What Does G-Sync Do?

G-Sync is Nvidia's variable refresh rate technology that syncs your monitor's refresh rate to your graphics card's frame rate in real time. This removes screen tearing and reduces stuttering, without the added input lag that traditional V-Sync can cause. To use it you need a compatible monitor and an Nvidia graphics card, and G-Sync must be enabled in the driver and, on some monitors, in the on-screen menu.

Why this happens

Normally a monitor refreshes at a fixed rate, such as 60 or 144 times per second, while the graphics card produces frames at a changing rate depending on the workload. When these two do not line up, you see tearing, where parts of two frames appear at once, or stutter when frames are held back.

G-Sync fixes this by letting the monitor change its refresh rate on the fly to match each frame as the graphics card finishes it. There are a few forms:

• Native G-Sync, which uses a dedicated hardware module in the monitor.
• G-Sync Compatible, which is Nvidia's certification of monitors using the open VESA Adaptive-Sync standard, the same basis as FreeSync.
• G-Sync Ultimate, a higher tier that adds features such as better HDR handling.

Is this normal?

Variable refresh rate is now a standard, widely supported feature on gaming monitors. Having G-Sync or an equivalent is normal and expected on modern displays, and it is optional to use.

Does it cause any problems?

G-Sync works within the monitor's supported refresh range, often from around 30Hz up to its maximum. Above the maximum you can still get tearing unless you cap the frame rate, and at very low frame rates the benefit shrinks, though most modern monitors handle this with low framerate compensation. Otherwise it has no real downside for gaming.

How to fix or check it

1. Confirm you have an Nvidia graphics card and a monitor that supports G-Sync or is listed as G-Sync Compatible.
2. Connect the monitor with DisplayPort where possible, since G-Sync is most fully supported over DisplayPort (HDMI support varies by monitor).
3. On the monitor, open its on-screen menu and enable Adaptive-Sync or G-Sync if there is such an option.
4. Open the Nvidia Control Panel, go to "Set up G-SYNC", and turn it on for full screen or for windowed and full screen mode.
5. To confirm it is working, enable the G-Sync indicator in the Nvidia Control Panel display menu, or run a game and watch that tearing is gone.
6. Optionally cap your frame rate just below the monitor's maximum refresh rate so the game stays within the G-Sync range for the smoothest result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between G-Sync and FreeSync?

Both are variable refresh rate technologies. G-Sync is Nvidia's, and FreeSync is AMD's, built on the open Adaptive-Sync standard. Many FreeSync monitors also work as G-Sync Compatible with Nvidia cards.

Do I need an Nvidia graphics card for G-Sync?

Yes, G-Sync is enabled through Nvidia's driver and requires an Nvidia GPU. If you have an AMD card, you would use FreeSync instead on a supported monitor.

Does G-Sync increase frame rate?

No. G-Sync does not make games run faster. It synchronizes the display to your existing frame rate to remove tearing and stutter for a smoother look.