NVIDIA G-Sync Pulsar monitor - Acer Predator XB273U F5

[Wintergreen]

I just got this monitor, upgraded the firmware to 1.1.6, and I have to ask - is it supposed to flicker so much? On white backgrounds with Pulsar on the flickering is very noticeable and inconsistent. It sometimes even shows up on white screens in Firefox. Ingame in Pragmata, completely stationary, I'll see the white walls of the bunker hub flicker in brightness. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, it's inconsistent and can differ in magnitude in the same scene, even though the framerate is around 130fps. Sometimes it's not there, sometimes it is. Framerate limits don't seem to help. Turning down the brightness significantly seems to help, but it's still there.

It might be correlated with how hot the monitor is, but I'm not sure yet.

Do I have a lemon or are other people seeing this too?

[Lunatic]

I just got this monitor, upgraded the firmware to 1.1.6, and I have to ask - is it supposed to flicker so much? On white backgrounds with Pulsar on the flickering is very noticeable and inconsistent. It sometimes even shows up on white screens in Firefox. Ingame, completely stationary, I'll see the white walls of the bunker hub flicker in brightness. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, it's inconsistent and can differ in magnitude in the same scene, even though the framerate is around 130fps. Sometimes it's not there, sometimes it is. Framerate limits don't seem to help. Turning down the brightness significantly seems to help, but it's still there.

It might be correlated with how hot the monitor is, but I'm not sure yet.

Do I have a lemon or are other people seeing this too?

Flicker is only visible for me with the 60hz mode. But no flicker at all while using Pulsar normally.

[t2na]

I just got this monitor, upgraded the firmware to 1.1.6, and I have to ask - is it supposed to flicker so much? On white backgrounds with Pulsar on the flickering is very noticeable and inconsistent. It sometimes even shows up on white screens in Firefox. Ingame, completely stationary, I'll see the white walls of the bunker hub flicker in brightness. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, it's inconsistent and can differ in magnitude in the same scene, even though the framerate is around 130fps. Sometimes it's not there, sometimes it is. Framerate limits don't seem to help. Turning down the brightness significantly seems to help, but it's still there.

It might be correlated with how hot the monitor is, but I'm not sure yet.

Do I have a lemon or are other people seeing this too?

Yeah, can't say I've ever noticed Pulsar flickering at all. Just checked Firefox on a new tab with a white background and nothing at all with flickering.

Similar to Lunactic, I only see flickering when I use the 60hz ULMB2 mode and even then once I drop the pulse width low enough I can't see much flicker at all.

Potentially sounds like you've got a bit of a dud.

[Lunatic]

I just got this monitor, upgraded the firmware to 1.1.6, and I have to ask - is it supposed to flicker so much? On white backgrounds with Pulsar on the flickering is very noticeable and inconsistent. It sometimes even shows up on white screens in Firefox. Ingame, completely stationary, I'll see the white walls of the bunker hub flicker in brightness. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, it's inconsistent and can differ in magnitude in the same scene, even though the framerate is around 130fps. Sometimes it's not there, sometimes it is. Framerate limits don't seem to help. Turning down the brightness significantly seems to help, but it's still there.

It might be correlated with how hot the monitor is, but I'm not sure yet.

Do I have a lemon or are other people seeing this too?

I would try:

• Resetting the monitor to default settings.

• Another DP Cable.

• Disconnecting secondary monitors.

• Uninstalling Nvidia drivers with DDU and reinstalling the latest drivers.

Also double check settings within Win11 and NVCP regarding variable refresh rate, dynamic refresh rate, G-Sync, etc.

Screenshot 2026-05-17 171045.png (46.33 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

Screenshot 2026-05-17 170943.png (59.22 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

Screenshot 2026-05-17 170841.png (43.8 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

If problem persists, you can even try rolling back to a previous firmware. But 1.1.6 is working fine for me.

I hope you can solve it. Good luck!

[Wintergreen]

Thanks Lunatic and t2na, I was going to return it and probably give up on Pulsar after trying two different DP cables including a supposedly "DP 2.1" one. Your comments pushed me to try a third and yep, third cable's the charm. It works perfectly now. No more flicker.

[Lunatic]

Thanks Lunatic and t2na, I was going to return it and probably give up on Pulsar after trying two different DP cables including a supposedly "DP 2.1" one. Your comments pushed me to try a third and yep, third cable's the charm. It works perfectly now. No more flicker.

Hey, thanks for reporting back!

Pulsar seems to be really picky with DP cables.

Glad to hear you managed to solve it. Enjoy the monitor!

Cheers!

[Lunatic]

Firmware 1.1.8 is now available.

Changelog: Reduces input lag for 240 Hz Pulsar/ULMB, improves 120 Hz ULMB2 quality, fixes issue where G-SYNC and Pulsar are no longer available after monitor sleep, and fixes various other bugs.

[nuninho1980]

Hello.

Can we enable strobe at Pulsar Low FPS on OSD to "50" (no G-SYNC-enabled needed) for watch any broadcast TV@50Hz signal or any 50fps video?

[brownvim]

Hello.

Can we enable strobe at Pulsar Low FPS on OSD to "50" (no G-SYNC-enabled needed) for watch any broadcast TV@50Hz signal or any 50fps video?

I think its possible within Windows, I made a custom resolution of 50hz with the CRU program and it seems to work, I would need someone else to confirm. CRU settings below:



I did play a 50fps video on YouTube and it looked smooth and clear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HqB15g_sCA&t=21s

Note this mode flickers even more than the 60hz mode! The 60hz mode flicker doesn't bother me but I think this would bother me using it an extended time.

The pulse width adjustments are still available in this mode too.

Checked UFO test and it confirms its 50hz, it also says on the Acer OSD that its running at 50hz.

[nuninho1980]

I think its possible within Windows, I made a custom resolution of 50hz with the CRU program and it seems to work, I would need someone else to confirm. CRU settings below:



I did play a 50fps video on YouTube and it looked smooth and clear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HqB15g_sCA&t=21s

Note this mode flickers even more than the 60hz mode! The 60hz mode flicker doesn't bother me but I think this would bother me using it an extended time.

The pulse width adjustments are still available in this mode too.

Checked UFO test and it confirms its 50hz, it also says on the Acer OSD that its running at 50hz.

Thank you!! I'm selling current ViewSonic monitor... Then I'll buy this Acer monitor in this month...

Best regards.