[Guide] Optimal G-Sync/Freesync Settings for LSFG

[Nisser Blahman]

The following guide applies for those with an NVIDIA GPU and a G-Sync/Freesync monitor. The general concept of the guide can still be used for AMD GPUs, however. I just don't know the names of the equivalent settings. Follow the guide EXACTLY for the proper results.

MONITOR SETTINGS:
- Enable G-Sync/Freesync

NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL SETTINGS (SET UP G-SYNC TAB):
- Enable for fullscreen

NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL SETTINGS (FOR GAME):
- VSync: Use the 3D application setting
- Low Latency Mode: On (to slightly reduce latency, especially if GPU-bound)
- [Skip if using RTSS] NVIDIA frame rate limiter: Cap for optimal frame times and stable FPS (ex. 60/48/30 FPS, depends on game and what your GPU can sustain with LSFG running)

NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL SETTINGS (FOR LOSSLESS SCALING):
- VSync: On (here's why, see "Turn off VSync" section)
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra (necessary in order to automatically cap frame rate and slightly reduce latency)
- [Skip if using Low Latency Mode for LS] NVIDIA frame rate limiter: Cap to 3 FPS below maximum refresh rate

GAME SETTINGS:
- Set to borderless fullscreen or windowed mode (NOT fullscreen/fullscreen exclusive)
- VSync: Force off
- Frame rate limiter: Unlimited/highest possible/off

LOSSLESS SCALING FRAME GENERATION SETTINGS:
- Performance Mode: On (lower GPU usage at a negligible cost in visual quality)
- Sync mode: Off (allow tearing)
- Max frame latency: 1
- G-Sync support: On
- Capture API: DXGI (fall back to WGC only if you are having issues)

RTSS SETTINGS:
If you are not using the frame rate limiter in the NVIDIA Control Panel to cap your GAME'S FPS, then you can use RTSS instead. I generally use RTSS because of the reflex support and the superior frametimes, but in reality it is only marginally better than NVIDIA's solution. Use whichever one you prefer.
- Framerate limit: Cap for optimal frame times and stable FPS (ex. 60/48/30 FPS, depends on game and what your GPU can sustain with LSFG running)
- Setup>General>Compatibility properties>Enable framerate limiter: NVIDIA reflex
- Make sure all RTSS-related overlays are turned OFF, as this may interfere with Lossless Scaling

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
- RTSS will only apply to the GAME, not Lossless Scaling, so use the NVIDIA frame rate limiter or Low Latency Mode to cap the LSFG frame rate.
- I personally cap most games to 48 FPS using RTSS and use X3 mode to bring my FPS to 144. If you have GPU headroom for more "real" frames, feel free to increase the cap. For example, this would mean for me that a game is running at 75 FPS, and using X3 mode becomes 138 FPS because LSFG is capped using Low Latency Mode on Ultra. I have a 144 Hz monitor.
- If Low Latency Mode is causing issues in your GAME you can try turning it off. This may be the case for CPU-bound games specifically.
- If there are glaring issues with a game's frame pacing when using RTSS or NVIDIA's frame rate limiters, you may try using the game's frame rate limiter instead.
- These settings have worked well for me in games such as Dark Souls II, Dark Souls III, Black Ops III, and Minecraft on a GTX 1060. All systems are different so your mileage may vary with this guide.
- My system is heavily tweaked to provide the lowest latency and smoothest frame times and I have no issues with the above settings. However, if you are still having issues with G-Sync/Freesync with LSFG even after the troubleshooting steps mentioned above it may be the game engine not being cooperative or a broader issue with your system itself.

[RunForRest]

Thx for this, im not sure how the frame limit thing of nvidia translates to AMDs Adrenalin, it has the chillfuntion and fps limit, but the fps limit seems to to be an overall setting and not game specific (and only works for non windowed). And the chillfunction doesnt work together with Anti-Lag.
Will fiddle around more, but this post is still really helpful trying to understand how this all might work together.
Would help if u really added this to guides so one can favorite this and have it saved that way as bookmark

[Rizzly]

Originally posted by Nisser Blahman:

NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL SETTINGS (FOR LOSSLESS SCALING):
- VSync: On (here's why, see "Turn off VSync" section)
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra (necessary in order to automatically cap frame rate and slightly reduce latency)

what does it change using these?
you mean like that? https://imgur.com/lR4E4CX

[Xavvy]

Don't use low latency. it's out dated. reflex via rtxx/special k is better. ULLM barely works on most modern games and causes massive stability issues. It's basically only in the options in NVCP for legacy reasons as it works well with a lot of older games.

[M]

does not work for me, so I play without, so its smooth. I only have a gsync compatible freesync screen, so maybe thats the issue. when I force using the setting, sometimes in games I push a "wave of textures" in front of me, which means kinda warping, followed by a huge frame drop. without the setting on in LS, all is fine. does not bother me, tho.

[ßαdger ¢aur]

" For example, this would mean for me that a game is running at 75 FPS, and using X3 mode becomes 138 FPS because LSFG is capped using Low Latency Mode on Ultra. I have a 144 Hz monitor."
This just doesnt happen, not matter how I set it up, using EXACTLY what you have mentioned or not, LS will never cap itself, having 75 fps and using x3 will always result in LS displaying 75/225, even using a frame cap in NVCP for LS it still doesnt cap it.

I also have a 144hz monitor btw

[Gizzmoe]

Originally posted by ßαdger ¢aur:

having 75 fps and using x3 will always result in LS displaying 75/225, even using a frame cap in NVCP for LS it still doesnt cap it.

I also have a 144hz monitor btw

For a 144hz monitor you would use a 47fps cap for x3 framegen or 71x2, 75x3 doesn't make sense. You get 225 fps because you either disabled Vsync or you sat Max Frame Latency to >1.

[ßαdger ¢aur]

Originally posted by Gizzmoe:

For a 144hz monitor you would use a 47fps cap for x3 framegen or 71x2, 75x3 doesn't make sense. You get 225 fps because you either disabled Vsync or you sat Max Frame Latency to >1.

I know about what i should set it to for the 'optimal' limit, but i was referring to what OP mentioned about how the frame cap works, and no it just doesnt work like that. Ive followed the steps exactly and also tried other methods and it will never cap your framerate with a buffer below like he claims

[Gizzmoe]

Originally posted by ßαdger ¢aur:

it will never cap your framerate with a buffer below like he claims

It should work, is Vsync on and Max Frame Latency 1?

[Jo2]

LS FG to work flawless cant push 100% GPU, other way u will have inconsistant performance try to lock it at stable FPS first .

[Isaiah53†Jesus Saves!]

Just a suggestion but if someone else experiences flicking while using g-sync, Max frame latency: 2 fixes this.

[ßαdger ¢aur]

Originally posted by Gizzmoe:

Originally posted by ßαdger ¢aur:

it will never cap your framerate with a buffer below like he claims

It should work, is Vsync on and Max Frame Latency 1?

Yeah I triple checked everything, its really annoying me why it seems like im the only one with this issue. Even if I use NVCP to cap my fps much lower just to test it, it just ignores that and my fps still shoots as high as it can with or without the FG from LS, I have no clue why.
im very familiar with this sort of tech as well so its not like im missing something simple

[Gizzmoe]

Originally posted by ßαdger ¢aur:

its really annoying me why it seems like im the only one with this issue

It's no big issue, because it's simply a bad idea to try what the OP wrote, it f*cks up the framepacing. Just cap the game according to your refresh rate and framegen multiplier, stay a few fps below max refresh.