So this guide on G-Sync is suggesting that in order to get the most out of adaptive sync, you need to use V-Sync on top of G-Sync. But they recommend to keep the V-Sync option turned off in the game itself and only turn it on in the Nvidia control panel. And to cap the frames to 3 frames under your monitor’s refresh rate (preferably in the game options if it’s available) to avoid V-Sync from turning on and causing input lag.
Does the same rule apply for my AMD GPU as well if I want to get the most out of my FreeSync compatible 240Hz display?
In AMD Radeon software settings, I can see two other options besides FreeSync. One is ‘Wait for vertical refresh’ and the other is ‘Enhanced Sync’. Am I supposed to turn on the ‘Wait for vertical refresh’ one together with my FreeSync?
There’s actually zero input lag from FreeSync unlike G-sync. Also if you use FreeSync, I’m able to set my monitor’s overdrive setting (the response time) from ‘fast’ to ‘extreme’ without suffering from any inverse ghosting / overshoot issues.
Without FreeSync, there’s too much inverse ghosting when I use the ‘extreme’ overdrive setting to the point where the game just looks terrible. So if anything FreeSync + ‘extreme’ overdrive setting on my Alienware AW2521HF provides the least input lag than no adaptive sync and no overdrive.
No I’m pretty sure I’m right. G-Sync introduces a bit of input lag but FreeSync doesn’t. I’m not trying to have the lowest input lag possible. If I did, I would’ve uncapped my frames to 400 even at the cost of screen tearing and left adaptive sync off.
What I’m saying is that turning FreeSync won’t cause any additional input lag since it’s not V-Sync. And V-Sync only starts to cause input lag when your frames reach beyond your monitors refresh rate and starts doing the dirty work of forcing it down. This can be circumvented by capping the frames 3 frames under your monitor’s refresh rate.
Either way, I’ve always capped my frames to 237 anyways since even without adaptive sync, it helps to reduce screen tearing this way. If you uncap the frames to where your GPU can’t consistently hit those frame rates, it will introduce too much varience in your FPS which can lead to inconsistency in responsiveness, and ultimately your aim.
No clue what MPRT is, I’ll check it out. But ‘extreme’ option in overdrive setting is unusable without having FreeSync turned on. There’s too much inverse ghosting without it.
V-Sync while it’s notorious for being bad on input lag, apparantly won’t cause any if you set the frames to stay below your monitor’s refresh rate (since it won’t get activated then). And seems to give the added benefit of further smoothening the gameplay experience that can’t be done with just FreeSync or G-Sync alone.
You got the idea wrong.
V-sync in any enabled case will cause input lag, it is inevitable. If framerate exceeds display rate, input lag grows because there is a whole queue of frames to be shown.
Very simplified explanation is, both freesync and gsync instead of fixed-timed frame processing perform those on demand (variable sync).
TLDR Freesync/g-sync is hardware v-sync with reduced delays.
TLDR2 High refresh rate displays naturally have reduced input lag be it V-sync or not. Thing is, lack of V-sync is faster in any case while tearing is way less noticeable because of how many frames are shown per second on top end display. It makes little sense to have v-sync enabled on 240hz display. On the other hand, its not bad to have g-sync enabled on 240hz display cause how low lag is.
G-sync works best if you play something at sub 90fps or even lower. No tearing while retaining low input lag and high smoothness. Same is true for freesync cause both are virtually same thing
This is not always true actually. Theres a lot of different syncs now. Gsync, freesync, gsync compatible which is a freesync monitor that can work with Nvidia card, and they’re always coming out with updated versions of these syncs on newer monitors. You really have to look into latest testing for lowest input lag on these monitors. Some get less input lag with the sync enabled.
I have never heard it being faster with sync enabled though.
From what I understand gsync and freesync delay the monitor frame to match the fps of the graphics card.
So it is best to just max the Hz and then get as many frames as possible.
If you have an amd card and freesync monitor, lowest latency will actually be both vsync and freesync off with in game fps capped to 300, however low input lag isn’t everything. Screen tearing can make you perform worse too. If you need to use your freesync, turn freesync on and vsync off. This will only give you 4ms more input lag on average…not a big deal. I know that frames should be capped on your control panel to 6 below your max refresh rate for 144hz monitors. If you’re using 240hz you might be able to get away with 3 frames under, not sure though. Does amd control panel have any option for “ultra low latency like Nvidia?” Because that option for Nvidia actually caps your frames appropriately for you.
Gsync has very little now with the Reflex+Boost option in OW. Some, but not much. AW3418DW and Area 51-M R1 owner here, Gsync on both with Reflex+Boost, it’s not a really significant issue for the average prosumer gamer.
It doesn’t but with Vsync off you can still get screen tears if you are above fps of your monitor and in cases where fps is less than 36fps and you have system stall or lag because gsync works differently below <36fps.
This is why people run their monitor at 3fps below screen hz and use gsync + vsync off.
I don’t notice tearing at high fps on my monitor so I don’t really care to enable anything as I know it adds input lag.
No. The output may be the same the implementation is massively different. They are both anti-tearing tech. Gsync basically only sends a frame when the GPU is ready. Vsync only sends a frame when the monitor is ready.
It again is the reason Gsync doesn’t work at higher than monitor fps and why vsync is the only solution when your fps is higher than your hz.
Does it still happen and annoy you or distract you?
Use Vsync as well.
You will add input lag with both steps but free/gsync is in the <3ms region and if screen tearing is effecting you it’ll out perform that.
If you have to enable vsync do it via Nvidia/AMD not ingame.
I don’t know fps you get ingame but if your getting constantly over 200fps you’ll unlikely need freesync cause at high frame rates screen tears are not noticeable (by many).
In other games say cyberpunk or w/e where you might be hitting between 60-100fps Freesync w/ frame cap.
W/240hz monitor you should never need vsync. If you notice tearing above 240fps then maybe you do or just play at 237 fps w/freesync.
