Guide: Enable Nvidia G-Sync on Unsupported FreeSync Monitors

When we think of “great gaming experience” on PCs, we know it must include high frame rates. You can get it with the Nvidia G-Sync tech, even on cheaper FreeSync monitors. Here’s a guide on how to enable the feature on different monitors.

How to Make FreeSync Monitors Get Nvidia’s G-Sync Feature?

Instead of buying a monitor with G-Sync built in and spend a ton of money on it, you can choose a FreeSync monitor compatible with G-Sync. You will be able to get the feature through software update. At the moment, 15 monitors can be upgraded.

But even if your monitor is not among those 15 models, you will be able to turn on G-Sync, but don’t expect them to be as good as the supported monitors.

According to Cameron Faulkner’s guide on The Verge, he tried G-Sync on a few unsupported monitors, and they all had a few issues – some were noticeable, some weren’t.

For example, the 32-inch AOC CQ32G1 worked fine at first, then he got some flickering during gameplay in Apex Legends and Metro: Exodus. In Yakuza 0, he got “choppy” frame rates, even though the game was less demanding. Meanwhile, another unsupported monitor – the Asus MG279Q got better results, with unnoticeable issues, although Nvidia’s G-Sync benchmark showed some tearing in the beginning.

Enable G-Sync on Unsupported Monitors

However, if you want to try enabling G-Sync on an unsupported monitor, follow these steps.

First, you must make sure you have a DisplayPort cable to get the highest performance.

1. Download and Install the latest GPU driver (from Nvidia website or GeForce Experience)
2. Open Nvidia Control Panel after the driver is installed.
3. Go to the side column at ‘Set up G-Sync.’ If you don’t see it, use the on-screen display on the monitor and switch on FreeSync.
4. There’s a box saying “Enable G-Sync Compatible” – check it and click “Apply.” You will see a message at the bottom where it says “Selected Display is not validated as G-Sync Compatible” – ignore it.
5. Go to the side column and select “Change resolution” and adjust them so that they are the highest option.

You can check if things work with the G-Sync benchmark you must download from Nvidia. Once G-Sync is active, the animation must not stutter or tear, but with unsupported monitors, it might give some mixed results. Try out G-Sync in some games and see if it works on your monitor. You will undoubtedly see it for yourself if you are better off without the feature or not. Remember, performance will depend on your PC configuration and the games you choose to play.