Adaptive sync technology is one of the several solutions in eliminating visual distortions (ghosting, screen tearing and stuttering) in games. NVIDIA G-SYNC is an example of this technology.
Each and every gamer has their own needs and different hardware when it comes to gaming. And as a gamer who is looking to maximise the gaming experience.
You will wonder if getting an NVIDIA G-SYNC monitor or laptop will help you achieve the best gaming experience possible. You also start to wonder if NVIDIA G-SYNC is worth it.
Is NVIDIA G-SYNC worth it? Here’s what you need to know if NVIDIA G-SYNC might be necessary or worth the money before getting it.
What Is NVIDIA G-Sync?
G-Sync technology is NVIDIA’s secret weapon. An adaptive sync technology in getting rid of screen tearing and stuttering. A hardware solution that makes your display’s refresh rate synchronise with the GPU.
The synchronisation is done by forcing the refresh rate of the monitor to be equal to the frames per second (FPS). Other adaptive sync technologies are VSync and AMD Freesync.
Because of this technology. Your gameplay is smoother and enjoyable resulting in a stellar gaming experience.
How Does NVIDIA G-Sync Work?
From our previous post on what causes screen tearing. We mentioned three things can cause screen tearing – refresh rate, response time and frames per second.
The refresh rate is the number of times a display refreshes its screen. Response time is how long it takes for a display to receive an image from the GPU.
Frames per second are the number of pictures shown in a second.
When you play games on FPS high than your display’s refresh rate. Or you often experience massive drops in FPS during demanding scenes or areas in games. Screen tearing and stuttering happen.
Your display is just not powerful enough to keep up with the GPU. It might also be your GPU is not powerful enough to produce consistent FPS.
This is where NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology comes in. Displays with NVIDIA G-SYNC have hardware that houses the technology.
This hardware forces the FPS and display’s refresh rate to be in sync with each other. So even if your monitor has a 60Hz refresh rate and you are playing games at 90 FPS
NVIDIA G-SYNC is going to cap the FPS less than or equal to the display’s refresh rate. This eliminates the chances of screen tearing happening.
Same applies to when there is a massive drop in FPS. Let’s say from 58 FPS to 30 FPS. NVIDIA G-SYNC will reduce the display’s refresh rate for it to be equal to 30 FPS.
And screen stuttering which happens when there is a massive drop in FPS is eliminated. This smoothens out everything and gameplay proceeds as normal.
This is the power of NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. It makes sure your display refresh rate and the FPS produced by the GPU are equal to each other. This eliminates visual distortion in your games.
In short, it matches your display’s refresh rate with your GPU render times or the FPS. That is the purpose of NVIDIA G-SYNC.
Does G-Sync Really Make a Difference?
Every gamer knows how annoying ghosting, screen tearing and stuttering are. Such visual distortion during gameplay sour your gaming experience and makes it hard to play the game.
Ever experienced screen tearing and stuttering at the same time? If you have experienced this on the regular then you know how unbearable playing games becomes.
All because your display is not powerful enough to keep up with your GPU.
Fortunately, adaptive sync technologies like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD Freesync eliminates screen tearing, stuttering and ghosting. This makes gameplay smooth and enjoyable.
Doesn’t matter if there is a massive drop in FPS or the display refresh rate can’t keep up with high FPS. These adaptive sync technologies will smoothen things out for it.
Having them is like replacing the HDD on your laptop or desktop with an SSD. Boot times are faster. Applications open quickly.
Games also do not take so long in loading. You get a faster and smoother laptop or desktop experience.
That’s what NVIDIA G-sync or AMD Freesync will do for your gaming experience.
The Drawbacks Of NVIDIA G-SYNC
Even with all the advantages NVIDIA G-SYNC technology provides. It has its two drawbacks.
It’s Expensive
Laptops or monitors that have NVIDIA G-SYNC are on average more experience than their counterparts. One of the reasons is because it is a hardware solution in eliminating visual distortions in games.
Hence the hefty price tag. V-SYNC and AMD Freesync are software solutions. So it is understandable the hardware is going to cost more than the software.
Be ready to invest more cash if you decide to go with an NVIDIA G-SYNC monitor or laptop.
NVIDIA G-SYNC Monitors Are Not Compatible With AMD GPUs
If you plan on using an AMD GPU with an NVIDIA G-SYNC monitor. You are setting yourself up for disappointment.
Only NVIDIA GPUs can make use of the NVIDIA G-SYNC technology not the other way round.
But, you can use an AMD Freesync monitor with an NVIDIA GPU. NVIDIA has released drivers that make it possible to use NVIDIA GPUs with AMD Freesync monitors.
This makes it cheaper compared to an NVIDIA-only setup.
Cheaper Alternatives To NVIDIA G-SYNC Monitors And Laptops
There is no doubt that you have to spend extra to get NVIDIA G-SYNC. But what if you don’t have the cash? There are cheaper alternatives to NVIDIA G-SYNC.
You can get an AMD Freesync monitor. Monitors with AMD Freesync are far cheaper and some of them are now compatible with NVIDIA GPUs.
When it comes to laptops. Go with a laptop that has a high refresh rate preferably 120Hz or above. You will be fine if the laptop doesn’t have NVIDIA G-SYNC.
When Is NVIDIA G-SYNC Worth It?
It depends on your needs. If you are a casual gamer then NVIDIA G-SYNC is definitely not worth it. You will just be throwing money away.
But, for competitive gamers and avid gamers, NVIDIA G-SYNC is a must because it eliminates visual distortions in your gameplay.
It lets you play the game better since the visual distortions do not disturb you.
Your eyes and mind are then at ease allowing you to fully enjoy the gaming experience.
To sum it all up, if you are not an avid gamer or competitive gamer you will be fine with NVIDIA G-SYNC. Avid gamers and competitive gamers should consider AMD Freesync and NVIDIA G-SYNC.
