This post was most recently updated on March 29th, 2023
Introduction
You’ll come across a few displays promoting Nvidia’s G-Sync technology while looking for a gaming monitor. This display technology has gained much popularity since its release in 2013 and is now a common addition to many gamers’ setups. Even though G-Sync technology was launched a long time back, this premium display feature found in the top gaming monitors remains relatively expensive when compared to its competitors. But do you know why it’s so high-priced?
G-Sync requires monitor manufacturers to add a unique G-Sync module provided by Nvidia for it to function. This technology module can easily raise the monitor price by another $100 to $200 which is designed to provide a better experience at a higher refresh rate than other options. Setting up a G-Sync monitor is more difficult than setting up other monitors, which directly results in the high cost of this very flexible monitor.
G-Sync technology has been enhanced sufficiently and makes a substantial difference, especially if you have an NVIDIA GPU. The primary difference when it comes to G-Sync is the deduction in the tear screen and input lag. However, you are not required to spend quite so much money just to have a decent, smooth gaming experience. G-Sync has many more to provide; maybe, you would not need all it provides. So, proper research of the product is very crucial.
Advantages and Disadvantages of G-Sync Monitors
NVIDIA G-SYNC displays contain unique components providing a variable refresh rate (VRR) and variable overdrive compatibility with NVIDIA cards.
It comes with a bunch of advantages. However, this does not tell us whether G-Sync is worthwhile. Because along with being a powerful and expensive technology, it also has its downsides. Below, we will go over all of the advantages and weaknesses.
Advantages:
As we have stated above, technology has various benefits. Thus, without further ado, let us list out each of them;
- Premium Display: The G-Sync is one of the best display monitors that the market has to offer, which comes with an HDR display to provide you with a selection of rich colors that are fascinating to the bare eye. It also has an outstanding radiance and contrast ratio for a real experience.
- Decreased Input Lag: G-Sync monitors are a better alternative if you want smooth animation without tearing and are okay with minor delay. Since it has less input lag, numerous users select it for the exact reason. However, at 100 frames per second (fps) or greater, blur is usually non-existent, and input lag is very low.
- High Refreshing Rate: The g-Sync model is pre-determined and developed for higher resolution devices to give a competitive edge with refresh rates ranging from 75 Hz to 360 Hz. Additionally, certain of its models include a “Dual-Format” capability that resembles a 25″ Full HD experience.
However, screen tearing and stuttering are reduced by the adaptive refresh technique. Even at high refresh rates, you’ll experience smoother motion when gaming with a G-Sync display.
- Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB): In the upper range of the monitor’s supported refresh rates, ULMB contributes itself to a fixed frame rate. Nvidia created the Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) technology primarily to minimize screen motion blur.
When reducing motion blur is a major priority, ultra-low motion blur is best used. It can have a modest impact on overall picture quality. However, it is a helpful technique for activities like competitive gaming, where reducing screen motion blur is your primary objective.
- Wide Range of Colors: Especially in the advanced G-SYNC ULTIMATE tier, the DCI-P3 color gamut is supported by the monitors for a more accurate color reproduction with polished grades. As a result, the picture is brighter and has more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, which is precise enough to be applied for professional color grading requirements.
It offers remarkable HDR quality at this price point, comes with superb color saturation, and is correctly calibrated out of the box. Additionally, it has a great contrast ratio for an IPS display and is well-made.
Disadvantages:
As we have mentioned above, there are benefits and drawbacks to every product, therefore let’s look at a few drawbacks of G-Sync technology:
- High Cost: Why G-Sync is so pricey in comparison to other products on the market is one of the most frequent queries from customers. In many circumstances, you could just purchase a better display that is FreeSync/G-SYNC Compatible for the extra money you would have spent on a G-SYNC monitor.
Even though it lacks a G-SYNC module, it may feature a greater resolution, better panel, or a quicker refresh rate, giving a more delightful gaming experience all-around in comparison to G-SYNC.
- Compatibility: Customers also complain that one of the main drawbacks of G-Sync is that Nvidia’s Optimus technology lacks compatibility. Numerous laptops have Optimus, which changes graphics performance as needed to maximize battery life and give required power to programs that require plenty of graphics. One can buy an Optimus-capable or G-Sync-capable gadget, but there isn’t a laptop that can handle both.
Difference Between G-Sync and FreeSync
If you search for a gaming TV or a monitor, you will undoubtedly come across FreeSync or G-SYNC on the list. If you have any idea about what exactly is the differences, we will explain what it means and how the two technologies work.
If your top priorities while selecting a monitor are performance and image quality, G-Sync and FreeSync devices are available in a wide range of configurations to meet almost every requirement. Both G-Sync and FreeSync were designed to smooth out gameplay, avoid screen tearing, and reduce input lag; they are developed to perform the same task, although they do it in different methods. The basic dissimilarity between these two standards is the amount of input lag or tearing.
G-Sync is a closed technology featuring Nvidia technology, which only Nvidia has the authority to develop, and you need to visit them for this hardware. Nvidia has two inputs, HDMI and DisplayPort, where adaptive sync is only supported by DisplayPort. A unique scaler is used in G-Sync monitors, where the scaler stands for a piece of hardware that manufacturers must include in their displays to enable G-Sync. The scaler raises the price above comparable FreeSync solutions.
Whereas FreeSync is an open standard developed by AMD that does not require any specific hardware to be added to screens, and any manufacturer can take it to build monitors. In addition to being less expensive than G-Sync, FreeSync displays have more connectivity options, including older inputs such as DVI and VGA.
If you have an AMD card, you might feel that FreeSync is always the best option in terms of price because G-Sync is more expensive than FreeSync. However, FreeSync Adaptive-Sync performs as well as any G-Sync display. More expensive FreeSync displays feature blur reduction and Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), which further improves performance.
Is G-Sync Value for Money and makes a difference?
G-Sync monitors have a long and successful history of constantly providing a fantastic experience. You can’t go wrong with a G-Sync monitor for most applications, so choose the one that delivers the factors such as maximum refresh rate, response time, and contrast ratio.
But, talking about value for money, there is no exact answer. As we have stated above, various other less expensive options are designed to perform the same task. However, the process is different, and if you have a little more money to invest or are looking for the greatest display technology on the market, why not invest in G-Sync?
A FreeSync or G-Sync compatible display is the main alternative monitor for G-Sync. Because these technologies use the open and free Adaptive Sync standard, they are less expensive to implement and provide the same functions as G-Sync, but in somewhat different ways. Both of the systems provide comparable performance to NVIDIA G-Sync technology; therefore, choosing one of these over a G-Sync monitor may be more cost-effective.
However, choosing between G-Sync and other alternatives is also hard as it also differs depending on its case. For example, VRR is supported by G-Sync monitors even at very low refresh rates, although some alternative monitors do not. And alternative monitors with both ultra-low and ultra-high VRR framerate sync power might cost the same as a G-Sync monitor. If you choose the alternative, make sure they match the G-Sync excellency standards.
Wrapping Up!
Pointing back to the original query of why it is expensive, looking at all other adaptable sync technologies currently on the market are open standards and free of any sort of royalties. In comparison, the G-Sync technology employs a unique module that enables the display to operate at a greater refreshing rate. G-Sync technology has progressed significantly and is now undoubtedly stronger, primarily if you have an NVIDIA GPU.
We must clearly understand the market before investing a significant amount of money in purchasing one and why the market is popular talk of it. This technology is great for you if you enjoy playing eye-exciting visual games. On the other hand, it might not sound appealing to you if you are a competitive gamer who does not prioritize visual tricks and is only into having the best game performance.
The article above gives you a visual of when it’s worth it and when it’s not, and whether it will be a great choice for you or not.
