Any downside to running G-Sync in Windowed Mode?

[nursejoy]

So I found out that running G-Sync while the computer is in windowed mode somehow bypasses DWM. I wanted to know how and why that happens? And if there is not an answer that is fine; however what is the downside of running G-Sync in Windowed mode? I noticed it is disabled in the NVCP.

[jorimt]

So I found out that running G-Sync while the computer is in windowed mode somehow bypasses DWM. I wanted to know how and why that happens?

It appears to change the flip mode of the window when focused, bypassing extra composition, at least in my original tests.

what is the downside of running G-Sync in Windowed mode? I noticed it is disabled in the NVCP.

Overall frametime and game performance usually isn't as good as exclusive fullscreen, as the system isn't dedicating quite as much resource to the game app in borderless/windowed mode (that, and borderless/windowd adds DWM composition and forces an OS-level triple buffer V-SYNC method to the window at default).

Some games work better in G-SYNC borderless/windowed mode than others.

If you do use it, I recommend this configuration, as per an entry in my Closing FAQ:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101- ... ttings/15/

Your “Optimal G-SYNC Settings” say I should only “Enable [G-SYNC] for full screen mode” in the NVCP, but what about for games that don’t offer an exclusive fullscreen option?

My Optimal G-SYNC Settings are just that: optimal.

Thus, while G-SYNC (and any game with any syncing solution, for that matter) typically performs best in exclusive fullscreen, it is true that not all games support this mode, so use of G-SYNC’s “Enable for windowed and fullscreen mode” is necessary for games that only offer a borderless or windowed option.

Do note, however, that G-SYNC’s “Enable for windowed and full screen mode” can apply to non-game apps as well, which will result in stutter and slowdown when affected app windows are dragged and/or focused on due to unintended VRR (variable refresh rate) behavior.

As such, it is recommended to keep G-SYNC set to “Enable for full screen mode” globally, and then to use Nvidia Profile Inspector (download here) to set both “G-SYNC – Application Mode” and “G-SYNC – Global Mode” to “Fullscreen and Windowed” per game profile, as needed:

[nursejoy]

So I found out that running G-Sync while the computer is in windowed mode somehow bypasses DWM. I wanted to know how and why that happens?

It appears to change the flip mode of the window when focused, bypassing extra composition, at least in my original tests.

what is the downside of running G-Sync in Windowed mode? I noticed it is disabled in the NVCP.

Overall frametime and game performance usually isn't as good as exclusive fullscreen, as the system isn't dedicating quite as much resource to the game app in borderless/windowed mode (that, and borderless/windowd adds DWM composition and forces an OS-level triple buffer V-SYNC method to the window at default).

Some games work better in G-SYNC borderless/windowed mode than others.

If you do use it, I recommend this configuration, as per an entry in my Closing FAQ:
https://blurbusters.com/gsync/gsync101- ... ttings/15/

Your “Optimal G-SYNC Settings” say I should only “Enable [G-SYNC] for full screen mode” in the NVCP, but what about for games that don’t offer an exclusive fullscreen option?

My Optimal G-SYNC Settings are just that: optimal.

Thus, while G-SYNC (and any game with any syncing solution, for that matter) typically performs best in exclusive fullscreen, it is true that not all games support this mode, so use of G-SYNC’s “Enable for windowed and fullscreen mode” is necessary for games that only offer a borderless or windowed option.

Do note, however, that G-SYNC’s “Enable for windowed and full screen mode” can apply to non-game apps as well, which will result in stutter and slowdown when affected app windows are dragged and/or focused on due to unintended VRR (variable refresh rate) behavior.

As such, it is recommended to keep G-SYNC set to “Enable for full screen mode” globally, and then to use Nvidia Profile Inspector (download here) to set both “G-SYNC – Application Mode” and “G-SYNC – Global Mode” to “Fullscreen and Windowed” per game profile, as needed:

So lets say I only want to do this for one application. Where do I choose it from the NVCP or the Profile Inspector?

[jorimt]

So lets say I only want to do this for one application. Where do I choose it from the NVCP or the Profile Inspector?

As the last line of the previous instructions I quoted stated, Profile Inspector. Search up an existing or create a new profile for the exe you're targeting in Inspector, and then select and apply the pictured parameters for the given profile.

[diakou]

So lets say I only want to do this for one application. Where do I choose it from the NVCP or the Profile Inspector?

As the last line of the previous instructions I quoted stated, Profile Inspector. Search up an existing or create a new profile for the exe you're targeting in Inspector, and then select and apply the pictured parameters for the given profile.

Hm, this would probably be the correct / best way to configure g-sync for Brawlhalla? The game's a DX9 (adobe air) game with no fullscreen exclusive mode or a correct flip model in borderless. Meaning it is facing the full wrath of DWM with no resource focus on the game itself. Getting g-sync to work in this game seems pretty much impossible / it won't work, but doing it with the NVCP + NV Profile Inspector trick here might be able to pull it off? Being able to bypass or work better with DWM to prevent the ridiculous v-sync delay would be a huge benefit @ the 60fps locked game it is.

[jorimt]

Getting g-sync to work in this game seems pretty much impossible / it won't work

I happen to own Brawlhalla and just tested this, and I can confirm G-SYNC is fully engaged for me when the Brawlhalla profile in Inspector is set to "Fullscreen and Windowed."

I can't currently speak to input lag levels between various configurations in this particular game, as I've never tested it in that respect though.