This article is a guide to help GeForce NOW Ultimate members set up their Windows PC for the best streaming experience.
For other platforms, please view these other guides:
- macOS https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5225
- SHIELD https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5226
- Android https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5227
- Chromebook https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5397
- Samsung TV https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5410
WINDOWS
Regional Availability
Before you get started, make sure to check the Service status website to ensure GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships are available in your region. Note that we also require your latency to be less than 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but we recommend less than 40ms. Please make sure you have run our in-app network test to measure your latency. We do not recommend using Speedtest, or other internet speed test services, as they do not test your speed to our data centers.
Before you get started, make sure to check the Service status website to ensure GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships are available in your region. Note that we also require your latency to be less than 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but we recommend less than 40ms. Please make sure you have run our in-app network test to measure your latency. We do not recommend using Speedtest, or other internet speed test services, as they do not test your speed to our data centers.
Internet Speed Requirements
GeForce NOW requires at least:
- 45 Mbps for 4K resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x2160)
- 35 Mbps for UW QHD & QHD resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x1440 or 2560x1440)
- 35 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 240 FPS (i.e. 1920x1080)
- 25 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 60 FPS
- 15 Mbps for HD resolutions at 60 FPS
We also recommend a hardwired Ethernet connection, or a router with a 5 GHz WiFi connection.
Hardware Requirements
You will need a PC running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later. And a GPU with decoding performance to support the highest resolutions and frame rates available with the Ultimate membership.
Note: Some of these settings are only available on the native PC app and are not supported when streaming directly from a Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser on play.geforcenow.com.
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HDR or 10-bit Color Precision
Visit this knowledgebase article for more information on setting up HDR or 10-bit color precision
Visit this knowledgebase article for more information on setting up HDR or 10-bit color precision
AV1 Support
AV1 streaming with the GeForce NOW Ultimate membership requires an AV1 capable GPU including:
AV1 streaming with the GeForce NOW Ultimate membership requires an AV1 capable GPU including:
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Cloud G-SYNC Support
NVIDIA Cloud G-SYNC is a technology that helps to synchronize the refresh rate of your display with the streaming frame rate to reduce screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother cloud gaming experience. View this detailed guide on how to set up Cloud G-Sync on GeForce NOW.
NVIDIA Cloud G-SYNC is a technology that helps to synchronize the refresh rate of your display with the streaming frame rate to reduce screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother cloud gaming experience. View this detailed guide on how to set up Cloud G-Sync on GeForce NOW.
Monitor, Port, and Adapter Requirements
Members with any type of monitor or notebook will immediately see performance and latency reductions with the Ultimate membership. However, if you would like to experience 120 FPS or 240 FPS for ultra smooth streaming with the lowest latency on GeForce NOW, we recommend a monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate, or higher, such as an NVIDIA G-Sync monitor.
Members with any type of monitor or notebook will immediately see performance and latency reductions with the Ultimate membership. However, if you would like to experience 120 FPS or 240 FPS for ultra smooth streaming with the lowest latency on GeForce NOW, we recommend a monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate, or higher, such as an NVIDIA G-Sync monitor.
If you have a monitor that runs at a refresh rate higher than 60Hz, you will need to adjust your refresh rate to take advantage of the higher FPS. There is a great guide on Windows Central that covers how to change monitor refresh rate.
In general, we recommend you select the maximum refresh rate that your monitor supports, even if it is more than 120Hz. For instance, if you have a 144Hz monitor, set the desktop refresh rate to 144Hz. We also recommend enabling G-Sync if your monitor supports it.
Next, check your PC for a compatible video port to output to your monitor. You will need to connect to the monitor using USB-C with DisplayPort/Thunderbolt, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, or DisplayPort. We find that connecting the monitor via USB-C to DisplayPort provides the best experience.
- USB-C
- Check your USB-C port to see if it has a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt logo or icon. If it does, you can use either to connect to your monitor.
- If you do not see the logo, you may need to check your PC’s manual or specifications. You may also want to update your system’s firmware to see if that improves support.
- HDMI
- An HDMI port that supports HDMI 1.4 for 1080p, or HDMI 2.0 or later for 2560x1440 or higher resolution, is required to connect to your monitor.
- Please consult your manufacturer for your PC’s specifications.
- DisplayPort
- GPUs with a full-size DisplayPort may be used, as long as the system supports DisplayPort 1.2 to connect to your monitor.
- Mini DisplayPort
- GPUs with a Mini DisplayPort can be used, as long as the system supports DisplayPort 1.2 to connect to your monitor.
Once you have selected a port, you may need to use an adapter to connect your PC to the monitor. Some notebook users might want to use a docking station, or a hub, to connect to their notebook. Make sure you check the specifications of those devices, as not all of them are capable of outputting at 4K, UW QHD and/or 120Hz.
As a reminder, we recommend most users try one of the following DisplayPort connections from their PC to the monitor.
- Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C: Thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort adapter, or a Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI 2.0 adapter.
- Mini DisplayPort: Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter or this one.
- DisplayPort: An adapter to output DisplayPort from the PC to a monitor is not required if the port and cable support DisplayPort 1.2
GeForce NOW Streaming Settings
You have the option of adjusting your streaming quality settings from the GeForce NOW menu. To access these settings, launch the app and go to Settings > Streaming Quality.
You have the option of adjusting your streaming quality settings from the GeForce NOW menu. To access these settings, launch the app and go to Settings > Streaming Quality.
Balanced mode
The built-in network test will automatically detect the best streaming resolution, based on your device hardware and network environment. NOTE: 4K, UW QHD, and QHD resolutions streaming at 120 FPS or any resolution at 240 FPS requires a wired Ethernet connection to work in balanced mode. If the network test determines that your connection is unable to maintain streaming at your display’s resolution, it may automatically adjust to lower streaming settings.
The built-in network test will automatically detect the best streaming resolution, based on your device hardware and network environment. NOTE: 4K, UW QHD, and QHD resolutions streaming at 120 FPS or any resolution at 240 FPS requires a wired Ethernet connection to work in balanced mode. If the network test determines that your connection is unable to maintain streaming at your display’s resolution, it may automatically adjust to lower streaming settings.
Competitive mode / Reflex Streaming Mode
Select this option to turn on Reflex mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with:
Select this option to turn on Reflex mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with:
- 240Hz or ultra high refresh rate NVIDIA G-Sync or G-Sync compatible monitor which will vary the rendering and streaming rate to your display. If you are using a GeForce GPU, you should also update your GeForce display drivers to 528.02 (or later) and enable G-Sync from the NVIDIA control panel.
- Select a Reflex enabled game by using the Search Filter => “Feature” => “Reflex” when selecting a game to play in the GeForce NOW app.
- Windows PC that meets the minimum requirements (see above “Hardware Requirements”).
- A wired Ethernet connection with at least 35 Mbps download speed.
Custom mode
If you wish to override the automatically detected streaming settings, or to enable 120 FPS streaming on a Wi-Fi network, you can do so by adjusting values in Custom mode:
If you wish to override the automatically detected streaming settings, or to enable 120 FPS streaming on a Wi-Fi network, you can do so by adjusting values in Custom mode:
- Max bit rate. We recommend Auto, but you can select whatever value your network can support.
- Resolution. This should match the maximum allowed by your monitor or notebook, but make sure it’s set to your desired resolution. Some resolutions will not be visible if your device does not meet the hardware requirements.
- Frame rate. You will need to set this to 120 FPS if you wish to see the full benefit from your Ultimate membership on 120Hz or faster refresh rate monitors or notebooks. We recommend users with 60Hz monitors set the streaming frame rate to 60 FPS and Vsync to Adaptive. Setting the streaming frame rate to 120 FPS can reduce latency, but will result in tearing on screen. If you wish to use the new Reflex mode, set this to 240 FPS.
- VSync. We recommend Adaptive for the best latency and smoothest streaming experience. You can try turning Vsync off to achieve the lowest latency, but you may experience some video tearing during gameplay.
- VRR Display. This setting will enable Cloud G-SYNC technology to minimize stutter and tearing when using a variable refresh rate monitor and supported device. Learn more here.
- Reflex. Select this option to turn on Reflex 240 FPS streaming mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals. For the best experience, pair this mode with a compatible monitor and a Reflex supported game.
Customized In-Game Graphics Settings
NVIDIA has optimized our most popular games for streaming at all GeForce NOW streaming resolutions. For these games, we automatically set the best in-game graphics settings. You should not need to change any settings in-game to get the best experience.
NVIDIA has optimized our most popular games for streaming at all GeForce NOW streaming resolutions. For these games, we automatically set the best in-game graphics settings. You should not need to change any settings in-game to get the best experience.
However, you are free to change these settings if you feel doing so provides you with a better streaming experience. We have provided a feature that lets you save your own in-game graphics settings for each game. If you disable it, our recommended values will be applied.
NOTE: this settings will apply in-game settings across ALL GeForce NOW devices used with your NVIDIA account.
Record/Instant Replay
GeForce NOW Ultimate members can access many GeForce RTX GPU features like NVIDIA Highlights, Record, and Instant Replay by bringing up the in-stream overlay by pressing Ctrl+G.
GeForce NOW Ultimate members can access many GeForce RTX GPU features like NVIDIA Highlights, Record, and Instant Replay by bringing up the in-stream overlay by pressing Ctrl+G.
Note: When using NVIDIA Record or Instant Replay, GeForce NOW can capture at resolutions up to 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 on the Windows PC & MacOS app. If your local device has an NVIDIA GPU that meets the minimum hardware requirements for higher resolution streaming, you can capture at resolutions up to 3840x2160. Record/instant replay is not supported for 120 fps and 240 fps streaming modes.