Should I go G-Sync or Freesync?

[elmariachi]

Personally have owned a G-sync and I can tell you makes a hell of a lot of difference only if you play fast paced FPS games. You won't notice any difference other than just generally smooth graphics if you have G-sync but do not play fast paced games.

It helps exponentially more if you're running higher resolutions. I'm running ultra wide 3440x1440 and G-sync working and keeping things smooth is far more noticeable than my previous 2560x1440.

One thing you have to remember is that there is an optimal way to setup G-sync. Many still don't know how to set it up with the right settings and when with the right hardware, the wrong combination of settings can ruin your experience.

For one, I'll recommend G-sync if you have a competent NVIDIA card play really fast motion games. If you don't, you probably won't realise the need to unless e-penis.

 

[cKm]

What's your budget?

Personally I've been using a Dell G-Sync Monitor(s2716dg) that I bought for 700+ during IT show. I think it's one of the cheaper G-Sync monitor and it's worth it.

Don't see the need for other bells and whistles such as IPS for better viewing angles as it is used as a monitor.

Do weigh the pros and cons of your own usage before deciding. I know Asus G-Sync monitors easily cost 1k+

 

[elmariachi]

What's your budget?

Personally I've been using a Dell G-Sync Monitor(s2716dg) that I bought for 700+ during IT show. I think it's one of the cheaper G-Sync monitor and it's worth it.

Don't see the need for other bells and whistles such as IPS for better viewing angles as it is used as a monitor.

Do weigh the pros and cons of your own usage before deciding. I know Asus G-Sync monitors easily cost 1k+

I have used the S2716DG extensively for around 3 years before selling it off. Flawless and Well Built! Viewing angles is bad and colors has to be calibrated as out of the box is not impressive. Gaming Performance is absolutely stellar. Would recommend this monitor for those intending to start G-Sync.

 

[Samfreak]

Thanks everyone for helping and sharing your thoughts. I still do not know what ultrawide I should get. It all boils down to $$$ I guess. So I'm going to wait for the March IT Show to see what's available and at what prices. I need to decide between a monitor geared primarily towards gaming or one that serves gaming needs as well as productivity work.

 

[fleas1]

Here's "short" detailed breakdown for choosing a monitor

Basically

G-sync = you have to use NVidia cards
Freesync = you have to use AMD cards

Freesync monitors are generally cheaper than G-sync
Prices between NVidia and AMD cards are fluctuating due to mining.

That being said, you have to know what monitor you are buying.

There are couple of things you look in a monitor:
Type of panel(IPS, VA, TN)
Size(eg: 23, 24, 27)
Resolution (1920x1080[FHD], 2560×1440[2k], 3840 x 2160[4k])
Refresh rate(60hz[common], 120hz/144hz[FPS gaming])
G-sync or Freesync
The rest are not so important apart from your Inputs(hdmi, VGA, displayport...etc)


Type of Panels:
IPS
tend to give the best colors and accuracy
good viewing angle
slower response rate(~3-5ms), which means you get some motion blur

TN
tend to give the best response rate(1ms)
some Color shifting at certain angles, basically means the it will look quite washed out unless you do some color calibration

VA
Is an attempt to make it get the benefits of TN and IPS, I honestly feel its pointless.
It has slightly better Colors than TN
Better response rate than IPS(on paper)


For Size; this explains itself
Note; based on my experience 27" onwards requires 1440p resolution and above.


Resolution:
The larger the Resolution, the more the performance power you need.
eg: a 4k monitor, you will need a more powerful graphics card to get better FPS(frame rate) than a 1080p[FHD] monitor
I find 1080p[FHD] the best balance for size and performance but that's my opinion
Note: please see note about 27" in size section


Refresh rate:
60hz is your standard and common monitor refresh rate
This means your monitor has a fps cap of 60fps a sec.
Some people say your eyes can see only 60fps this varies among people.

In general sense, you are just a casual gamer; just get 60hz with g-sync/freesync

120/144hz refresh rate is really great for those who play competitive FPS. when you swipe you can really see each frame which helps you find details compared to a 60hz monitor.

G-sync/freesync:
Because monitors has a fixed refresh rate of 60hz, if you computer does not have enough performance power to push 60fps, you will noticeably experience lag.
This will not be very apparent on g-sync/freesync monitors unless it goes below ~30fps.

If you notice there's a v-sync option. This is an older solution to prevent screen tearing(out of sync frames) but with at the cost of input lag(similar to response rate in monitors)

Do note that if you are a competitive player, g-sync/freesync do have some degree in input lag.


Inputs:
You might want to lean towards DVI, HDMI and displayports. These are using digital. Analogs are older tech like VGA.


If there's any errors or misinformation, please lemme know.

 

[Samfreak]

Folks,

I finally purchased my first ultrawide! LG 34UC89
http://www.lg.com/sg/consumer-monitors/lg-34UC89G-B-ultrawide-monitor
and its G-sync

OK, so its FHD, which many will say is lame. But I'm using just a 1060 6gb and I need to use it for office work too. In fact, I will be spending more time using it for office work than gaming.

So thanks again for all the feedback/suggestions. The FHD screen works for me. Text is crisp (to me) and big enough. FPS for CODWW2 is easily above the standard 60fps and above 100fps for slower scenes.

 

[Leftie]

If using FreeSync monitor with Nvidia gfx, think there is a option to use Nvidia FASTsync.

Wont be as good as Freesync/Gsync. But much better than Vsync. As to how much difference, really depends on individual.

Correct me if im wrong.
Too many configs already..

Even with Gsync & Nvidia together, still need to set up correct software configs according to ur monitor specs...@_@

 

[Outramkia]

If using FreeSync monitor with Nvidia gfx, think there is a option to use Nvidia FASTsync.

Wont be as good as Freesync/Gsync. But much better than Vsync. As to how much difference, really depends on individual.

Correct me if im wrong.
Too many configs already..

Even with Gsync & Nvidia together, still need to set up correct software configs according to ur monitor specs...@_@

Take note fastsync will actually force the gpu to churn out as much as frames as possible. May be good to reduce tearing, but your gpu temp will rise.

Adaptive sync is another option. Churn out frames around the monitor refresh rate.

In game setting is vsync off.

 

[Samfreak]

Even with Gsync & Nvidia together, still need to set up correct software configs according to ur monitor specs...@_@

What settings should I look out for? Gsync. Currently, I just activate Gsync, set refresh rate at 144hz, set various graphics settings to high/very high/ultra. all other graphic settings I leave at default.

 

[Leftie]

Take note fastsync will actually force the gpu to churn out as much as frames as possible. May be good to reduce tearing, but your gpu temp will rise.

Adaptive sync is another option. Churn out frames around the monitor refresh rate.

In game setting is vsync off.

If FASTsync force the Nvidia gpu to churn out as many fps possible,
Will the fps be capped if i reduced my Freesync monitor to to a lower hz? Eg;90hz


@SamFreak

im quite new to this so still reading up. Problem is most info is contradicting.
But based on ur 1060 & gsync monitor, should be ok.
Just play and tweak along the way.
If gpu havng trouble catching up, maybe can lower to 120hz?

 

[elmariachi]

What settings should I look out for? Gsync. Currently, I just activate Gsync, set refresh rate at 144hz, set various graphics settings to high/very high/ultra. all other graphic settings I leave at default.

The correct way to setup G-sync is as follows:

1. Enable V-SYNC ON in nvidia control panel.

2. Make sure monitor technology is set to G-SYNC and under G-SYNC settings, set to full window.

3. Make sure V-SYNC is disabled in every game.

4. Download RTSS and frame cap. So if you're at 144hz refresh rate, set it to minus 3 which is 141. This will make sure you're consistently in the G-SYNC range.

You'll thank me for this once you get it set up correctly as above. It will be consistently smooth and fluid. Lastly, make sure you only use RTSS tool to cap your frame rate. It's the only tool that adds only 1 frame of lag compared to others like nvidia inspector that adds 3 frames of lag.

Enjoy!

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

RTSS is which software? By nvidia?

 

[elmariachi]

RTSS is which software? By nvidia?

MSI.

http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/rtss-rivatuner-statistics-server-download,2.html

 

[Samfreak]

The correct way to setup G-sync is as follows:

1. Enable V-SYNC ON in nvidia control panel.

2. Make sure monitor technology is set to G-SYNC and under G-SYNC settings, set to full window.

3. Make sure V-SYNC is disabled in every game.

4. Download RTSS and frame cap. So if you're at 144hz refresh rate, set it to minus 3 which is 141. This will make sure you're consistently in the G-SYNC range.

You'll thank me for this once you get it set up correctly as above. It will be consistently smooth and fluid. Lastly, make sure you only use RTSS tool to cap your frame rate. It's the only tool that adds only 1 frame of lag compared to others like nvidia inspector that adds 3 frames of lag.

Enjoy!

I thank you first Will try this!

 

[elmariachi]

I thank you first Will try this!

No worries Bro. Do feedback after trying and let me know if there was a difference for you.