not supported with g sync lcd panel brands

I"m the process of buying a secondhand Alienware 15 r3 laptop. On my first visit to the seller, I was disappointed to discover that even though the laptop had both a iGPU and a dGPU, there was no way to switch (MUX switch) the graphics from the dGPU.

Information on this error message is REALLY sketchy online. Some say that the G-Sync LCD panel is hardwired to the dGPU and that the iGPU is connected to nothing. Some say that dGPU is connected to the G-Sync LCD through the iGPU. Some say that they got the MUX switch working after an intention ordering of bios update, iGPU drivers then dGPU drivers on a clean install.

I"m suspecting that if I connect an external 60hz IPS monitor to one of the display ports on the laptop and make it the only display, the Fn+F7 key will actually switch the graphics because the display is not a G-Sync LCD panel. Am I right on this?

If I"m right on this, does that mean that if I purchase this laptop, order a 15inch Alienware 60hz IPS screen and swap it with the FHD 120+hz screen currently inside, I will also continue to have MUX switch support and no G-Sync? The price for these screens is not outrageous.

Make sure the monitor supports Nvidia’s G-Sync technology - a list of supported monitors at the time of this article can be found on Nvidia"s website.

Make sure a DisplayPort cable is being used - G-Sync is only compatible with DisplayPort. It must be a standard DisplayPort cable using no adapters or conversions. HDMI, DVI and VGA are not supported.

Under the Display tab on the left side of the Nvidia Control Panel, choose Set up G-Sync, followed by Enable G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible checkbox. Note: If the monitor has not been validated as G-Sync Compatible, select the box under Display Specific Settings to force G-Sync Compatible mode on. See the warning NOTE at the end of the article before proceeding.

NOTE: If the monitor supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technologies but is not on the list above, use caution before proceeding. It may still work, however there may be issues when using the technology. Known issues include blanking, pulsing, flickering, ghosting and visual artifacts.

I got a refurbished Alienware 15 R3 today, when i placed the order i made sure to look for one which doesn"t have a g-sync display so i can switch off the dedicated gpu in order to save battery, however when i got the laptop and tried switching to the internal gpu it doesn"t give me the option and only lets me use the dedicated one.

At first i thought that maybe i was sent a laptop with a g-sync display but when i checked in device manager the display is listed as "generic pnp display" no mention of g-sync yet i cant seem to be able to turn off the gpu and whenever i press fn+f7 i get the following message "not supported with g-sync ips display" even though the display is not a g-sync display.

G-SYNC :Delivers an amazing experience with no tearing, stutter, or input lag. Enthusiasts and pro-level gamers can count on unique technologies like a full variable refresh rate (VRR) range and variable overdrive to eliminate visual artifacts for a pristine image and outstanding gameplay.

G-SYNC Compatible :Doesn’t use NVIDIA processors, but have been validated by NVIDIA to give you a good, basic variable refresh rate (VRR) experience for tear-free, stutter-free gaming experience.

G-SYNC Ultimate : Features the latest NVIDIA G-SYNC processors to deliver the best HDR gaming experience. They’re loaded with all the advanced features you’re looking for - including over 1000 nits brightness, stunning contrast, cinematic color, and ultra-low latency gameplay.

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It’s difficult to buy a computer monitor, graphics card, or laptop without seeing AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync branding. Both promise smoother, better gaming, and in some cases both appear on the same display. But what do G-Sync and FreeSync do, exactly – and which is better?

Most AMD FreeSync displays can sync with Nvidia graphics hardware, and most G-Sync Compatible displays can sync with AMD graphics hardware. This is unofficial, however.

The first problem is screen tearing. A display without adaptive sync will refresh at its set refresh rate (usually 60Hz, or 60 refreshes per second) no matter what. If the refresh happens to land between two frames, well, tough luck – you’ll see a bit of both. This is screen tearing.

Screen tearing is ugly and easy to notice, especially in 3D games. To fix it, games started to use a technique called V-Syncthat locks the framerate of a game to the refresh rate of a display. This fixes screen tearing but also caps the performance of a game. It can also cause uneven frame pacing in some situations.

Adaptive sync is a better solution. A display with adaptive sync can change its refresh rate in response to how fast your graphics card is pumping out frames. If your GPU sends over 43 frames per second, your monitor displays those 43 frames, rather than forcing 60 refreshes per second. Adaptive sync stops screen tearing by preventing the display from refreshing with partial information from multiple frames but, unlike with V-Sync, each frame is shown immediately.

Enthusiasts can offer countless arguments over the advantages of AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. However, for most people, AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync both work well and offer a similar experience. In fact, the two standards are far more similar than different.

All variants of AMD FreeSync are built on the VESA Adaptive Sync standard. The same is true of Nvidia’s G-Sync Compatible, which is by far the most common version of G-Sync available today.

VESA Adaptive Sync is an open standard that any company can use to enable adaptive sync between a device and display. It’s used not only by AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible monitors but also other displays, such as HDTVs, that support Adaptive Sync.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible are so similar, in fact, they’re often cross compatible. A large majority of displays I test with support for either AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync Compatible will work with graphics hardware from the opposite brand.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible are built on the same open standard. Which leads to an obvious question: if that’s true, what’s the difference?

Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, the most common version of G-Sync today, is based on the VESA Adaptive Sync standard. But Nvidia G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate, the less common and more premium versions of G-Sync, use proprietary hardware in the display.

This is how all G-Sync displays worked when Nvidia brought the technology to market in 2013. Unlike Nvidia G-Sync Compatible monitors, which often (unofficially) works with AMD Radeon GPUs, G-Sync is unique and proprietary. It only supports adaptive sync with Nvidia graphics hardware.

It’s usually possible to switch sides if you own an AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync Compatible display. If you buy a G-Sync or G-Sync Ultimate display, however, you’ll have to stick with Nvidia GeForce GPUs. (Here’s our guide to the best graphics cards for PC gaming.)

This loyalty does net some perks. The most important is G-Sync’s support for a wider range of refresh rates. The VESA Adaptive Sync specification has a minimum required refresh rate (usually 48Hz, but sometimes 40Hz). A refresh rate below that can cause dropouts in Adaptive Sync, which may let screen tearing to sneak back in or, in a worst-case scenario, cause the display to flicker.

G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate support the entire refresh range of a panel – even as low as 1Hz. This is important if you play games that may hit lower frame rates, since Adaptive Sync matches the display refresh rate with the output frame rate.

For example, if you’re playing Cyberpunk 2077 at an average of 30 FPS on a 4K display, that implies a refresh rate of 30Hz – which falls outside the range VESA Adaptive Sync supports. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible may struggle with that, but Nvidia G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate won’t have a problem.

AMD FreeSync Premium and FreeSync Premium Pro have their own technique of dealing with this situation called Low Framerate Compensation. It repeats frames to double the output such that it falls within a display’s supported refresh rate.

Other differences boil down to certification and testing. AMD and Nvidia have their own certification programs that displays must pass to claim official compatibility. This is why not all VESA Adaptive Sync displays claim support for AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync include mention of HDR in their marketing. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro promises “HDR capabilities and game support.” Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate boasts of “lifelike HDR.”

This is a bunch of nonsense. Neither has anything to do with HDR, though it can be helpful to understand that some level of HDR support is included in those panels. The most common HDR standard, HDR10, is an open standard from the Consumer Technology Association. AMD and Nvidia have no control over it. You don’t need FreeSync or G-Sync to view HDR, either, even on each company’s graphics hardware.

PC gamers interested in HDRshould instead look for VESA’s DisplayHDR certification, which provides a more meaningful gauge of a monitor’s HDR capabilities.

Both standards are plug-and-play with officially compatible displays. Your desktop’s video card will detect that the display is certified and turn on AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync automatically. You may need to activate the respective adaptive sync technology in your monitor settings, however, though that step is a rarity in modern displays.

Displays that support VESA Adaptive Sync, but are not officially supported by your video card, require you dig into AMD or Nvidia’s driver software and turn on the feature manually. This is a painless process, however – just check the box and save your settings.

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync are also available for use with laptop displays. Unsurprisingly, laptops that have a compatible display will be configured to use AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync from the factory.

A note of caution, however: not all laptops with AMD or Nvidia graphics hardware have a display with Adaptive Sync support. Even some gaming laptops lack this feature. Pay close attention to the specifications.

VESA’s Adaptive Sync is on its way to being the common adaptive sync standard used by the entire display industry. Though not perfect, it’s good enough for most situations, and display companies don’t have to fool around with AMD or Nvidia to support it.

That leaves AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync searching for a purpose. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible are essentially certification programs that monitor companies can use to slap another badge on a product, though they also ensure out-of-the-box compatibility with supported graphics card. Nvidia’s G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate are technically superior, but require proprietary Nvidia hardware that adds to a display’s price. This is why G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate monitors are becoming less common.

My prediction is this: AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync will slowly, quietly fade away. AMD and Nvidia will speak of them less and lesswhile displays move towards VESA Adaptive Sync badgesinstead of AMD and Nvidia logos.

If that happens, it would be good news for the PC. VESA Adaptive Sync has already united AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible displays. Eventually, display manufacturers will opt out of AMD and Nvidia branding entirely – leaving VESA Adaptive Sync as the single, open standard. We’ll see how it goes.

While most people often associate Dell monitors with office use, they also have a brand of gaming monitors known as Alienware. These monitors focus solely on gaming with higher refresh rates and fewer office features than their regular Dell lineup. If you"re looking for the best Dell gaming monitor, the Dell Alienware AW3423DW is an excellent option with stunning picture quality. It"s different from the Dell U2723QE because it has an ultrawide display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 3440x1440 resolution. The wider screen lets you see more of your game at once, which is great for atmospheric or FPS games. It has native G-SYNC variable refresh rate (VRR) support, which is great if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, but if you have an AMD graphics card, you can also consider the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, which has native FreeSync VRR support instead.

It features QD-OLED technology that lets it display perfect blacks in dark rooms while making colors look vivid and highlights pop. However, this monitor isn"t perfect, as the black levels raise in bright rooms, and there are some issues with color fringing, but that isn"t much issue with games anyways.

If you aren"t a fan of the ultrawide format or don"t want the QD-OLED panel, there are a few other options. The Dell Alienware AW2723DF is a good choice if you"re a PC gamer and want a 1440p resolution with a 280Hz refresh rate. However, if you want an even higher 360Hz refresh, the Dell Alienware AW2523HF is another alternative, so you can choose the right model for your needs.

If you find the Dell Alienware AW3423DW and the LG 34GP950G-B are too expensive or you don"t like the ultrawide format, the market for getting a cheaper G-SYNC monitor is limited. It"s easier to find 1080p, 360Hz monitors at a much lower cost than looking for mid-range options, as there aren"t many native G-SYNC monitors available with a 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. Some, like the Dell Alienware AW2721D and the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM, are impressive gaming monitors, but they"re harder to find, so it"s easier to get a high refresh rate G-SYNC monitor for gaming.

If you want a G-SYNC monitor on a budget, you"ll still have to pay more than budget monitors without native G-SYNC support, as the G-SYNC module comes with a price premium. If that"s what you want, the ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QN is a great gaming option. It has a smaller 25-inch screen and 1080p resolution, but the lower resolution makes it easier for your graphics card to reach its 360Hz max refresh rate, which is ideal if you play games at a high frame rate. You can achieve its max refresh rate with 8-bit signals over DisplayPort connections, but it"s limited to 300Hz with 10-bit signals, like in HDR.

Thanks to the fast refresh rate, the response time with 360Hz and 120Hz signals is impressive, as you won"t notice any motion blur. It also has a backlight-strobing feature to reduce persistence blur that works within a wide range, but it doesn"t work at the same time as VRR, which is normal for most monitors. Luckily, it also has low input lag for a responsive feel while gaming.

Two of the most common issues with PC gaming are screen tearing and stuttering. Each time your GPU renders a frame, it’s sent to the display, which updates the picture at a certain interval depending on the refresh rate (a 144Hz, display, for example, will refresh the image up to 144 times in a second). Screen tearing or stuttering happens when these two steps misalign, either with your GPU holding a frame your monitor isn’t ready for or your monitor trying to refresh with a frame that doesn’t exist.

G-Sync solves that problem by aligning your monitor’s refresh rate to your GPU’s frame render rate, offering smooth gameplay even as frame rates change. For years, G-Sync was a proprietary Nvidia technology that only worked with certain, very expensive displays with a Nvidia-branded module inside. In 2019, though, Nvidia opened its G-Sync technology to some compatible FreeSync displays, offering an adaptive refresh rate to not only a lot more displays, but a lot of cheaper ones, too.

Although there are now displays with the G-Sync Compatible badge on the shelves, they aren’t set to work with G-Sync by default. Here’s how to use G-Sync on a FreeSync monitor.

First, you need to make sure that your hardware setup is going to support G-Sync, or this process isn’t going to work very well. Your monitor needs to be ready, and that requires three important things.

The first thing you need is a compatible monitor. You will want to consult the GeForce list of G-Sync compatible gaming monitors, which are monitors where G-Sync isn’t built-in but is expected to perform quite well. Recent displays from Dell, BenQ, Asus, Acer, LG, Samsung, and more are mostly supported, though you’ll still need to consult Nvidia’s list.

Secondly, you’ll need a GTX 10-series graphics card or better. RTX 20-series and its Super variants work, as do RTX 30-series GPUs. Similarly, the 1660 Super, 1660 Ti, and 1660 work, too. Lastly, you’ll need a DisplayPort connection from this graphics card to your monitor for most displays, though there are some LG models that require HDMI.

Finally, you’ll need to update your GPU drivers. Driver 417.71 brought support for G-Sync in 2019, so you’ll need at least that version, though layer versions are preferable for their improved overall performance and support.

With a compatible monitor at the ready, head into your monitor settings and make sure that FreeSync (or Adaptive Sync) is turned on. This is necessary for the following steps to work.

With your Nvidia graphics card plugged in and recent drivers installed, you should have access to the Nvidia Control Panel app on your PC. Open it now. Once open, look at the left-hand menu for the Display section. Here, select the option to Set up G-SYNC.

Select your display. There’s probably only one display to pick here, so this isn’t usually a problem unless you have an odd sort of multi-monitor display plan and need to make sure the changes apply to the right monitor.

Perhaps your current monitor is new and upgraded enough to support G-Sync, in which case there is little you need to tweak or correct so that it functions smoothly. As an extra precaution, we recommend executing a graphics test to be positive that you have the desired visuals, at which point you’re free to use it as you see fit. You should note that other monitors may still not enable G-Sync properly. This is common, and you may just have to make one additional adjustment to help your monitor get along properly.

You will use the same NvidiaControl Panel, to access the option for3D Settingslocated in the left-hand menu. From here, selectManage 3D Settings, and go to theGlobaltab. Look for the setting calledMonitor Technology, and make sure it is set to theG-Synccompatibility setting.

You don’t have to employ G-Sync for every game, as you can always decide to take it one game at a time. You will want to accessProgram Settingsrather thanGlobal.This allows for some added customization if you prefer certain games on G-Sync and certain games otherwise.

G-Sync is a proprietary adaptive sync technology developed by Nvidia aimed primarily at eliminating screen tearing and the need for software alternatives such as Vsync.video display"s refresh rate to adapt to the frame rate of the outputting device (graphics card/integrated graphics) rather than the outputting device adapting to the display, which could traditionally be refreshed halfway through the process of a frame being output by the device, resulting in screen tearing, or two or more frames being shown at once.AMD has released a similar technology for displays, called FreeSync, which has the same function as G-Sync yet is royalty-free.

Nvidia built a special collision avoidance feature to avoid the eventuality of a new frame being ready while a duplicate is being drawn on screen (something that could generate lag and/or stutter) in which case the module anticipates the refresh and waits for the next frame to be completed.Overdriving pixels also becomes tricky in a non-fixed refresh scenario, and solutions predicting when the next refresh is going to happen and accordingly adjusting the overdrive value must be implemented and tuned for each panel in order to avoid ghosting.

The module carries all the functional parts. It is based around an Altera Arria V GX family FPGA featuring 156K logic elements, 396 DSP blocks and 67 LVDS channels. It is produced on the TSMC 28LP process and paired with three DDR3L DRAM chips to attain a certain bandwidth, for an aggregate 768MB capacity. The employed FPGA also features a LVDS interface to drive the monitor panel. It is meant to replace common scalers and be easily integrated by monitor manufacturers, who only have to take care of the power delivery circuit board and input connections.

G-Sync faces some criticismVESA standard Adaptive-Sync which is an optional feature of DisplayPort version 1.2a.AMD"s FreeSync relies on the above-mentioned optional component of DisplayPort 1.2a, G-Sync requires an Nvidia-made module in place of the usual scaler in the display in order for it to function properly with select Nvidia GeForce graphics cards, such as the ones from the GeForce 10 series (Pascal).JayzTwoCents showed that monitors with the G-Sync module draw approximately 14W continuously when the monitor is off, and that comparable monitors without the G-Sync module draw 0.0W when the monitor is off.

Nvidia announced that G-Sync will be available to notebook manufacturers and that in this case, it would not require a special module since the GPU is directly connected to the display without a scaler in between.

According to Nvidia, fine tuning is still possible given the fact that all notebooks of the same model will have the same LCD panel, variable overdrive will be calculated by shaders running on the GPU, and a form of frame collision avoidance will also be implemented.

At CES 2018 Nvidia announced a line of large gaming monitors built by HP, Asus and Acer with 65-inch panels, 4K, HDR, as well as G-Sync support. The inclusion of G-Sync modules make the monitors among the first TV-sized displays to feature variable refresh-rates.

At CES 2019, Nvidia announced that they will support variable refresh rate monitors with FreeSync technology under a new standard named G-Sync Compatible. All monitors under this new standard have been tested by Nvidia to meet their baseline requirements for variable refresh rate and will enable G-Sync automatically when used with an Nvidia GPU.

To play streaming high dynamic range (HDR) video in Windows 10 (version 1803 or later), the built-in display for your laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1 PC needs to support HDR. To find the specifications for a specific laptop or tablet, visit the device manufacturer’s website.

The Windows 10 device needs to have an integrated graphics card that supports PlayReady hardware digital rights management (for protected HDR content), and it must have the required codecs installed for 10-bit video decoding. Devices using modern processors support this capability. Common codecs required for this include HEVC, AV1, and VP9, which can be obtained from the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions, VP9 Video Extensions, AV1 Video Extension.

The Windows 10 device needs to have an integrated graphics card that supports PlayReady hardware digital rights management (for protected HDR content), and it must have the required codecs installed for 10-bit video decoding. Devices using modern processors support this capability. Common codecs required for this include HEVC, AV1, and VP9, which can be obtained from the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions, VP9 Video Extensions, AV1 Video Extension.

Note: If the Stream HDR video switch was off when you upgraded from version 1809 to version 1903 or later, the Stream HDR video switch won"t enable, preventing you from streaming high-dynamic-range (HDR) videos. To work around this issue, see KB4512062, "Stream HDR video" can"t be enabled when switched off before upgrading to Windows 10, version 1903 or later.

To play streaming high dynamic range (HDR) video in Windows 10, your external display and Windows 10 PC need to support HDR. To find the specifications for a specific PC or external display, visit the device manufacturer’s website. Here are the requirements:

The Windows 10 device needs to have a graphics card that supports PlayReady digital rights management (for protected HDR content), and it must have the required codecs installed for 10-bit video decoding. Devices using modern processors support this capability. Common codecs required for this include HEVC, AV1, and VP9 codecs, which can be obtained from the Microsoft Store: HEVC Video Extensions, VP9 Video Extensions, AV1 Video Extension.

We recommend that you have the latest graphics drivers (WDDM) installed on your Windows 10 PC. To get the latest drivers, go to Windows Update in Settings, or check your PC manufacturer"s website.

The best G-Sync monitors make for a silky smooth gaming experience. This is because a G-Sync monitor will synchronize the frame rate to the output of your graphics card. The end result is a tear-free experience. This is just as great for high frame rates as it is for sub-60fps too, so you"re covered for whatever games you love to play.

But what is G-Sync tech? For the uninitiated, G-Sync is Nvidia"s name for its frame synchronization technology. It makes use of dedicated silicon in the monitor so it can match your GPU"s output to your gaming monitor"s refresh rate, for the smoothest gaming experience. It removes a whole load of guesswork in getting the display settings right, especially if you have an older GPU. The catch is that the tech only works with Nvidia GPUs.

G-Sync Ready or G-Sync Compatible monitors can be found, too. They"re often cheaper, but the monitors themselves don"t have dedicated G-Sync silicon inside them. You can still use G-Sync, but for best results, you want a screen that"s certified by Nvidia(opens in new tab).

Here"s where things might get a little complicated: G-Sync features do work with AMD"s adaptive FreeSync tech monitors, but not the other way around. If you have an AMD graphics card, you"ll for sure want to check out the best FreeSync monitors(opens in new tab) along with checking our overall best gaming monitors(opens in new tab) for any budget.

Why you can trust PC GamerOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Brand new gaming monitor technology comes at a premium, and the Asus ROG Swift PH32UQX proves that point. As the world"s first Mini-LED gaming monitor, it sets a precedent for both performance and price, delivering extremely impressive specs for an extreme price tag.

The PG32UQX is easily one of the best panels I"ve used to date. The colors are punchy yet accurate and that insane brightness earns the PG32UQX the auspicious DisplayHDR 1400 certification. However, since these are LED zones and not self-lit pixels like an OLED, you won"t get those insane blacks for infinite contrast.

Mini-LED monitors do offer full-array local dimming (FALD) for precise backlight control, though. What that means for the picture we see is extreme contrast from impressive blacks to extremely bright DisplayHDR 1400 spec.If you want to brag with the best G-Sync gaming monitor around, this is the way to do it.

Beyond brightness, you can also expect color range to boast about. The colors burst with life and the dark hides ominous foes for you to slay in your quest for the newest loot.

Of course, at 4K you"ll need the equivalent of one of the best gaming PCs(opens in new tab) to get 144fps. I did get Doom Eternal to cross the 144Hz barrier in 4K HDR using an RTX 3080 and boy was it marvelous.

That rapid 144Hz refresh rate is accompanied by HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports, along with two USB 3.1 ports join the action, with a further USB 2.0 sitting on the top of the monitor to connect your webcam.

As for its G-Sync credentials, the ROG Swift delivers G-Sync Ultimate, which is everything a dedicated G-Sync chip can offer in terms of silky smooth performance and support for HDR. So if you want to brag with the best G-Sync gaming monitor around, this is the way to do it. However, scroll on for some more realistic recommendations in terms of price.

OLED has truly arrived on PC, and in ultrawide format no less. Alienware"s 34 QD-OLED is one of very few gaming monitors to receive such a stellar score from us, and it"s no surprise. Dell has nailed the OLED panel in this screen and it"s absolutely gorgeous for PC gaming. Although this monitor isn’t perfect, it is dramatically better than any LCD-based monitor by several gaming-critical metrics. And it’s a genuine thrill to use.

What that 34-inch, 21:9 panel can deliver in either of its HDR modes—HDR 400 True Black or HDR Peak 1000—is nothing short of exceptional. The 3440 x 1440 native resolution image it produces across that gentle 1800R curve is punchy and vibrant. With 99.3% coverage of the demanding DCI-P3 colour space, and fully 1,000 nits brightness, it makes a good go, though that brightness level can only be achieved on a small portion of the panel.

Still, there’s so much depth, saturation and clarity to the in-game image thanks to that per-pixel lighting, but this OLED screen needs to be in HDR mode to do its thing. And that applies to SDR content, too. HDR Peak 1000 mode enables that maximum 1,000 nit performance in small areas of the panel but actually looks less vibrant and punchy most of the time.The Alienware 34 QD-OLED"s response time is absurdly quick at 0.1ms.

HDR 400 True Black mode generally gives the best results, after you jump into the Windows Display Settings menu and crank the SDR brightness up, it looks much more zingy.

Burn-in is the great fear and that leads to a few quirks. For starters, you’ll occasionally notice the entire image shifting by a pixel or two. The panel is actually overprovisioned with pixels by about 20 in both axes, providing plenty of leeway. It’s a little like the overprovisioning of memory cells in an SSD and it allows Alienware to prevent static elements from “burning” into the display over time.

Latency is also traditionally a weak point for OLED, and while we didn’t sense any subjective issue with this 175Hz monitor, there’s little doubt that if your gaming fun and success hinges on having the lowest possible latency, there are faster screens available. You can only achieve the full 175Hz with the single DisplayPort input, too.

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED"s response time is absurdly quick at 0.1ms, and it cruised through our monitor testing suite. You really notice that speed in-game, too.

There"s no HDMI 2.1 on this panel, however. So it"s probably not the best fit for console gaming as a result. But this is PC Gamer, and if you"re going to hook your PC up to a high-end gaming monitor, we recommend it be this one.

4K gaming is a premium endeavor. You need a colossal amount of rendering power to hit decent frame rates at such a high resolution. But if you"re rocking a top-shelf graphics card, like an RTX 3080(opens in new tab), RTX 3090(opens in new tab), or RX 6800 XT(opens in new tab) then this dream can be a reality, at last. While the LG 27GN950-B is a fantastic gaming panel, it"s also infuriatingly flawed.

The LG UltraGear is the first 4K, Nano IPS, gaming monitor with 1ms response times, that"ll properly show off your superpowered GPU. Coming in with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync adaptive refresh compatibility, this slick slim-bezel design even offers LG’s Sphere Lighting 2.0 RGB visual theatrics.

And combined with the crazy-sharp detail that comes with the 4K pixel grid, that buttery smooth 144Hz is pretty special.The color fidelity of the NanoIPS panel is outstanding.

While it does suffer with a little characteristic IPS glow. It appears mostly at the screen extremities when you’re spying darker game scenes, but isn"t an issue most of the time. The HDR is a little disappointing as, frankly, 16 edge-lit local dimming zones do not a true HDR panel make.

What is most impressive, however, is the Nano IPS tech that offers a wider color gamut and stellar viewing angles. And the color fidelity of the NanoIPS panel is outstanding.

The LG UltraGear 27GN950-B bags you a terrific panel with exquisite IPS image quality. Despite the lesser HDR capabilities, it also nets beautiful colors and contrast for your games too. G-Sync offers stable pictures and smoothness, and the speedy refresh rate and response times back this up too.

The MSI Optix MPG321UR is kitted out for high-speed 4K gaming, and it absolutely delivers. Despite the price point this monitor doesn’t have a physical G-Sync chip, it is officially certified and has been tested by Nvidia to hit the necessary standards for G-Sync compatibility. It does also offer FreeSync Premium Pro certification, as well as DCI-P3 RGB color space and sRGB.

That makes this a versatile piece of kit, and that 3840 x 2160 resolution is enough to prevent any pixelation across this generous, 32-inch screen. The 16:9 panel doesn"t curve, but does offer a professional-level, sub 1ms grey-to-grey (GTG) response rate.

Sadly, there"s been no effort to build in any custom variable overdrive features, so you’ll have to expect you"ll get artifacts on fast moving objects.

Still, the MSI Optix MPG321UR does come with a 600nit peak brightness, and Vesa HDR 600 certification, alongside 97% DCI-P3 colour reproduction capabilities. All this goes toward an amazingly vibrant screen that"s almost accurate enough to be used for professional colour grading purposes.

The Optix is one of MSI"s more recent flagship models, so you know you"re getting serious quality and performance. Its panel looks gorgeous, even at high speeds, managing a 1ms GTG response time.

Though MSI"s Optix is missing a physical G-Sync chip, it"ll still run nicely with any modern Nvidia GPU, or AMD card if you happen to have one of those lying around.

The Xeneon is Corsair"s attempt at breaking into the gaming monitor market. To do that, the company has opted for 32 inches of IPS panel at 1440p resolution. Once again we"re looking at a FreeSync Premium monitor that has been certified to work with GeForce cards by Nvidia.

It pretty much nails the sweetspot for real-world gaming, what with 4K generating such immense levels of GPU load and ultrawide monitors coming with their own set of limitations.

The 2,560 by 1,440 pixel native resolution combined with the 32-inch 16:9 aspect panel proportions translate into sub-100DPI pixel density. That’s not necessarily a major problem in-game. But it does make for chunky pixels in a broader computing context.It‘s punchy, vibrant, and well-calibrated.

Here, you"re looking at a swanky cast aluminum stand, which adjusts for height, tilt, and swivel, and is a definite cut above the norm for build quality. The OSD menu UI is clearer and more logical than many, too, and those unusually high levels of polish and refinement extend yet further.

That sub-3ms response, combined with a 165Hz refresh, means the thing isn"t a slouch when it comes to gaming capability, though there are certainly more impressive gaming monitors out there.

The two HDMI 2.0 sockets are limited to 144Hz, and the DisplayPort 1.4 interface is predictable enough. But the USB Type-C with power delivery for a single cable connection with charging to a laptop is a nice extra. Or, at least, it would be if the charging power wasn’t limited to a mere 15W, which is barely enough for something like a MacBook Air, let alone a gaming laptop.

The core image quality is certainly good, though. It‘s punchy, vibrant, and well-calibrated. And while it"s quite pricey for a 1440p model, it delivers all it sets out to with aplomb. On the whole, the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 doesn’t truly excel at anything, but it"s still a worthy consideration in 2022.

Housing Nvidia’s tech alongside a 4K resolution and HDR tech means that this is an absolute beast of a monitor that will give you the best of, well, everything. And by everything, we mean everything.

The XB273K’s gaming pedigree is obvious the second you unbox it: it is a 27-inch, G-Sync compatible, IPS screen, that boasts a 4ms gray-to-gray response rate, and a 144Hz refresh rate. While that may not sound like a heck of a lot compared to some of today"s monitors, it also means you can bag it for a little less.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey looked glorious. This monitor gave up an incredibly vivid showing, and has the crispest of image qualities to boot; no blurred or smudged edges to see and each feature looks almost perfectly defined and graphically identified.The contrasts are particularly strong with any colors punching through the greys and blacks.

Particular highlights are the way water effects, lighting, reflections and sheens are presented, but there is equal enjoyment to be had from landscape features, the people, and urban elements. All further benefiting from a widespread excellence in color, contrast, shades (and shadows), and tones.

The contrasts are particularly strong with any colors punching through the greys and blacks. However, the smaller details here are equally good, down to clothing detail, skin tone and complexion, and facial expressions once again. There is an immersion-heightening quality to the blacks and grays of the Metro and those games certainly don’t feel five years old on the XB273K.

The buttons to access the menu are easy enough to use, and the main stick makes it particularly simple to navigate. And the ports you have available increase your ability to either plug and go or adapt to your machines’ needs: an HDMI; DisplayPort and five USB 3.0 ports are at your service.

The Predator XB273K is one for those who want everything now and want to future-proof themselves in the years ahead. It might not have the same HDR heights that its predecessor, the X27, had, but it offers everything else for a much-reduced price tag. Therefore, the value it provides is incredible, even if it is still a rather sizeable investment.

The best just got a whole lot better. That’s surely a foregone conclusion for the new Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. After all, the original Odyssey G9 was already Samsung’s tip-top gaming monitor. Now it’s been given the one upgrade it really needed. Yup, the Neo G9 is packing a mini-LED backlight.

Out of the box, it looks identical to the old G9. Deep inside, however, the original G9’s single most obvious shortcoming has been addressed. And then some. The Neo G9 still has a fantastic VA panel. But its new backlight doesn’t just have full-array rather than edge-lit dimming.

It packs a cutting-edge mini-LED tech with no fewer than 2,048 zones. This thing is several orders of magnitude more sophisticated than before. As if that wasn’t enough, the Neo G9’s peak brightness has doubled to a retina-wrecking 2,000 nits. What a beast.

The problem with any backlight-based rather than per-pixel local dimming technology is that compromises have to be made. Put another way, an algorithm has to decide how bright any given zone should be based on the image data. The results are never going to be perfect.

Visible halos around small, bright objects are the sort of issue you expect from full-array dimming. But the Neo G9 has its own, surprisingly crude, backlight-induced image quality issues. Admittedly, they’re most visible on the Windows desktop rather than in-game or watching video.Graphics-heavy titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Witcher III are what the G9 does best.

If you position a bright white window next to an all-black window, the adjacent edge of the former visibly dims. Or let’s say you move a small, bright object over a dark background. The same thing happens. The small, bright object dims. Even uglier, if something like a bright dialogue box pops up across the divide between light and dark elements, the result is a gradient of brightness across the box.

All this applies to both SDR and HDR modes and, on the Windows desktop, it’s all rather messy and distracting. Sure, this monitor isn’t designed for serious content creation or office work. But at this price point, it’s surely a serious flaw.

Still, that 1000R curve, huge 49-inch proportions, and relatively high resolution combine to deliver an experience that few, if any, screens can match. Graphics-heavy titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Witcher III are what the G9 does best. In that context, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 delivers arguably the best visual experience on the PC today.

In practice, the Neo G9’s mini-LED creates as many problems as it solves. We also can’t help but observe that, at this price point, you have so many options. The most obvious alternative, perhaps, is a large-format 120Hz OLED TV with HDMI 2.1 connectivity.

G-Sync gaming monitor FAQWhat is the difference in G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible?G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate monitors come with a bespoke G-Sync processor, which enables a full variable refresh rate range and variable overdrive. G-Sync Compatible monitors don"t come with this chip, and that means they may have a more restricted variable refresh rate range.

Fundamentally, though, all G-Sync capable monitors offer a smoother gaming experience than those without any frame-syncing tech.Should I go for a FreeSync or G-Sync monitor?In general, FreeSync monitors will be cheaper. It used to be the case that they would only work in combination with an AMD GPU. The same went for G-Sync monitors and Nvidia GPUs. Nowadays, though, it is possible to find G-Sync compatible FreeSync monitors(opens in new tab) if you"re intent on spending less.Should I go for an IPS, TN or VA panel?We would always recommend an IPS panel over TN(opens in new tab). The clarity of image, viewing angle, and color reproduction are far superior to the cheaper technology, but you"ll often find a faster TN for cheaper. The other alternative, less expensive than IPS and better than TN, is VA tech. The colors aren"t quite so hot, but the contrast performance is impressive.

The speed at which the screen refreshes. For example, 144Hz means the display refreshes 144 times a second. The higher the number, the smoother the screen will appear when you play games.

Graphics tech synchronizes a game"s framerate with your monitor"s refresh rate to help prevent screen tearing by syncing your GPU frame rate to the display"s maximum refresh rate. Turn V-Sync on in your games for a smoother experience, but you"ll lose information, so turn it off for fast-paced shooters (and live with the tearing). Useful if you have an older model display that can"t keep up with a new GPU.

G-SyncNvidia"s frame synching tech that works with Nvidia GPUs. It basically allows the monitor to sync up with the GPU. It does by showing a new frame as soon as the GPU has one ready.

AMD"s take on frame synching uses a similar technique as G-Sync, with the biggest difference being that it uses DisplayPort"s Adaptive-Sync technology which doesn"t cost monitor manufacturers anything.

When movement on your display leaves behind a trail of pixels when watching a movie or playing a game, this is often a result of a monitor having slow response times.

The amount of time it takes a pixel to transition to a new color and back. Often referenced as G2G or Grey-to-Grey. Slow response times can lead to ghosting. A suitable range for a gaming monitor is between 1-4 milliseconds.

TN PanelsTwisted-nematic is the most common (and cheapest) gaming panel. TN panels tend to have poorer viewing angles and color reproduction but have higher refresh rates and response times.

IPSIn-plane switching, panels offer the best contrast and color despite having weaker blacks. IPS panels tend to be more expensive and have higher response times.

VAVertical Alignment panels provide good viewing angles and have better contrast than even IPS but are still slower than TN panels. They are often a compromise between a TN and IPS panel.

HDRHigh Dynamic Range. HDR provides a wider color range than normal SDR panels and offers increased brightness. The result is more vivid colors, deeper blacks, and a brighter picture.

ResolutionThe number of pixels that make up a monitor"s display, measured by height and width. For example: 1920 x 1080 (aka 1080p), 2560 x 1440 (2K), and 3840 x 2160 (4K).Round up of today"s best deals

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If you are a pc gamer, you often get suggestions to turn off your g-sync. It may seem to you that g-sync is some sort of virus or malware that can harm your pc or gameplay. But actually, g-sync is an advanced adaptive synchronizing technology that improves your network latency and screen experience.

Then why do people talk about disabling or turning it off? In this article, all the confusion regarding g-sync will be removed. We will learn how to disable g-sync, how to verify the process, the issue with it, and other necessary information and guidelines concerning g-sync.

Whether you are tech-savvy or not, you must have heard about Nvidia. Nvidia Corporation is a famous American multinational technology company. They continuously design advanced graphics processing units (GPU) for both gaming and the professional market.

G-sync is a result of Nvidia’s advanced technology for gamers and professionals. It is an exclusive adaptive sync technology developed by Nvidia. This display technology is meant to update your monitor or tv and give you a premium screening experience.

According to Nvidia, Nvidia g sync features, no tearing and stuttering. The users of the g sync monitor won’t be getting any input lag as well. It develops realistic images and provides a range of variable refresh rates (VRR). Also, its variable overdrive offers fantastic gameplay.

See how simple that is! Anyone can disable their g-sync option from Nvidia settings by following these steps. It will not take more than 10 seconds to turn off g-sync on your pc. The picture below will help you more to get the idea.

G-Sync may not affect the module, but it will provide a higher resolution. It is thrilling for gamers. But, it can also cause trouble. It may slow down the speed of the game you are playing.

Most pro gamers do not find G-Sync worth it. Just for having a higher resolution, you may lose a faster refreshing rate, quality panel, and overall better gaming experience.

However, you may have doubts about g-sync being correctly turned off or not. You can verify that as well by taking some measures. Let us show you how to do that by yourself.

From the description of g-sync, we are sure that it is an exciting technology. At the same time, you wonder why people suggest you disable g sync even though it gives you a realistic and jam-free screening. Let us remove your confusion.

The g-sync does not work with primary AMD graphics cards for being a proprietary technology. You will need a graphics card with higher-end compatibility and fast sync. To take advantage of g-sync, you have to use a powerful Nvidia graphics card like, GTX 10 series and GTX Titan Black.

Besides requiring a compatible GPU, this display technology needs a g-sync enabled or Optimus capable device. It is tough to find any laptop with both technologies available in the market. It also requires a high capacity of storage, speed, and additional hardware.

Apparently, you have to pay extra cost for having smooth g-sync enabled screening as it requires a powerful graphics card and g sync-compatible monitor. Also, you can be addicted to a high-performance pc and an outstanding image experience. It will make you unable to work with other devices.

Generally, g-sync limits the FPS to 140. This means you can not use your max FPS. Suppose you have 300 FPS. Since you are limiting it, this will create around 3-4ms input lag. Having a monitor of 144hz and playing a game with more fps than that will make g-sync turned off.

So it can be said that g-sync is not for casual users instead of intense gamers. It is more of a luxury to have a better screening experience. That is why maximum users suggest turning off your g-sync.

G-sync is mainly here to increase your screenplay. If you want a sharp image quality, realistic view, smooth speed, then g sync is for you. But as you are reading this article, it means you are actually thinking about turning it off.

By turning off your g-sync, you can be sure that you are not missing out on any significant advantage except a slightly better screenplay. Your pc or GPU will run as it usually does with a compatible monitor refresh rate and framerate. It will not try to be compatible with g sync, and that is all.

It means you will not be having any improvements in your graphics or any fast sync. Neither will you have any side effects on your variable refresh rate because of disabling it. Your gameplay experience and screen mode will be average like other monitors without extraordinary visuals.

What if you change your mind about turning off your g-sync system? If you want to turn back on your g sync module after disabling it, it is as simple as turning it off. Just follow the steps:

This is how you can enable g sync option again. You also will get the chance to choose where you want your g-sync to be enabled. The options available for you are only for full screen and full screen with windowed mode.

You need to remember that if you have an official g-sync monitor, your g-sync system should be on by default. If you are not using any monitor like that, you need to turn on the g-sync yourself.

FreeSync is a VESA’s adaptive-sync technology. It helps the monitor to remove screen stuttering and tearing. But you need to have a variable refresh rate and compatible graphics card.

If you do not have a compatible graphics card, you better turn off the FreeSync. Without a low range refresh rate, FreeSync does not work properly. It will create input lag.

G-Sync is worth it if you can afford an Nvidia GPU. Also, if you are looking for a high-end monitor with a high refresh rate, g sync compatible monitors are perfect for you. With g sync support, you will be experiencing fantastic gameplay and screenplay.

You should turn off your g-sync if your monitor or pc does not have a high-end GPU. Also, it is expensive, addictive, requires other costly hardware, and needs lots of space and speed, which is impossible to have in affordable computers.

Call of Duty is optimized for the highest possible FPS where g-sync only develops individual demonstrations. When a gaming monitors, refresh rate, and frame rate try to sync, input lag and screen tearing and input latency might happen. This will create a negative impact on performance.

So, is G-Sync good for Valorant? The short answer is yes! G-Sync can definitely help improve your gaming experience in Valorant. Here’s a more detailed look at how G-Sync can help you in Valorant:

Screen tearing can be a major issue when playing fast-paced games like Valorant. If you’ve ever experienced screen tearing, you know how annoying it can be. Thankfully, G-Sync can help eliminate screen tearing by syncing the frame rate of your monitor with the graphics card.

Another benefit of G-Sync is improved gaming performance. If you’re looking for a competitive edge in Valorant, G-Sync can definitely give you that extra boost you need. G-Sync can help reduce input lag and make your games run smoother overall.

In addition to improved performance, G-Sync also provides better visuals. This is because G-Sync eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, which can lead to a better visual experience overall.

No, it does not. Turning off g-sync means you will not have excellent picture quality. It does not affect your regular GPU performance at all. Your pc will be running fine like other variable refresh rate monitors. However, You can turn it off manually without any trouble.

FreeSync can be an alternative to g-sync. It is compatible with an AMD graphics card and AMD GPU. It is a cheaper version for AMD users to have a good graphics experience in the FreeSync monitor. It is open-source at a lower cost for the consumer without any special license or chip.

It can be said that g-sync is undoubtedly an advanced technology for the current user of multiple monitors to give you an outstanding visual experience. Questions regarding turning it off arise when one finds that it is nothing but a luxury to the casual users.

However, this article is enough to learn how to disable g-sync. In addition, you got to know about g-sync and get the answers you need concerning g sync. We hope our guideline will help you turn off and on g-sync manually without any trouble.

Back at CES 2019, when NVIDIA announced the new RTX 2060 graphics card, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang also announced support for “G-Sync compatible monitors”. This means that you can now enable the G-Sync feature even if you are using a FreeSync monitor, provided that you have a Pascal or Turing-based graphics card. That’s right, this support will only work for graphics cards from GTX 10 series to the latest RTX 30 series; and you will need the latest GeForce Driver 417.71 (up). Check out the list of Freesync monitors that are compatible with G-Sync below.

UPDATE: It’s been a while since I have updated this list, and to date there are more than 100 monitors that are certified by NVIDIA as G-Sync compatible. Check out the list below.

According to NVIDIA, they have tested hundreds of different monitors and only few of them have passed without any issues. Below are the FreeSync monitors that are certified to be compatible with NVIDIA’s G-Sync.

Note: We try to be as accurate as possible when collecting the data above. But please double-check since there may be changes or revisions on the monitor. Also, I noticed that the specs listed by retail stores may be slightly different from the manufacturer’s page.

I was a little bit disappointed when I saw the initial list since most are based on a TN panel. True that they are fast, they have a very low response time, but they don’t have good viewing angles and colors are not that great compared to IPS or VA panel. However, fast forward to 2021, I can see that there are now more IPS panel on the list. And some of these (gaming) monitors are excellent.

There are also several 4K UHD monitors, (super) ultra-wide and HDR monitors that features FreeSync but are also certified to be G-Sync compatible monitors. A number of eSports-centric monitors are also included in the list above; and even LG’s 4K TV.

If you are currently using one of the monitors listed above, once the driver version 417.71 has been installed, G-Sync feature should be automatically enable. Those who are using FreeSync monitors that are not listed above / non-certified may also enable G-Sync manually via the NVIDIA control panel.

Do note that those monitors that are non-certified may encounter varying issues, like flickering, blurring and the likes. However, there are several users who have confirmed that their non-certified FreeSync monitor was working well with G-Sync enabled.

The list of certified FreeSync monitors compatible with G-Sync seems to be pretty underwhelming, due to the fact there are literally a lot of FreeSync monitors available in the market today compared to G-Sync monitors.

UPDATE: MSI has listed some of their FreeSync monitors that are compatible with G-Sync as well. However, take note though that NVIDIA has not officially included MSI’s monitors on their list of certified G-Sync compatible monitors. I have the MSI Optix MPG27CQ, it’s not certified, but when I enable G-sync, it does seem to work. I only tried it with Battlefield V, haven’t tested it thoroughly though.

Users from NVIDIA Subreddit have created a Google sheet where they share their experiences with the current FreeSync monitors that they have. We see some non-certified FreeSync monitors on that list are reported to work just fine with G-Sync. Other monitors have issues, while other monitors needed to be “tweaked” a little bit just to get G-Sync working with their FreeSync monitors. Can you check out the sheet here.

Native ‘G-SYNC’ support implies that a monitor has a dedicated module installed by NVIDIA, while ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ relies on VESA’s Adaptive-Sync protocols over DisplayPort, HDMI and/or USB-C connection.

The G-SYNC chip offers certain advantages at a higher cost, such as a wider variable refresh rate (VRR) range, marginally lower input lag and variable overdrive.

After the introduction of NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible program, it didn’t take long for monitor manufacturers to manipulate it for advertising purposes.

Continue reading to learn what exactly is the difference between G-SYNC and G-SYNC Compatible monitors, and how can you check whether a monitor has a G-SYNC module and if it is officially certified as G-SYNC Compatible or not.

It allows the monitor to change its refresh rate dynamically — according to GPU’s frame rates (Hz=FPS), which in turn eliminates screen tearing and stuttering as long as your FPS doesn’t exceed the monitor’s maximum refresh rate.

In addition, a dedicated G-SYNC module offers variable overdrive. Gaming monitors use overdrive to push their response time speed so that the pixels can change from one color to another fast enough to prevent ghosting/trailing behind fast-moving objects.

However, most monitors without G-SYNC don’t have variable overdrive, but only fixed modes; for instance: Weak, Medium and Strong. The problem here is that different refresh rates require different levels of overdrive.

Now, at 144Hz, the ‘Strong’ overdrive mode might perfectly eliminate all trailing, but it also might be too aggressive if your FPS drops to ~60FPS/Hz, which will cause inverse ghosting or pixel overshoot.

For optimal performance in this case, you would need to manually change the overdrive mode according to your frame rate, which isn’t possible in video games where your frame rate fluctuates a lot.

G-SYNC’s variable overdrive can change on the fly according to your refresh rate, thus removing ghosting at high frame rates and preventing pixel overshoot at lower frame rates.

Some G-SYNC monitors with a very wide range, such as the ASUS PG27AQN that goes up to 360Hz, require you to change its overdrive – below 100Hz in this case for optimal performance.

Then there are non-G-SYNC monitors that have excellent overdrive implementation where a single mode works perfectly well across the entire refresh rate range, but this is rare.

So, G-SYNC monitors usually have excellent overdrive implementation, but there are FreeSync – or G-SYNC Compatible models that work just as well even though they’re not as common.

Another advantage of having a dedicated G-SYNC module is a wide variable refresh rate (VRR) range. All G-SYNC monitors support VRR down from 30Hz up to their maximum refresh rate.

In contrast, most monitors that use Adaptive-Sync have their VRR range start at 40Hz or 48Hz. They also support frame rate multiplication via the AMD LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) technology, but only if the maximum refresh rate of a monitor is at least double the lower end of the VRR range.

Newer G-SYNC displays, such as the LG 38GL950G, also support Adaptive-Sync over DisplayPort as well as HDMI-VRR in addition to supporting G-SYNC over DisplayPort.

In the picture above is the popular LG 27GL850, which has NVIDIA’s G-SYNC sticker, but this monitor does not have a dedicated module installed, NVIDIA just certified it as ‘G-SYNC Compatible.’

We also have a buyer’s guide for the best G-SYNC gaming monitors currently available, where you can check out which models are actually worth considering over the G-SYNC compatible, that is, FreeSync counterparts.

There’s a third G-SYNC tier called G-SYNC Ultimate which also features a dedicated chip installed in the monitor, but with the addition of HDR (High Dynamic Range) support and advanced display capabilities such as wide color gamut, high peak brightness, local dimming, etc. You can learn more about G-SYNC Ultimate here.

Just like AMD’s FreeSync technology, NVIDIA’s G-SYNC Compatible mode relies on the open standard Adaptive-Sync protocols that exist in DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C (using DisplayPort Alternate Mode) connection.

Before NVIDIA allowed for Adaptive-Sync to be utilized with their graphics cards via a driver update in January 2019, if you had an NVIDIA GPU, you could only get a variable refresh rate on a native G-SYNC monitor.

A G-SYNC compatible monitor is essentially an Adaptive-Sync display that’s been validated by NVIDIA to work without any issues (such as flickering and other visual artifacts) through their testing.

At the moment, the G-SYNC Compatible