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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jdawg
Member
jdawg

Hey, so I didn’t know about turning on V-sync in NVCP only, but before I did that I was getting the occasional stutter even though the action on screen wasn’t that intense. I have RTSS showing a graph of FPS and I notice there are several little dips happening every second. The game moves smooth but then I get the stutter occasionally. I’ve closed everything unnecessary but maybe there’s more to close…not sure what other processes I can close in Windows 10 and I haven’t done any optimizations like in Windows 7.

Fast forward to setting it up as recommended here (141 FPS limit in game for my 144Hz monitor, G-sync on, V-sync ON in NVCP only, V-sync OFF in-game) and I noticed that the dips on the graph are even deeper…however I haven’t seen a stutter yet and the game plays very smooth with no lag. Any explanation for those dips in the graph though?

metalpizza123
Member
metalpizza123

Hi hi, Just a quick heads up for users with several displays of varying refresh rates. Windows will sometimes only report the lowest refresh rate monitor as the system-wide V-Sync target. After testing on driver ver 436.02, with 3 different monitors, here are my findings. I testeed with 3 games, all had similar behaviour. I used the recommended settings as per the guide.
NVCP V-sync ON
Gsync Enabled
Ingame FPS Limiter or RTSS used
Ingame Vsync/buffering disabled

Main monitor :G-Sync, 144hz.
Second Monitor 60 Hz
In game Framerate 60~

Main monitor :G-Sync, 144hz
Second monitor 75 Hz
In game Framerate 75~

Main monitor G-sync,144hz
Second monitor, 60hz
third monitor, 75hz
In game framerate 60~

Only main monitor: G-Sync 144hz
In game frame rate 140~

There’s probably a way to disable this, but for now I’ve resorted to just unplugging my other monitors. Just a note for any multi monitor users. I wish I could test more, but I just wanna play games.

kucki
Member
kucki

Should we use the “Low Latency Mode” On or Ultra with G-Sync?

Mark Rejhon
Admin

Possibly beneficial for uncapped GSYNC + VSYNC ON. Will need to be tested.

This will reduce lag differential of below-Hz (GSYNC behavior) versus match-Hz (VSYNC ON behavior).

Creakffm
Member

Hello Guys, really Intresting Article/Guide but i wanna know something from you.

i Playing Games since 20 Years i know in Old Times with 60 HZ Monitors i play Competitive Games with VSYNC off to get most FPS ingame.

So back to 2019.

Im Using a Nvidia Geforce 1080 TI and my Monitor is 240 HZ DELL Alienware AW2518HF with GSYNC on Displayport Cable.

i wanna Optimizing all to Play Competitive. Actual i play with Ingame Fortnite Framerate Limit 240 HZ because see this by a lot of People.

When i wanna get less Inputlag i set in Nvidia Inspector Framerate Limiter to 245,244 ( more FPS than HZ or less and than which one is best? )

thanks for Answering

rpate124
Member
rpate124

Is it okay to use both rtss and an in game framelimiter. Rtss will help with frame timing and through %localappdata% config I can make sure the fps does not go past 237.

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