How to Use Nvidia G-Sync on a FreeSync Monitor
Last week, Nvidia announced plans to release a software version of G-Sync, its Adaptive Sync tool for PC displays. And now that the GeForce 417.71 driver is out in the open, a small group of people who mix Nvidia graphics cards with FreeSync monitors can try out this new G-Sync implementation.
Nvidia says it is currently testing Adaptive Sync compatible monitors to see which ones perform well with G-Sync. After testing 400 displays – possibly by now – the company has released a shortlist of 12 G-Sync compatible monitors. If you have one of these, you will automatically get a “GeForce-compatible variable refresh rate,” as Nvidia puts it, if you play with the latest GeForce drivers installed.
Technically, Nvidia’s new G-Sync implementation means you can use this technology with any FreeSync-capable monitor. However, before starting the game, you will need to make a few more settings:
How to get G-Sync to work on a FreeSync display
First, you’ll need an Nvidia GTX 10-series or higher graphics card in your PC, and you’ll need to connect your monitor to your graphics card using a DisplayPort cable, not HDMI. Also, remember to press the menu button on the display, navigate the OSD menus, and make sure FreeSync or Adaptive Sync is turned on.
Then go to the Nvidia Control app on your PC. Open display settings and click on “Configure G-Sync”. From there, check the box next to “Enable G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible”. You should probably stick with the default “Enable for Full Screen Mode” as you might run into problems when launching G-Sync in a windowed game – if it works at all .
After checking all the boxes, click Apply.
If you have multiple monitors, make sure you change the correct display function in the Nvidia Control Panel. Adaptive Sync capable monitors will display with a green screen (and part of the Nvidia logo) in the G-Sync Setup screen.
Troubleshooting G-Sync on FreeSync
If you’re having trouble getting G-Sync to work with a non-G-Sync display, don’t panic. You may need to configure a few Nvidia Control Panel settings first. Try going to 3D Settings in the left pane and click Global. Scroll down to the Monitor Technology drop-down menu and set it to G-Sync Compatible.
If that doesn’t work, go to Change Resolution under Display and try lowering your display’s refresh rate. You should always try to tune G-Sync to the maximum refresh rate of your monitor first, but PCGamesN found that G-Sync may not always support your monitor’s full refresh rate. If you’re still having problems, check out Nvidia’s Reddit community crowdsourced testing table – they have a lot of notes about settings you might need to change for different displays, and you can look for cross-references to see if others got it. G-Sync. work generally on your specific FreeSync monitor.
To be clear, there is a nonzero chance that you tweak this and find that G-sync is not working correctly. If you’d like to do a neutral test before playing any games, download the Nvidia Graphics Performance Pendulum Demo and see what it looks like. (Users have reported that, for example, some unapproved monitors flicker more when using G-Sync.)
PCWorld, which tested the technology at Nvidia’s booth at CES, also has a video to help you figure out what you’ll see when an unapproved monitor isn’t working: