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.”



3032 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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Virtpilot
Member
Virtpilot

Hello,
this is my first post in here and I would like to ask, how to properly set up my monitor for MSFS 2020. My monitor is Asus VG27AQ. I got adaptive sync on from the monitor, g-sync on from the Nvidia control panel as well v-sync on, and the refresh rate is 144hz. The thing is that I am not interested about high frame rates. 35fps-40fps is enough for me. But how to keep the frame time smooth? Should I lower the refresh rate of my monitor or/and cap the frame rates? Is g-sync any good in my situation? My monitor is not proper g-sync monitor, it is g-sync compatible. I´m looking forward for any tips as I have tried all kinds of combinations but maybe you professionals can say the last word….

johnsan05
Member
johnsan05

hi,i really need your help.
so this is my setup
rtx 3050 8gb
16gb ram
ryzen 5 3500x
and i have a 165 HZ monitor.
i only playing war thunder atm…and heres my problem.
ive tried almost every different settings,vsync on and off (in game) with gsync enabled..
tryied everything turned off aswell
and i keep getting the same problem..my english is not that good,but im going to try me best because ive been looking for help,and nothing semms to solve the issue.
ive changed the refresh rate of my monitor to 144HZ,because my computer only seems to reach a maximum of 139-140 in ANY game settings,if thats even make sense.
ive tried to cap the fps ate 138,and acctually,it does feel better playing..the game can keep with that number most of the time,and even when it drops,its not that BAD.
but the problem is,when i play high tier battles,wich means jets,and modern battle tanks,the game starts to get in my nerves.
the fps still at 138,but as son i get into the ‘battle zone’ is drops a little,from 138 to 119 ,for example.
but the sensation is that im playing at 20FPS.
its terrible,and as i said,ive tried different setting,in different scenarios,but nothing seem to solve the issue.
would you please,give me some help?
again,my english is not that good,but any help would be great !
i really think that with my setup i could easily play this game,at least at high settings without no problem at all..i think the problem is the monitor,or the settings im using ( vsync /gsync)
i will wait for your answer.
thanks.

doudi777
Member
doudi777

Hello, I have a Gsync 120Hz compatible screen. My settings are as follows: GSYNC ON + VSYNC ON (nvidia panel) + CAP 60FPS (I play in 60pfs that’s enough for me) do I have the right settings?

Allaroo
Member
Allaroo

Hihi jorimt,

Sorry about the extra concerns that I’ll be posting here, I really do appreciate how you answer back to everyone in the comment section and clear up any doubts 🙂

I just wanted to know a bit about what settings I should use for me specific setup. I have an LG 27GL83A-B, which is G-Sync compatible. I mainly play Val at a higher level so I do want the lowest input lag possible at anytime.

Currently, I use Gsync off (fixed refresh – highest available in 3d settings and gsync disabled in “setup gsync”), Vsync off, reflex on + boost in-game, and Gsync enabled in my monitor’s OSD. Would this setup be the most optimal for my current situation?

Besides from that, I wanted to ask about a specific setting in the “Adjust desktop size and position” tab in NVCP. I currently use “No scaling” in both of my monitors (other one I have is a Freesync Samsung CF398 but I dont use it for games so kinda irrelevant lol) with perform scaling on “Display” with override currently not ticked. I also play on native (1440p 144hz 16:9 in my main monitor).

Does “Aspect ratio”, “Fullscreen” and “No scaling” actually have any difference while playing on Native? And should I be using “Display” or “GPU” scaling? For reference, I have an RTX 2070, buuuut I have no idea if my Display scaler is better than my GPU doing the scaling work xD

Thanks again in advance, your work really means a lot to freaks like us, hah ^_^

amigo321
Member
amigo321

What settings u recommend to get smooth gameplay in FIFA 23 freesyncmonitor with nvidia gpu

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