Answer:
Gaming monitors with NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology feature a dedicated module that provides a variable refresh rate for tear-free gameplay with compatible graphics cards.
Wondering what a G-SYNC monitor is and how it’s different from G-SYNC Compatible, G-SYNC Ultimate, or FreeSync displays?
You’ve come to the right place!
Original G-SYNC Monitors
The initial G-SYNC monitors featured a dedicated module installed inside the monitor, replacing the regular scaler.
This allowed compatible NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards to use variable refresh rate (VRR) over DisplayPort.
VRR synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate (Hz = FPS) to eliminate screen tearing with virtually no added latency. This differs from V-SYNC, which can introduce noticeable input lag.
Initially, G-SYNC monitors couldn’t use VRR with AMD graphics cards or over HDMI, but this was later changed.
The G-SYNC module considerably increased the cost of the monitor, but it offered several advantages over VRR implemented through regular scalers, including a wider dynamic range, lower latency, and variable overdrive. The latter ensured excellent response time performance across the entire refresh rate range.
The last G-SYNC monitor that was particularly relevant was the ASUS PG248QP, released in 2023. However, its relevance wasn’t primarily due to its G-SYNC VRR support, but rather its inclusion of ULMB2, which we’ll cover later.
G-SYNC Compatible
Later, NVIDIA added support for DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync, allowing GTX 1050 and newer GPUs to use VRR on non-G-SYNC monitors.
NVIDIA also introduced a certification program for compatible displays. Monitors that pass its tests are labeled as G-SYNC Compatible, and NVIDIA maintains a list of certified models.
However, many non-certified monitors work flawlessly, while some VA and OLED monitors certified as G-SYNC Compatible still suffer from the infamous VRR brightness flickering. Unfortunately, NVIDIA doesn’t disclose which monitors failed its certification tests.
Therefore, if you want flawless VRR performance, it’s better to rely on individual monitor reviews rather than certification programs. Even VESA’s AdaptiveSync certification has limitations, as it only tests response times at the maximum refresh rate. For a good VRR experience, overdrive performance across different refresh rates is far more important.
ULMB & ULMB2
Some G-SYNC monitors also featured ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur), followed by the improved ULMB2.
ULMB is an MBR (Motion Blur Reduction) technology that uses backlight strobing to reduce perceived motion blur at the cost of brightness.
MBR also introduces flickering that is generally invisible to the human eye, but can cause headaches or eye strain in sensitive users after prolonged use.
In most cases, MBR can’t be used simultaneously with VRR, so you need to use a fixed refresh rate and cap your FPS to match it for the best results. Some newer technologies do allow VRR and MBR to work together.
ULMB2 is particularly popular thanks to its superior implementation. It also has strict requirements for certification, including backlight strobing at the monitor’s maximum refresh rate with at least 250 nits of brightness, minimal strobe crosstalk, and a minimum refresh rate of 250Hz.
G-SYNC Ultimate
When HDR first arrived on PC, its implementation was often inconsistent, with inaccurate tone mapping, incorrect brightness handling, and varying HDR output between games.
G-SYNC Ultimate was NVIDIA’s solution to this problem. G-SYNC Ultimate monitors featured the G-SYNC module along with specific display requirements designed to ensure proper HDR performance.
Today, most games handle HDR through modern solutions such as Unreal Engine’s HDR pipeline, proprietary game engines, and console-based HDR workflows, resulting in much better implementations than in the early days of PC HDR.
As a result, developers no longer rely on G-SYNC Ultimate or AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro for HDR implementation. This is why no new G-SYNC Ultimate monitors are being released today.
G-SYNC Pulsar
The latest addition to the G-SYNC lineup is G-SYNC Pulsar.
G-SYNC Pulsar monitors use a new scaler jointly developed by NVIDIA and MediaTek, enabling VRR and MBR to work simultaneously with impressive results, including minimal strobe crosstalk and virtually no brightness penalty.
They also deliver the best strobing performance at fixed 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates.
We have an in-depth review of the MSI MPG 272QRF X36, which you can check out for more details.
For instance, here’s how its motion clarity compares to an OLED at equal refresh rates in Blur Buster’s UFO ghosting test.
NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer
Some G-SYNC monitors also feature the NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer, which measures the system latency between a compatible mouse and monitor.
You can find the list of compatible mice and games here.
Keep in mind that NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer and NVIDIA Reflex are two different technologies. Reflex Analyzer measures latency, while NVIDIA Reflex reduces it in supported games.
To use NVIDIA Reflex, you’ll need a GTX 900-series or newer graphics card and a compatible game with Reflex enabled.
Cloud G-SYNC
In 2024, NVIDIA also added VRR support to its GeForce NOW cloud gaming service. It requires an NVIDIA GPU (GTX 16-series, RTX 20-series, or newer) and a monitor with VR
