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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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3061 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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TheLonelyDevil
Member
TheLonelyDevil

Hi jorimt,

Thanks for this ridiculously useful information. I had one question for the hidden usefulness of using GSync + Vsync at a low fixed fps.

For example, I have a great PC that can render GTA 5 at over 100+ fps in most cases at 1080p maxed. If I limit the frames to 60 instead of letting it fluctuate a lot, does it mean that the input lag will be a lot lower that, say, limiting the refresh rate in-game to 60Hz (tried it once, it was absolute dogcrap).

Thanks for answering in advance. Just saying I created an account solely to thank you for this article.

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Thanks for answering in advance. Just saying I created an account solely to thank you for this article.

Glad to hear you’ve found the article useful 😉 I’ll answer your remaining comments above…

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4 years 3 months ago
orkodrums
Member
orkodrums

Hello, i havce an question about fps limiting.
In CSGO, when i put “fps_max 141”, the nvidia fps counter don’t go over 138 fps, is it ok or should i increase the fps_max value until i get nvidia counter showing 141fps ?

Thanks in advance.

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

This is normal and expected behavior for the Source engine FPS limiter. It did that for me in my original tests as well.

It varies, but unlike RTSS, which sets a frametime target, in-game limiters usually set an average framerate target and let frametime run free. This means they can fluctuate a little more than an RTSS limit, but it’s also what let’s them achieve slightly lower input lag.

Anyway, to directly answer your question, no it isn’t necessary to increase the in-game limit until it hits “141.” You only want to do that if the in-game limit in question is set to “141” and is consistently reading above that limit.

The recommended “-3” FPS limit is the minimum number you need to limit your FPS to, not the exact.

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4 years 3 months ago
orkodrums
Member
orkodrums

Ok i understand now ! Thank you very much, i just discovered that since the last update i can limit the fps directly in the nvidia panel (“max fps”), should i use this instead of the game command (note that with the ncp limiter it does stay @141 fps)? Another question, since we can now use low-latency mode with g-sync, is it worth it to use in addition to the fps limiter and g-sync ? Thank you !

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

i just discovered that since the last update i can limit the fps directly in the nvidia panel (“max fps”), should i use this instead of the game command

Refer to this post:
https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5903&p=46121#p46121

Another question, since we can now use low-latency mode with g-sync, is it worth it to use in addition to the fps limiter and g-sync ?

Similarly, refer to my Optimal G-SYNC Settings:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

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4 years 3 months ago
orkodrums
Member
orkodrums

Ok thank you very much 🙂

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4 years 3 months ago
Genadio
Member
Genadio

Should the NULL setting be set to “on” globally or should it be enabled only in certain games, where FPS is limited with RTSS/in game limiter?

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

See Optimal G-SYNC Settings:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101-input-lag-tests-and-settings/14/

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4 years 3 months ago
mick
Member
mick

I appreciate your time for this amazing guide. I have a question on what settings would achieve the lowest amount of input lag in competitive Fortnite. I have a i9 9900k and rtx 2080ti with a 240hz G-Sync monitor. I can get 240fps constant but it dips depending on the surroundings of where I am in the game (ex. in competitive fortnite there are many other players alive constantly building structures and shooting) which may cause dips in my frame rate to 100 and back up. I can easily get 500+ fps without any limiter but it always spikes up and down. Should I enable G-SYNC and limit my fps to 237fps along with setting Ultra Low Latency Mode to Ultra? I am quite confused on where to go here and how to make my game have the least amount if input lag

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

Due to frame delivery differences, G-SYNC has a different “feel” than, say, standalone V-SYNC OFF. So, at 240Hz (where the input lag difference between properly configured G-SYNC and uncapped V-SYNC OFF at achievable framerates is minuscule), it comes down to user preference on that point.

As for the lowest base input lag for each…

G-SYNC @240Hz:
G-SYNC + NVCP V-SYNC “On” + Low Latency Mode “On” + 237 FPS in-game limit

Standalone V-SYNC OFF @240Hz:
G-SYNC off + V-SYNC off + Low Latency Mode “Ultra” + uncapped

Absolute lowest possible input lag for both scenarios in addition to the above settings for each…

Limit the FPS to an average framerate your system can sustain 99% of the time that also prevents your GPU usage from maxing out, as to prevent GPU input lag. And for V-SYNC OFF, then switch LLM from “Ultra” to “On”; Ultra typically only helps in uncapped, GPU-bound scenarios, which a proper in-game FPS limit will prevent.

The rest is down to your reaction time, the input lag of your mouse/keyboard and monitor, your ISP, and the netcode of your game.

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4 years 3 months ago
CodeDownfall
Member
CodeDownfall

So if I cap to 160fps or 185fps on 240hz monitor I should still have V-SYNC and LMM “On” correct?

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

If you 100% tear-free G-SYNC, yes, the V-SYNC option on.

As for LLM, that’s a “just-in-case”; not all games support that setting, and there’s no easy way to tell which do. But for games that do, it can reduce input lag by around 1 frame in scenarios where the framerate is fluctuating below your set FPS limit.

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4 years 3 months ago
1nelife
Member
1nelife

Hello,

After reading many of the articles which were very helpful and informative I am still a bit uncertain in what are the best optimal settings for maximum performance when gaming. I apologize in advance for my lack of understanding about gsync, as I just recently bought a high end 240hz gsync Monitor for gaming, after reading many articles I am bit concerned I may have paid a premium for a feature (gsync) that I may not have to use. In short I am a competitor gamer in overwatch nowhere near pro level, however I always prioritize performance over image quality and reducing inputting lag as much as possible. I am currently running between 240-300fps in game with gsync on with fps cap in game at 300, Vsync off both In nvcp and in game. For maximum performance is it better to disable/off both gsync and Vsync all together if I am hitting those frames? I don’t mind the occasional tear from time to time in exchange for lowest input lag possible.

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4 years 3 months ago
jorimt
Author
jorimt

G-SYNC is only active within the refresh rate, so with the G-SYNC on + the V-SYNC option “Off,” both in-game and the NVCP, whenever your framerate exceeds your refresh rate, G-SYNC disengages and you get plain old standalone V-SYNC OFF until your FPS falls within your refresh rate again.

As for “maximum performance,” e.g. the lowest input lag possible in your situation, 1) you want to avoid GPU input lag by ensuring your GPU usage is never maxed, by limiting the FPS to a level your system can sustain 99% of the time while hovering under 99% GPU usage, and 2) IF you’re using G-SYNC in its proper configuration (G-SYNC + V-SYNC), you want to prevent V-SYNC input lag by ensuring G-SYNC remains in its range at all times with a 237 FPS in-game limit.

As for G-SYNC + V-SYNC + 237 FPS in-game limit vs. standalone V-SYNC OFF + ~300 in-game FPS limit, at 240Hz, the input lag differences are effectively negligible. The bigger difference between the two is “feel,” as they deliver frames very differently; some players that are used to standalone V-SYNC OFF will prefer it over G-SYNC and visa-vera. It’s user preference at this point, and whether you can personally tolerate tearing.

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4 years 3 months ago
wpDiscuz

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