For the last couple of years, Nvidia has had some stringent requirements for monitors in order for them to be classified as ‘G-Sync Ultimate’. Previously, gaining this classification from Nvidia required HDR with at least 1000 nits of peak brightness, in addition to a few other requirements. In late 2020, it looks like Nvidia quietly lowered the barrier to entry for monitors seeking G-Sync Ultimate certification. 

Back at CES 2019, Nvidia made some changes to the G-Sync ecosystem, splitting it into three tiers. The lowest tier is G-Sync Compatibility, which is essentially enabling FreeSync on Nvidia graphics cards. Then, G-Sync Premium was the middle tier, these monitors would use Nvidia’s G-Sync modules for an improved experience. These displays would also be subject to colour calibration and image quality tests. Finally, G-Sync Ultimate was announced with the following spec requirements:

• + 1000 nits brightness
• highest resolution + highest Hz
• Ultra-low latency
• Multi-zone backlight
• Wide color gamut
• Advanced NVIDIA G-Sync processor

As spotted by PCMonitors on Twitter (via Videocardz), Nvidia has since adjusted the public-facing language behind G-Sync Ultimate, removing mentions of 1000 nit peak brightness. Instead, G-Sync Ultimate now requires “lifelike HDR, stunning contrast, cinematic colour and ultra-low latency gameplay”.

It has been pointed out that recently, Nvidia has classified DisplayHDR 600 and DisplayHDR 400 monitors as G-Sync Ultimate whereas previously they would have been ineligible. Nvidia has not stated anything publicly about this yet, but if you spot a G-Sync Ultimate monitor in 2021, it sounds like it won’t necessarily be held to the same standard as G-Sync Ultimate displays from pre-November 2020 or 2019.

KitGuru Says: How many of you keep your eye out for branding like ‘G-Sync Ultimate’ or ‘FreeSync Premium Pro’ when buying a new monitor?

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