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G-SYNC 101: Control Panel

Published Jun 20, 2017 by in: G-SYNC

G-SYNC Module

The G-SYNC module is a small chip that replaces the display’s standard internal scaler, and contains enough onboard memory to hold and process a single frame at a time.

The module exploits the vertical blanking interval (the span between the previous and next frame scan) to manipulate the display’s internal timings; performing G2G (gray to gray) overdrive calculations to prevent ghosting, and synchronizing the display’s refresh rate to the GPU’s render rate to eliminate tearing, along with the delayed frame delivery and adjoining stutter caused by traditional syncing methods.

G-SYNC Demo

The below Blur Busters Test UFO motion test pattern uses motion interpolation techniques to simulate the seamless framerate transitions G-SYNC provides within the refresh rate, when directly compared to standalone V-SYNC.

NVIDIA Control Panel Retirement

As of NVIDIA driver version 610.47, the NVIDIA Control Panel has officially reached EOL:

“After 20 years of dedicated service, the classic NVIDIA Control Panel is officially retiring for Game Ready and Studio Drivers. For NVIDIA RTX PRO users, the NVIDIA Control Panel will continue to be supported until we have migrated professional features to the NVIDIA app

Existing installs of the NVIDIA Control Panel will remain on users’ systems, unless they perform a clean installation, and users who still need the NVIDIA Control Panel can continue to download it from the Microsoft Store, but we won’t be adding features, fixes, or other changes.”

While the original NVIDIA Control Panel settings locations will be retained below, the NVIDIA App settings locations are now also included for a more up-to-date reference.

G-SYNC Activation

“Full screen” / “Enable for full screen mode” (exclusive fullscreen-type functionality only) is automatically selected when a supported display is connected to the GPU. If G-SYNC behavior is suspect or non-functioning, tick off, apply, tick on, and apply.

G-SYNC Windowed Mode

“Full screen and windowed” / “Enable for windowed and full screen mode” allows G-SYNC support for legacy windowed and borderless windowed modes. This option was introduced in a 2015 driver update, and by manipulating the DWM (Desktop Windows Manager) framebuffer, allows G-SYNC’s VRR (variable refresh rate) to synchronize to the focused window’s render rate; unfocused windows remain at the desktop’s fixed refresh rate until focused on.

G-SYNC only functions on one window at a time, and thus any unfocused window that contains moving content will appear to stutter or slow down, a reason why a variety of non-gaming applications (popular web browsers among them) include predefined NVIDIA profiles that disable G-SYNC support. As such, per-profile application of this mode is optimal vs. global. See Closing FAQ #5 for instructions.

Note: this setting may require a game or system restart after application; “Show indicator” / “G-SYNC Indicator” can be enabled to verify it is working as intended.

G-SYNC Preferred Refresh Rate

“Highest available” is automatically selected when G-SYNC is initially enabled, and overrides the in-game refresh rate selector (if present), defaulting to the highest supported refresh rate of the display. This is useful for games that don’t include a selector, and ensures the display’s native refresh rate is utilized.

“Application-controlled” adheres to the desktop’s current refresh rate, or defers control to games that contain a refresh rate selector.

Note: this setting only applies to games being run in exclusive fullscreen-type modes. For games being run in legacy borderless or windowed modes, the desktop always dictates the refresh rate.

  • NVIDIA App
    Settings location

    The NVIDIA App does not expose the legacy “Preferred refresh rate” setting.

    While it is no longer directly accessible in the app, like with the NVIDIA Control Panel, it is still automatically selected when G-SYNC is initially enabled, just internally, and can alternatively be accessed via the NVIDIA Profile Inspector (download here):

    Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Control Panel

  • NVIDIA Control Panel
    Settings location (legacy)

G-SYNC & V-SYNC

G-SYNC (GPU Synchronization) works on the same principle as double buffer V-SYNC; buffer A begins to render frame A, and upon completion, scans it to the display. Meanwhile, as buffer A finishes scanning its first frame, buffer B begins to render frame B, and upon completion, scans it to the display, repeat.

The primary difference between G-SYNC and V-SYNC is the method in which rendered frames are synchronized. With V-SYNC, the GPU’s render rate is synchronized to the fixed refresh rate of the display. With G-SYNC, the display’s VRR (variable refresh rate) is synchronized to the GPU’s render rate.

Upon its release, G-SYNC’s ability to fall back on fixed refresh rate V-SYNC behavior when exceeding the maximum refresh rate of the display was built-in and non-optional. A 2015 driver update later exposed the option.

This update led to recurring confusion, creating a misconception that G-SYNC and V-SYNC are entirely separate options. However, with G-SYNC enabled, the “Vertical Sync” option in the control panel no longer acts as V-SYNC, and actually dictates whether, one, the G-SYNC module compensates for frametime variances output by the system (which prevents tearing at all times. G-SYNC + V-SYNC “Off” disables this behavior; see G-SYNC 101: Range), and two, whether G-SYNC falls back on fixed refresh rate V-SYNC behavior; if V-SYNC is “On,” G-SYNC will revert to V-SYNC behavior above its range, if V-SYNC is “Off,” G-SYNC will disable above its range, and tearing will begin display wide.

Within its range, G-SYNC is the only syncing method active, no matter the V-SYNC “On” or “Off” setting.

Currently, when G-SYNC is enabled, the “Vertical Sync” entry is automatically set to “Use 3D app setting” / “Use the 3D application setting” which defers V-SYNC fallback behavior and frametime compensation control to the in-game V-SYNC option. This can be manually overridden by changing the “Vertical Sync” entry in the control panel to “Off,” “On,” or “Fast.”

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3867 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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Nsnake771
Member
Nsnake771

Hi guys,
I recently played R6s Vulkan and as I do with every other games, I set on NVCP the max frame rate to 141, but it didn’t work in-game. Does the max frame rate featured doesn’t work on Vulkan games ?

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6 years 2 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

I have this game as well, so I just set Max Frame Rate in the NVCP to 97 @144Hz (random limit, no reason), and launched Siege in Vulkan mode. Was working for me.

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6 years 2 months ago
SEBAS30
Member
SEBAS30

If i play pubg with 2080 ti 8700k 32gig ram 3200 and alienware 240hz compatible g-sync.

what configuration do you recommend for maximum fluidity? g-sync on or off do I need to configure some special things in nvidia pannel? Anyway, I have a good machine. I would like to have your advice.

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Optimal G-SYNC settings can be found here for repeat reference:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

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6 years 3 months ago
ossi.akl
Member
ossi.akl

Hi Guys, I have a question I can’t seem to find the answer for anywhere. I have a very old gaming Laptop (2013 or 2014), and it has got one of the earliest versions of a 4K Panel. Problem is, it only runs on 48Hz. Disgusting. So I want to play Forza Horizon 4, but the game only gives me the options to have 24 or 48 FPS. 48FPS all the time is too demanding for my Laptop, but it could run 30 FPS without problems. Is there any way I can set a FPS Cap to 30 FPS, and have Vsync on for 30 FPS ? I tried setting a cap with Nvidia Inspector, but the Vsync doesn’t work even though its turned on.

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

While your comment is off-topic (this is a G-SYNC article), and there are some gaps in your explanation there (not sure if you tried in-game and NVCP V-SYNC?), have you tried using Nvidia’s new “Max Frame Rate” option in the NVCP to limit the game to 30 FPS, and then enable V-SYNC (either in-game or NVCP)?

If your laptop GPU is too old for the new driver that contains said FPS limiter, have you kept your 30 FPS NVI option enabled and tried both V-SYNC in-game and NVCP separately? Because NVCP V-SYNC should usually work.

FYI, you don’t need (and can’t) V-SYNC to 30 FPS with a 48Hz refresh rate, as it’s not divisible, so enabling V-SYNC for the 48Hz refresh rate, and then setting an external 30 FPS cap should work.

Finally if that doesn’t work, you should be able to keep your NVI 30 FPS cap, set your desktop to a 30Hz refresh rate through NVCP, and then enable V-SYNC either in-game or NVCP.

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6 years 3 months ago
Dan313
Member
Dan313

Hi, i have a 144 Hz Monitor with G-Sync activated. Does it make sense to play with 240 Fps, although my Monitor has a lower refresh rate than my fps are? For me, it feels more smooth but i don´t know if that is just my imagination

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Hi, i have a 144 Hz Monitor with G-Sync activated. Does it make sense to play with 240 Fps

240 FPS with G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on or 240 FPS with G-SYNC on + V-SYNC off?

I ask, because G-SYNC only works within the refresh rate…

With G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on + 240 FPS @144Hz, G-SYNC reverts to V-SYNC behavior, with lots of added input lag.

With G-SYNC on + V-SYNC off + 240 FPS @144Hz, G-SYNC fully disables, and you’re playing with no sync (standalone V-SYNC off).

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6 years 3 months ago
L.P.
Member
L.P.

Hi, I have another question which I couldn’t find an answer for.
I’m playing a game which has built in fps cap which caps automatically at 300fps (can be adjusted in-game by using it’s console). Since one of the latest updates of nvidia cp. there is a feature added “max frame rate”. Now my question is what’s the best thing to cap with, the in-game fps cap or nvidia control panel fps cap ? And if it’s nvidia cp. fps cap according to you, in that case should I turn off in-game fps cap ?
I’m asking this because of what I do is next, I use nvidia cap feature and cap my fps to 237 (240hz monitor, g-sync etc.. / no vsync). So this means that my fps cap is done for the particular game. Now I start the game and the configuration of the game also automatically caps to 300fps, and so I type in console of the game “fps_max 999” to kind off disable it (every time I start the game).
The thing is that I don’t understand if it’s a good idea because even if I leave the in-game fps limiter at 300, it shows 237 like adjusted in nvidia cp and even if I don’t leave it like that and put the in-game fps to 999 (like showed above here) , it still shows 237fps like adjusted in nvidia cp. So you would think “what’s the problem then?” The problem is that I don’t know if nvidia cp feature (fps limiter) is picking frames from the 300 in-game limited frames which are provided by game or is it picking from the 500,600 frames which I receive from the game after using the in-game console command “fps_max 999” for unlimited in-game frames.
Thanks in advance, hope it’s not confusing.

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Now my question is what’s the best thing to cap with, the in-game fps cap or nvidia control panel fps cap ? And if it’s nvidia cp. fps cap according to you, in that case should I turn off in-game fps cap ?

That can depend. In-game limiters typically have less input lag (about 1 frame) than external limiters such as Nvidia’s “Max Frame Rate” and RTSS, but have less steady frametime performance, whereas the external limiters typically have steadier frametime performance.

Try both and see what you prefer, but for the absolute lowest input lag, the in-game limiter is usually the optimal choice.

The thing is that I don’t understand if it’s a good idea because even if I leave the in-game fps limiter at 300, it shows 237 like adjusted in nvidia cp and even if I don’t leave it like that and put the in-game fps to 999 (like showed above here) , it still shows 237fps like adjusted in nvidia cp. So you would think “what’s the problem then?” The problem is that I don’t know if nvidia cp feature (fps limiter) is picking frames from the 300 in-game limited frames which are provided by game or is it picking from the 500,600 frames which I receive from the game after using the in-game console command “fps_max 999” for unlimited in-game frames.

That’s not how it works; if you set your external cap to 300 and your in-game cap to 237, the FPS will be limited by the in-game cap, whereas if you set your in-game cap to 300, and your external cap to 237, the FPS will be limited by the external cap.

The limiter with the lower number will always take precedence.

Also, FPS limiters are only active when the average framerate is sustained at them. If the framerate is below them, then the limiters aren’t active. So with a 237 FPS NVCP Max Frame Rate limit, and a 300 FPS in-game limit, only the NVCP limit will be active (as the framerate never hits 300 FPS, and thus never reaches the in-game limit), and only when your framerate is at 237 FPS (or whatever number you set); below that, neither the NVCP or in-game limiter are active.

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6 years 3 months ago
L.P.
Member
L.P.

That answered my question(s) for sure, thank you Very much !
I would like to ask you one more thing if you don’t mind:
I play counter strike and I’ve a lot of fps beyond what I need, +- 400 to 500fps (even with up to 40 to 50 players on server). So what I do is next, I try to use a higher level of antialiasing so to have a better look in the game and ofcourse that comes with fps drop which is logical. I use the AA (antialiasing) level (mode) that fits for my preferred max. fps limit, may be a slightly over it.
For example: my monitor >>> 240hz
max framerate limitter >>> 237fps
with preferred AA level >>> 290fps
Now like you see I still have enough fps with the level of AA I want for the game, now my question(s) is: will I still have input lag from this situation ? or may be more input lag than if I left AA at the level with which I got 400 to 500 fps ? and is AA level even causing any delay or input lag or whatever that is disturbing for
fast-paced shooters to react fast when needed (this in state of having slightly consistent higher fps than required for monitor refresh rate that is set, like example I mentioned above) ?

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

CS:GO uses MSAA I believe, which is a non-post-process AA variant that is typically more demanding than say FXAA or SMAA.

That said, typically, the only input “lag” MSAA “adds” is a lower framerate due to increased performance demands.

But if you can reach your target framerate, even with MSAA enabled, and your GPU isn’t maxed, then no, MSAA in CS:GO should not add any additional input lag.

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6 years 3 months ago
L.P.
Member
L.P.

THANK YOU AGAIN !
I would like to have your opinion on next thing. Like I already mentioned above I’ve 240hz (g-sync on) monitor and the thing with which I’m struggeling with is that if I should cap or not cap my fps in counter strike. I’ve read the advantages and disadvatages about it and I still can’t figure it out. So, based on your personal opinion, should you advice me to cap (237fps) or leave it uncapped and may be have those advantages ? in the last case let us say I will have +-300 fps in total or may be much more if I go for a softer level of AA

and does g-sync even work with uncapped frames above refresh rate ?

ps. v-sync I’m not even talking about because it doesn’t do any good to fast-paced shooters

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

So, based on your personal opinion, should you advice me to cap (237fps) or leave it uncapped and may be have those advantages ? in the last case let us say I will have +-300 fps in total or may be much more if I go for a softer level of AA

The input lag difference between G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on + 237 FPS limit vs. G-SYNC off + V-SYNC + uncapped is very slight at 240Hz. In fact, at crosshair level, the input lag difference is virtually zero:
comment image

That said, try both and see what you prefer the feel of, as both methods delivery frames differently.

and does g-sync even work with uncapped frames above refresh rate ?

No, G-SYNC only functions within the refresh rate. With G-SYNC on + V-SYNC off, for instance, at 300 FPS, you’re getting standalone V-SYNC off behavior until the framerate is below the refresh rate again (at which point G-SYNC will engage).

Like1Vote Down 
6 years 3 months ago
L.P.
Member
L.P.

That said I could even turn off g-sync when using uncapped fps limit, supposing that it doesn’t matter no more because my uncapped fps hits above 300 all the time, it doesn’t even come close to the max refresh rate I’m having (240hz) which makes g-sync in this case useless.
This brings me to the next step, which is ULMB or Fixed frequency (monitor technology feature NVCP). If fps exceeds the the g-sync activity limit, then may be I should use one of these ? whats your thought on that ?
From my own exprerience I read and heard that “fixed frequency” is not so usefull at all, but may be ULMB is in this case.

And about the picture you’ve posted which shows a few options of the fps limiters used:
The second option in it, I asume it’s g-sync on ? just to be sure to understand that correctly.
I’m actually interested in the first one to try and the thing that comes with v-sync in my mind is the low latencey mode (another nvcp feature) which has options like “on” and “ultra” to set. Suppose I pick the first option from the pic you posted, should I put low latency “on” or “ultra” because again there is much confusion between those two since people say “ultra” is not so good to play with and that you should go for the option “on” but nvidia company advices you to use ultra when v-sync is on.

Friend, I’m bombing you with those questions from all directions but since you’re THE Expert in these things I can’t let you go 😀 thanks for help anyway and apologies for the pressure.

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

That said I could even turn off g-sync when using uncapped fps limit, supposing that it doesn’t matter no more because my uncapped fps hits above 300 all the time, it doesn’t even come close to the max refresh rate I’m having (240hz) which makes g-sync in this case useless.

I wouldn’t call G-SYNC “useless” in this case; as I already told you, the input lag difference between the two is minuscule at 240Hz, and you simply need to keep the FPS within the refresh rate to keep G-SYNC engaged, but use what you want.

This brings me to the next step, which is ULMB or Fixed frequency (monitor technology feature NVCP). If fps exceeds the the g-sync activity limit, then may be I should use one of these ? whats your thought on that ?

ULMB and strobing in general is an entirely different subject, and is unrelated to G-SYNC operation (you typically can’t use both at the same time).

Feel free to post a new thread in our forum on that here:
https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewforum.php?f=4

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6 years 3 months ago
L.P.
Member
L.P.

What if I cap at 200fps while having 240hz active refresh rate, is it a good idea to try so ? or is it worhtless ?
my question is actually capping far below refresh rate, is that any good except that I just loose some fps with that ?

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6 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

You would only cap far inside your refresh rate with G-SYNC if your system couldn’t maintain a high average framerate and you wanted more consistency.

That, and capping to a framerate that your system can sustain 99% of time that also prevents max GPU usage can also prevent GPU input lag, but this isn’t directly related to G-SYNC.

Like2Vote Down 
6 years 3 months ago
wpDiscuz

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