Posaidon :
How do I enable adaptive vsync and what do i do to lower my gpu usage?
*I'm not going to "dumb down" my answer but if you SAVE it to read until it all makes sense I think it's worth the effort.
(I've included tips on when to use VSYNC etc for gaming.)
1) GPU temp:
It's SUPPOSED to be running at that temperature under load. Modern cards run up to the maximum safe temp for demanding applications. Once it hits this temp the fans continue to rise to keep it at this temp and if needed it can also throttle down the GPU frequency to maintain the temp.
There's an optimal combination of GPU frequency, VRAM frequency, Power Target, and fan profile to get the most performance. The "maximum" is actually a combination of some things not simply the GPU temperature like it used to be.
In the past we could easily overheat (especially in hotter climates) but these modern methods are designed to get the maximum usage out of the card. So in the PAST to protect against overheating on some programs we were clocked lower thus getting lower performance for other programs. Again, the card just works up to its maximum potential and not beyond. This is the trend of all processors in general; it also works this way in mobile especially due to limited cooling.
*READ about GPU BOOST 2:
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/gpu-boost-2
2) Adaptive VSYNC etc:
I use this though not necessarily to control GPU temperature. Here's how to properly apply settings (aside from GSYNC which needs a new monitor):
3) Game tweak.. Choose:
a) VSYNC ON
- eliminates SCREEN TEARING
- reduce NOISE and save BATTERY life: for when GPU can output well above monitor refresh. Especially on LAPTOP say at 100FPS average, but force 60FPS on 60Hz monitor. GPU probably about 60% load and possibly a third of noise from fan. Even dropping to 90% load from 100% usually make a noticeable difference in noise on a laptop)
b) Adaptive VSYNC ON
- same as normal VSYNC reasons, however you should use this if you drop BELOW the target (i.e 59FPS or below on 60Hz monitor). If you drop below the target the monitor has to wait for the framebuffer data which means the same image is shown again. We then end up with a combination of FRAME TIMES (i.e. 1/60th second, then 2/60th second, 2/60, 1/60....) which causes a STUTTERING especially noticeable when panning. Stutter instead of smooth.
(FRAPS might show "45FPS" but for normal monitors not the newer GSYNC/FREESYNC ones it's not really 45FPS. It's an average of 1/60 and 2/60 and possibly some 3/60 second frame times)
*So ADAPTIVE VSYNC simply disables VSYNC automatically if we fall below. In terms of game TWEAKING simply create the best visuals that maintains the frame rate so dropping below the target is not very often (if screen tearing occurs too often then drop a few settings to raise the average frame rate to minimize this).
c) Half Adaptive VSYNC ON, or
*Ideal for 144Hz monitor where you can't output at least 144FPS but need VSYNC. You'll then get 72FPS instead which most is ideal for many games even on high-end gaming systems.
(This is the same method used for many console games so they end up running at 30FPS max. If you had VSYNC ON locked to 30FPS but didn't disable at 29FPS or below the stutter would be especially bad since the frame rate is already so low. Think Assassin's Creed Unity with 30FPS max and drops to 18FPS. On weaker computers it can be a tough choice to balance settings.
Having said that there are some games that run reasonably well at 30FPS if that's running fairly smooth. By smooth that means each and every frame is 1/30th of a second with no "pop in" of textures etc.
*For fun, try using the HALF ADAPTIVE method (confirm with FRAPS) on various games. Command and Conquer 3 locks to 30FPS by default (can't be changed).
**A handful of games lock to 30FPS if you can't output 60FPS (on 60Hz monitor). It prevents the stuttering discussed but toggling between 60FPS and 30FPS is pretty jarring. One of the new Spider-Man games does this, and so does Max Payne 3. I FORCED Adaptive VSYNC in the NVidia Control Panel for each game which worked great (i.e. dropping to 55FPS in Max Payne for two seconds simply gave minor screen tear not a drop to 30FPS in the middle of turning to shoot somebody).
d) VSYNC OFF
- screen tearing (the amount varies by game, by current frame rate in game, how much you're moving around etc )
*The ONLY reason you'd want this is because it's less sluggish than using VSYNC which is important for fast games like shooters. When you use VSYNC it has to BUFFER the frame to synchronize with the monitor. With VSYNC OFF the GPU simply creates new frames as fast as possible however this causes a mix of successive frames on the same monitor output.
VSYNC OFF is preferred by many people and some use it even if there's a lot of screen tear since they don't like the feel of the LAG which makes responsiveness feel sluggish.
All have pros and cons.
I use VSYNC for most games as screen tearing drives me bananas. I'll eventually get a GSYNC monitor similar to the Acer Predator (GSYNC, IPS, 144Hz, 4ms g-g, 2560x1440). NVidia is improving the desktop GSYNC module still, and panel technology is still improving. It's the ONLY on I recommend for high-end gaming but again quality will still improve and it would be nice for PRICING to drop.