Key takeaways
- Right-click the desktop and open the NVIDIA App or Control Panel.
- Go to Display, then Set up G-Sync.
- Tick Enable G-Sync and choose full-screen and windowed mode.
- Under Manage 3D Settings, set Monitor Technology to G-Sync Compatible.
What's inside
Screen tearing ruins otherwise gorgeous gameplay, and variable refresh rate technology is the fix. G-Sync and FreeSync both sync your monitor’s refresh rate to your GPU’s frame output, eliminating tearing and stutter without the input lag of traditional V-Sync. The good news for 2026: enabling it takes about three minutes once you know where to click.
This guide covers the exact steps for both NVIDIA and AMD cards, the cable and port requirements people forget, and how to confirm the feature is actually running. Whether you own a Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 or an ASUS TUF Gaming 240Hz panel, the process is nearly identical.
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Confirm Your Hardware Supports It
Almost every gaming monitor sold since 2022 supports FreeSync, and most are also G-Sync Compatible. Check the box or spec sheet. Panels like the INNOCN 24.5″ 1440P 240Hz or the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM5A explicitly list G-Sync Compatible certification. Your GPU matters too: any RTX card or Radeon RX 6000-and-newer handles VRR fine.
Use the Right Cable and Port
This trips up more people than any menu setting. For high refresh rates at 1440p or 4K, use DisplayPort 1.4, not the HDMI cable that came in the box. A VESA-certified cable such as a Capshi 8K DisplayPort 1.4 cord guarantees the bandwidth for 240Hz. HDMI 2.1 also carries VRR, but DisplayPort remains the most reliable path for PC gaming.
Enable It for NVIDIA Cards
- Right-click the desktop and open the NVIDIA App or Control Panel.
- Go to Display, then Set up G-Sync.
- Tick Enable G-Sync and choose full-screen and windowed mode.
- Under Manage 3D Settings, set Monitor Technology to G-Sync Compatible.
Enable It for AMD Cards
Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, select Gaming, then Display. Toggle AMD FreeSync on. On multi-monitor setups, enable it per display. If your KTC 27″ 240Hz curved panel has a FreeSync setting in its own on-screen menu, switch that on too so both ends agree.
Verify It Is Actually Working
Enable the in-game frame rate and refresh-rate overlay, or use a VRR test pattern. When VRR is active, your monitor’s reported refresh rate tracks your live FPS instead of sitting fixed at 60 or 144. Many monitors also show a VRR or Adaptive-Sync indicator in their OSD menu.
Tips
- Cap your FPS a few frames below your max refresh (e.g. 141 on a 144Hz panel) to keep VRR engaged.
- Keep V-Sync on in the driver but off in-game for the lowest-latency tear-free result.
- Update your GPU driver and monitor firmware before troubleshooting.
- Some panels only support VRR on DisplayPort, not HDMI, so check the manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use FreeSync with an NVIDIA card?
Yes. Since 2019 NVIDIA cards support the Adaptive-Sync standard, so a FreeSync monitor works as G-Sync Compatible after you enable it in the driver.
Does G-Sync add input lag?
No meaningful lag. VRR actually reduces the latency you would get from traditional V-Sync while removing tearing, which is why competitive players leave it on.
Why is my VRR not working after enabling it?
Nine times out of ten it is the cable or port. Switch to a certified DisplayPort 1.4 cable and make sure the monitor’s own OSD FreeSync toggle is on.
Should I cap my frame rate with VRR?
Yes. Capping a few frames below your maximum refresh keeps frames inside the VRR window and prevents tearing at the very top of the range.
Conclusion
Enabling G-Sync or FreeSync is a five-minute job: certify the monitor supports it, connect a proper DisplayPort 1.4 cable, flip the toggle in your GPU software, and cap your frame rate just under the panel’s ceiling. The payoff is tear-free, buttery-smooth motion that makes even older games feel new.
