G-SYNC Compatible Explained: Using FreeSync Monitors with Nvidia GPUs

Got a powerful Nvidia GPU but staring at a FreeSync monitor, wondering if you've made a costly mistake? Relax. For years, silky-smooth, tear-free gaming meant shelling out for a pricey G-SYNC monitor. But times have changed. Thanks to Nvidia's G-SYNC Compatible program, you can unlock buttery variable refresh rate (VRR) performance on many FreeSync screens.

Let's break down how this tech works and how you can get it running in minutes. 🚀

MSI PRO MP275 E2 27-inch IPS 1920 x 1080 (FHD) Gaming Office Monitor, 120Hz, Free-Synch, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA Port, VESA Mountable, Tilt, Speaker, 4-Side Slim Bezel 1ms, Black / 9S6-3PD3CM-029

R2599.00In Stock

Lenovo ThinkVision Monitor S22E-20 21.5 Inch / 1920x1080 Resolution / Non Touch / 4 ms Response Time / 62C6KAT1SA

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AOC 22B2HN, 21.5 Inch (54.6 cm) LED 1920 x 1080 Pixels Ultra Slim Monitor with 3 Sided Frameless Design, Va Panel, Hdmi/Vga Port, Full Hd, 7 Ms Response Time, 75 Hz Refresh Rate, Flicker Free, Black / AOC-22B2HN

R2099.00In Stock

Alienware AW3225DM - 32" Curved Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh Rate / QHD (2560x1440) / 1ms (GTG Extreme Mode) Response Time / AMD FreeSync / AW3225DM

R6499.00In Stock

AOC AGON AG275QXR 27" QHD 2K 170Hz Gaming Monitor - Pink - 2022 Edition ,IPS, Flicker-free technology, AMD FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible / AOC-AG275QXR

R6999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 24 FHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare Display / AMD FreeSync Premium / Pivot Rotation and Height Adjustable / 780D9AS

R5199.00In Stock

What Exactly is G-SYNC Compatible?

At its core, G-SYNC Compatible is Nvidia's way of validating FreeSync monitors that deliver a solid baseline VRR experience with their GeForce GPUs.

So, what’s VRR? It allows your monitor's refresh rate to dynamically match the frames-per-second (FPS) your graphics card is pushing out. This eliminates ugly screen tearing and stuttering, especially when your frame rate fluctuates.

Previously, this required a special G-SYNC hardware module inside the monitor, which added to the cost. FreeSync, an open standard from AMD, offered a more affordable alternative but was locked to AMD GPUs. Now, the G-SYNC Compatible program bridges that gap, using the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard (which FreeSync is built on) to bring VRR to Team Green users on a wider, more affordable range of PC monitors.

Samsung M70D 32″ Smart Monitor / UHD (3840 x 2160) Resolution / 60Hz refresh rate / 4ms response time / LS32DM702UAXXA

R7799.00In Stock

AOC Q27G4/WS 27" Gaming Monitor - White / QHD (2560 × 1440) / 200Hz Refresh Rate / 0.3ms Response Time / IPS-Level Display / Certified HDR400 / Support Adaptive Sync / Q27G4/WS

R4899.00In Stock

Dahua LM32-E330CA 32" 180Hz LED Monitor / Adaptive-Sync Technology / 1ms Response Time / QHD 2560x1440 / 180Hz Refresh Rate / DHI-LM32-E330CA

R3999.00In Stock

ViewSonic TD1655 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Portable Touchscreen Monitor / Ultra-portable Design / Advanced in-cell Capacitive Touchscreen / 2-Way Power With USB Type-C / Frameless Design / Portrait and Landscape Modes / dual integrated speakers / TD1655

R5199.00In Stock

LG 27" UltraGear 4K UHD (3840x2160) Gaming Monitor, 144Hz, 1ms, VESA DisplayHDR 400, G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, 4-Pole HP Out DTS HP:X, Tilt/Height/Pivot Stand, Black / 27GR93U

R9999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 27qs QHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor / QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height Adjustable Stand / Pivot Rotation Functionality / 780J4AS

R13499.00In Stock

How to Enable G-SYNC on Your FreeSync Monitor

Ready to give it a try? The process is surprisingly simple, provided you meet a few requirements: an Nvidia GeForce 10-series GPU or newer, and the latest Nvidia drivers.

Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Connect via DisplayPort: This is crucial. Ensure your monitor is connected to your GPU using a DisplayPort cable.
2. Enable FreeSync on Your Monitor: Dive into your monitor's on-screen display (OSD) menu. Find the setting for Adaptive-Sync or FreeSync and make sure it's turned on.
3. Open Nvidia Control Panel: Right-click your desktop and select "NVIDIA Control Panel".
4. Set Up G-SYNC: In the left-hand menu, navigate to "Display" > "Set up G-SYNC".
5. Enable and Apply: Check the box for "Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible". Choose whether you want it for full-screen mode only or for windowed and full-screen mode. Click "Apply".

Your screen might flicker for a moment, and that's it! You're now using your FreeSync monitor with an Nvidia GPU. ✨

Does Official Certification Matter?

Nvidia maintains an official list of certified G-SYNC Compatible monitors. These are screens they have personally tested to ensure they provide a flawless VRR experience without flickering, blanking, or other artifacts. Choosing a certified monitor from our list of all gaming monitors is the safest bet for guaranteed performance.

But what if your monitor isn't on the list? You can still manually enable the feature using the steps above. Many unlisted FreeSync monitors work perfectly fine. However, performance isn't guaranteed, and you might encounter issues. It's a bit of a lottery, but one that often pays off.

ViewSonic VA240A-H 24" Monitor / FHD (1920 x 1080) Display resolution / 1ms Response Time / HDMI and VGA inputs / 120Hz Variable refresh rate / VA240A-H - UK Adapter Included

R1949.00In Stock

Philips 49B2U5900CH 49" Dual QHD Curved Business Monitor / Dual QHD (5120 x 1440) / 4ms Response Time / Flicker-Free / LowBlue Mode / 49B2U5900CH/89

R23499.00In Stock

AOC CU34G4 34" Curved Gaming Monitor / UWQHD (3440x1440) / 180Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms Response Time (MPRT) / HDR10 / Adaptive Sync / CU34G4

R6999.00In Stock

Dahua LM32-E330CA 32" 180Hz LED Monitor / Adaptive-Sync Technology / 1ms Response Time / QHD 2560x1440 / 180Hz Refresh Rate / DHI-LM32-E330CA

R3999.00In Stock

AOC Q27G4/D 27" Gaming Monitor / QHD (2560 × 1440) / 200Hz Refresh Rate / 0.3ms Response Time / IPS-Level Display / Certified HDR400 / Support Adaptive Sync / Q27G4/D

R3899.00In Stock

HP 524SA G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94C36AS

R4199.00In Stock

Choosing the Right Panel for Your Setup

The beauty of the G-SYNC Compatible program is the explosion of choice it gives South African gamers. You're no longer locked into a small ecosystem.

• For Immersion: The wraparound view of curved monitors combined with smooth VRR is a potent combination for racing sims and epic RPGs.
• For Detail: If you're running a top-tier RTX card, pairing it with one of the latest high-resolution 5K and 4K monitors delivers breathtaking visual fidelity, and G-SYNC Compatible ensures it stays smooth even if your FPS dips below that native 4K target.
• For Flexibility: Even the niche world of portable monitors is seeing more high-refresh-rate options, perfect for a LAN party or a powerful on-the-go laptop setup.

Ultimately, using a FreeSync monitor with your Nvidia GPU is one of the best value-for-money upgrades you can make. You get a premium gaming feature without the premium price tag.