Nvidia just added adaptive refresh rates to GeForce Now, its cloud gaming service. The new technology, called Cloud G-Sync, works on PCs with Nvidia GPUs first and foremost, but also on Macs. These include Macs with Apple Silicon, as well as older models with Intel processors and AMD GPUs. On the Windows PC side in general, Intel and AMD GPUs will not be supported at this time. Nvidia also made one more change to GeForce Now that makes testing much easier — it introduced day cards.
Cloud G-Sync’s variable refresh rate (VRR) feature will synchronize your display’s refresh rate to match the frame rates you achieve while gaming with GeForce Now. Nvidia’s new cloud solution also uses Reflex to reduce latency regardless of frame rates. Enabling VRR in GeForce Now will provide a significant boost by reducing screen tearing and stuttering, improving the overall gaming experience on PCs and laptops that typically can’t keep up with some titles. To achieve this, Nvidia uses its proprietary RTX 4080 SuperPODs.
However, Nvidia’s new technology still has very high hardware requirements, all things considered. To use Cloud G-Sync, you’ll need a GeForce GTX 16-series or RTX 20-series (or newer) graphics card. As mentioned, Intel and AMD GPUs are currently not supported, but Mac users are in for a treat. Any Mac with Apple silicon can run it, as can some older Intel-based models, including the 2019 Mac Pro with Radeon Pro GPUs. You can see the full list of compatible hardware Nvidia’s website.
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Additionally, you’ll need a solid gaming monitor that supports VRR and can output refresh rates above 60Hz. The monitor must also support G-Sync (or be compatible with G-Sync), AMD FreeSync or Apple ProMotion. Additionally, you cannot perform a multi-monitor setup, as Cloud G-Sync only supports one monitor.
If your PC ticks all these boxes and you want to get a boost in AAA titles with GeForce Now, the only obstacle standing between you and those sweet high frame rates is the fact that you have to pay for the Ultimate subscription level . Normally, this costs $20 a month or $100 for 6 months, but Nvidia just added day passes to GeForce Now subscriptions.
Now you’ll be able to try GeForce Now without having to commit to an expensive subscription. The $4 Priority Day Pass gets you a six-hour play session and lets you run games at 1080p and up to 60 frames per second (fps). Meanwhile, the $8 Ultimate Day Pass lets you play for eight hours at a time, in up to 4K resolution, up to 120fps, and with Cloud G-Sync enabled. Both plans allow you to use the full 24 hours, only in increments of six and eight hours.
The addition of VRR is great, as is Reflex, but perhaps the best part of today’s announcement is that Nvidia is finally making GeForce Now easier to try out without spending money on another subscription. This will be useful for gamers who want to dip their toes in first before signing up, but also those who only occasionally need the help of GeForce Now.
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