So you have a new G-SYNC compatible monitor and you’re wondering how to get the most out of it. Should you leave it on all the time? Is your graphics card good enough? Let’s go over some of the conditions you’ll want to meet before using G-SYNC. As an aside, we've written a whole page about the differences between NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, so if you're an AMD enjoyer, that might be more useful.
The first thing to do is to check that everything is working properly. Make sure your software is up to date. This includes both Nvidia graphics drivers and display drivers for monitors that are considered “G-SYNC Compatible.” Next, go into your Nvidia control panel and make sure it is running at it’s maximum resolution and refresh rate. After that you want to make sure that that G-SYNC is enable by selecting “Set up G-SYNC” and enabling all the options on screen. It is recommended to use it in full screen mode to ensure the best performance. This means that any game you want to enable G-SYNC on also must be set to full screen, not windowed or borderless windowed mode.
If your monitor has a built-in refresh rate overlay that can be an easy way to be sure that G-SYNC is on. If it is constantly at the maximum refresh rate on to the monitor, it is not enabled. The overlay will accurately display the fluctuation in refresh rate as the frame rate of the game changes. A changing number ensures that it is working properly.
While this will already enable a smooth experience you may still have a little bit of screen tearing, especially towards the bottom of the screen. To fix this, it is recommended to limit your frame rate to 4 frames below your displays maximum refresh rate, enable vsync, and enable Nvidia Reflex for ultra low latency. These can be done in the Nvidia Control Panel under “Manage 3D settings” to enable it on a driver level for a more consistent experience but can also be done in game if you prefer to manage it on a game-by-game basis.
Now let’s talk about the conditions where you would get the most out of G-SYNC. The important thing to note is that G-SYNC only provides a benefit when your game is running slower than your monitor’s refresh rate. Depending on the monitor it may even need to reach a minimum. Some monitors can operate as low as 1hz but for many the lowest it can go is 48hz or 60hz. Check Nvidia’s official G-SYNC monitor data base for more information on your specific monitor. While leaving G-SYNC on won't cause any harm, running games beyond the maximum refresh rate of your monitor will disable G-SYNC, meaning that if you’re playing an easier to run game like an esports title or a pixel indie game there is likely no benefit to using it. Running your game significantly faster than your monitor's refresh rate will likely eliminate any issues G-SYNC aims to solve anyways.
That leaves harder to run games to be more suitable for G-SYNC monitors. Modern triple A games with ray tracing on will give any PC a hard time. With G-SYNC those games will continue to run at those lower frame rates but can still feel smooth and responsive. This also applies to older hardware trying to run modern games or monitors that are crazy enough to support G-SYNC up to 500hz.
G-SYNC can enhance a gaming experience by improving the clarity and responsiveness, but it has to be set up properly. Be sure to check all your settings to get the smoothest gaming experience. If you're still looking for a G-SYNC compatible monitor, check out the top-of-the-line options from CORSAIR. Choose from our high 240hz OLED, the 27QHD240, for the fast, sharp, and clean images; a 4K 144hz display, the 32UHD144, for maximum resolution; or the XENEON FLEX a mind-bending experience.
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