So, I just wanted to share my own impressions on Gsync. I got myself an Acer XB240H A. Even for a monitor of very average quality Gsync makes things expensive, this monitor which would normally sell for about $200 instead goes for $400. So it might help getting another point of view if you've been on the edge about it and you're a cheapskate like me. This is also my first HD monitor to have a refresh rate over 60hz (this is 144hz). I'll start by giving my personal view point. I can't stand input lag the most. Stuttering/juddering annoy me to no end. I'm very sensitive to these things. I've had to simply deal with tearing in firstperson shooters because the input lag would literally give me hand cramps, as I over compensate for the lack of precision. The last couple of years I did the whole 'limit your FPS to 58/59', which would only limit input lag by a small amount and add an insane amount of stuttering in some games. Ever since I've heard of Gsync being a thing I've been drooling over it saying "please be legit, please be legit". I'll start by saying, it's fking legit. For someone like me, it's like a whole new experience. There is no input lag, it's pretty much cost free vsync at any frame rate. No more frame limiting, you simply get the FPS you can muster out of your card (assuming it's under 144 FPS which is perfectly fine). You DO actually feel like you have the input and FPS of no Vsync... while having no tearing. That said, it doesn't magically make 30 or 40 FPS feel like 60 or something. Lower frame rates like 40 FPS are simply still susceptible to some input lag (you can't change the fact there is about a 30ms frame delay) and loss of fluid looking motion. That said, it still feels nicer, if you have ever tried mouse and keyboard with FPS locked to 30 and Vsync on the input lag is unbearable, that doesn't happen, the input lag still feel like Vsync is off. I'm in love, FPS limiting, Vsync (half or full), stuttering, and all the settings involved are finally a thing of the past for me. You might be curious about how it's setup, like I was. It's very simple. An option is added to the side of the NVCP called "Set up G-SYNC", the page is just a check mark to enable or disable it with some information about Gsync. When it's checked, you need to set the monitor you use Gsync on to your primary monitor, and the NVCP automatically sets the 3D Global profile with Vsync set to "G-SYNC" and "Desired Refresh Rate" to "Max possible". What this means is, with Vsync being Globally forced to Gsync, it is applied to every 3D application, and with Max possible Refresh Rate applied, even in application with artificial locks to keep the frame rate below your max refresh rate (in this case 144) this forces it to allow it to go beyond that with is good for older games. Like this, Gsync is used regardless as to whether or not Vsync is applied ingame or not. Sometimes you will need to turn on Vsync ingame to allow for full 144 FPS, so far that was only necessary in Metro Redux, Tomb Raider (so you can set the refesh rate to 144 in these games) and Smite (so you get rid of the 100 FPS cap). In other words, it's pretty much a 'set and forget' thing. Regardless what happens, you won't see tearing and you won't have input lag from Vsync. One thing to keep in mind, you can't use LightBoost and Gsync at the same time. Now to quickly go over this particular monitor (Acer XB240H A). I feel this is pretty important because this is pretty much as cheep as Gsync gets and we are still talking about shelling out $400 of your hard earned cash. It's 1080p and 144hz. The monitor is TN, obviously. It's very average in almost every way, but not really in a bad way. It comes with a rather short display port cable, which I'm using. It's Full RGB, 8 bpc, with built in dithering. Gradients look OK, I can see all shades of black, but no matter what the setting I can't distinguish the last two shades of white (in other words, on the grey scale I can see values 0-253). It has fairly accurate gamma assuming you calibrate it. It's a matte display, rather then gloss. Personally, I like removing glare, but I can understand how that would push some people away. Really, when it comes to it's picture the only real issue I have is how bright it is. It's WAY too bright. To the point where blacks are really grey looking. But proper settings alleviate this problem. The settings I use is, 38 Brightness, 48 Contrast, Gamma set to Gamming, and Color Temp set to Warm (I usually like just plain sRGB, but this monitor is very Blue by default). That's the best I could get it without the black being too grey and the whites getting too dim. The last thing I want to mention is OD (overdrive). It's a setting built into the monitor, and I assumed it was just PR talk. It's actually pretty nice, when set to normal it really does help limit motion blur, and with a 1ms response time things look pretty nice in motion even without LightBoost. I think that pretty much covers everything. I thought it would be stupid insane to get a monitor that cost more then my GPU (and considering my financial situation haha). But it was certainly worth it.
T H A N K you! A well described personal "review" of G-sync on a normal TN monitor. I am looking if I want to "invest" now on a "cheap" TN monitor just for all these gaming features than wait for monitor industry to offer more great IPS etc. You've pushed me one step forward to my decision for now days. Have you tried 3D or you don't even think buying 3D vision ?
3D isn't really something I'm interested in. When I'm putting out that much money I want something that I can use in ALL of my games (same reason why I refuse to use SLi). 3D for me is cool but can get annoying. 3D Vision, imho, aint worth $150 for something that I would only use as a curiosity, and only works some of the time because games have lacking support (or don't support at all). Not to mention the FPS hit... But hey, I guess the option is always there. Like LightBoost, something I won't really use but I can always play around with it (and that's not another $150 lol).
Nice write up. I feel pretty much the same way. G-Sync monitors are expensive, but they work. Playing a game with G-Sync enabled is like adding a SSD in your computer the first time. It's a whole new experience. I will add that the newer models that are set to come out will allow ULMB and G-Sync to be used at the same time and also have more inputs available to the user so if you wanted to plug an Xbox or Playstation in via HDMI on a different input you could. Obviously G-Sync wouldn't work with those though. 3D is a nice add-on but not necessary. I bought a 3D vision 2 kit after I got my Swift and while it worked well in quite a few games, it's not something I would use on a regular basis. And since you can't activate 3D and G-Sync at the same time, its pretty useless since G-Sync is more beneficial.
This is a nice write up. I have been watching vids on Gsync recently because, as I have mentioned numerous times on here, Acer is releasing a 34" and 35" curved display out around September.. I just recently found out that they are pushing to run those displays at 100hz where up till now they were saying that 75hz would be the max frequency. Either way though, those monitors come with Gsync and this a big reason why I'm so interested. From what I've seen, it may be the answer to my issues the same as how it is the answer for you.. I dont suffer from input lag as much, but even to see it eradicated completely is what dreams are made of. It may be more $, but I can totally see how it could be a game changer. I'm very excited to move into that space. This post just helps to get me hyped for it!
I really want G-sync in my next panel, but jesus it adds so much to the price. The freesync equivalent is nearly £200 cheaper for Asus.
I am(was?) aiming for a AOC G2460PG and then I've learned that they ****ed up their production line changing with their newer LOT the panel or to be specific the color reproduction. Something like revision 10A vs 10B, seems like they removed the green target on the bezel (Aoc's point gaming helper) above the button(we don't really care about it) and the colors are not so good as with first variant. The raelly bad thing is that boxes are the same,you don't see any difference so you don't know what you will get (from seller's screenshots you can't be sure ofc..). Only if it's available at a store and you see a green crosshair(bottom right as I've said,above the most left button) you know that you can get the "good" one.. I mean WHAT THE HECK ? Seriously this type of tricks make me very mad about today's marketing deps..you see with first released model they knew that it will be great for reviews,positive comments from earlier buyers etc and then BANG...!
Great write up. I've had one of these monitors for the past month or more and would agree for the price it's a good monitor. I've found image quality to be good overall with very little bleed from the backlight. Going from 60Hz to 144Hz really does feel like night and day. My only criticism would be that it has a very glossy bezel that comes out quite a way and when I'm using the Afterburner Overlay it reflects on the top left corner. I'll have to look into moving away a little.
