Display scaling refers to the process of adjusting the resolution of an image to fit a display's native resolution. This can happen either through the graphics processing unit (GPU) or the display itself. When considering input delay, several factors come into play:
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GPU Scaling: When the GPU handles scaling, the process occurs before the image is sent to the display. Modern GPUs are quite efficient, and scaling can happen relatively quickly with minimal input delay. However, some delay can still occur during the processing.
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Display Scaling: If the display itself performs the scaling, it processes the image after it receives it from the GPU. Depending on the efficiency of the display's internal processing and algorithms, this could potentially introduce more latency compared to GPU scaling.
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Performance Impact: Generally, if a GPU supports fast scaling methods (like bilinear or bicubic filtering), it can handle scaling with minimal latency. Displays may not be as optimized, particularly budget models or those with slower internal processors.
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Game and System Settings: The input delay may be influenced by other settings, such as V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync, which synchronize frame rates and can introduce additional latency. It’s advised to experiment to see which method works best for your specific setup.
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Context of Use: For gaming, minimizing input delay is crucial. Therefore, using GPU scaling with lower latency methods may be preferable.
In summary, while GPU scaling often has less input delay than display scaling, the specific outcome can depend on several factors, including the hardware in question and the nature of the content being displayed. If low latency is critical for your use case, it's advisable to test both methods to see which one performs better for your needs.