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.”



3020 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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Venz
Member
Venz

Hello. Many thanks for your great work. I have a question for my config and build. I have a Samsung G7 (1440p 240Hz). My GPU is a RTX 3080.

My config gsync is :
Gsync “ON” + Vsync “ON” (NVCP) + Vsync “OFF” (ingame) + Limit FPS 237 (NVCP) + NULL “ON”

I play Warzone and have an average of 120fps, what would be my best setup to do ?

My framerate is lower than the refresh rate of my screen (240Hz and 120fps ingame).

Thank you for your help!

18koko
Member
18koko

I’ve read the whole article and most of the comments but I still quite don’t get it. I’m new to PC and I only play competitive valorant. My monitor is 144hz and my fps ingame is somewhere between 120 to 160. Should I enable g sync and v sync on for reduce latency?

BlurDawg
Member
BlurDawg

Hello again Jorimt, hope you’re having a great day.

I have a question less related to gsync and more to do with render latency. I’ve noticed as I turn the resolution down, the render latency reduces even at the same fps. In fact I have found that @60fps capped the render latency is around 11.5ms at 1080p compared to 16-18ms latency when capped at 60fps 1440p. At 720p the render latency dropped even further.

As far as I understand, render latency is linked to input latency. Does this mean that for example with console games that are capped at 60fps @4k, the input latency is much higher than it could be if the game was instead rendered at 720p? Since the GPU is doing less work per frame?

AidenJr
Member
AidenJr

Hi, this was exactly what I was looking for, but I still have one unanswered question in my mind.
I’m going to buy a 165hz G-sync monitor, and the game that I play runs around 200 fps. Will I necessarily get screen tear if I don’t cap at 162 ? and do you suggest capping the fps at 162, or playing it on higher graphic settings of the game to stay below the monitor’s refresh rate? like 150 fps or so. Since I play FPS games input lag really matters to me.
Regards

Zole
Member
Zole

After reinstalling windows recently, my G-Sync behaviour has changed.

As far as I can remember, my usual set up was:
League of legends played in Windowed Borderless Mode.
v-sync: disabled – in-game
v-sync: enabled (set to “Fast”) – in NVCP
g-sync: enabled for both windowed and full-screen – in NVCP
preferred refresh rate: Highest available – in NVCP
power management: Prefer maximum performance – in NVCP
Monitor technology: G-SYNC – in NVCP
frame rate: uncapped – in game

With these settings, my frame rate was capped by the fast v-sync to 1 frame below my monitors max refresh rate 164 (down from 165).

However, after reinstalling windows and reapplying these same settings the frame rate is no longer capped to 1 below the monitors refresh rate. Instead I get FPS anywhere from 200-600 and I notice stutters and tearing.

Is there any way for me to get back my previous system behaviour?

PS I know the recommended way to set up a system is for full-screen g-sync but I prefer windowed borderless for the rapid alt tabbing, as I do that frequently.

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