Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Talk about NVIDIA G-SYNC, a variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. G-SYNC eliminates stutters, tearing, and reduces input lag. List of G-SYNC Monitors.
Forceflow
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Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by Forceflow » 14 Feb 2018, 10:15

Screen: Acer Predator XB271H (a 144 hz screen)
Windows 10 (latest updates), GTX 1070TI
Driver: 390.77 (latest driver to date)

Gsync: Fullscreen and Windowed. NVCP Vsync: ON.

Overwatch + Fullscreen = No problems.
Overwatch + Borderless + 143 fps in-game cap = Screen Refresh Rate OSD sits nicely at 143 (I think because I'm hitting ceiling and it's activating vsync)
Overwatch + Borderless + 142 fps in-game cap = Screen Refresh Rate OSD varies between 143-120 (very quickly). Feels stuttery, although FPS counter in-game stays at 142.

What could explain this behaviour?

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RealNC
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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by RealNC » 14 Feb 2018, 12:49

I've read people say either the latest Windows update or the nvidia driver or a combination of both have broken windowed g-sync, and it behaves exactly as you described it, with lots of stutter. There doesn't appear to be a workaround. The only option is to not use windowed mode.
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Forceflow
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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by Forceflow » 14 Feb 2018, 12:58

I think there are a myriad of issues with gsync+borderless+windows 10, but I'm not having FPS stutter per se - my FPS counter stays locked, but the screen refresh rate OSD says otherwise. What could cause Gsync to lower the refresh rate, if only for a split second?

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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by RealNC » 14 Feb 2018, 13:27

But you said "feels stuttery".

As to what's causing it, nobody can know that other than nvidia.
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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 14 Feb 2018, 19:35

Are you running multimonitor (e.g. 2nd screen that's at a different refresh rate)?
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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by Forceflow » 14 Feb 2018, 20:20

Nope, single monitor.

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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by Forceflow » 15 Feb 2018, 03:14

After more careful consideration: I think Gsync+borderless is indeed just straight up bugged in this driver (and the previous one, tbh).

The screen doés react to FPS changes (so it's not the "locked to 24 fps"-bug that people have been complaining about), but whilst the FPS stays around 140, the screen refresh rate dips to 120-ish regularly, which makes me think that the screen isn't properly synced to the frame output. It's really hard to quantify, but borderless gsync never feels as smooth as fullscreen gsync.

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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by sfbb2 » 31 Mar 2018, 20:04

Did anyone ever find this issue to be fixed / or find a workaround? Been a problem for me ever since 390.77 (through 391.35 now).

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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by jorimt » 31 Mar 2018, 22:30

@sfbb2, assuming you're running Windows 10, did you attempt to disable "fullscreen optimizations" for the game's exe?

If that doesn't fix it, it's likely a driver-specific issue. While it does sometimes works without a hitch, I've never found G-SYNC's borderless/windowed mode 100% reliable myself.
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Re: Gsync + Borderless + Frame cap issues

Post by sfbb2 » 31 Mar 2018, 23:02

@jorimt, Yeah I am using Windows 10 1709, but I have the feature that includes fullscreen optimizations completely removed.

Most games some sort of tweaking with nvidia profile or rtss to work well, but g-sync borderless has worked generally well for me prior to 390.77. Driver version 390.65 works great, but everything after that has been pretty bad.

For example, HotS I use 141 fps cap with v2 limiter in 390.65 and it is very smooth. With 390.77+ it is terrible - gets a bit better using the default instead of v2 limiter but still not as good as 390.65.

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