GSYNC vs. ULMB for Gaming

GSYNC or ULMB?


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Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
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Which do you prefer?

ULMB has the biggest wow factor for me. Even with a ROG Swift, 144Hz GSYNC still blurs. But turn on ULMB and all of a sudden the backgrounds come in sharp focus.

It kind of seems like a waste of money to have a GSYNC monitor and not use it though. So I guess I'll have to experiment with it some more. But for me, blur free > screen tearing.
 
I haven't experienced G-sync nor ULMB but I've rarely had issues with screen tearing with V-sync off and I've been all over the map hardware-wise.
 
Well, this is sort of tricky. Obviously, if you could get more than 120 fps on the game that you play on the resolution of your monitor, ULMB is obviously best. Even 90 fps or above ULMB is probably better. G-Sync is greatest especially when you're only getting 60 fps or less. Between 60 and 90 fps is where you must make a choice between G-Sync and ULMB. I suppose this depends on the game. But the dream condition is to always be above 90 fps, where ULMB would be better.

If your question ties into the ROG Swift, is it worth more than a motion blur reduction monitor that works with any video source and you're getting more than 90 fps, then the question is what resolution would you like to play. If 1440p is your answer, then get the Swift. If 1080p is your answer, then get in on the Eizo panel lottery for pretty much superior everything.
 
What happens to ULMB at low frames? Stutter?

P.S. I already have a Swift I was just trying to get the general consensus on which option gamers prefer.
 
What happens to ULMB at low frames? Stutter?

P.S. I already have a Swift I was just trying to get the general consensus on which option gamers prefer.

Same as on a CRT at low FPS, except low fps in this case would be around 60.
 
If you can maintain the frame rate at the target refresh rate, ULMB, otherwise if you can't, then G-Sync.
 
I've been thinking about pulling the trigger and buying the RoG Swift for a triple monitor setup. What issues, if any have you guys had with this monitor? I've read reviews and see it's a mixed bag with this. I don't want to drop $800+ on one (let alone x3) just to have to deal with QA issues.
 
I'd argue that anyone who runs high end hardware in their pc (which is most people on this forum) will see very little benefit from G-sync in day to day use. I think it brings the entry level and mid tier PC's to another level of quality entirely, but i also don't see anyone with a budget of ~800 dollars on a PC dropping the SAME amount on a monitor.

G-sync is a welcome technology for sure, but its simply not able to compete with ULMB for high end gains. Free-sync on IPS and similar technologies will be much more use to the enthusiast market IMO.
 
Kind of wish there was a cheaper Swift without the GSYNC module. Because again, why pay the premium for GSYNC if you run ULMB all the time?
 
Kind of wish there was a cheaper Swift without the GSYNC module. Because again, why pay the premium for GSYNC if you run ULMB all the time?

I'd pick one up in the ~600 dollar range (if they could get it in stock) instantly. Its a great monitor all around, i just can't justify the price vs something like an XL2720Z.
 
I'd argue that anyone who runs high end hardware in their pc (which is most people on this forum) will see very little benefit from G-sync in day to day use. I think it brings the entry level and mid tier PC's to another level of quality entirely, but i also don't see anyone with a budget of ~800 dollars on a PC dropping the SAME amount on a monitor.

G-sync is a welcome technology for sure, but its simply not able to compete with ULMB for high end gains. Free-sync on IPS and similar technologies will be much more use to the enthusiast market IMO.

I watched the new COD game using G-sync last weekend. It was running on a single GTX970 and overclocked 4770K. It was the most fluid I have ever seen a game run before. I'm currently trying to find one in stock. As the Swift literally blew me away. :)
 
I watched the new COD game using G-sync last weekend. It was running on a single GTX970 and overclocked 4770K. It was the most fluid I have ever seen a game run before. I'm currently trying to find one in stock. As the Swift literally blew me away. :)

Yup. I've been on a huge "next-gen" game binge since putting together my X99 970 SLI system. Only one of those six games I've played was able to hold 120 fps @ 1440p (Alien Isolation). But it benefited from g-sync after being down-scaled from 4k to eliminate its extreme aliasing.
 
Yup. I've been on a huge "next-gen" game binge since putting together my X99 970 SLI system. Only one of those six games I've played was able to hold 120 fps @ 1440p (Alien Isolation). But it benefited from g-sync after being down-scaled from 4k to eliminate its extreme aliasing.

And a very nice system it is. ;)
 
lol they're kind of orthogonal. they're different solutions to different problems, which currently cannot be used together

gsync is to ensure that there is smooth motion regardless of framerate variations.
ulmb/backlight strobing is to reduce eye-tracking motion blur in motion that is already smooth (e.g web browser scrolling).

if you can't maintain framerate at least as high as refresh rate, ulmb is kinda pointless as you'll still see stutters and motion blur will look like double images whenever the same frame is displayed in two refreshes


biggest wow factor?
a good crt. no lag, even less motion blur than ulmb/strobing/whatever other than a minor phosphor trail, completely perfect viewing angles, deep blacks, colors don't change unlike lcds which become screwy when refresh rate changes or when you toggle strobing. and ability to heat up your room in the winter,
 
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Since you have to use either or and G-Sync is as expensive as it is, that's why I've thought about picking up this very well reviewed new LG 144Hz with strobing ("Motion 240"): http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2014/test-lg-24gm77-b.html

I guess ULMB will look pretty much the same as this LG has to offer. For me personally I'd also think ULMB generally would be more useful for me since I'm really out to get the smoothest possible motion (CRT feel) which ULMB or strobing can offer.

Not that having G-sync would be a bad thing especially for demanding new games but still, the cost is making me very hesitant.

The LG is attractive to me because:

- Cost, a bit over 300€ (EDIT: 270€(!) on overclockers.uk) as opposed to 500€~650€ for G-sync monitors (24-27")
- It's flicker-free
- Strobing / Motion 240
- I personally prefer 24" for 1080p
- Appears to have decent colors for a TN
- 4-setting response time control (RTC)
- Some form of input lag reduction feature (Dynamic Action Sync (DAS) mode)
- That grainy sturdy industrial frame look around the screen I like that also reduces reflections (I fell in love with that on my work LG 22" monitor I used in the past)
- Height/pivot adjustment
- Black stabilizer (for more serious online play)
- Huge amount connectivity: D-sub / DVI-DL(Dual-Link) / HDMIx2 / DP1.2 / Headphone jack / USB Hub

^ To me sounds like a good deal.
 
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seems like it has very good overdrive control with the medium setting

the input lag isn't any different from the asus vg248qe or benq 24***
 
ULMB is better if you can maintain at least a constant 85 fps (set your default refresh rate to 85 if you're playing a game that can't maintain 120, otherwise it will stutter). It looks best if you can stand the dimness that comes with setting the pulse width down to 50, or as low as possible.

GSYNC is better at highly variable fps.


They each have a different area of application so comparing them directly isn't really doing the loser justice, but under ideal circumstances ULMB produces better image clarity than GSYNC.

That said, since I only have one 780ti sc I rarely get to use ULMB at its full potential. I have GSYNC on way more often when gaming.
 
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