You’ve probably heard of G-Sync. Maybe you’re interested in getting a new monitor, but aren’t sure if you should get one. If yes, then this blog will be helpful to tell you: what is G-sync.
Either way, I’ll cover everything. My goal with this blog isn’t just to discuss what G-Sync is and the benefits that come with it but I will also discuss tit’s works.
What is G-Sync?
G-Sync is a technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card. This results in less screen tearing and stuttering when you’re playing games, which can improve your gaming experience. When you’re playing a game, you need to make sure that the graphics card is sending images to the monitor at a good rate.
If it isn’t, there will be visual artifacts like tearing or stuttering. G-Sync helps eliminate these problems by automatically adjusting the refresh rate of your monitor to match the output.
This technology was developed by Nvidia as part of its proprietary G-Sync branding and was introduced into the market in 2013 with the launch of its Kepler architecture GPUs.
All About G-Sync
As you have got a small overview of G-Sync but I don’t want you to be left with any question unanswered. So, let’s discuss in detail.
G-Sync is a way of synchronizing the output of your graphics card with the refresh rate of your monitor.
It’s important because by syncing the two, you can eliminate screen tearing and stuttering that occurs when the graphics card sends frames to the monitor out of sync with what it’s capable of.
This means you’ll get a smoother, more fluid experience while playing games or watching videos than you would without G-Sync enabled.
G-Sync is designed to work with NVIDIA’s GeForce graphics cards, although it can be used with any other kind of graphics card (as long as it supports VESA Adaptive Sync).
It only works on monitors that have a variable refresh rate—they must support adaptive sync technology in order to work properly with G-Sync.
You can find monitors that support adaptive sync technology by looking for models that include “FreeSync” or “Adaptive Sync” in their name or description.
Read more on: FreeSync vs. Screen Tearing: Is the Upgrade Worth it?
Understanding Display Synchronization
In order to understand G-sync it’s important to first understand what display synchronization is.
According to the research I did, display synchronization is a method of manipulating the display’s refresh rate in order to improve video quality.
The display’s refresh rate is the speed with which it refreshes, or redraws, its image.
Video frames are typically displayed in sequence at a certain speed, but these frames can be displayed at any number of different speeds.
The display’s refresh rate affects how quickly the image appears on-screen and whether there are any visible flickers or blurs in its movement.
A lower refresh rate means that each frame will be displayed for longer, which can cause motion blur and flicker.
A higher refresh rate means that each frame will be displayed for less time; this can make moving images appear more crisp and clear but will also cause flickering if they move too fast.
The Evolution of G-Sync Technology
G-Sync was first introduced in 2013 with the launch of Nvidia’s Kepler architecture. At the time, it was called Adaptive Sync.
The technology has undergone several evolutions since then, and now it is known as G-Sync 2. The latest iteration of the technology is G-Sync 3, which was announced in March 2019.
Here’s I stated two early version of Nvidia’s adaptive sync technology and how they compare to each other:
- G-Sync 1
This version was available on high-end monitors that were manufactured by Acer, ASUS, BenQ and Philips.
It offered a 4:4:4 color sub-sampling mode that provided better quality than standard display modes.
However, this mode only worked at 30Hz or above, so it wasn’t ideal for gamers who wanted to use their monitors at higher refresh rates (higher than 60Hz).
- G-Sync 2
This version of adaptive sync technology supported more than one monitor per computer.
It also allowed for variable overdrive (VOD), which improved motion clarity by reducing ghosting effects when using lower refresh rates than normal (e.g., 30Hz).
It also added support for HDR (high dynamic range) content on compatible displays.
Take a look at: Altering FreeSync Range Settings
How Does G-Sync Work?
According to the research I did, NVIDIA G-Sync is an adaptive display technology that synchronizes a graphics card’s refresh rate with the monitor’s refresh rate.
This is done through a hardware module that’s installed on the graphics card and a driver that works with the operating system to adjust the display whenever you change games.
When you play games, the graphics card sends data to your monitor at a certain speed.
If your monitor has a 60 Hz refresh rate and you’re playing a game that requires it to update more often than once every 16.7 milliseconds, some frames may be missed.
With G-Sync technology, if your graphics card can’t keep up with your monitor’s refresh rate, it will automatically reduce its frame rate until it can catch up again.
This allows for smoother gameplay and eliminates screen tearing when running games at high frame rates or resolutions higher than 1080p.
Comparing FreeSync with G-Sync
You may be wondering about other Sync technologies. To clear your confusion I have compared freeSync with G-Sync
| No | Feature | FreeSync | G-Sync |
| 1 | Manufacturer | AMD | NVIDIA |
| 2 | Compatibility | Works with AMD GPUs | Works with NVIDIA GPUs |
| 3 | Open Standard | Yes | No |
| 4 | Variable Refresh Rate | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Frame Synchronization | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Input Lag Reduction | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Adaptive Sync Range | Varies by monitor, wide range of options | Typically more narrow, but more consistent |
| 8 | Price | Generally more affordable | Typically more expensive |
| 9 | Monitor Availability | Wide variety of options from various brands | Limited to specific G-Sync modules |
| 9 | Cross-Compatibility | Some FreeSync monitors may work with G-Sync | Limited G-Sync monitors work with FreeSync |
.Check out: G-Sync Worthiness in Gaming: An Overview
Comparison Between G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible and G-Sync Ultimate
You may have heard of some other terms identical to G-sync. Yes, I am talking about G-Sync Compatible and G-Sync Ultimate. I am going to describe the difference between these terms.
| Feature | G-Sync | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Ultimate |
| Definition | Proprietary Nvidia technology for variable refresh rate synchronization between GPU and monitor. | Monitors that are not officially G-Sync but have been certified by Nvidia to work well with Nvidia GPUs for variable refresh rate technology. | An advanced version of G-Sync with premium features and capabilities. |
| Compatibility | Requires Nvidia graphics card with G-Sync support. | Compatible with Nvidia graphics cards, including some older models. | Requires Nvidia graphics card with G-Sync support. |
| Certification | Nvidia certifies specific monitors as G-Sync compatible. | Monitors must pass Nvidia’s certification process for G-Sync compatibility. | Monitors must meet stringent requirements and are hand-picked by Nvidia for the best gaming experience. |
| Price Range | Typically more expensive due to dedicated G-Sync hardware modules. | Often more budget-friendly as it relies on Adaptive Sync technology. | High-end and premium monitors, generally more expensive. |
| Performance | Offers excellent variable refresh rate performance and often better support for HDR. | Provides variable refresh rate support, but performance can vary between monitors. | Offers the highest variable refresh rate performance and premium features like advanced HDR support. |
| HDR Support | Varies by monitor but generally good HDR support. | HDR support varies by monitor quality. | Excellent HDR support, often with high brightness and local dimming capabilities. |
| Availability | Limited to monitors with built-in G-Sync hardware. | More widespread, available on a broader range of monitors. | Limited to high-end monitors with G-Sync Ultimate support. |
| Best For | Enthusiast gamers seeking the best gaming experience with Nvidia GPUs. | Gamers looking for a good variable refresh rate experience on a budget. | Gamers and professionals who demand the absolute best gaming and HDR experience. |
Compatible Hardware and Monitors
I have listed the compatible Tvs with G-Sync in the table below; so, let’s have a look.
| TV Model | Display Size | Resolution | Panel Type | Refresh Rate | G-Sync Support |
| LG OLED CX | 55″, 65″, 77″ | 4K UHD | OLED | 120Hz | Yes |
| Samsung Q80T | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | 4K UHD | QLED | 120Hz | Yes |
| ASUS ROG Swift | 43″ | 4K UHD | VA | 144Hz | Yes |
| Sony X900H | 55″, 65″, 75″ | 4K UHD | LED | 120Hz | Yes |
| Alienware OLED | 55″ | 4K UHD | OLED | 120Hz | Yes |
Setting Up G-Sync
To enable G-Sync, you’ll need to install the latest graphics driver for your graphics card. If you’re unsure what graphics card you have, you can find out by following the steps below:
- Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager” into the search bar
- Click on “Device Manager” from the search results pane
- Expand Display Adapters under Display Devices in Device Manager
- Right-click on your graphics card and choose Properties from the context menu that appears.
- Select the Driver tab and click Update Driver Software
- Choose Browse my computer for driver software then click Next
- Click Browse… then Locate the folder where your drivers are located (for example, C:\NVIDIA Corporation\DisplayDriver)
Final Thoughts
In this blog I have discussed What Is G-Sync? So far we have finished the discussion of G-sync vs FreeSync and other technologies.
I hope that you have gained a better understanding of Digital Video Output Technologies . The knowledge about them will be useful for you in future.
FAQs
How do I Enable G-Sync on Nvidia?
From the navigation tree pane in the NVIDIA Control Panel, select Set up G-SYNC to open the associated page. If unchecked, check Enable G-SYNC/G-SYNC Compatible.
Can AMD Use G-Sync?
Most AMD FreeSync displays can sync with Nvidia graphics hardware, and most G-Sync Compatible displays can be used with AMD cards.
Does GTX Support G-Sync?
An Nvidia graphics card that is G-Sync compatible (for example, GTX 10xx and above) Ensure you use a DisplayPort cable for your video output.