Vsync vs low latency mode for fps games

theone8181

theone8181

theone8181

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Just wondered what people's preferences were for fps games. For reference I've got an aging gtx1080 (although looking to upgrade to a similar tier card soon) and I play at 1080p 120hz (on a 4k 120hz screen, the main reason I want to upgrade).
 
Currently, G-SYNC + 240Hz, 1440p, FPS is locked to a few frames below the refresh.

VSync is almost never on.
 
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theone8181 said:
Why are you locking frames while using gsync? I thought it locked them by default to the max of the screen?
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Nope, fps can go higher than the screen refresh rate. When it does it causes tearing as Gsync automatically disables which is very noticeable.
Always best to use Gsync with Vsync forced on in NCP, lock a few frames lower in NCP and leave FPS limit in game to unlimited (if there is one) and turn off vsync in game settings

blurbusters.com

G-SYNC 101 - Blur Busters - Page 14

G-SYNC Module The G-SYNC module is a small chip that replaces the display's standard internal scaler, and contains enough onboard memory to hold and process a single frame at a time. The module exploits the vertical blanking interval (the span between the previous and next frame scan) to...
blurbusters.com blurbusters.com
 
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Vsync always off. Gsync always on for full screen (games). I have RTSS locked to 120fps - The frametime graphs is always flat as a result and around 6-8ms. Screen refresh rate is 144Hz. I saw zero point in having vsync enabled when you have a VRR monitor. Just means extra faff with reducing the introduced latency afterwards. All in-game framerate limits are either off or set to maximum (games like Prodeus only have a min to max framerate lock slider, so just set to 240fps fr example).

Gsync/FreeSync + Locked framerate below your refresh rate in RTSS = No latency quirks, no tearing, super smooth. The best way to experience games. The RTSS global lock also only introduces a single frame of latency which is perfectly fine.
 
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For competitive gaming any type of “sync” is bad. Cap your fps using the Nvidia control panel to your refresh rate or just above for competitive settings.

You want those gpu usage no more than 90-95% and high fps above refresh rate for best latency
 
theone8181 said:
So what I'm getting is that there's no right answer lol. Seems a split between locking/unlocking frames and gsync/vsync/neither.
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It does seem to the answer is “Have it how you like

I prefer all eye candy on and gsync on.

The Gsync 101 article is useful.

I asked a senior engineer at EVGA years ago and he said gysnc on, vsync on, fps limit to a 2-5 below refresh.

Has worked for me for a long time.
 
Guest2 said:
Nope, fps can go higher than the screen refresh rate. When it does it causes tearing as Gsync automatically disables which is very noticeable.
Always best to use Gsync with Vsync forced on in NCP, lock a few frames lower in NCP and leave FPS limit in game to unlimited (if there is one) and turn off vsync in game settings

blurbusters.com

G-SYNC 101 - Blur Busters - Page 14

G-SYNC Module The G-SYNC module is a small chip that replaces the display's standard internal scaler, and contains enough onboard memory to hold and process a single frame at a time. The module exploits the vertical blanking interval (the span between the previous and next frame scan) to...
blurbusters.com blurbusters.com
Click to expand...

No need, some of that stuff in the article is out-dated. The "proper" G-Sync competitive settings are:

1. NV Control Panel: G-Sync on.
2. NV Control Panel: Low Latency Mode: Ultra
3. NV Control Panel: V-Sync "Use 3D Application Setting".
4. In every game, set V-Sync to "On".

No need to ever mess with FPS limiters, the above will get you the lowest G-Sync input lag, super smooth and no tearing.
 
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Vega said:
No need, some of that stuff in the article is out-dated. The "proper" G-Sync competitive settings are:

1. NV Control Panel: G-Sync on.
2. NV Control Panel: Low Latency Mode: Ultra
3. NV Control Panel: V-Sync "Use 3D Application Setting".
4. In every game, set V-Sync to "On".

No need to ever mess with FPS limiters, the above will get you the lowest G-Sync input lag, super smooth and no tearing.
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I did think it might be outdated.
Thanks, will give those a try. The last time I tried the Nvidia low latency mode it felt terrible but it was new in whatever drivers (maybe 2 years ago now)
What about Nvidia low latency modes in game menus? off? - 'Nvidia reflex low latency' - off / on / on & boost
 
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Reflex uses a combination of dedicated hardware (GPU and gsync monitors) along with software (the driver) to interchange the lowest latency available - Nvidia Ultra Low Latency mode in the CPL utilises the CPU so depending on the CPU you have, you /may/ see some side effect of using it, maybe 1% lows are affected in some way? Maybe nothing is affected if you're on a modern CPU too.

All I know is with RTSS set to locked frames (120), and Gsync only enabled (Gsync Ultimate monitor), pretty much all games are in the 6-8ms latency range with a handful in the 9-11ms. I believe this type of latency is what most should be aiming for as a standard for low latency gaming experiences.

I wonder if this experience is due to having Gsync Ultimate module onboard vs just the display being "Gsync Compatible"...
 
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mrk said:
Reflex uses a combination of dedicated hardware (GPU and gsync monitors) along with software (the driver) to interchange the lowest latency available - Nvidia Ultra Low Latency mode in the CPL utilises the CPU so depending on the CPU you have, you /may/ see some side effect of using it, maybe 1% lows are affected in some way? Maybe nothing is affected if you're on a modern CPU too.

All I know is with RTSS set to locked frames (120), and Gsync only enabled (Gsync Ultimate monitor), pretty much all games are in the 6-8ms latency range with a handful in the 9-11ms. I believe this type of latency is what most should be aiming for as a standard for low latency gaming experiences.

I wonder if this experience is due to having Gsync Ultimate module onboard vs just the display being "Gsync Compatible"...
Click to expand...
I tried @Vega recommendation of Low Latency Mode: Ultra, Gsync on, Vsync use application and Vsync on in game menu. It felt more fluid but but there there were occasional moments where it wasnt. It sort of made me feel car sick, not as bad as car sick but a bit.
I reverted to Gsync on, Vsync on and FPS locked to 97 and no problems. I'm either used to my settings or something isnt quite compatible.
Hardware is Acer Predator X34 in 100Hz mode (Nvidia Gsync monitor), 3090 Ti and 5800X. Playing MW2 multiplayer
 
Just to clarify, I don't think my card will do gsync over hdmi but will over dp so I can do it on my monitor (although it's gsync compatible) and not my TV (which is also compatible, but even with a dp to hdmi cable it doesn't work. I'll leave it till I replace it, I'm very interested in some amd benchmarks as I'm looking at 3080ti level (price/performance ).
 
I just leave vsync on application controlled most of the time as it is only really a problem if the game itself has a naff implementation and last time I looked into it, in game limiters were generally better for latency than external. Things could have changed since then but as I get older I find the latency at 120Hz a lot less annoying than I used to though could be just because I play less 'twitchy' games now.
 
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Individual games handle V-Sync differently too, typically better than the NVIDIA CP force-on V-Sync. Game developers can tweak their own use of V-Sync, so typically better to use the in-game setting.
 
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