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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.

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.”

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3140 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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pervail
Member
pervail

Hello there, I’m in a weird situation, in my case I am GPU Bound in certain games, I am playing on a 240hz monitor but cannot always reach a consistent 240 fps. However, I can reach a stable 144-165 fps. Ideally, I’d like to have the most consistent experience as I mainly play competitive fps games.
So, in my case should I be enabling GSYNC + VSYNC + 144/165 fps cap in the NVCP? When I enable an in-game cap of 144 fps the fps will still often go above 144 fps and sometimes read 145-146 so I’m not sure if should be using the in-game fps cap.

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6 months 8 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Hello there, I’m in a weird situation, in my case I am GPU Bound in certain games, I am playing on a 240hz monitor but cannot always reach a consistent 240 fps. However, I can reach a stable 144-165 fps. Ideally, I’d like to have the most consistent experience as I mainly play competitive fps games.
So, in my case should I be enabling GSYNC + VSYNC + 144/165 fps cap in the NVCP?

GPU-bound scenarios are not directly G-SYNC or sync related, and can occur with or without them enabled.

As such, my recommended minimum -3 FPS limit is just that; a “minimum” which is solely to ensure G-SYNC remains active at all times. It is not intended to prevent GPU-bound scenarios in the cases that your system can’t sustain the average framerate at that minimum limit. I.E. so long as the framerate remains within the refresh rate, G-SYNC will continue to be active whether the GPU is maxed or not.

You’re free to manually limit the framerate anywhere below that to reach a more achievable and/or consistent average framerate (I do this for more demanding games myself on my 360Hz display for instance, where my preferred target for the latest AAA games is 120 FPS 360Hz at max or near max settings, where possible), or use Reflex where available, which will dynamically limit the average framerate (with or without G-SYNC) to prevent max GPU usage.

When I enable an in-game cap of 144 fps the fps will still often go above 144 fps and sometimes read 145-146 so I’m not sure if should be using the in-game fps cap.

That’s technically what you want to see, and partly how in-game limiters achieve lower latency than external limiters (at the expense of slightly less stable frametimes).

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6 months 8 days ago
yamaci1775
Member
yamaci1775

I have a weird question. I see a mention where higher prerender queues being helpful for lowend CPUs catching up with GPU / having smoother performance.
If someone has such a lowend CPU in 2024, is there a way to manipulate the engine to use more prerender buffers with dx12 games?
As in the CPU bottleneck situation, GPU gets underutilized and queues almost get close to 0. I feel like CPU gets hit more and I get more stutters and whatnot. If I can get GPU to consistently %99 I get stable and good frametimes with lower framerate avg (no problem with this one).

I’m asking this as it prevents me getting a decent Gsync mileage out of CPU bottlenecked situations. Up until some point I was able to circumvent the issue on my 3070 by pushing enormously high resolutions that led to healthy GPU usage increase. Nowadays VRAM became a big limitation it is not rare I find myself in situations where GPU hovers around %60-80 with CPU left with stutters due to no queues.

I know CPU upgrade is the real reason but I still wonder if it is possible to somehow trick the engine to use more prerender frames in CPU bottlenecked scenarios to help my aging CPU a bit.

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6 months 8 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

If someone has such a lowend CPU in 2024, is there a way to manipulate the engine to use more prerender buffers with dx12 games?

Not that I know of; DX12 self-manages the render queue, so the legacy “Maximum Pre-Rendered Frames” setting still available in Nvidia Inspector won’t work.

Up until some point I was able to circumvent the issue on my 3070 by pushing enormously high resolutions that led to healthy GPU usage increase.

Yeah, that’s what I would have recommended if you didn’t mention it. That, and increasing any GPU-heavy graphical settings game-side, but then as you also mentioned, you start to hit a VRAM limit as well, which can begin to cause stutter due to RAM/pagefile swaps.

I know CPU upgrade is the real reason but I still wonder if it is possible to somehow trick the engine to use more prerender frames in CPU bottlenecked scenarios to help my aging CPU a bit.

Again, not that I personally know of.

That said, your question was technically off-topic for this article, so feel free to continue by creating a new topic in our forums, if you haven’t already. Others might have further suggestions there:
https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewforum.php?f=2

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6 months 8 days ago
xpnkz
Member
xpnkz

Hey!

Always loved your guide, been using it for years, thanks for your work.

I have a question, if you have any knowledge about this kind of setup. I have a laptop with a AMD iGPU and Nvidia dGPU, supports FreeSync on the built in panel connected to the iGPU (no MUX switch), should I enable v-sync in NVCP or leave it to the iGPU?

Thanks!

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6 months 10 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Laptop VRR implementation isn’t typically 1:1 with, or as robust or consistent as desktop VRR, and I have no experience testing the former, so I honestly can’t say what exact effect the V-SYNC option would have with VRR in that particular scenario; it can even be laptop model-dependent.

What I do know is, on desktop, the global V-SYNC setting in the AMD control panel only works for OpenGL games, thus most AMD VRR users resort to the in-game V-SYNC solution for VRR + V-SYNC instead. YMMV.

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6 months 10 days ago
zzmadd
Member
zzmadd

Hi there,

thanks a lot for this amazing 101.
I’m trying to internalize.

I play Sim Racing titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione etc etc.
I have triple screen to show the cockpit and drive..
I can use those apps both in Borderless mode spanning the resolution accross the 3 monitors using a third party app or using Nvidia Surround and then setting the apps in Full Screen.
Is there a preferred method? The Avg Fps I measured in different scenarios are the same.
Sim Racing is hugely input lag sensitive, the goal is to try and optimise as much as possible the system.

Thanks.

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6 months 10 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Is your described configuration being used with or without VRR?

I need to know what refresh/framerate you are prioritizing, and whether you’re trying to eliminate tearing artifacts or not.

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6 months 10 days ago
zzmadd
Member
zzmadd

Hi, thanks for the reply.

At the moment I’m using those Sim Racing apps with 3xSamsung G5 32″ 2k 144hz.
5800X3D + RTX 3080 12GB. Especially ACC loves AMD 3D cache.
I used Surround to create a unique 7680×1440 144Hz screen.
I use Full screen in any app, have enabled G-Synch for full screen only, I have a Fps limit in game at 138 (1% low at 106) because it’s the most Fps the system reaches with tweacked everything to get there.
I cannot train at 150 then race at 130 (online and more cars on track = less frames) as it would feel different and I would loose precisions and tenth of a sec a lap.
I’m using DLSS Balanced in Assetto Corsa Competizione and FSR UQ in iRacing (DLSS not available on this title) becuase it’s the only way I can gather more Fps.
In ACC I use AntiLag ON in NCP, iRacing has its own Reflex implementation so Anti Lag is Off.
ACC has V-Synch ON in NCP, iRacing has V-Synch OFF in NCP as if it is switched ON the game has halved Fps.
I’m following step by step your reccomendations.
I cannot have tearing as it would disturb the image and I would miss braking points, reference points. The image needs to be intact.
Sim Racing is very dynamic but it need proper image stability.

Also i sold these G5 and next week I will use 3xAOC 31.5″ monitors 1920×1080 240Hz (affordable).
Less resolution but more Hz. It’s a better panel for motion. I will use it without DLSS/FSR as at this resolution the quality would drop too much.
I hope to get to 190Fps. Only a GPU upgrade will make to 240, first the panels.
eSports Pro driver use Samsung 49″ single screen 1000R 240Hz 5120×1440 as it’s way easier to run. My video card gets to 210Fps with it BUT it’s way less immersive.

Thanks a lot!

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6 months 9 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

If triple monitor tear-free G-SYNC is your goal, and assuming all three of your monitors are the same brand and at the same refresh rate, then the lowest possible tear-free VRR latency in that scenario is G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on + a framerate limit within the refresh rate that prevents max GPU usage, or Reflex (which will do the same thing as the manual limit, just dynamically).

What isn’t yet clear from your comments though, is do you have an Nvidia or AMD GPU? Because you say you are using “AntiLag” in some cases, which is AMD-only, but you also mentioned “NCP,” which I assume stands for “Nvidia Control Panel.”

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6 months 9 days ago
zzmadd
Member
zzmadd

Hi,

sorry for the confusion.
With Anti Lag i meant “Low Latency Mode”.
With NCP I meant NVCP.
I have a RTX 3080 12GB.
I have 3x equal monitors Samsung G5 32″ 144Hz 1440p and will move to 3x equal monitors from AOC 31.5″ 240Hz 1080p.
Do you know if Nvidia Surround adds latency?

How about Radeon GPUs like the RX 7900 XTX, I didn’t find a FreeSynch 101 article. Are there on the site the preferred driver settings to have minimum lag on AMD GPUs?

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6 months 9 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

With Anti Lag i meant “Low Latency Mode”

LLM is very limited in effectiveness, and only applies in DX11 and older games whenever the GPU usage is maxed.

Reflex is considered its replacement, and should be used in its place, where available.

But again, if your system is reaching your target framerate and the GPU usage is already hovering below 99%, render queue-level settings like LLM and Reflex will do nothing to reduce latency further.

With Anti Lag i meant “Low Latency Mode”.
With NCP I meant NVCP.

My optimal G-SYNC settings can be found below, for repeat reference:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

Do you know if Nvidia Surround adds latency?

Not off-the-top-of-my-head, no. I do know cloned displays can have slightly more latency, but surround implementation may differ.

How about Radeon GPUs like the RX 7900 XTX, I didn’t find a FreeSynch 101 article. Are there on the site the preferred driver settings to have minimum lag on AMD GPUs?

FreeSync fundamentally behaves the same way as G-SYNC, and base tear-free VRR configuration is brand-agnostic, so as long as the monitor in question supports some form of LFC, the general recommendation is VRR on + V-SYNC on + a minimum -3 FPS limit below the current max refresh rate.

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6 months 9 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

Hello my savior . I have been using your config for quite sometime now . However I make a single mistake . I was using G sync + v sync + max framerate limiter in NVCP -3 + Ultra low latency , which is wrong because in your post , you said if I have framerate limiter on , I should use Low latency On mode only ( no ultra ) . So I switch to On but then I get massive FPS drop in game . So then I switch to the other method . No frame cap + Ultra low latency and the frame drop got fixed tremendously . it still drop occasionally but not as frequent and not a masslve FPS drop like 50 FPS like before .

Another thing I want to ask you for your opinion . Yesterday I watch a video with proof of testing showing that G sync + v sync + Ultra low Latency got last place in every latency test . He said it might be that the Nvidia new driver break Low Latency mode somehow , So the most reliable way to set up now is G sync + V sync + Frame cap in RTSS or NVCP or in game if Possible with Low latency mode not on Ultra or Reflex in game . Can you Shed some light on this

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6 months 13 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

I have been using your config for quite sometime now . However I make a single mistake . I was using G sync + v sync + max framerate limiter in NVCP -3 + Ultra low latency , which is wrong because in your post , you said if I have framerate limiter on , I should use Low latency On mode only ( no ultra ) .

I do not strictly recommend you use LLM at all with G-SYNC, I only recommend how to configure LLM if you decide to use it with G-SYNC.

I personally keep LLM “Off” in the majority of scenarios.

So I switch to On but then I get massive FPS drop in game . So then I switch to the other method . No frame cap + Ultra low latency and the frame drop got fixed tremendously . it still drop occasionally but not as frequent and not a masslve FPS drop like 50 FPS like before .

This would be specs/configuration-dependent, and not directly related to G-SYNC operation or settings.

Another thing I want to ask you for your opinion . Yesterday I watch a video with proof of testing showing that G sync + v sync + Ultra low Latency got last place in every latency test . He said it might be that the Nvidia new driver break Low Latency mode somehow , So the most reliable way to set up now is G sync + V sync + Frame cap in RTSS or NVCP or in game if Possible with Low latency mode not on Ultra or Reflex in game . Can you Shed some light on this

I can’t speak to the video results (I don’t know their testing methodology or how they interpreted the results), but, again, I don’t strictly recommend G-SYNC + V-SYNC + LLM “Ultra,” only how to use it if you do.

G-SYNC + V-SYNC + Reflex is certainly the better option, where available, especially if your GPU usage is maxed at your average framerate. If not, then G-SYNC + V-SYNC + a minimum -3 FPS in-game or external limit is typically the most recommended general tear-free VRR configuration.

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6 months 12 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

Thank you so much for your hard works and insight . I wish you a wonderful year . I want to ask another thing. I can use both IN game FPS limiter and NVCP limiter just fine right . Not Limit FPS in NVCP only and set uncapped FPS in game right

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6 months 10 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

I can use both IN game FPS limiter and NVCP limiter just fine right . Not Limit FPS in NVCP only and set uncapped FPS in game right

Entirely depends on what you have each limiter set to; the lower limit will always apply over the higher limit.

I.E. if you have the NVCP limiter set to 117 FPS, and the in-game limiter set to 110 FPS, the in-game limiter will take effect and visa-versa.

I personally don’t recommend limiter “stacking,” but if you do, ensure that each of the limiters are at least a few frames apart, otherwise they may conflict with each other and cause more stutter, inconsistent latency, etc.

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6 months 10 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

ahh I phrase that wrong , I meant the max frame cap of the game , Like game usually let us choose our monitor refresh rate or it will go unlimited FPS . So do you recommend Limit FPS in NVCP and then let FPS in game goes uncapped or just set it to the monitor refresh rate ?

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6 months 10 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

If the game only let’s you chose a preset, like 120 FPS for 120 Hz, and you don’t want to go all the way down to the say, the 60 FPS preset, use a minimum -3 FPS limit via an external limiter instead (-117 FPS or lower in the case of 120Hz, etc), and set the in-game option to unlimited/off.

An “at” max Hz framerate limit is not far enough below the refresh rate to keep G-SYNC active at all times.

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6 months 10 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

Does setting in game FPS to unlimited make it use more GPU usage even with externial FPS limiter compared to using both 117 FPS limiter and choosing 120 FPS in game so the game does not use more GPU usage than it should to ?

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6 months 10 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

No, because the 117 limit is already preventing the framerate from exceeding said limit.

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6 months 9 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

Oh I forget to ask this . you said In game limiter is better than external limiter . So If there is an internal limiter , can I just use that and still keep the external limiter on ( cause It will be quite troublesome to go into NVCP in each game to turn it off )

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6 months 9 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

you said In game limiter is better than external limiter .

In-game limiters aren’t “better” than external limiters per say, they just typically have slightly lower latency.

So If there is an internal limiter , can I just use that and still keep the external limiter on ( cause It will be quite troublesome to go into NVCP in each game to turn it off )

As long as the limiter you want to use is set a few frames lower than the other limiter.

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6 months 9 days ago
Ryuga
Member
Ryuga

ahh thank you so much , this definitely has helped me a lots . I am really grateful

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6 months 9 days ago
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