Why Pro Gamers Avoid G-Sync Monitors

Pro esports players tend to avoid G-Sync because the potential downsides like added input lag and frame rate limiting outweigh the benefits of tear-free visuals for competitive play. The need for max FPS and low response times is more important.

G-Sync is Nvidia‘s adaptive sync tech that matches the monitor‘s refresh rate to the GPU‘s frame rate output. This syncs up the frames to prevent screen tearing and stuttering. It works great when frame rates fluctuate or dip below the max refresh rate.

But esports pros competing at the highest skill levels surprisingly stay away from using G-Sync monitors. There are some clear reasons for this choice that we‘ll explore in detail:

G-Sync Causes Slightly Higher Input Lag

One of the main downsides of G-Sync is it can add around 1 – 6 ms of input lag according to DisplayNinja‘s testing. This is because the GPU has to hold each frame in a buffer until the monitor is ready to display it.

• "G-Sync adds minimal input lag – often 1ms but up to 6ms in some cases. This extra delay is unacceptable to pro gamers seeking the fastest response times."

While a few milliseconds may seem minor, professional gamers want every last bit of latency reduced for that competitive edge. Even 1 ms slower response could make the difference in reaction time.

Frame Rates Are Limited and Capped

G-Sync only helps when FPS is fluctuating under the max refresh rate of the monitor. Once you surpass the cap, such as 240 FPS on a 240 Hz screen, G-Sync stops working properly.

This frame rate limiting goes against most pros‘ priorities. Esports rigs are built to achieve unlocked FPS as high as possible for reduced input lag and faster response. Streamer Ninja explained he disables G-Sync to avoid capping his high FPS.

"I don’t use G-Sync because I want as many frames as possible." – Ninja

Limiting FPS via G-Sync introduces potential downsides like stuttering during transitions and lower overall performance. Gamers pursuing the maximum possible frame rates for competitive play prefer disabling G-Sync.

Minimal Tearing at Very High Frame Rates

G-Sync eliminates screen tearing, which is great especially under the max refresh rate. But with pro gaming rigs outputting over 200 FPS, tearing becomes much less noticeable and problematic.

At 240+ FPS on a 240 Hz monitor for example, any torn frames are on screen for just 4-5 ms, making them imperceptible. Pros are willing to accept this minimal tearing in exchange for unlocked higher frame rates.

Most Pro Gamers Opt for Monitors Without G-Sync

We can see the preference for performance over tear prevention in pro players‘ monitor choices:

• Acer Predator XB252Q – Used by top streamers Ninja, NickMercs, TimTheTatMan. 240 Hz without G-Sync.

• BenQ Zowie XL2546 – Popular 240Hz monitor without G-Sync among CS:GO pros.

• Alienware AW2518HF – Chosen by many Fortnite pros like Tfue. 240Hz without G-Sync.

The ASUS PG258Q is another example frequently seen in pro setups. This 240Hz gaming monitor offers lightning fast response without G-Sync.

G-Sync Monitors Cost $100-$200 More

The hardware G-Sync module adds significantly to the price of monitors. Equivalent G-Sync models cost $100-$250 more compared to monitors without the proprietary Nvidia tech.

Saving money on equipment is appealing for frugal esports pros. The same fast 240Hz or 360Hz monitors are available cheaper without G-Sync. Paying extra for adaptive sync is low priority.

Unlocked Frame Rates Have Advantages for Esports

Pros strongly prefer unlocking FPS over a synced, tear-free picture. There are performance and latency advantages to disabling G-Sync including:

• Removes input lag from G-Sync frame buffering
• Achieve higher overall frame rates without limit
• Avoid stuttering at upper/lower G-Sync range

The consensus among pro gamers is unlocked FPS provides a competitive edge over the limited, synchronized frames of G-Sync.

When Does G-Sync Benefit Competitive Gamers?

There are certain cases where G-Sync can still be beneficial for competitive gaming:

• Laptop gamers on 60-120 Hz screens with fluctuating FPS see smoother gameplay and reduced tearing.

• Console gamers hooking up high refresh monitors benefit since console frame rates often dip under 120/144 Hz.

• Certain game genres like RTS where FPS frequently drops under max refresh even on powerful rigs.

But for pros playing optimized shooters or battle royales at 200+ FPS, G-Sync remains unnecessary.

G-Sync Alternatives Like FreeSync Have Tradeoffs

FreeSync is the open adaptive sync standard from AMD available on certain monitors without proprietary hardware. It offers tear elimination similar to G-Sync without the added cost.

However, pro players still tend to avoid FreeSync. smoother frames generally aren‘t worth the tradeoff of potential input lag or lower performance. Unlocked FPS is strongly preferred.

Nvidia also certified select FreeSync monitors as “G-Sync Compatible”, meaning they work well with G-Sync on Nvidia cards. But again, the benefits of tear prevention are outweighed by the desire for max, unlocked frame rates.

My Take As an Expert Gamers

In my opinion as a tech specialist writing for Blogcadre, the choice comes down to priorities. Casual gamers will appreciate G-Sync‘s smooth, tear-free display. But the max FPS and low latency needed for competitive esports makes unlocked frames far more beneficial.

I can understand why many pro players and streamers choose to disable G-Sync in favor of performance. Just a few ms of input lag or lost frames per second matters when playing at the highest skill levels. They’re willing to sacrifice a bit of visual polish for any small competitive edge.

For most gamers, G-Sync isn‘t detrimental enough to avoid completely. But the tech does involve some performance tradeoffs. There are good reasons why pros chasing the highest FPS tend to stay away from using G-Sync monitors for tournaments and competitive play.