How to Set Up NVIDIA G-Sync on PC – Guide
NVIDIA G-Sync is a technology licensed by the GPU manufacturer to companies that make the best display on computer monitors and laptop displays. It delivers smooth, tear-free gaming by allowing the monitor and GPU to talk to each other. It requires an easy setup, but the good news is that you don’t need to install any additional software as long as you’ve installed drivers for your NVIDIA GPU at least once. The screen draws every frame the GPU produces and this variable refresh rate ensures there is no tearing during gameplay. However, it doesn’t magically activate once you connect a G-Sync monitor.
Check your monitor specs
Before delving into the settings, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your monitor’s capabilities. All monitors are different when it comes to G-Sync and FreeSync, so be sure to check out the monitor’s website or manual for more information. Monitors with a built-in G-Sync chip, such as the Asus ROG Swift PG259QN, can use G-Sync for all of the refresh rates that they support, while FreeSync monitors that support G-Sync may only be able to use a certain range of refresh rates.
Some monitors may only sync their refresh rate between 48Hz and 144Hz. If your game drops to 30fps, you may experience a degraded experience. Check your monitor’s product page on the manufacturer’s website and search the Nvidia database for more information.
Your monitor may only support these technologies on certain inputs. In most cases, the best choice is DisplayPort, which likely supports wider refresh rates than HDMI. Check your monitor’s specification page and manual for more information on your monitor.
If your FreeSync monitor does not claim to be G-Sync certified, it may still work. Some monitors have not yet been certified by Nvidia, while others work but do not meet Nvidia standards. The company silently lowered the requirements. Even if you don’t see this badge, read on to find the best settings to test.
Activate G-Sync (and make sure it’s working)
To get G-Sync working on your computer, you first need to find the menu option that allows you to enable it. This varies depending on the model of monitor, but it should be easy to find. Once enabled, G-Sync will work automatically with your graphics card and monitor. ..
Nvidia’s drivers are up, so right-click the Nvidia icon on the taskbar to open the Nvidia Control Panel. First, go to the Change Resolution page on the left sidebar and set your refresh rate as high as possible. Many people don’t realize that you need to enable high refresh rates on your PC before you can really reap the benefits – you don’t want to spend all that money on a 144Hz monitor only to be limited to 60Hz because you forget you need to turn it on.
If you’re using an official G-Sync monitor, it should be on by default. If it’s not, you might need to turn it on. Check the box, choose whether to enable it for full screen or full screen and windowed mode, and select your display from the list. ..
If you have a G-Sync enabled display, please check the Enable settings for the selected display template at the bottom of the window. This checkbox is not present on all monitors, but it is easy to miss even when it is present. Click on Apply button button and G-Sync should be enabled and ready to use.
Nvidia’s Pendulum demo lets you test whether your monitor is working properly with the new update. Try switching between “No Vsync” and “G-Sync” to see if the screen tears disappear. If activating the G-Sync box doesn’t work, you may have missed a step above or your monitor may not support G-Sync. Try activating the FPS sliders and playing around with them too, to see how your monitor reacts to different parts of the update interval. ..
The best settings for G-Sync
Nvidia’s G-Sync technology can provide a smooth gaming experience, but you may need to adjust a few settings to get the best experience. First, make sure your game is using the maximum refresh rate. Even if you have your Nvidia drivers set to 144Hz, some games may still default to 60Hz in their own display settings, so you might want to increase that. Additionally, make sure your graphics card is properly configured and that G-Sync is enabled. ..
In fullscreen mode, games will run more smoothly and you’ll get the best results with the specific graphics settings. If your game’s framerate is dropping too much outside of the G-Sync compatible range, you may want to lower your graphics settings to increase your frame rate in difficult scenes.
If you’re getting 200fps in a game, but your monitor is only 144Hz, then G-Sync is not active - and the game will default to whatever Vsync behavior is selected in the game’s settings. This means that for easy-to-render scenes you will immediately return to stuttering and screen tearing (with Vsync off) or input lag boost (with Vsync on). ..
To resolve this issue, you can set a frame rate limiter for each of your games to keep them below your monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Nvidia tells me it’s best to keep this a few percent below the maximum – so if you have a 144Hz monitor, set your limiter to 141 or lower. Ideally, you do this in-game; for example, Call of Duty: Warzone and Overwatch have frame rate limiters in the video settings, while Counter-Strike: Global Offensive requires a console command to activate the same.
If your game doesn’t have a frame rate limiter, you can add one in the Nvidia Control Panel. Click Manage 3D Settings, select the Program Settings tab, select your game from the drop-down list, and set the Max Frame Rate option from the list.
Nvidia’s new G-Sync technology promises to eliminate all forms of latency and stuttering, while also providing a smooth gaming experience. However, some players have reported cracks in the bottom of their screens at these settings. If this happens to you, you can enable Vsync along with G-Sync and the frame rate limiter to fix the issue. ..
To enable Vsync in-game or in the Nvidia Control Panel, try both options. When G-Sync, Vsync and a frame rate limiter work together, all the tearing should be eliminated without introducing the input lag you would normally see with Vsync.
Nvidia Reflex mode and Low Latency mode can help reduce latency in games.
This technology is fascinating and can help you play smoothly and with no cracks in sight. However, it can vary from monitor to monitor and game to game. So if you’re having trouble, adjust your settings accordingly.
Final note
NVIDIA G-Sync is a technology that allows for smooth, tear-free gaming by synchronizing the display’s refresh rate to the frame rate of the game. This guide will show you how to set up G-Sync on your PC. ..
