On Tuesday, NVIDIA announced an exciting collaboration with MediaTek that promises to make its G-Sync technology more accessible by integrating it directly into MediaTek’s future monitor scalers. This groundbreaking move will eliminate the need for a standalone G-Sync module, paving the way for advanced gaming features to become available across a wider range of monitors.
Traditionally, enhancing gaming displays with G-Sync relied on a dedicated module, essentially an Altera FPGA, to sync the GPU’s output with the monitor’s refresh rate. This set-up effectively reduced common issues like screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag. To offer a more budget-friendly alternative, NVIDIA rolled out the G-Sync Compatible certification in 2019, using the VESA AdaptiveSync technology. This allowed for variable refresh rates without a dedicated module, making monitors less expensive and assuring buyers that the displays meet NVIDIA’s performance standards when paired with their GPUs. However, some high-end features remained exclusive to monitors using the G-Sync module.
This partnership with MediaTek aims to change that. MediaTek’s upcoming scalers will incorporate the full range of G-Sync technologies, including the new G-Sync Pulsar, which improves motion clarity and minimizes ghosting for an even smoother gaming experience. Beyond Pulsar, these scalers will support variable refresh rates, variable overdrive, 12-bit color depth, Ultra Low Motion Blur, low-latency HDR, and Reflex Analyzer features. This allows manufacturers to offer full-fledged G-Sync functionality without resorting to expensive hardware.
The first batch of monitors to feature complete G-Sync support without the NVIDIA module includes models like the AOC Agon Pro AG276QSG2, Acer Predator XB273U F5, and ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQNR. These displays boast impressive specs with 360Hz refresh rates, 1440p resolution, and HDR compatibility.
What remains uncertain is exactly which MediaTek scalers will adopt NVIDIA’s G-Sync features—or whether MediaTek plans to roll this out across all their future scalers. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if monitors equipped with the traditional NVIDIA G-Sync modules continue to hold any edge over those using the new integrated solutions from MediaTek.
