NVIDIA G-Sync
The G-Sync from NVIDIA was announced back in 2013 and it is based on Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) adaptive-Sync technology that is used to enable variable refresh rates on your monitor. Unlike the old Adaptive V-Sync which is a software-based technology that makes the GPU hold the next frame rates until the monitor refreshes itself but that causes input lag as the GPU is holding the next frame and you have already pressed several buttons. This is where the G-Sync comes in and it eliminates screen tearing and input lag.
Did you notice the difference between when G-Sync is OFF and when G-Sync is ON? The G-Sync works in such a way that it lets the monitor adapt its refresh rate according to the FPS produced by your system.
G-Sync System Requirements
First of all, you need an NVIDIA graphics card and to get full use of G-Sync you need the latest GPU like RTX 3080Ti, but your system needs to meet the following minimum requirements to use G-Sync:
- GPU: GTX 650Ti Boost, GTX 965M (for laptops)
- Driver version: R340.52 or higher
- Monitor: Any monitor having NVIDIA G-Sync module
Now, what would you do if your monitor is not G-Sync certified? By certified it means that your monitor was tested by NVIDIA for “no artifacts” and they certified it as G-Sync compatible.
In the next part, we will be covering G-sync compatibility to give you a better insight into what it has to offer.
G-Sync Compatible
The G-Sync Compatible monitors are the ones that don’t have a built-in NVIDIA G-Sync module and they come with AMD Free-Sync, the competitor of NVIDIA. The new technology came into being to counter the AMD Free-Sync technology which happens to work even on the low-budget monitors ranging from $100 to $2000 so that you can get those variable refresh rates.
G-Sync Compatible System Requirements
- GPU: GTX 10-series
- Driver version: 417.71 or higher
- Monitor: G-Sync compatible monitor and display port 1.2.
Note: You can look up if your monitor is G-Sync or G-Sync compatible on NVIDIA’s official website.
G-Sync vs G-Sync Compatible: Key Features
We will now discuss the features of G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible:
Features of G-Sync:
- Official NVIDIA’s certification
- Over 300+ image quality tests
- Fully optimized variable refresh rate
- Ultra-low motion blur
- Support for Overclocking
- Factory calibrated colors
- Greater viewing experience
Features of G-Sync Compatible
- Acceptable variable refresh rate
- No artifacts
- No flickering
- No blanking
Pros of G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible
We will now discuss the pros of G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible
Pros of G-Sync:
- Full refresh range of the monitor is supported
- Factory calibrated colors for best color reproduction
- Supports motion blur
- Better visuals
Pros of G-Sync Compatible:
- Cheaper hardware
- Most of them support AMD Free-Sync and they are G-Sync compatible
- Does not require G-Sync hardware module
Cons of G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible
In this section, we will discuss the cons of G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible
Cons of G-Sync:
- Expensive hardware such as monitors
- Requires G-Sync hardware module
Cons of G-Sync compatible:
- Requires GTX-10 series graphics card
- Requires a DisplayPort on the monitor
- User may experience ghosting on the corners
Key Differences Between G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible
G-Sync:
- Requires an independent NVIDIA Module inside the monitor
- Over 300 image quality tests
- Requires G-Sync hardware module
- Better HDR
- Requires relatively expensive monitor
G-Sync compatible:
- Does not require NVIDIA module inside the monitor
- Not enough image quality tests
- Requires a DisplayPort on the monitor
- HDR is just average
- A $100 monitor will do the job
Conclusion
NVIDIA is known for its innovative technologies, especially for the gaming community and G-Sync is one of the most amazing things ever to happen to the gaming world as it eliminates input lag, screen tearing, and shuttering but that requires an expensive monitor as they have a built-in NVIDIA G-Sync module.
The G-Sync compatibility emerged as heaven for the community that did not have the native NVIDIA G-Sync module but they had NVIDIA’s GPU and they wanted to enjoy the perks of G-Sync. Everything you need to know about G-Sync, G-Sync compatible, and their main features are provided in this article.
