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Does G-Sync Work With HDMI?

Does G-Sync Work With HDMI?

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Yes, it does! But only if your screen is connected to an Nvidia graphics card-compatible system. 

Don’t worry, if you don’t have a compatible card yet, just drop by your local gadgets hub, Amazon, Walmart, or Target!

But wait!

Why use G-Sync? Do you need it? What will you need to use G-Sync?

Get ready, we’re here to talk about all of that.

There will be many techy-words thrown around, so we’re going to take it slow. 

If you want to learn more about G-Sync, keep on reading!

What is G-Sync?

Nvidia G-Sync is a type of display technology that techies use on their PC monitors, TVs, and laptops. G-Sync is a great option for fighting screen stuttering, tearing, and juddering, making it perfect for hardcore gamers and movie buffs.

It may sound new, but G-sync has been around since 2013. It even has three classes: 

  • G-Sync,
  • G-Sync Ultimate, and 
  • G-Sync Compatible.

Okay, we can sense that your eyes are starting to glaze over, but hold on a bit! We’ll talk about these tiers and how they help you get the premium experience when using your PCs.

ASUS VG278QR 27” Gaming Monitor 165Hz Full HD

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As we have mentioned, G-Sync helps improve your gaming and movie experience through features that allow you to take advantage of your monitor’s full display capability, lesser to no frame drops, HDR content, and seamless plays. 

G-sync can be a bit pricey when you’re buying things brand new. But we promise you, it’s worth the pretty penny!

G-Sync Ultimate

ASUS ROG Swift PG35VQ 35” Curved HDR Gaming Monitor

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G-Sync already comes with awesome perks such as smooth movie rides, and seamless gaming experiences. What more could you want? 

Well, it’s time to introduce you to G-Sync Ultimate. It has everything the “regular” G-Sync has, but better!

Unlike G-Sync, G-Sync Ultimate (formerly known as G-Sync HDR), is certified by Nvidia to run at its highest refresh rate. Thanks to its “advanced” Nvidia G-Sync processors, G-Sync Ultimate also runs multi-zone backlights, 1,000 nits max brightness, and DCI-P3 color gamut coverage!

The only downside is the price, as you can see when searching for G-sync compatible monitors  on Amazon. But hey! Sometimes you’ve got to pay for the quality and experience! 

G-Sync Compatible

MSI Optix MAG274R2 Full HD Gaming

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We know G-Sync Ultimate compatible monitors are pricey as heck but don’t worry, there is an option that’s a lot more budget-friendly: G-Sync compatible 

G-Sync compatible  essentially offers you most of the perks you get to experience with its pricier brethren, but with a few downsides. 

Some things you can’t do with your G-Sync compatible displays are:

  • Overclocking
  • Ultra-low motion blur
  • Variable overdrive

Wait, that’s it? 

Yep. So, if you are on a budget, and don’t mind a few frame drops, then the G-Sync compatible options are for you.

How Does G-Sync Work?

If you hate screen tearing, then you should check G-Sync out. 

Smooth game-plays, flawless transitions, and zero frame drops are some of the reasons why people invest in G-Sync in the first place.

They have a variable refresh rate, which means they can send video frames from your source (PC or game console) as fast as it can to your display monitor. What’s even better is that it can sync their refresh rates (both the minimum and maximum) with that of the system’s Nvidia graphics card. 

What’s more, if you have 144Hz, expect that you will be getting exactly 144Hz because G-Sync can match your monitor’s MAXIMUM refresh rate! Yes! Doesn’t that sound awesome?

Check out this video comparing G-sync vs. V-sync v. No-Sync Stutter Test!

G-Sync Vs V-Sync Vs No-Sync | Stutter Test

You’re probably excited to give G-Sync a go, but which tier should you choose, and what will you need to make them work?

If you want to learn about that, keep on reading!

How Do I Make G-Sync Work with HDMI?

Firstly, you will need a G-sync compatible monitor. The bright side here is that you don’t need to spend a lot if you choose this option!

Any G-sync compatible monitor will do . But we recommend that you upgrade if you want the premium experience.

You also need to make sure that the GPU you are using is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16 series, NVIDIA RTX 20 series, or higher. 

ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked 6GB Dual-Fan Evo Edition VR Ready HDMI DisplayPort DVI Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1660S-O6G-EVO)
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 XC ULTRA GAMING, 8GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED Graphics Card 08G-P4-2173-KR
EVGA 06G-P4-2068-KR GeForce RTX 2060 KO Ultra Gaming, 6GB GDDR6, Dual Fans, Metal Backplate
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked 6GB Dual-Fan Evo Edition VR Ready HDMI DisplayPort DVI Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1660S-O6G-EVO)
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 XC ULTRA GAMING, 8GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED Graphics Card 08G-P4-2173-KR
EVGA 06G-P4-2068-KR GeForce RTX 2060 KO Ultra Gaming, 6GB GDDR6, Dual Fans, Metal Backplate
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked 6GB Dual-Fan Evo Edition VR Ready HDMI DisplayPort DVI Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1660S-O6G-EVO)
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked 6GB Dual-Fan Evo Edition VR Ready HDMI DisplayPort DVI Graphics Card (DUAL-GTX1660S-O6G-EVO)
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 XC ULTRA GAMING, 8GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED Graphics Card 08G-P4-2173-KR
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 XC ULTRA GAMING, 8GB GDDR6, Dual HDB Fans & RGB LED Graphics Card 08G-P4-2173-KR
EVGA 06G-P4-2068-KR GeForce RTX 2060 KO Ultra Gaming, 6GB GDDR6, Dual Fans, Metal Backplate
EVGA 06G-P4-2068-KR GeForce RTX 2060 KO Ultra Gaming, 6GB GDDR6, Dual Fans, Metal Backplate

Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

By the way, you also have to make sure that your TV or monitor supports HDMI 2.1  and that you have an HDMI 2.1 cable  on hand.

Anyways, let’s get to the steps:

  1. Connect your monitor via HDMI to your NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16 series  or a higher GPU.
  2. Next, check your monitor’s internal settings. Look for the variable refresh rate functionality and enable the HDMI 2.1.
  3. Right-click on your PC and choose the “NVIDIA control panel” option
  4. Select display. Then select “set up G-Sync”
  5. Choose “enable”, then click “apply”.

If you don’t own a G-Sync compatible TV, these steps will still be helpful as long as your TV or monitor supports variable refresh rates through HDMI 2.1.

Just a disclaimer, though  – it’s not 100% sure that the variable refresh rates will work as smoothly if you use a non-G-sync compatible TV.

Conclusion

Is it worth investing in G-Sync? 

There’s no one right answer to that. Sure, seamless playing can be awesome, but not everyone is a gamer, streamer, or action-movie enthusiast. 

If your only purpose for your PC is for documents and PowerPoint presentations, then you may not need G-Sync features. 

But if you’re going to be doing more “heavy-duty” projects such as video editing, animation, and major photo editing, then G-Sync will be your best friend!

FAQs:

What Are Some G-Sync Compatible Monitors?

We know you’re on a budget. So here are a few budget-friendly monitors:

  • Acer XFA240 Gaming Monitor
  • LG 27GL83A 27 Inch Ultra Gear QHD IPS Gaming Monitor
  • Acer Predator XB273K 27” UHD Monitor
  • LG 27GL850-B 27 Inch Ultragrear QHD Gaming Monitor
  • LG 27GL63T Ultragear 27” Class FHD IPS Gaming Monitor
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr 24" Gaming G-SYNC Compatible Monitor 1920 x 1080, 144hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time with Height, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt, Black
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL83A-B - IPS 1ms (GtG), with HDR 10 Compatibility, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync, 144Hz, Black
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr 24" Gaming G-SYNC Compatible Monitor 1920 x 1080, 144hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time with Height, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt, Black
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL83A-B - IPS 1ms (GtG), with HDR 10 Compatibility, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync, 144Hz, Black
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr 24" Gaming G-SYNC Compatible Monitor 1920 x 1080, 144hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time with Height, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt, Black
Acer XFA240 bmjdpr 24" Gaming G-SYNC Compatible Monitor 1920 x 1080, 144hz Refresh Rate, 1ms Response Time with Height, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt, Black
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL83A-B - IPS 1ms (GtG), with HDR 10 Compatibility, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync, 144Hz, Black
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL83A-B - IPS 1ms (GtG), with HDR 10 Compatibility, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync, 144Hz, Black

Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Acer Predator XB273K Gpbmiipprzx 27" UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible Monitor with VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400, Quantum Dot, 144Hz,...
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL850-B, Nano IPS 1ms (GtG) with HDR 10 Compatibility and NVIDIA G-SYNC, 144Hz, Black
LG 27GL63T Ultragear 27" Class FHD IPS G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor (Renewed)
Acer Predator XB273K Gpbmiipprzx 27" UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible Monitor with VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400, Quantum Dot, 144Hz,...
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL850-B, Nano IPS 1ms (GtG) with HDR 10 Compatibility and NVIDIA G-SYNC, 144Hz, Black
LG 27GL63T Ultragear 27" Class FHD IPS G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor (Renewed)
Acer Predator XB273K Gpbmiipprzx 27" UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible Monitor with VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400, Quantum Dot, 144Hz,...
Acer Predator XB273K Gpbmiipprzx 27" UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible Monitor with VESA Certified DisplayHDR 400, Quantum Dot, 144Hz,...
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL850-B, Nano IPS 1ms (GtG) with HDR 10 Compatibility and NVIDIA G-SYNC, 144Hz, Black
LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL850-B, Nano IPS 1ms (GtG) with HDR 10 Compatibility and NVIDIA G-SYNC, 144Hz, Black
LG 27GL63T Ultragear 27" Class FHD IPS G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor (Renewed)
LG 27GL63T Ultragear 27" Class FHD IPS G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor (Renewed)

Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

How do I Know if G-sync is Working?

To verify if G-Sync is running for your game, go to your NVIDIA Control Panel menu bar and click “Display”.

Then click the “show indicator for G-Sync” option to find out if your G-sync feature is turned on or not. 

Is G-Sync and FreeSync the same?

FreeSync is what G-Sync is to AMD. They both use the VESA’s Adaptive-Sync protocol but you can only use G-Sync with an Nvidia graphics card, and Freesync will only work with an AMD graphics card.

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