Nvidia promises to deliver a feeling of 1000 Hz on an LCD screen with its G-Sync Pulsar technology. We were able to test it on the AOC AG276QSG2 screen and have a lot to say about it. Here is our review.
Revealed 2 years ago by Nvidia, G-Sync Pulsar technology has been eagerly awaited. An evolution of the G-Sync standard, it promises motion clarity close to 1000 Hz in some cases, targeting a specific group of players.
After experiencing it at various events, where unfortunately the time was too short to form a definitive opinion, we were finally able to test it extensively on one of the first G-Sync Pulsar models.
Here are our impressions of the technology on the AOC AGON PRO AG276QSG2 screen, an LCD model fully compatible with Nvidia’s technology.
What’s the issue with LCD screens?
G-Sync technology is Nvidia’s variable refresh rate (VRR) solution. The screen refresh rate adapts to the game’s frame rate to avoid any screen tearing. Whether you’re at 60 FPS or 180, a G-Sync compatible screen synchronizes with all frame rate variations.
While their VRR technology provides a cleaner and more robust visual experience, G-Sync Pulsar addresses another need. The technology aims to eliminate one of the inherent flaws of LCD and OLED displays: motion blur.
This motion blur is caused by two factors on an LCD screen: the relatively slow transitions of liquid crystals and the image persistence on the retina. To address this issue, screen manufacturers have offered solutions based on backlight strobing.
By interposing a black image with a classic image, these backlight strobing solutions aim to “cleanse” the retina for better visual experience. However, these solutions often come with limitations, such as the inability to activate variable refresh rates. G-Sync Pulsar aims to solve this issue by offering a more modern and permissive alternative.
How does G-Sync Pulsar work?
Nvidia previously offered its own backlight strobing technology with ULMB / ULMB 2 (Ultra Low Motion Blur) on some competitive screens. G-Sync Pulsar now arrives as an evolution, or at least a more modern and flexible alternative.
The technology is based on three independent techniques that work together to provide superior image clarity on an LCD screen.
The first technique is progressive scanning (or rolling scan). With G-Sync Pulsar, the screen is divided into several horizontal sections that the backlight can illuminate independently. Each section is “pulsed” at a constant speed just before the LCD pixels are updated for the next image.
To counter the flicker caused by the frame rate variation, Pulsar adds a brief secondary pulse to each screen segment, but only when the refresh rate varies. This additional pulse aims to move the flicker beyond human perception.
All G-Sync Pulsar screens are equipped with Variable Overdrive functionality, which adjusts the stress on liquid crystals to accelerate their transition to another state (color/brightness). This adjustment adapts to your refresh rate and applies section by section to ensure optimal motion clarity in every situation.
Nvidia claims that G-Sync Pulsar reduces the screen’s image persistence time by a factor of 4, translating into a fourfold improvement in perceived motion clarity. The 360 Hz screen we tested could potentially exceed 1000 Hz in perceived smoothness once the feature is activated.
And in-game, how does it perform?
The AOC AG276QSG2 screen we tested, a 360 Hz model, offers ultra-smooth fluidity. Testing G-Sync Pulsar on such a screen confirms that the technology is primarily aimed at a target audience of competitive players with sharp and demanding eyes.
I personally tested it for several long gaming sessions with three titles: Overwatch 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Anno 117. While it’s logical to test Pulsar on competitive games, the technology can also be beneficial for games with complex scenes and dynamic camera movements.
As an immersive experience is crucial for some game types, it may not benefit as much from Pulsar as fast-paced FPS games do.
Testing the response times of the screen in its basic settings, we can affirm that this AOC screen provides excellent response times: between 1 and 3 ms. And beyond 360 Hz, entering the “law of diminishing returns” territory makes the benefits harder to perceive.
Once G-Sync Pulsar is enabled through the screen menu, the screen displays a black screen for a few seconds without affecting the content displayed. The screen then adopts its brightest setting at 500 cd/m², which can be adjusted later.
Tests on Overwatch 2, CS2, and Anno 117
Having played Overwatch for 10 years, the slight increase in comfort is noticeable with Pulsar. The technology provides undeniable visual clarity, even at 360 Hz, acting as a bonus rather than a major fix.
Counter-Strike 2 also benefits from a technology like Pulsar, even with its less chaotic gameplay. At over 600 FPS while remaining at 360 Hz, the technology brings a welcome comfort along with almost non-existent input lag.
Similarly, playing a game like Anno 117, with dense and detailed environments, shows some positive points with Pulsar. Navigating a map no longer causes motion blur, especially in complex city scenes.
While we could test the screen’s response times in its basic settings (between 1 and 3 ms), it is currently impossible to synthetically test this motion clarity without additional equipment.
G-Sync Pulsar features variable overdrive settings, making it impossible to capture response times accurately at different refresh rates.
What about lower refresh rates?
By default, G-Sync Pulsar deactivates below 90 frames per second (or 90 Hz), with an optional setting at 75 frames per second. Nvidia claims that even at these “lower” frame rates, a flicker due to the backlight pulsation may be noticeable.
We tested the screen at 240, 120, and even 100 Hz. At 240 Hz, the experience remains comparable to 360 Hz, with slightly lower fluidity and perception. It is when approaching 100 frames per second that the benefits of G-Sync Pulsar become evident.
Activating Pulsar doesn’t increase fluidity; that’s the job of the refresh rate. But keeping the feeling of 120 Hz, the difference made by Pulsar is more noticeable. Dynamic elements like text, characters, and effects no longer cause motion blur for a better overall visual comfort.
I believe that this is where Nvidia’s technology will be most useful for the general public, rather than on 360 Hz screens. However, a keen eye is required to appreciate the offering fully.
Not suitable for OLED displays
G-Sync Pulsar relies entirely on the backlight strobing of an LCD panel. In contrast, OLED pixel emits their own light without a backlight.
Turning off OLED pixels would literally halve the brightness. While LCD screens can compensate for this darkening with strobing, OLED screens already have near-instantaneous response times, benefiting from any refresh rate.
Although OLED screens could benefit from a technology like G-Sync Pulsar, their response times are already an advantage on any refresh rate.
While they can rely on black frame insertion, it remains incompatible with any variable refresh rate solution.
A promising technology, but not for everyone
After many hours of testing, G-Sync Pulsar’s qualities are clear: improved motion clarity and readability, suitable for both fast-paced FPS games and strategy games. These improvements may not be as noticeable at very high frequencies, catering more to competitive gamers.
G-Sync Pulsar addresses a real limitation of LCD screens, meeting the needs of a significant portion of gamers. If you appreciate the slightest visual advantage, specifically in terms of blurring and ghosting, then Pulsar will convince you.
However, Nvidia’s technology might not be for everyone. While differences are easy to spot side-by-side with Pulsar activated on two screens, they may be less apparent during gameplay.
Hopefully, Pulsar will become a standard for competitive LCD screens in the future and be featured on other types of panels like Mini-LED or even OLED displays.
