How to combine VSync and G-Sync?
How to combine VSync and G-Sync?
I’m looking for a rapid G-Sync refresh with V-sync enabled. I have a G-Sync 1440p 144Hz display and typically utilize G-Sync consistently, with V-sync disabled in most games. However, I'm curious about the potential effects or drawbacks of combining G-Sync and V-sync.
My current setup involves playing GTA 5 at maximum settings in 1440p, achieving frame rates around 70-80 with G-Sync alone. I experience no stuttering and enjoy exceptionally smooth gameplay. However, when navigating the player menu or loading maps, the game exhibits significant lag and sluggish responsiveness – this only occurs within menus and map screens. Upon returning to the main game, performance immediately returns to normal with smooth frame rates.
I recently attempted enabling V-Sync while maintaining G-Sync. Remarkably, the menu and map lag disappeared entirely; maps now display smoothly, and in-game frame rates have increased to 80-100. It’s perplexing! Why does activating V-sync in this specific scenario seem to enhance my overall GTA 5 experience, despite me utilizing G-Sync? Shouldn’t this be counterintuitive?
Therefore, I would appreciate a clarification – how do you typically manage G-Sync and V-sync?
When G-Sync is active, V-sync will typically remain disabled. This primarily changes how the graphics card operates. The situation outside of G-Sync’s active range is unclear, and it won't perform that function.
Most G-Sync displays have a refresh rate between 40 and 144Hz (or potentially higher). If your game is outputting 72 frames per second, the monitor will refresh at 72Hz, drawing each frame individually – eliminating screen tearing without requiring duplicate frames. However, if your game consistently drops below 40 fps, the system will then duplicate frames to maintain visual clarity. If this occurs, it’s a sign that you should adjust your graphics settings to prevent frame rates from dropping so low.
Adaptive sync technology, combining G-Sync and V-sync, limits the frame rate to match your screen’s refresh rate.
G-Sync with V-sync functions by activating G-Sync until your monitor’s refresh, then stopping the synchronization and allowing as many frames as possible to be rendered, including those that might create tearing. If the frame rate drops below the refresh rate, G-Sync will resume operation.
Your specific scenario likely involves the game’s processing at maximum performance, particularly when in menus or loading maps, potentially straining your computer's processor and resulting in sluggish performance. It seems that the display of a frame counter is not available outside of the game itself.
I’m uncertain about this and need to investigate further. However, I believe that within the game's display options, I’ve configured the maximum frames per second to 144.
Therefore, could it be true that vsync will have no effect until my frame rate exceeds 144fps? If my game consistently fails to achieve 144fps due to hardware limitations, will vsync then be irrelevant?
Traditionally, I believed that when the fps fell below my monitor’s refresh rate, vsync would reduce the frame count by 50% (resulting in 72fps for me). Does this not apply when G-sync is enabled?
When G-Sync is active, V-sync will typically be disabled automatically. This primarily adjusts the graphics card's operation. The behavior outside of G-Sync’s active range is unclear, and it won't perform that action.
G-Sync on many displays usually operates within a range of approximately 40 to 144 hertz (or sometimes higher). If your frame rate is 72 frames per second, the monitor’s refresh rate will match, preventing screen tearing without needing to render duplicate frames.
If the frame rate drops below 40, then doubling up frames might occur to maintain visual clarity. However, this indicates a need for adjustments in your graphics settings to avoid such low frame rates.
To complete this:
Ultimately, utilizing V-Sync paired with G-Sync will not disrupt G-Sync functionality. It’s only engaged when frame rates exceed the monitor's refresh rate. Therefore, if a game consistently maintains below 144 frames per second, there will be no discernible difference between V-Sync enabled or disabled. Is that accurate?
I don't require exceeding 144 frames per second, and realistically, I rarely achieve that rate in current games. Consequently, I usually keep V-sync enabled. My GTX 1080 delivers frame rates of approximately 70 to 90 frames per second in demanding games when I adjust the graphics settings. I’m planning to hold off on upgrading until the 30 series cards arrive, preferably without exceeding a price of $1200. I anticipate AMD will introduce competitive options and lower prices within the premium segment.