G-SYNC 101: Control Panel


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.

G-SYNC Activation

“Enable for full screen mode” (exclusive fullscreen functionality only) will automatically engage when a supported display is connected to the GPU. If G-SYNC behavior is suspect or non-functioning, untick the “Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible” box, apply, re-tick, and apply.

Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Control Panel

G-SYNC Windowed Mode

“Enable for windowed and full screen mode” allows G-SYNC support for windowed and borderless windowed mode. This option was introduced in a 2015 driver update, and by manipulating the DWM (Desktop Windows Manager) framebuffer, enables 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.

Note: this setting may require a game or system restart after application; the “G-SYNC Indicator” (Nvidia Control Panel > Display > G-SYNC Indicator) can be enabled to verify it is working as intended.

G-SYNC Preferred Refresh Rate

“Highest available” automatically engages when G-SYNC is 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 mode. For games being run in borderless or windowed mode, the desktop dictates the refresh rate.

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 control panel’s “Vertical sync” entry is automatically engaged to “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.”



3028 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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Squiver
Member
Squiver

my specs: i9 8950, gtx 1080. What number should i use for the prerendered frames ?
And for some reason my fps got capped below 6(in nvcp i capped it to 141 and ingame its 138) after i turned on vsync(in nvcp), how do i fix this?

wis420
Member
wis420

Hello, i have question tomorrow I will get my pc with 3080 also I have Dell S2716DG with G-Sync. My question is what recommend settings are for G-sync and nvidia reflex?

zxeuk
Member
zxeuk

Is G-sync supposed to still work (seems to) when playing a game in borderless mode when I actually have ‘Enable for full screen mode’ selected in NVCP under Set up G-Sync. Instead of ‘Enable for windowed and full screen mode.

Also is there any real difference between capping framerate from 140-142 on 144hz monitor that’s g-sync compatible. The optimal settings guide suggests -3 of refresh rate. but I see many player just use 140 or 142. I guess it’s negligible unless it gets to -10 right.

Zrex
Member
Zrex

Hi I just recently bought the new Asus PG259QN 360hz Monitor just wanted to get a little bit of information on what’s best for a competitive settings/setup.

– Should I use g-sync with the optimal settings or Fixed refresh uncapped ?

– Game I usually play is siege and its uses DX11 & vulkan api, should I run DX11 api with LLM on/ultra or vulkan with LLM off ?

Also is it fine to use display scaling or GPU Scaling in nvcp does it matter in g-sync fixed refresh rate settings ?

– I also use 2 monitors one is at 60hz can go to 144hz and one is my main at 360hz will that conflict with anything including stutters etc?

nevo2323
Member
nevo2323

Hi, I understand that gsync barely adds lag compare to only vsync and offer a tearless experience but how does it compare to the fixed refresh settings? which one gives the lowest input lag? (At frame rates lower than refresh rate and higher than it, each case to its own of course)
Thanks!

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