Vertical Sync; Unified Back/Depth Buffer; Early Z Test - Nvidia Quadro Workstation User Manual

Chapter 7
Configuring Key ForceWare Graphics Driver Features

Vertical Sync

Vertical Sync settings specify how vertical synchronization is handled in OpenGL
applications.
• Off keeps vertical synchronization disabled unless an application specifically
requests otherwise.
• On keeps vertical synchronization enabled unless an application specifically
requests otherwise.
Vertical Sync Click the list to specify how vertical sync is handled in OpenGL.
• Always off always disables vertical sync in OpenGL applications.
• Off by default keeps vertical sync disabled unless an application specifically
requests that it be enabled.
On by default keeps vertical sync enabled unless an application specifically requests
that it be disabled.

Unified back/depth buffer

Note that this setting is on by default allowing the OpenGL driver to allocate one
back buffer and one depth buffer at the same resolution of the display. When this
setting is enabled, OpenGL applications that create multiple windows use video
memory more efficiently and show improved performance.
When this setting is off, the OpenGL driver allocates a back buffer and depth buffer for
every window created by an OpenGL application.

Early z test

Enabling this option causes a z-test to be performed earlier in the graphics pipeline,
which can improve the performance especially of shaded rendering when items are
often behind other items that were already drawn.
Note: This settings is "disabled" by default for most application because enabling
this setting generally hurts application performance for wireframe rendering.
112 Quadro Workstation User's Guide