not supported with g sync lcd panel in stock

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.

If you want smooth gameplay without screen tearing and you want to experience the high frame rates that your Nvidia graphics card is capable of, Nvidia’s G-Sync adaptive sync tech, which unleashes your card’s best performance, is a feature that you’ll want in your next monitor.

To get this feature, you can spend a lot on a monitor with G-Sync built in, like the high-end $1,999 Acer Predator X27, or you can spend less on a FreeSync monitor that has G-Sync compatibility by way of a software update. (As of this writing, there are 15 monitors that support the upgrade.)

However, there are still hundreds of FreeSync models that will likely never get the feature. According to Nvidia, “not all monitors go through a formal certification process, display panel quality varies, and there may be other issues that prevent gamers from receiving a noticeably improved experience.”

But even if you have an unsupported monitor, it may be possible to turn on G-Sync. You may even have a good experience — at first. I tested G-Sync with two unsupported models, and, unfortunately, the results just weren’t consistent enough to recommend over a supported monitor.

The 32-inch AOC CQ32G1 curved gaming monitor, for example, which is priced at $399, presented no issues when I played Apex Legends and Metro: Exodus— at first. Then some flickering started appearing during gameplay, though I hadn’t made any changes to the visual settings. I also tested it with Yakuza 0,which, surprisingly, served up the worst performance, even though it’s the least demanding title that I tested. Whether it was in full-screen or windowed mode, the frame rate was choppy.

Another unsupported monitor, the $550 Asus MG279Q, handled both Metro: Exodus and Forza Horizon 4 without any noticeable issues. (It’s easy to confuse the MG279Q for the Asus MG278Q, which is on Nvidia’s list of supported FreeSync models.) In Nvidia’s G-Sync benchmark, there was significant tearing early on, but, oddly, I couldn’t re-create it.

Before you begin, note that in order to achieve the highest frame rates with or without G-Sync turned on, you’ll need to use a DisplayPort cable. If you’re using a FreeSync monitor, chances are good that it came with one. But if not, they aren’t too expensive.

First, download and install the latest driver for your GPU, either from Nvidia’s website or through the GeForce Experience, Nvidia’s Windows 10 app that can tweak graphics settings on a per-game basis. All of Nvidia’s drivers since mid-January 2019 have included G-Sync support for select FreeSync monitors. Even if you don’t own a supported monitor, you’ll probably be able to toggle G-Sync on once you install the latest driver. Whether it will work well after you do turn the feature on is another question.

Once the driver is installed, open the Nvidia Control Panel. On the side column, you’ll see a new entry: Set up G-Sync. (If you don’t see this setting, switch on FreeSync using your monitor’s on-screen display. If you still don’t see it, you may be out of luck.)

Check the box that says “Enable G-Sync Compatible,” then click “Apply: to activate the settings. (The settings page will inform you that your monitor is not validated by Nvidia for G-Sync. Since you already know that is the case, don’t worry about it.)

Check that the resolution and refresh rate are set to their max by selecting “Change resolution” on the side column. Adjust the resolution and refresh rate to the highest-possible option (the latter of which is hopefully at least 144Hz if you’ve spent hundreds on your gaming monitor).

Nvidia offers a downloadable G-Sync benchmark, which should quickly let you know if things are working as intended. If G-Sync is active, the animation shouldn’t exhibit any tearing or stuttering. But since you’re using an unsupported monitor, don’t be surprised if you see some iffy results. Next, try out some of your favorite games. If something is wrong, you’ll realize it pretty quickly.

There’s a good resource to check out on Reddit, where its PC community has created a huge list of unsupported FreeSync monitors, documenting each monitor’s pros and cons with G-Sync switched on. These real-world findings are insightful, but what you experience will vary depending on your PC configuration and the games that you play.

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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.

If you have a G-SYNC Compatible Adaptive Sync monitor, variable refresh rate will be enabled automatically following the installation of R417.71 or later drivers on system that meets the system requirements.

Please note: Some Adaptive Sync monitors will ship with the variable refresh rate setting set to disabled. Consult with the user manual for your monitor to confirm the Adaptive Sync setting is enabled. Also some monitors may have the DisplayPort mode set to DisplayPort 1.1 for backwards compatibility. The monitor must be configured as a DisplayPort 1.2 or higher to support Adaptive Sync.

If your Adaptive Sync monitor isn’t listed as a G-SYNC Compatible monitor, you can enable the tech manually from the NVIDIA Control Panel. It may work, it may work partly, or it may not work at all. To give it a try:

2. Enable the Variable Refresh Rate functionality of your display by using the monitor"s controls and On-Screen Display. If needed, also check that DisplayPort 1.2 or higher is enabled.

3. From within Windows, open the NVIDIA Control Panel -> select "Set up G-SYNC" from the left column -> check the "Enable settings for the selected display model"box, and finally click on the Apply button on the bottom right to confirm your settings.

If the above isn"t available, or isn"t working, you may need to go to "Manage 3D Settings", click the "Global" tab, scroll down to "Monitor Technology", select "G-SYNC Compatible" in the drop down, and then click "Apply". Additionally, you may need to go to "Change Resolution" on the left nav and apply a higher refresh rate, or different resolution

For the best gaming experience we recommend NVIDIA G-SYNC and G-SYNC Ultimate monitors: those with G-SYNC processors that have passed over over 300 compatibility and quality tests, and feature a full refresh rate range from 1Hz to the display panel’s max refresh rate, plus other advantages like variable overdrive, refresh rate overclocking, ultra low motion blur display modes, and industry-leading HDR with 1000 nits, full matrix backlight and DCI-P3 color.

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guys i need help ... my alienware monitor aw2518hf started having flickering issues. at first i thought it was the monitor. the problem doesnt happen in games but mostly on browser pages and its totally random. the screen might work perfectly for days and then all of a sudden boom... i cant figure out whats causing it. i changed the display port cable and got a verified VESA DP cable with 19pin because people said that 20pin dp cables shouldnt be used for connecting monitors to pc and things got better but after some days the problem came back just for a shorter amount of time and the flickering was at a smaller degree . when the problem occurred my old second monitor at 60fps which is next to alienware had zero flickering at the same time. i contacted dell and they send me a refurbished screen but the thing is that i have to send back one of the monitors and the problem isnt always happening so i dont know if its a monitor issue or is it a driver gsync issue ?? btw i was using gsync without knowing it right now ive disabled it to see if its gonna happen again but it might take days for the problem to occur again

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.

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At CES 2019, Nvidia announced its software-based version of G-Sync that extended VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support for Nvidia GPUs on AMD FreeSync monitors. However, initial impressions were a tad bit underwhelming as the company validated only a handful of FreeSync panels that can run G-Sync to its full extent, without resorting to any major compatibility issues.

Now comes the question: is it possible to activate Nvidia"s Adaptive-Sync technology on a FreeSync display that hasn"t been certified as G-Sync Compatible? Let"s find out!

To maintain exclusivity of its proprietary Adaptive-Sync solution, Nvidia"s G-Sync technology has been categorized across three different tiers: G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible, and G-Sync Ultimate. While both G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate monitors feature a dedicated module to drive VRR, G-Sync Compatible monitors are essentially FreeSync panels that have been validated by Nvidia to run G-Sync through its rigorous testing methodology.

In case you"re wondering, Nvidia"s G-Sync Compatibility program, which was introduced back in 2019, aims to certify a wide range of FreeSync monitors based on specific parameters. For starters, every G-Sync Compatible monitor should be able to deliver a baseline VRR experience without incurring any visual artifacts such as pulsing, flickering, blanking, or ghosting.

Furthermore, the retroactive program also validates whether a FreeSync display can operate across a VRR range of at least 2.4:1. Such calculations are performed by dividing the maximum refresh rate of a monitor to its minimum refresh rate within the VRR range.

For instance, if your FreeSync monitor supports a wide VRR range of 48-144Hz, which is greater than Nvidia"s recommended value of 2.4, G-Sync functionality should be enabled right out-of-the-box. However, if the minimum VRR range went up to 75Hz, which does not comply with Nvidia"s VRR threshold, the display loses an official "G-Sync Compatible" certification.

As of November 2022, Nvidia has validated over 150 FreeSync monitors that can run G-Sync at an adequate VRR range. For more information, check out Nvidia"s official list of FreeSync monitors that have been certified as G-Sync Compatible.

Although official G-Sync Compatibility has its perks on quite a few occasions, it is possible to drive Nvidia"s Adaptive-Sync solution on most non-certified FreeSync monitors, provided that you possess the right set of hardware. Since both FreeSync and G-Sync technologies support VESA"s (Video Electronics Standards Association) Adaptive-Sync protocol, any limitations that you might face are based solely on the manufacturing standards.

Unlike AMD"s FreeSync implementation, which works on both HDMI and DisplayPort (over USB Type-C as well), Nvidia"s proprietary Adaptive-Sync solution seems somewhat limited in terms of connectivity. For G-Sync to work on a FreeSync display, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

Connection Options: DisplayPort 1.2 (or higher) for AMD FreeSync monitors. HDMI 2.0/2.1 support for G-Sync Compatible TVs and BFGD (Big Format Gaming Displays).

First, download and Install the latest GeForce Game Ready Drivers from Nvidia"s official Driver Downloads page. Alternatively, it is possible to update your GPU drivers by using Nvidia"s own software suite: GeForce Experience.

After installing the latest GPU drivers, restart your PC and check whether FreeSync (Basic or Extended) has been enabled from the monitor"s OSD (On-Screen Display).

For G-Sync Compatible monitors, G-Sync should be enabled by default when FreeSync has been activated from the monitor"s OSD. However, if you are using a non-certified FreeSync display, you might need to change additional settings inside the Nvidia Control Panel. Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel from the drop-down menu.

Inside the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Manage 3D settings and look for Monitor Technology under the Global Settings tab. Set G-SYNC Compatible as the preferred option.

On an additional note, check whether Preferred refresh rate has been set to Highest available. Doing so allows your FreeSync monitor to take advantage of its maximum refresh rate.

For an optimal G-Sync experience, we recommend using V-Sync along with G-Sync to eliminate screen tearing when the frame rate goes above the VRR range. Under Global Settings, scroll down to the bottom of the list and set Vertical sync to On. Click on Applyto save your changes.

After modifying these settings, click on Set up G-SYNC under the Displaytab. In case you"re using multiple monitors, select your primary display and click on the checkbox, right next to Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible.

Since most non-certified FreeSync monitors suffer from major flickering issues when running G-Sync in windowed mode, it is advisable to enable G-Sync functionality exclusively for full screen mode. When you"re done making these changes, click on the checkbox next to Enable settings for the selected display model and then on Apply to save your preferences.

To test whether G-Sync is working properly on your FreeSync display, download and install Nvidia"s G-SYNC Pendulum demo, a handy tool that can help demonstrate the benefits of Adaptive-Sync technology. Consider switching between No Vsync and G-SYNC to better understand the purpose of G-Sync in synchronizing your monitor"s refresh rate with the frame rate of your GPU.

Now, one of the major concerns for PC gamers when using V-Sync alongside G-Sync is the introduction of input lag. Not only does it contribute to additional system latency but also affects the overall experience by a significant margin.

To reduce any V-Sync level input lag while gaming on a FreeSync display, set the maximum frame rate to three frames below the monitor"s refresh rate. For a 144Hz monitor, an FPS cap of 141 should be good enough for consistent frame pacing across the board.

If your game doesn"t include an internal FPS limiter, try using an external frame rate limiter such as RTSS (Rivatuner Statistics Server) or Nvidia"s Max Frame Rate option inside the Control Panel.

Despite Nvidia"s claims about a suboptimal gaming experience when running G-Sync on non-certified FreeSync panels, we found little to no difference between both variants. Besides exclusive features such as ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) and Variable Overdrive support, Nvidia GPUs tend to provide a similar VRR experience as AMD GPUs on most FreeSync monitors.

Instead of going for a premium G-Sync monitor, you can save a large portion of your budget by opting for a FreeSync (Premium/Premium Pro) display that will deliver the best of both worlds.

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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.

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.