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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 β€œUse 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 β€œVertical sync” entry in the control panel to β€œOff,” β€œOn,” or β€œFast.”

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3699 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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juanma_3
Member
juanma_3

Hi!
I’m new to this and I have a little doubt after seeing the Gsync + vsync guide, in the Nvidia panel, I have to activate the option to “let the 3D application decide” or “use advanced 3D image settings”
Thank you very much for the help

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7 months 3 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Are you referring to the 3D Settings > Adjust image settings with preview section in the NVCP?

If so, leave it at Use the advanced 3D image settings; the Let 3D application decide option simply overrides and replaces any of your custom selections under 3D Settings > Manage 3D settings with preset selections of those same settings.

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7 months 3 days ago
juanma_3
Member
juanma_3

Okay, I’ll do it. Won’t this interfere with any options I choose in the game? For example, when setting a DLSS mode or any graphical options.

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7 months 2 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

The NVCP doesn’t have a DLSS setting, currently.

As for it overriding other graphical settings, it only will if there’s an equivalent setting in-game, such as “Vertical sync,” which can be set to “Use the 3D application setting” assuming you want the game to control whether V-SYNC is on/off instead, for whatever reason.

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7 months 2 days ago
juanma_3
Member
juanma_3

And does it make much difference if I use the in-game vsync instead of the Nvidia panel’s vsync? In terms of fps, latency, or tearing?

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7 months 2 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

That has been answered here:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/
 

Nvidia Control Panel V-SYNC vs. In-game V-SYNC

While NVCP V-SYNC has no input lag reduction over in-game V-SYNC, and when used with G-SYNC + FPS limit, it will never engage, some in-game V-SYNC solutions may introduce their own frame buffer or frame pacing behaviors, enable triple buffer V-SYNC automatically (not optimal for the native double buffer of G-SYNC), or simply not function at all, and, thus, NVCP V-SYNC is the safest bet.

There are rare occasions, however, where V-SYNC will only function with the in-game option enabled, so if tearing or other anomalous behavior is observed with NVCP V-SYNC (or visa-versa), each solution should be tried until said behavior is resolved.

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7 months 2 days ago
kokblaster32
Member
kokblaster32

If I cap my fps in-game, is there any benefit to using Gsync alongside Vsync? Im asking this, because Gsync sometimes causes flicker in dark scenes, making dark parts of the image to flash gray. Disabling Gsync always solves this, some games are much more sensitive to it than others. I always cap my fps in-game to prevent gpu usage from reaching that 95%-> range.

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7 months 7 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

G-SYNC + V-SYNC is the recommended 100% tear-free configuration for VRR:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

That said, I’m assuming if you’re experiencing flicker with VRR enabled, then you are using an OLED panel type, which is prone to flicker during VRR operation.

This is because OLEDs have a fixed gamma curve, and can’t dynamically adjust said curve, so the gamma response of the panel shifts slightly based on how high/low the current frame/refresh rate is, thus the more the frametime fluctuates, the more the variable frame/refresh rate does during VRR operation, causing the appearance of flicker due to the slight, rapid brightness changes.

The only way to mitigate this on OLED is to ensure the frametime performance is as stable as possible via an RTSS limit or the like at an average framerate the system can sustain 99% of the time, but this won’t fully eliminate the VRR flicker during frametime spikes, etc.

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7 months 6 days ago
BluhBalls
Member
BluhBalls

Im using nvidia inspecter, should I put adaptive vsync-tearcontrol on adaptive?

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7 months 3 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

“Adaptive Sync” is VRR, whereas “Adaptive V-SYNC” is an entirely separate method that uses double buffer V-SYNC whenever the framerate is above the refresh rate, and disabled it whenever the framerate is within the refresh rate.

So if you’re using VRR, no, don’t set tear control to adaptive.

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7 months 3 days ago
BluhBalls
Member
BluhBalls

Okay I put Vsync Tear Control back to standard. So my understanding is that Vsync should be on always as well as gsync. Do I cap my framerate at 172 (my limit is 175) as well or just on a game by game basis? Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

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7 months 3 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

So my understanding is that Vsync should be on always as well as gsync.

If you want it to be 100% tear-free, yes.

Do I cap my framerate at 172 (my limit is 175) as well or just on a game by game basis?

You can limit globally or per game. Up to you. But since G-SYNC only functions within the refresh rate, the framerate must remain within it, or it deactivates, hence the need for a limiter.

-3 FPS is the recommended starting point (172 FPS at 175Hz, in your case), but you can limit anywhere below that as well.

Optimal G-SYNC setting are always here for repeat reference:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

Closing FAQ (which technically already answered both of your questions) is here:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/15/

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7 months 3 days ago
BluhBalls
Member
BluhBalls

Oh also I just remembered. Is there a way to cap framerate on different monitors? I have my tv plugged into my pc that I use for games but the framerate is different.

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7 months 3 days ago
BluhBalls
Member
BluhBalls

Awesome! Do you have any recommendations for any other settings in the NVCP?

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7 months 3 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Awesome! Do you have any recommendations for any other settings in the NVCP?

Not other than what I linked to you in my last reply.

Is there a way to cap framerate on different monitors? I have my tv plugged into my pc that I use for games but the framerate is different.

Not that I’m aware of; if you’re using a global limit, you’ll have to adjust it for when you’re playing on your TV and visa-versa.

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7 months 3 days ago
Jsmooth57
Member
Jsmooth57

Hello jorimt,

I stumbled on the below comment on this thread recently:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/1ja7drf/is_gsync_vsync_reflexframe_cap_of_3_less_than/

“A frame cap of (max RR – 3) is not universal, it only works for low refresh rate displays, between 60-120Hz.

As refresh rate increases, you need a larger buffer between max refresh rate and target frame rate.

As an example, At 240Hz, the target should be 224 fps.

This is because low-latency framerate limiters are not perfect, and with a 240fps limit on a 240Hz screen, with V-sync on, you’d expect 50% of frame times to “bump into” V-sync and cause increased latency. Lowering the framerate limit to 235 fps will cause this ratio to drop to about 25%, which is better but still quite high. At 224 fps, it’s only around 7%.

You can easily see this for yourself with a performance capture with CapFrameX.

If you are using frame generation though, that changes the equation a little. Sticking with just X2 mode, it’s ultimately lower latency to aim for a higher base framerate, for example, 120->240 is lower latency than 112->224″

Check out Cpt Tombstone’s links – I would love your take on it – should we be capping at more than -3 max refresh rate the higher our monitor’s refresh rate?

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7 months 9 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

It honestly depends on the achievable frametime performance of the given system + game + limiter; the more stable the frametime, the smaller limit to physical refresh rate offset you’ll need with VRR.

I.E. if frametimes were perfectly stable 100% of the time, you could hypothetically use a limit at the physical refresh rate (aka 240 FPS at 240Hz) and still keep VRR active.

Problem is, of course, perfect frametime isn’t achievable in 99% of scenarios, hence the need for all these various workarounds.

As such, my minimum -3 FPS limit recommendation is just that, a minimum starting point; the test results in this article found it is sufficient at keeping the average framerate within the refresh rate at up to 240Hz with native G-SYNC on a capable system when paired with the steadier in-game limiters and RTSS, but yes, this can vary based on the frametime performance.

So part of what that reddit commenter noted rings true; frametime jitter can increase the higher the physical refresh rate, and a lower than -3 FPS limit may or may not be required in those instances.

That said, I’m not a fan of relying on software like CapFrameX to attempt final determination of the true input-to-pixel latency, as it is limited solely to software-level, system-side monitoring methods that aren’t fully 1:1 with what’s actually occurring in this respect and can result in false positives or, at the very least, decontextualized latency results.

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7 months 9 days ago
eggybread
Member
eggybread

If in a specific game I get a solid FPS. Should I still keep vsync enabled? I use Gsync + Vsync + Ultra low latency if the game doesn’t have the option. I was reading places that vsync can cause input lag, just wanted to double check what is the correct way around this. I have a 165hz monitor, the game I play I get a solid 158 FPS with these settings. Is there any downside to having vsync enabled like this?

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7 months 16 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

If in a specific game I get a solid FPS. Should I still keep vsync enabled?

This is, by far, the most frequently asked question. See entry #2 of my Closing FAQ here:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/15/

Short answer is G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on is 100% tear-free VRR and G-SYNC on + V-SYNC off isn’t.

Like1Vote Down 
7 months 16 days ago
eggybread
Member
eggybread

I was going through the frequent questions and answers you have compiled and I noticed.

“Setting a minimum -3 FPS limit below the max refresh rate is recommended to keep the framerate within the G-SYNC range at all times, preventing double buffer V-SYNC behavior (and adjoining input lag) with G-SYNC + V-SYNC β€œOn,” or screen-wide tearing (and complete disengagement of G-SYNC) with G-SYNC + V-SYNC β€œOff” whenever the framerate reaches or exceeds the max refresh rate. However, unlike the V-SYNC option, framerate limiters will not prevent tearing.”

Do I still need to add a framerate cap or I just rely on reflex in nvcp or the game if it supports it? Maybe I’ve misunderstood something, sorry lots of information.
Do I still add a framerate cap with reflex on? And should I be using reflex in every game I play by enabling it in nvcp if the game doesn’t have the option?

Also if I keep vsync on to remove tearing is there a downside to this such as input lag? sorry.

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7 months 15 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Do I still need to add a framerate cap or I just rely on reflex in nvcp or the game if it supports it?

My quote you shared answered that first part. As for Reflex, when paired with G-SYNC + NVCP V-SYNC, it auto limits the framerate below the refresh rate.

So whether it’s a manual limit or an auto limit, you just need to keep the framerate slightly below the refresh rate to ensure G-SYNC remains engaged.

Thus, pick a manual limit or the Reflex auto limit depending on the game and/or your preference.

should I be using reflex in every game I play by enabling it in nvcp if the game doesn’t have the option?

You can, but you don’t strictly need to use Reflex if your GPU usage is consistently below 99% at your target framerate.

Also, Reflex isn’t an option in the NVCP, so I assume you mean Low Latency Mode? If so, that’s a setting that predates Reflex, and isn’t as effective. It’s also overridden whenever Reflex is enabled.

Also if I keep vsync on to remove tearing is there a downside to this such as input lag?

Did you read the FAQ entry I linked in my last reply? It answers that.

And if you don’t understand that explanation for whatever reason, try this one (I have to re-answer this constantly):
https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14312&p=113261#p113261

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7 months 14 days ago
eggybread
Member
eggybread

Thank you. I made a mistake I did mean ultra low latency mode. I use NVCP APP to enable it if the game doesn’t have it.

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7 months 14 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

I did mean ultra low latency mode

Everything I explained about Reflex also applies to LLM Ultra, though Reflex > LLM, where available.

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7 months 14 days ago
scre4mpie
Member
scre4mpie

Hi please can someone help me I have an rtx3070ti and r7 7700. When I play games with gsync and vsync off my frametime are at 2.8 ms spikes at max 7 and fps are above 240 in marvel rivals that is perfect and in every other game it is like that i get good frames and frametime and fps but I get weird micro stutters honestly i don’t even know what it is seems like frame buffers or there is a frame delay. But whenever i turn on vsync+gsync i dont get these weird microstutters but my frametime is significantly higher and highly variable going from 4 to 9 ms. Note that my gpu usage is at 99% when vsync is disable but sits at 59C and with vsync on it goes to 70% with the same temperature. Please can someone help me with this. I would gladly appreciate anyhelp since i’ve been trying to solve this issue for a long time now and I tried everything I possibly know from ddu to installing unbloated windows. Thanks in advance.

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7 months 18 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

When I play games with gsync and vsync off my frametime are at 2.8 ms spikes at max 7 and fps are above 240 in marvel rivals

But whenever i turn on vsync+gsync i dont get these weird microstutters but my frametime is significantly higher and highly variable going from 4 to 9 ms.

A 2.8ms frametime is roughly a 400 frames per second average.

The reason you’re seeing a higher frametime with G-SYNC + V-SYNC is because the framerate is within the refresh rate, and a 4ms frametime is roughly a 240 frames per second average.

I.E. a higher sustained frametime signifies a lower average framerate, and a lower sustained frametime signifies a higher average framerate, simple as that. And wherever the frametime number seen isn’t sustained signifies a passing frametime spike or variance.

Note that my gpu usage is at 99% when vsync is disable but sits at 59C and with vsync on it goes to 70% with the same temperature.

Typically, the higher the average framerate, the higher the GPU utilization, so the reason you’re seeing 99% GPU usage with uncapped no-sync is because the framerate is being sustained much higher than it is when V-SYNC is throttling the maximum framerate to the refresh rate.

In other words, frametime and system utilization/temperatures are affected directly by how hard the currently sustained average framerate is pushing said system, and as such, what you’re seeing is entirely normal and expected.

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7 months 18 days ago
scre4mpie
Member
scre4mpie

Thank you so much for your reply your information has been really helpful to me. Sorry to demand your help for another time but do you know a way to get rid of these microstutters without having to enable gsync and vsync as I can clearly maintain higher fps than the refresh rate of myh monitor considering the fact i want the lowest latency possible or do you know if its even fixable ? Thanks in advance

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7 months 17 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

“Microstutters” can involve a variety of factors, sometimes all at once, so the root cause isn’t always easy to pin down.

That said, if G-SYNC + V-SYNC is reducing them for you, my first assumption is you’re perceiving the tearlines at the higher framerates in your G-SYNC off + V-SYNC off scenario as microstutter, which I noted as a possibility in:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/9/

So, for competitive players, V-SYNC OFF still reigns supreme in the input lag realm, especially if sustained framerates can exceed the refresh rate by 5x or more. However, while at higher refresh rates, visible tearing artifacts are all but eliminated at these ratios, it can instead manifest as microstutter, and thus, even at its best, V-SYNC OFF still can’t match the consistency of G-SYNC frame delivery.

If this is the cause in your case, then you can attempt to cap the framerate above the refresh rate with G-SYNC off + V-SYNC off at a limit your system can sustain the majority of the time without fluctuation to see if it mitigates it, but no guarantees; no sync, is no sync, after all.

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7 months 16 days ago
scre4mpie
Member
scre4mpie

So the stutters will always be here if I don’t use gsync. But you are right putting an fps cap does lower the stutters significantly but they are still here do you recommend using fast sync for the competitive games that I play to get rid of these stutters ? For reference i have the aoc27g4

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7 months 15 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

do you recommend using fast sync for the competitive games that I play to get rid of these stutters ?

Fast Sync prevents tearing, but can cause its own form of stutter (dropped frames) as a result. See:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/8/

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7 months 14 days ago
scre4mpie
Member
scre4mpie

Thanks to your recommendation I’ve been playing with gsync + vsync on but I find that I have really low 1% lows under 100 fps when maintaining constantly the fps 177 fps cap. How can I fix this ?

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7 months 11 days ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Those signify frametime spikes, which neither G-SYNC nor a framerate limit can address.

Refer to:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/2/

What are Frametime Spikes?

Frametime spikes are an abrupt interruption of frames output by the system, and on a capable setup running an efficient game engine, typically occur due to loading screens, shader compilation, background asset streaming, auto saves, network activity, and/or the triggering of a script or physics system, but can also be exacerbated by an incapable setup, inefficient game engine, poor netcode, low RAM/VRAM and page file over usage, misconfigured (or limited game support for) SLI setups, faulty drivers, specific or excess background processes, in-game overlay or input device conflicts, or a combination of them all.

Not to be confused with other performance issues, like framerate slowdown or V-SYNC-induced stutter, frametime spikes manifest as the occasional hitch or pause, and usually last for mere micro to milliseconds at a time (seconds, in the worst of cases), plummeting the framerate to as low as the single digits, and concurrently raising the frametime to upwards of 1000ms before re-normalizing.

G-SYNC eliminates traditional V-SYNC stutter caused below the maximum refresh rate by repeated frames from delayed frame delivery, but frametime spikes still affect G-SYNC, since it can only mirror what the system is outputting. As such, when G-SYNC has nothing new to sync to for a frame or frames at a time, it must repeat the previous frame(s) until the system resumes new frame(s) output, which results in the visible interruption observed as stutter.

The more efficient the game engine, and the more capable the system running it, the less frametime spikes there are (and the shorter they last), but no setup can fully avoid their occurrence.

You’d ultimately get them with G-SYNC off + V-SYNC off + uncapped framerate as well.

Frametime spike frequency and severity are system + game-dependent; in some cases they can be mitigated, but very rarely eliminated.

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7 months 10 days ago
wpDiscuz

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