Enable & Prioritize G-Sync for Low Latency Tear-Free Gaming

This guide walks you through enabling NVIDIA G-Sync on your monitor and GPU, then prioritizing it in software so you get tear-free visuals with minimal input lag. You’ll need a G-Sync compatible monitor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series or newer GPU, and a DisplayPort cable—HDMI often doesn’t support G-Sync on many models.

What You’ll Need

• NVIDIA GeForce GPU (GTX 10-series or newer for G-Sync; RTX 20-series or newer for G-Sync Ultimate features)
• G-Sync or G-Sync Compatible monitor (check your monitor’s specs or NVIDIA’s official list)
• DisplayPort cable (most G-Sync monitors require DisplayPort, not HDMI)
• Latest NVIDIA drivers installed (use GeForce Experience or the NVIDIA website)
• Windows 10 or 11 (steps are similar on both)

Step-by-Step

1. Connect your monitor via DisplayPort. Plug the DisplayPort cable into both your GPU and monitor. If you have multiple DisplayPorts, use the one labeled “G-Sync� or the primary input. Avoid using HDMI unless your monitor explicitly supports G-Sync over HDMI.
2. Enable G-Sync on the monitor itself. Use the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) buttons. Navigate to settings like “Game� or “Display� and look for “G-Sync� or “Adaptive Sync.� Set it to “On� or “Enable.� Some monitors have a “G-Sync� mode that must be turned on before Windows sees it.
3. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel. Right-click your desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.� If you don’t see it, open it from the Start menu or the system tray icon.
4. Enable G-Sync in NVIDIA Control Panel. Under “Display,� click “Set up G-Sync.� Check the box “Enable G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible.� Choose “Enable for full screen mode� or “Enable for windowed and full screen mode.� The latter is more convenient but can slightly increase input lag; for competitive gaming, use full screen only. Click “Apply.�
5. Verify G-Sync is active. In the same window, you should see your monitor listed with “G-Sync� or “G-Sync Compatible� next to it. If not, recheck the monitor’s OSD and cable connection.
6. Set your refresh rate. In NVIDIA Control Panel, under “Display,� click “Change resolution.� Select your monitor, choose the highest refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) from the “Refresh rate� dropdown, and click “Apply.� G-Sync works best when the refresh rate is at its maximum.
7. Enable V-Sync in NVIDIA Control Panel (but not in games). Go to “Manage 3D settings.� Under “Global Settings� or “Program Settings� (for specific games), find “Vertical sync� and set it to “On.� This is crucial—it prevents the frame rate from exceeding the monitor’s refresh rate, which would otherwise cause tearing and defeat G-Sync’s purpose. Do NOT enable V-Sync inside the game itself; keep it off there.
8. Cap your frame rate slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate. In the same “Manage 3D settings� page, find “Max Frame Rate� and set it to your refresh rate minus 3 (e.g., 141 for a 144Hz monitor). This ensures the frame rate stays within G-Sync’s range and avoids V-Sync’s input lag spike when the cap is hit. Alternatively, use an in-game frame limiter or a tool like RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server) if the game doesn’t have one.
9. Set Low Latency Mode to “Ultra� (optional but recommended). In “Manage 3D settings,� find “Low Latency Mode� and set it to “Ultra� for competitive games. This reduces input lag by keeping the CPU and GPU in sync. For less demanding games, “On� is enough; “Ultra� can hurt performance in CPU-bound titles.
10. Apply and test. Click “Apply� in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Launch a game, go to its video settings, and ensure V-Sync is off and the refresh rate matches your monitor. Play a fast-moving scene—you should see no screen tearing and feel responsive controls.

Common Mistakes

• Using HDMI: Many G-Sync monitors only support G-Sync over DisplayPort. If you’re using HDMI, G-Sync may not appear in the Control Panel.
• V-Sync on in game: If you enable V-Sync in the game, it can override G-Sync and add input lag. Keep it off in-game and on in the NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Frame rate above refresh rate: If your FPS exceeds your monitor’s refresh rate, G-Sync stops working and you get tearing. Always cap your FPS slightly below the refresh rate.
• Not setting the monitor’s refresh rate: If your monitor is running at 60Hz but supports 144Hz, G-Sync will only work up to 60Hz. Set the correct refresh rate in Windows and NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Forgetting to enable G-Sync on the monitor: Some monitors have G-Sync disabled by default. You must turn it on via the OSD.

Tips

• Use full screen mode: For lowest latency, play games in full screen rather than borderless windowed, even if you enabled G-Sync for windowed mode.
• Test with a game that has a built-in FPS counter: Use the NVIDIA overlay (Alt+Z) or a tool like MSI Afterburner to see your FPS and ensure it stays within the G-Sync range.
• Update drivers regularly: New NVIDIA drivers often improve G-Sync compatibility and performance. Use GeForce Experience to keep them current.
• Use NVIDIA’s “G-Sync Compatibleâ€� indicator: In the Control Panel, you can enable an indicator that shows a green “G-Syncâ€� badge in the corner of your screen when it’s active. This helps verify it’s working in each game.
• Consider Reflex: If you have an RTX GPU, enable NVIDIA Reflex in supported games. It works alongside G-Sync to further reduce input lag.

Troubleshooting

G-Sync option is grayed out or missing: First, ensure your monitor is connected via DisplayPort and that G-Sync is enabled on the monitor itself. Then, restart your PC. If it still doesn’t appear, check that your GPU is supported (GTX 10-series or newer) and that you have the latest drivers installed. Some older monitors may require a firmware update from the manufacturer.

Screen still tears: If you see tearing, your frame rate is likely exceeding the refresh rate. Check your FPS counter—if it’s above your refresh rate, your frame cap isn’t working. Make sure V-Sync is “On� in the NVIDIA Control Panel and that no in-game V-Sync is overriding it. Also, verify that the game is running in full screen, not borderless.

Input lag feels high: If you experience input lag, check that “Low Latency Mode� is set to “On� or “Ultra.� Also, ensure you’re not using a frame cap that’s too low (e.g., capping at 60 on a 144Hz monitor). The cap should be refresh rate minus 3, not a random number. If you have a G-Sync Ultimate monitor, try disabling V-Sync in the Control Panel and rely solely on the frame cap—some users report lower latency that way.

G-Sync works in some games but not others: This usually happens when a game runs in borderless windowed mode and you only enabled G-Sync for full screen. Change the game to full screen, or enable G-Sync for windowed mode in the Control Panel. Also, some older games may not support G-Sync properly; try adding them to your NVIDIA Profile Inspector settings.

Monitor flickers or goes black: This can happen if the refresh rate is set too high for the cable or the monitor’s overclock. Try lowering the refresh rate by 10Hz, or use a higher-quality DisplayPort cable (certified for the bandwidth). Also, disable any monitor overclocking in the OSD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a G-Sync monitor to use G-Sync?
A: Yes. G-Sync requires a monitor with a G-Sync or G-Sync Compatible module. Some FreeSync monitors are also G-Sync Compatible, but you need to check NVIDIA’s official list.

Q: Can I use G-Sync with an AMD GPU?
A: No. G-Sync is proprietary to NVIDIA. AMD GPUs use FreeSync instead.

Q: Does G-Sync work over HDMI?
A: On most monitors, no. G-Sync typically requires DisplayPort. A few newer G-Sync Compatible TVs and monitors support HDMI, but it’s rare. Check your monitor’s manual.

Q: Should I disable V-Sync when using G-Sync?
A: No, you should enable V-Sync in the NVIDIA Control Panel, but keep it off in games. This prevents frame rates from exceeding the refresh rate, which would cause tearing and input lag.

Q: What’s the ideal frame rate cap with G-Sync?
A: Set your cap to your monitor’s refresh rate minus 3 (e.g., 141 for 144Hz). This keeps you within G-Sync’s range and avoids V-Sync’s latency spike.

Q: Does G-Sync increase input lag?
A: No, G-Sync itself reduces input lag compared to traditional V-Sync because it syncs the display’s refresh rate to the GPU’s output. However, if you cap your FPS too low, you may feel more lag. The key is to cap just below the refresh rate and use Low Latency Mode.

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