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”

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sort by:   newest | oldest | most liked
wonzart23
Member
wonzart23

if my game is not tearing or stuttering with freesync+fps cap -3 combo is it enough or should I also use vysnc on for lowest input lag possible ?
gpu: rx 570 8gb
cpu: i3 12100f
ram: 16gb 3200mhz
monitor: lg 24gl650 144hz freesync monitor

Sheyster
Member
Sheyster

Quick question – When using G-Sync + V-Sync there are 2 options for enabling V-Sync in NVCP: On and Fast. Which is preferred? I am also capping FPS at 3 below the refresh rate. Thanks in advance!

Dynamond91
Member
Dynamond91

Hello jorimt, thank you in advance if you can answer me and sorry for my bad english.
I have some questions about your fantastic guide and my settings for competitive gaming.
My specs:
– gpu nvidia 3070 gigabyte
– monitor AOC 24G2U/BK 144hz free sync (gsync, gsync compatibile) I GUESS??
– cpu amd ryzen 7 5800x
1) Actually im playing with gsync off, vsync off, uncapped FPS and freesync ON OSD.
Im playing competitive on games like Valorant (200+FPS), Warzone (160-200FPS) and Cyberpunk for fun with high settings and raytracing (60-80FPS).
What you suggest me to do for less input lag possibile on competitive considering my FPS, my 144Hz and my hardware?
Can be worth to Gsync On, Vsync ON NVCP, Vsync OFF Ingame, cap FPS to 141?
Or maybe is just better to leave everything OFF and perhaps cap the FPS to 160-180(?) for limit the GPU usage?
2) On NVCP i have Low latency mode on On. On Warzone for example there is the Reflex Latency mode option that i have on On. Is it correct considering the NVCP setting? Or maybe should i go on Warzone for “Off” or “On+Boost”? I really can’t understand this point.
3) Freesync On into OSD affects something if i put gsync and vsync OFF and FPS uncapped as i played till now?
4) If i go on NVCP in “Modify Resolution” in the “PC” tab i can put 1920×1080 with 144Hz (im using this till now), but if i search for native i have to go on “Ultra Hd, Hd, SD”, select 1080p, 1920×1080 (native) but the frequence is 120Hz, not 144Hz. What’s the problem?

Thank you so much for your patience with my english and with all those questions. I really need some clarifications about this argument ^^.

ramthegamer
Member
ramthegamer

how can i best use g sync on a freesync monitor for the lowest input lag possible, i have an rtx 2060 card, thanks

zaytrewq
Member
zaytrewq

I have Low latency mode set to ‘on’ and my framerate is still getting limited to about 9 frames below my refresh rate. Even with low latency off, it still does this. Can anything else cause this as well?

wpDiscuz