Four QHD 360Hz G-SYNC Pulsar monitors receive firmware 1.1.8
NVIDIA has released firmware version 1.1.8 for its current G-SYNC Pulsar QHD 360Hz monitor lineup. The update is available for Acer Predator XB273U F5, AOC AGON PRO AG276QSG2, ASUS ROG STRIX Pulsar XG27AQNGV and MSI MPG 272QRF X36. NVIDIA’s update page also confirms that users can roll back to earlier firmware versions.
Lower input lag and 120Hz ULMB2 changes
The 1.1.8 firmware reduces input lag for 240Hz Pulsar and ULMB2 modes. It also improves 120Hz ULMB2 quality by switching to Global Flash instead of Rolling Scan, according to the NVIDIA staff changelog. ULMB2 stands for Ultra Low Motion Blur 2, NVIDIA’s second-generation backlight strobing mode for G-SYNC monitors. The monitor briefly flashes the backlight between refreshes instead of keeping it on continuously. This reduces perceived motion blur and makes moving objects look clearer.
G-Sync Pulsar FW 1.1.8
- ULMB2 Pulse Width slider for MSI and AOC Pulsar models
- workaround for issue where G-SYNC (and hence Pulsar) are no longer available after monitor sleep (apparently not fixed for all cases, driver side fix TBD)
- reduced input lag for 240 Hz Pulsar/ULMB2
- improved 120 Hz ULMB2 quality (Global Flash instead of Rolling Scan)
- misc bug fixes
The update also adds the ULMB2 Pulse Width slider for MSI and AOC Pulsar models. Previous firmware versions already supported several Pulsar fixes, including better operation in the 100 to 180 FPS range with version 1.1.6 and sub-90 FPS improvements with version 1.1.4.
Sleep issue workaround
Firmware 1.1.8 includes a workaround for an issue where G-SYNC and Pulsar could disappear after monitor sleep. NVIDIA notes that this may not fix all cases yet, with a driver-side fix still planned.
NVIDIA is also studying reduced input lag for 60Hz ULMB2 over DisplayPort and HDMI. Per-game NVIDIA App profiles for monitor mode and refresh rate are also listed as future items. This would allow profiles for G-SYNC, Pulsar, ULMB2 or no variable refresh mode.
Some requests are not planned for now
NVIDIA is not planning adjustable pulse width for Pulsar mode. The company says the variable refresh strobing algorithm is too complex to expose this option without adding flicker.
Pulsar operation below 75 FPS is also not planned. NVIDIA says it tested support down to 48 FPS, but the resulting flicker was not acceptable. The company is still investigating a two-second black screen issue with RTX 30 and RTX 40 cards at 360Hz. The current workaround is to set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance and reboot.
Source: NVIDIA G-Sync Pulsar Firmware
Many thanks to CriticalHit_NL for the tip!
