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How NVIDIA Reflex reduces latency and what Windows settings complement it

NVIDIA Reflex is an SDK that game developers integrate to reduce render latency. Understanding how it works helps you configure the rest of your system to complement it.

What Reflex does

Reflex replaces the default DirectX render queue management with a latency-aware alternative. It coordinates the CPU and GPU so the GPU starts rendering the latest game state rather than working through a queue of older frames.

Effectively: the CPU waits to submit the next frame until the GPU is close to finishing the current one. This keeps the rendered frame as close to "now" as possible.

Games with Reflex support

CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and others. Enable in-game under Video/Display settings.

Reflex + Boost mode

Reflex Boost mode also raises GPU clock speed during low-utilization periods to ensure the GPU can process the next frame quickly when the CPU submits it.

What complements Reflex

Reflex works at the GPU queue level. These system tweaks address other layers:

Input-to-register: mouse polling rate, USB interrupt latency, pointer precision off.

OS scheduling: Win32PrioritySeparation=38, MMCSS Games priority, process CpuPriorityClass=3.

Display: G-Sync or FreeSync + monitor at native resolution with low response time.

Reflex handles the GPU side. IzanagiOP handles the OS and input side. Use both. https://terweb.lt/

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