What Is G-Sync, How It Differs From FreeSync and How to Turn It On

If you’ve ever seen the image “split” while turning the camera in a game, you’ve seen screen tearing. G-Sync is NVIDIA’s fix for it, and one of the technologies behind the monitors streamers use (see what monitor streamers use).

The problem: tearing and V-Sync

Your monitor refreshes at a fixed rate (60, 144, 240 Hz…), but your graphics card produces frames at a variable rate. When a new frame arrives mid-refresh, you see parts of two images at once: tearing.

The classic fix is V-Sync: the graphics card waits for the monitor. It ends tearing but adds lag, and if FPS drop below the refresh rate it causes stutter.

What G-Sync does

G-Sync flips it around: the monitor waits for the graphics card. Every time a frame arrives, the monitor refreshes. The result is no tearing, no V-Sync stutter and much less latency. This is called variable refresh rate (VRR).

G-Sync tiers

According to NVIDIA, there are three:

• G-Sync Ultimate: dedicated module and certification for high-brightness HDR.
• G-Sync: monitors with NVIDIA’s G-Sync module, validated across the full refresh range.
• G-Sync Compatible: monitors using the open Adaptive-Sync standard that NVIDIA has tested and validated. The most common today.

G-Sync vs FreeSync

FreeSync is AMD’s version, based on the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard. In practice most current monitors work with both brands: a FreeSync monitor can usually run as G-Sync Compatible on NVIDIA, and a G-Sync Compatible monitor works with FreeSync on AMD.

How to enable it (recommended settings)

1. Connect the monitor via DisplayPort (or HDMI 2.1 if it supports VRR over HDMI).
2. Enable FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync in the monitor’s menu.
3. In NVIDIA Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC, enable it for full screen (and windowed if you like).
4. In Manage 3D settings, keep V-Sync on in the control panel and off in-game.
5. Cap FPS about 3 below your refresh rate (e.g. 141 on a 144 Hz monitor) using the game’s limiter, NVIDIA’s, or NVIDIA Reflex.

This combination, recommended by Blur Busters’ testing, keeps FPS inside the G-Sync range at all times, with no tearing and the lowest latency.

Do I need it?

If your FPS move up and down (almost always in demanding games), G-Sync or FreeSync greatly improve smoothness. In competitive shooters with FPS far above the refresh rate, some players disable it to shave latency; we cover that in what is input lag.

FAQ

What is V-Sync?+

An option that makes the graphics card wait for the monitor to finish drawing each image before sending the next. It removes tearing but adds lag, and stutters when FPS drop below the refresh rate.

Does G-Sync work with AMD cards?+

G-Sync Compatible monitors use the Adaptive-Sync standard, so they usually work with FreeSync on AMD cards too. Monitors with a dedicated G-Sync module are designed for NVIDIA.

Is G-Sync worth it for competitive gaming?+

Yes, if set up correctly: with G-Sync on and FPS capped slightly below refresh, you get a tear-free image with latency very close to playing without sync.

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Sources

1. NVIDIA: G-SYNC monitors and certification tiers
2. AMD: FreeSync technology
3. Blur Busters: G-SYNC 101, input lag tests and settings

Last reviewed: November 5, 2026