How to reduce input lag on a 13 R3?

I am considering selling my 13 R3 since the input lag is just too much to deal with when I am out of town. I like the machine and already made some changes to it so I would rather keep it, but if its unusable then I will part with it.

I was wondering if you guys had some beyond the obvious tips for reducing input lag to the screen.

Thanks

 

Here are the tips you asked for
1. Do NOT use vsync, it adds terrible input lag
2. Unlock frame rate for games, the more fps you get, the less input lag. (This is true even if you only have 60 hz monitor, you get less input lag with 120 fps despite 60 hz monitor)
3. If you want a tear free experience and you don't have gsync, consider using Riva statistics tuner and turning on Scan line sync. It's between vsync on and off and has way less input lag than vsync on.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

I dont use vsync, and dont limit FPS.

Those are the obvious options but input lag is still very perceptible.

 

1. Set max pre-rendered frames to 1
2. Use a low latency FPS limiter (in-game or RTSS) and cap your FPS so that GPU usage does not reach close to 100%

 

With what or where do you do that?

 

Nvidia control panel, there should be an option to do so either per game or globally

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

Nvidia control panel within the 3d settings.

I already have a framerare limiter and also prerender frames set to 1.

Guess I'm just going to sell my 13 r3

 

Never really noticed that option there. But is nevertheless it is already at 1.

 

Are you perhaps using generic ngreedia drivers?

 

Standard Nvidia drivers yes.

I've already resolved to sell this laptop, it's nice I just simply never use it.

 

I don’t understand how you can game on the small screen anyway. It’s too small for serious gaming. I bought a 240hz Monitor and hooked it up to that. If you want to game on the go I’d suggest a bigger laptop with a 120hz screen

 

I didnt get it for "serious" gaming, I got it to game.

Which it does, with serious input lag.

Already have a larger laptop, with 120hz screen.

 

Yeah I know that. I did the same. I use it to sometimes game on the go, but seriously game at home which it did well until it fried itself today. The input lag is also annoying for me, but it’s not easily fixable because there aren’t many screens out there at 13”, especially no gaming screens. That’s why I went with an external gaming monitor for when I’m home.

 

Your glossing over some details here.

I dont care that its a 60hz panel, I got it knowing that already. What I cant stand is the input lag because of optimus. Has nothing to do with the panel specifically and everything to do with Intel HD driving the panel.

Something akin to the y540 is I guess what I should've gotten, I dont care about the 120hz panel but the fact that it has a dGPU mode.

Though thats all moot, I have plenty of other things to do with my spare time and the t440p has stepped up for minimal gaming if I need it.

 

I have used optimus laptops for ages and an alienware with a dgpu switch. There are no changes when it comes to input lag with optimis on and off....

 

I still had those strange input lag for no reason whatsoever since 39x-4xx drivers and was forced to switch to Dell drivers of same version which didn't have issues like generic driver. I am inclined to think generic Nvidia driver was the culprit.
Best of luck on new purchase.

 

Then it's just not perceive-able to you and that's completely fine. However it's immediate for me going from 13 r3 to my Ranger in PEG mode. This is regarding the internal screen, not a secondary screen as in my opinion buying a larger screen defeats the purpose of mobile gaming.

I got a gym membership and ordered blood work to get a baseline on my health. The 13 r3 will essentially pay for that investment.

There aren't any laptops that push me to make a purchase besides the helios 500 ryzen. Which replaces the wrong laptop and defeats the exercise. I'll just use my t440p/ranger until I'm ready to build a desktop. My eye has been keen on the 3950x

 

What screen do you have? and i actually measured it with a high speed camera. I have the luxury that I have a laptop with a mux switch to test it with and a 165hz 1440P screen next to it. I have the tools to test it and so I did. I couldnt measure any notable differences between optimus and discrete mode only on the 1080P 60hz screen. The 144hz optimus config of my blade has a lower input latency value than the alienware both with optimus enabled and disabled but that is thanks to the higher refresh screen. I use an external screen ebcause for long gaming session the 60hz panel just doesnt cut it. I play competitive shooters by the way, I think I am well qualified in assessing input lag because it is important for the games that I play and I invest in hardware to make the most out of that.

 

Hmmm.. Wise choice, always put your body/health first. Take care.
I'm also eyeing for Ryzen 3950x and Aorus mobo.

 

Then perhaps the 13r3 is just a paper tiger, not built to deliver on what it advertises. Either way fighting input lag to the screen is annoying and not something I'm willing to put up with. Been playing shooters since the mid 90s, for recent titles I used to play siege, have around 1300 hours in it.

Like I said, if you can't perceive it, then it's good for you. I can, and it turns into an exercise of frustration and I'm rather tired of troubleshooting.

I use the standard 1080p60hz internal display for the 13 r3. The ranger uses 120hz in peg mode with gsync to the internal display (though it's not needed)

I didn't get the 13 r3 for "long sessions" I got it for when I'm away from home. Which it does, with input lag.

Yeah laptops aren't marketed for me anymore so I have to change to a different genre and just build to my needs again.

The gym thing is to cut body fat before going to Korea in 6 months.

 

Arent you just dealing with a real crappy panel? I mean the standard 1080p screen is a ghosting mess, especially if you are used to 120hz of responsive goodness. I see you already already thinking of selling it. I would try to upgrade the screen.

 

Not in the cards, my troubleshoot and upgrade process is reserved only for the ranger. The 13 r3 doesn't bring enough to the table for a maybe solution and I've already got a buyer lined up.

Ghosting I can work with, input lag I won't. I'll just bring the ranger if I need it but the t440p covers what I need.

 

Wait, I thought you could disable the iGPU on non-OLED versions of the 13R3 with Fn+F7. Maybe the specs of the 1080@60 display are just bad.

 

It has never worked for me, redownloading command center now and will give it another go.

Still not working, as I suspect the screen is hard wired to the Intel HD. Also no option to switch off in the BIOS either.

 

You need Alienware's OSD crap, command center doesnt make Fn+F7 work. You should get a prompt after pressing it.

 

Also reinstalled that and no change or prompt.

 

Just to clear something...on my M18xR2 Optimus does not add hella input lag.

On my previous 13 R3, there was noticeable input lag because of Optimus. One thing you can try to do is install latest iGPU & dGPU drivers, go into the nVidia control panel and under global settings change the gpu to be nVidia GPU always. This helped me a bit. The input lag was annoying yes but it seems to affect newer systems more especially the 13 for some reason.

Also update to latest BIOS if you haven't.