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.”



3285 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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cfcblu3
Member
cfcblu3

I’ve followed the optimal G-SYNC settings but I get terrible backlight flicker at lower framerates on my monitor. This only happens when G-SYNC is enabled.

For example, I limit a games menu to 30fps and the flickering is crazy. For some reason my monitor will report around 90hz? Dell G2724D.

herosama
Member
herosama

I have a samsung odyssey g4 monitor,a 240 hz monitor and G-SYNC comaptible.I want to play normally with high fps and no limiter with lowest possible latency but i ant because i see alot of screen tearing whenever i turn on the vsync or off it but dont see tearing when it is turned to fast but there is alot of latency like 5 to 10 ms which is alot in valorant.pls tell me a way to het no tearing and with lowest latency possible.

baiabaia
Member
baiabaia

Good evening,

I have the AW2725DF, a 360hz oled gsync compatible. For the best latency in league of legends, would you recommend setting up gsync + vsync in control panel and a fps limit to around 330fps? Or use the ingame limiter (max 240hz) with vsync off? Or gsync and vsync off with nvcp limiter to 330?
Something I noticed is flickering with gsync active in some darker games but I guess there is no fix to that
Regards,

msp
Member
msp

Playing Diablo 4 here on a 144Hz monitor and my FPS can vary by a big amount depending on if I’m in combat or not.

In combat I get around 60-80 fps while out of combat around 100-120 fps.

Considering the above my question is what would be the best value to set the in-game fps limit to and should I use the in-game V-Sync option to ON or the NVCP V-Sync option to ON or both ON ?
btw the in-game Nvidia Reflex is set to ON.

Own
Member
Own

Hello,
1.G-sync indicator shows in overlay top right screen when booting game, but it disappears after 2-3 mins. Does this means g-sync went off?
2.Also I play Rust, and frames go from 120 tp 240. G-sync indicator doesnt appear at all not even when booting in fullscreen mode. Why might this be?
Thank you in advance for your time.

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