Question VSync Enabled or Disabled with GSync/Freesync?

[aleader]

I picked up an LG 32QK500-W (1440p, IPS, 75Hz, Freesync) from Costco for $269 CDN the other day...couldn't resist at that price...only lasted half a day and disappeared. I have a GTX 1070. I have it hooked up via displayport to support GSync compatibility. Freesync is enabled on the monitor, GSync in Nvidia Control Panel (NCP). Everything seems to be working fine in the games I've tested (I think...hard to tell really). I tried the Pendulum demo and it 'seems' to work. I couldn't tell much difference having GSync or VSync enabled in that with the frames capped at 75.

As the title states, my question is do I need to enable/disable VSync anywhere? There's the option now in the Global settings in NCP to enable/disable/adaptive VSync, and there's also in-game of course. I've searched google, went on the steam forums and asked, and all I get is wildly different opinions on this. I seached this site and didn't find anything relevant. I can't believe this isn't a basic thing explained on the AMD/Nvidia sites. I'm really just guessing when I set games up now.

From my research it seems I need to enable VSync in NCP and then disable it in-game as otherwise Freesync won't work at all. I did notice in my testing with DCS World that when my FPS jumps above 75 when in-cockpit, there does seem to be tearing when I look left to right (VSync disabled in NCP and in-game as I use a profile in order to have AA in-game).

I also tested Hunt Showdown and Insurgency, but didn't see any tearing in those (with VSync disabled in game, but enabled globally - set to ON). I do have those set to Ultra settings and don't go above 75fps very often however. I've read this is because VSync should only kick in above your refresh rate with Freesync enabled, so you'd see tearing with it disabled.

I've also read to set your FPS cap to -3fps below your refresh, scrap that and just use RIVA Tuner, and that it makes no difference at all whether VSync is on or off.

Thoughts?

 

[alcoholbob]

Seems like the consensus is -2fps on RTSS and vsync on with gsync enabled. That's how I've run it so far with no issues.

 

[aleader]

Seems like the consensus is -2fps on RTSS and vsync on with gsync enabled. That's how I've run it so far with no issues.

Where do you enable VSync? In NCP or in-game or both? Do you turn it to On or Adaptive in NCP? I'm assuming 'application-controlled' is the same as turning it off? If you turn it on in both, does one just cancel the other out?

The description of 'Adaptive' on Nvidia's site suggests that it turns on above your refresh and off below it, which would seem the better option with GSync/Freesync enabled, if it actually works like that in practice.

 

[Tup3x]

When G-Sync Compatible is enabled there isn't option for adaptive v-sync. It's either on, off or application controlled. Personally I keep it on and disabled in games.

 

[aleader]

When G-Sync Compatible is enabled there isn't option for adaptive v-sync. It's either on, off or application controlled. Personally I keep it on and disabled in games.

Right, didn't realize that. So you have to turn it to On for GSync/Freesync to work or does it not make any difference on or off in NCP settings (i.e. does it cancel VSync out)? How would one test that? Just see if the framerate remains the same in-game?

 

[Tup3x]

If you set it on in CP then it will turn on when the frame rate goes above the refresh rate so that there's no tearing. I haven't tested if no disables in game v-sync.

 

[RLGL]

Who would have thought the monitor would have to be compatible with the video card, it seem we have come to that point. That's progress????

 

[aleader]

If you set it on in CP then it will turn on when the frame rate goes above the refresh rate so that there's no tearing. I haven't tested if no disables in game v-sync.

Ok, but I thought that is what 'Adaptive' was for? Do you know this for fact (have you seen it 'officially' written anywhere)? Not trying to be a smart*ss, I would just like to know if anyone has found it written anywhere. I'm having this issue right now in my recently purchased IL2 BOS. Wildly different answers (even from the developers) on what to set where when it comes to VSync/GSync.

 

[Tup3x]

Ok, but I thought that is what 'Adaptive' was for? Do you know this for fact (have you seen it 'officially' written anywhere)? Not trying to be a smart*ss, I would just like to know if anyone has found it written anywhere. I'm having this issue right now in my recently purchased IL2 BOS. Wildly different answers (even from the developers) on what to set where when it comes to VSync/GSync.

There's no adaptive v-sync option when you use G-sync. Only application controlled, off, on or fast. So, basically when you use have G-sync enabled on is the same as adaptive v-sync. If there's adaptive v-sync option visible then G-sync/G-sync compatible is not enabled.

Easiest way to prevent tearing and make sure things works properly: Disable in game v-sync, enable v-sync (on or fast) from Nvidia CP and enable G-Sync.