Fullscreen or Full Screen Windowed?

[Jamie]

Do you get a better resolution with Fullscreen? Im using a 144hz 1440p LG with FreeSync turned on.

[UCHIA]

Every game should be played in Fullscreen mode, for better performance and of course better image quality.

[RodroG]

For getting the best raw performance and frametime consistency, I'd recommend using fullscreen overall.

Technically, if you choose the full-screen mode in-game, you will use full-screen optimized display presentation mode (FSO), not the legacy full-screen exclusive presentation mode (FSE). FSO is the current default MS hybrid-presentation mode on Windows 10, and it purportedly offers the functionality and performance benefits of both exclusive full-screen and borderless windowed presentation modes.

You can read an interesting performance analysis on FSO vs. FSE vs. Borderless Windowed, using VRR and comparing the raw performance and frametime consistency of these presentation modes:

Windows 10 Fullscreen Optimizations vs Fullscreen Exclusive vs Borderless Windowed (DX11 based): Comparing Performance And Approximate Latency.

In DX11 games (and some DX9+ games) like Days Gone, you can disable FSO by disabling Fullscreen Optimizations on a per-game (exe) basis and enabling full screen in-game.

[Hanzema]

Originally posted by RodroG:

For getting the best raw performance and frametime consistency, I'd recommend using fullscreen overall.

Technically, if you choose the full-screen mode in-game, you will use full-screen optimized display presentation mode (FSO), not the legacy full-screen exclusive presentation mode (FSE). FSO is the current default MS hybrid-presentation mode on Windows 10, and it purportedly offers the functionality and performance benefits of both exclusive full-screen and borderless windowed presentation modes.

You can read an interesting performance analysis on FSO vs. FSE vs. Borderless Windowed, using VRR and comparing the raw performance and frametime consistency of these presentation modes:

Windows 10 Fullscreen Optimizations vs Fullscreen Exclusive vs Borderless Windowed (DX11 based): Comparing Performance And Approximate Latency.

In DX11 games (and some DX9+ games) like Days Gone, you can disable FSO by disabling Fullscreen Optimizations on a per-game (exe) basis and enabling full screen in-game.

Did you test the game with and without full screen optimization? And if so do you recommend one over the other?

[Jamie]

Originally posted by Fordon Greeman:

Originally posted by RodroG:

For getting the best raw performance and frametime consistency, I'd recommend using fullscreen overall.

Technically, if you choose the full-screen mode in-game, you will use full-screen optimized display presentation mode (FSO), not the legacy full-screen exclusive presentation mode (FSE). FSO is the current default MS hybrid-presentation mode on Windows 10, and it purportedly offers the functionality and performance benefits of both exclusive full-screen and borderless windowed presentation modes.

You can read an interesting performance analysis on FSO vs. FSE vs. Borderless Windowed, using VRR and comparing the raw performance and frametime consistency of these presentation modes:

Windows 10 Fullscreen Optimizations vs Fullscreen Exclusive vs Borderless Windowed (DX11 based): Comparing Performance And Approximate Latency.

In DX11 games (and some DX9+ games) like Days Gone, you can disable FSO by disabling Fullscreen Optimizations on a per-game (exe) basis and enabling full screen in-game.

Did you test the game with and without full screen optimization? And if so do you recommend one over the other?

I think that was a Developer. It sounds like they know what they're talking about.😆😎

[Jamie]

Originally posted by RodroG:

For getting the best raw performance and frametime consistency, I'd recommend using fullscreen overall.

Technically, if you choose the full-screen mode in-game, you will use full-screen optimized display presentation mode (FSO), not the legacy full-screen exclusive presentation mode (FSE). FSO is the current default MS hybrid-presentation mode on Windows 10, and it purportedly offers the functionality and performance benefits of both exclusive full-screen and borderless windowed presentation modes.

You can read an interesting performance analysis on FSO vs. FSE vs. Borderless Windowed, using VRR and comparing the raw performance and frametime consistency of these presentation modes:

Windows 10 Fullscreen Optimizations vs Fullscreen Exclusive vs Borderless Windowed (DX11 based): Comparing Performance And Approximate Latency.

In DX11 games (and some DX9+ games) like Days Gone, you can disable FSO by disabling Fullscreen Optimizations on a per-game (exe) basis and enabling full screen in-game.

Thanks 😊! This is great info. I never knew this i will be researching this today!

[space]

i prefer borderless cause i often alt tab to do other stuff.

[Jamie]

Originally posted by RodroG:

For getting the best raw performance and frametime consistency, I'd recommend using fullscreen overall.

Technically, if you choose the full-screen mode in-game, you will use full-screen optimized display presentation mode (FSO), not the legacy full-screen exclusive presentation mode (FSE). FSO is the current default MS hybrid-presentation mode on Windows 10, and it purportedly offers the functionality and performance benefits of both exclusive full-screen and borderless windowed presentation modes.

You can read an interesting performance analysis on FSO vs. FSE vs. Borderless Windowed, using VRR and comparing the raw performance and frametime consistency of these presentation modes:

Windows 10 Fullscreen Optimizations vs Fullscreen Exclusive vs Borderless Windowed (DX11 based): Comparing Performance And Approximate Latency.

In DX11 games (and some DX9+ games) like Days Gone, you can disable FSO by disabling Fullscreen Optimizations on a per-game (exe) basis and enabling full screen in-game.

Just tried reading that and was overwhelmed. I don't understand anything so a TL:DR would be much appreciated lol.

[Hanzema]

Originally posted by CharmCitysKing:

Originally posted by Fordon Greeman:

Did you test the game with and without full screen optimization? And if so do you recommend one over the other?

I think that was a Developer. It sounds like they know what they're talking about.😆😎

But did he say something that would answer my question?

[Comburo]

Originally posted by space:

i prefer borderless cause i often alt tab to do other stuff.

I run it fullscreen and alt-tab works fine.
I've never had issues with alt-tab and fullscreen really. A friend of mine had issues with RE8, where his FPS would drop considerably after an alt-tab, but I had no issues myself.

The only reason I would use full-window would be be able to use the mouse when the game is paused, without needed to alt-tab (I have two monitors).
And I have to run SW:TOR in full-window, otherwise the I get massive stutters for some reason.

And doesn't GSync, of FreeSync require fullscreen? Of am I confusing this with HDR?

[space]

it's not that there's an issue with alt tab and fullscreen, it's just faster in borderless.

and no, freesync works fine in borderless for me. hdr does require exclusive fullscreen, though.