[SOLVED] Vsync with Gsync?

[mjbn1977]

I need a quick G-sync with Vsync refresher. I use a G-sync 1440p 144hz monitor. I usually use G-sync all the time and turn Vsync off in all games. But what would happen or what would be the downside if I activate Vsync together with G-sync?

The reason I am asking is: I currently play GTA 5 and bascially max out all settings in 1440p. I have fps around 70s and 80s with G-sync only. No stutters and super smooth. But when I go an the player menu settings and especially the map, the game is super lagging and responds slow (only in map and menu). As soon as I go back in the game, no problems and super smooth.

So, I tried to turn on Vsync (while still using G-sync). Guess what, all lagging and slow response in menu and map is gone, map is super smooth now, and ingame fps is now between 80s and 100.

Strange.....I am confused. Why does activating Vsync in this case improve my overall gaming experience in GTA 5. That should be really the case, since I am using G-sync, right??

So, again, please a refresher.....how do you guys handle G-sync and Vsync?

 

[Eximo]

G-Sync + V-Sync caps the frame rate to the monitors refresh.

G-Sync - V-sync means G-sync is active up through the monitors refresh, then syncing is disabled and as many frames that can be displayed as possible will be, this includes tearing. If it dips below the refresh G-sync will take over again.

What is happening in your example is the game engine running at full blast when you are in the menu or map, probably overloading your CPU and causing the slow behavior. I'm guessing the frame counter isn't displayed outside the game environment?

 

[mjbn1977]

What is happening in your example is the game engine running at full blast when you are in the menu or map, probably overloading your CPU and causing the slow behavior. I'm guessing the frame counter isn't displayed outside the game environment?

Actually, I am not sure, I have to check this later. But I am pretty sure that in the game's video settings I have set the max fps to 144.

So, is this correct: vsyn on will not do anyhing until I reach more than 144fps in my situation. If my game will never reach 144fps due to graphic cards limits vsync-on will not affect anything?

I always thought that if the fps drop under the monitors refresh rate Vsync will cut the fps in half (72fps in my case). Is that not the case if G-sync is active?

 

[Eximo]

Effectively with G-sync still enabled V-sync will simply not be used with it on. Just a way to alter the behavior of the GPU at that point. Difference is the behavior outside the G-sync range.

Not sure where that second part comes from, no it will not do that.

G-Sync on most monitors is something like 40-144hz (165hz, or higher, etc). So if it is 72 FPS you are getting the refresh rate will be 72hz, each frame drawn at the beginning of the cycle, no need to double up frames, tearing still prevented.

Below 40, yes it will double up frames to preserve image brightness. But if that is happening you really need to change graphics settings so it doesn't go that low.

 

[mjbn1977]

In order to finish this:
the bottom line is that activated Vsyn with G-Sync will not interfere with the G-sync. It is only being used if the fps will go over the monitors refresh rate. So, if my game never reaches 144fps, there will not be a difference between Vsyn on or off. Correct?

 

[Eximo]

Correct.

Personally I don't need more the 144FPS, not that I get that in a lot of recent games, so I tend to leave V-sync on. High end games are between 70-90FPS for my GTX1080 at 1440p if I don't bother to tweak the settings. Probably wait for 30 series cards before considering an upgrade, hopefully not $1200 this time. High hopes AMD will release something competitive and reduce cost at the high end.