Gsync off+ vsync on?

[Mr Mcgoo]

Hi everyone. This is my first post and i have a question. I read the gsync 101 article and saw that gsync with vsync capped at 60fps on a high refresh rate monitor (144hz in my case) can help lower input lag more than the standard 141fps cap. I understand how this works but here is my issue.

I have a 144hz 1440p VA monitor that has brightness flickering (damn VA panels). Due to me having an rtx 2080 super, i cannot do 144fps and limit to 60fps as i can do that in all games consistently. i have gsync and vsync enabled with a 60fps capped and it works great for input lag but the brightness flickering is really bothersome.

I found out that nvidia gpu's cause lfc to kick in at 60fps and not 48fps the lowest VRR and this seems to be causing the brightness flickering as i am on the end of lfc. I was wondering if i disable gsync but keep vsync on and cap at 60fps would the game still look smooth or will i get stuttering/jitter due to being at 144hz while gaming at 60fps and would this fix my brightness flickering while keeping the same or very close to low input lag?

[jorimt]

For non-VRR low-latency "V-SYNC" 60 FPS, you can look into RTSS Scanline Sync, but it has to be at 60Hz 60 FPS, and typically, manually tuned. It's effectively a fixed refresh rate version of VRR (both steer the tearline off-screen), but it can be fussy.

There really is no tear-free alternative to the "G-SYNC on + V-SYNC on + 60 FPS at higher X refresh rate" scenario, unfortunately.

You could also attempt to lower the LFC range on your particular monitor with CRU, but results will vary.

[Mr Mcgoo]

I had a feeling this would be the case. I will try this later and see if the old scanline sync works and fixes my brightness flickering. if not i guess i can return my monitor as faulty under warranty as it's less then a year old and get an ips panel instead. thanks.

[Chief Blur Buster]

Amplified brightness flickering can also be caused by rapid cycling in/out of LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) mode.

Try ToastyX CRU range-editing your VRR range to minimum Hz of 65, and see if that helps. The problem is that NVIDIA drivers don't honor the FreeSync Range edit as much;

This is not always the solution, but it's fixed a few of this type.

Also, upgrading to a higher Hz VRR can help to an extent, as a different VRR panel may be more immune to flickering. Besides, you have less lag playing 60fps on a 240Hz VRR panel than 60fps on a 144Hz VRR panel. So you have more flexibility to use "relatively laggier" sync technologies while still having less lag than "60fps-on-144Hz-VRR". Adjusting sync technologies have less lag penalty when your maximum Hz is extremely high.

[Mr Mcgoo]

Changing the VRR range in CRU is a good shout. However, if i am at 60fps capped while at 144hz, would that not just disable gsync as i would be outside the VRR range and therefore i would have to cap my fps to 65 to stay within gsync range?

[Chief Blur Buster]

Changing the VRR range in CRU is a good shout. However, if i am at 60fps capped while at 144hz, would that not just disable gsync as i would be outside the VRR range and therefore i would have to cap my fps to 65 to stay within gsync range?

You misunderstood me.

You want to stay OUTSIDE of the range.
Sometimes LFC for 60fps is superior to being INSIDE VRR range.

Modify VRR range to be far above your cap, to solve a VRR flicker problem for non-varying framerate material (V in VRR is Varying, but you're doing Constant, and only need VRR for lag reductions only).

Yes, it is counterintuitive, but sometimes LFC (properly done) is a superior method of doing low frame rates, because native low-Hz VRR can degrade in quality on some panels (overdrive artifacts, LCD GtG flicker, LCD GtG fade, etc).

Besides, VRR = good for variable = but you're doing non-variable 60fps = unceremoniously throw that textbook out of the window

Also, try experimenting with an RTSS cap without Scanline Sync too, using the other method of HOWTO: Low Lag VSYNC ON (You can use NULL in conjunction too).

Right Tool For Right Job.

Note: May not solve your problem. It's GPU specific / driver specific / monitor specific sometimes; and the solution does not always work. But it fixed VRR flickering during emulator use on some VRR displays

[Mr Mcgoo]

So turning gsync off fixed the brightness flickering as expected. i am running my monitor at 120hz 60fps capped with vsync on. This stops the tearing but what does this do to my input lag?

[joseph_from_pilsen]

Turn nvidia reflex on, and if its not enough, turn fast sync on (a kind of vsync setting). With fast sync there will be almost no input lag, with nvidia reflex only it depends on game support and implementation (hit or miss). For example, in CS2 both settings work and reduce input lag (source: 3kliksbot youtube).

[Mr Mcgoo]

So after a lot of trail and error. i have decided VA panels have enough issue with gsync/freesync that it is not worth buying for VRR. Fixed refresh is were this panel shines and should not be used with VRR. Go IPS if you want VRR. Thanks for the help guys