled by default when using FG).

However, I would still like to cap my frame rate below my native 120FPS, say at 100FPS, so that the frame rate is consistent. But, I noticed that the frame-rate limiter (both in-game and in the NVIDIA control panel) has zero affect. Is this beheviour expected?

Dogelol
Member
Dogelol

I used the Gsync on – Vsync on (in NVCP) and frame rate cap to 160 (165hz max) from RTSS however I experience varying degrees of flickering in menus mostly but in some games too.

From what I know there is no way to fix the flickering as it is something normal for VA/OLED’s.

My question is if I can not detect tearing (most likely there is some but either high fps/oled smoothness or simply my eyes not detecting it)

I am thinking about playing with Gsync off and no vsync on and just an fps cap. Would that impact my experience?

Ideally I would like to keep gsync on due to the smoothness I feel with it however the flickering is a deal breaker for me.

What is the best combination if I do not wish to use Gsync, should I keep vsync and fps cap, or only the fps cap?

Thank you!

august
Member
august

best settings for eafc 24?

rec0veryyy
Member
rec0veryyy

hi, i have been playing cs2 for several weeks, my monitor is 1440p 144hz with gsync compatible, in the nvcp i have gsync on + vsync on, i also limit the fps to 141 inside the nvcp, then inside the game vsync off and the nvidia reflex off, i get 138fps as expected and everything works fine, but i have a question, should i play like this or disable the vsync in the nvcp for cs2 to go to 200 or 300fps? because as I understand the more fps the less frametime in ms, now I would have about 7.2ms but if I unlimit it and I go to 250fps I would have 4ms, is this really so and would it make any difference?

HarmVJ
Member
HarmVJ

So windows 10 has something called VRR in the graphics setting. Should it be used in tandem with G-Sync + NVCP Vsync. Some sources and review just say to turn it on along with g-sync.

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