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NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultra Low Motion Blur 2 (ULMB 2) is a monitor-side backlight-strobing technology announced on May 28, 2023. It reduces perceived motion blur on compatible high-refresh-rate LCD monitors by briefly illuminating the backlight instead of keeping each frame continuously visible. The central limitation is important: ULMB 2 is a fixed-refresh-rate mode, not a universal driver feature and not a simultaneous G-SYNC VRR-and-strobing solution.
It remains useful for competitive players who can maintain a stable frame rate near the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Buyers who want variable refresh rate and backlight strobing together should instead investigate newer G-SYNC Pulsar displays.
What problem does ULMB 2 solve?
ULMB 2 targets display-induced motion blur, which is different from the motion-blur effect added by a game. Two forms of blur matter most:
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- Sample-and-hold blur: The display leaves an image visible for much of the frame interval while your eyes track a moving object.
Backlight strobing addresses the second problem by turning the backlight off for part of each frame and flashing it briefly when the image should be visible. This reduces the time that each frame is presented to the eye. ULMB 2 also uses panel-specific timing and overdrive behavior intended to make pixels reach their target values before the backlight pulse.
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| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Refresh rate | How often the display can present a new frame. |
| Frame rate | How many frames the GPU or game actually renders. |
| Pixel response time | How quickly pixels change from one color to another. |
| VRR/G-SYNC | Synchronizes refresh timing with GPU frame delivery. |
| Backlight strobing | Briefly flashes the backlight to reduce perceived motion persistence. |
| In-game motion blur | A rendering effect applied by the game engine. |
How ULMB 2 improves on original ULMB
NVIDIA’s original ULMB technology, introduced in 2015, could make motion clearer but had practical compromises. Earlier implementations often reduced the usable refresh rate, lowered brightness because the backlight was off for much of each frame, and exposed more ghosting or double images on slower panels.
NVIDIA says ULMB 2 improves the design in three major ways:
- It can strobe at the monitor’s full refresh rate.
- It can deliver nearly twice the brightness of the original implementation, according to NVIDIA.
- Under NVIDIA’s stated requirements, it can produce practically zero crosstalk, meaning fewer visible duplicate images.
The technology uses what NVIDIA calls Vertical Dependent Overdrive. Pixel overdrive is varied according to the panel’s vertical scan position so pixels are more likely to be ready when the backlight pulse reaches them. This coordination between scanout, pixel transitions and illumination is why ULMB 2 requires compatible monitor hardware and firmware.
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What does “over 1,000 Hz effective motion clarity” mean?
NVIDIA describes ULMB 2 using an effective-motion-clarity comparison rather than a literal refresh-rate specification. Its formula is:
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Effective motion clarity = refresh rate × (1 ÷ duty cycle)For example, a 360 Hz monitor operating at a 25% duty cycle would be described as:
360 × (1 ÷ 0.25) = 1,440 Hz effective motion clarityThe monitor is still refreshing at 360 Hz. It is not producing 1,440 frames per second, and the figure should not be treated as an independently measured equivalent to a 1,440 Hz display. It is an explanatory metric for how briefly each frame remains visible.
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NVIDIA also uses comparisons such as a 120 Hz strobed display versus a 480 Hz non-strobed display to explain the effect of shorter frame visibility. Those comparisons are conceptual; panel response, frame rate, overdrive and viewing conditions still affect the result.
Which monitors support ULMB 2?
ULMB 2 is not enabled on every G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible monitor. NVIDIA’s launch announcement identified these models:
Available at launch
- Acer Predator XB273U F/XB273UF: 27-inch, 2560×1440, 360 Hz.
- ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQN: 27-inch, 2560×1440, 360 Hz.
Announced as forthcoming
- ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP: 25-inch, 1920×1080, 540 Hz.
- AOC AGON AG276QSG: 27-inch, 2560×1440, 360 Hz.
These were the models listed in NVIDIA’s 2023 announcement, not a guarantee of current stock or firmware availability in every country. Check the exact model suffix and the manufacturer’s support page before buying or installing anything. Acer provides downloads for the XB273UF, while ASUS provides support and firmware information for the PG27AQN.
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NVIDIA’s stated ULMB 2-capable display requirements include more than 1,000 Hz of effective motion clarity, operation at the display’s full refresh rate, and more than 250 nits of brightness with minimal crosstalk. These are NVIDIA’s stated requirements, not a universal certification test that buyers can apply to any monitor.
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The exact updater and menu names vary by manufacturer, but the general process for supported 1440p 360 Hz monitors is:
- Confirm that the monitor is an exact ULMB 2-supported model.
- Download the monitor’s firmware updater from the manufacturer’s official support page.
- Connect the monitor directly to the graphics card, normally using the recommended DisplayPort input and cable.
- Run the firmware update without interrupting power. Do not use an unverified firmware package for a similar-looking model.
- Restart the computer and monitor after the update completes.
- Open NVIDIA Control Panel and disable G-SYNC variable refresh rate.
- Open the monitor’s on-screen display and enable G-SYNC ULMB 2 or the manufacturer’s corresponding strobing option.
- Set the game and operating system to a supported fixed refresh rate, ideally the monitor’s maximum refresh rate.
- Confirm that the monitor remains in its ULMB 2 or strobing mode while the game is running.
NVIDIA’s launch instructions specifically require G-SYNC VRR to be disabled before enabling ULMB 2. The two modes appearing to be mutually exclusive is therefore expected for the original ULMB 2 implementation, not necessarily an installation failure.
If ULMB 2 is missing or greyed out
If the option is unavailable, check these points in order:
- Verify the exact monitor model and firmware version.
- Disable G-SYNC VRR in NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Select a refresh rate that the monitor supports for ULMB 2.
- Look in the monitor’s OSD as well as NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Use the expected DisplayPort input and a direct connection.
- Temporarily disconnect other monitors, docks, KVMs and adapters.
- Check whether HDR, a monitor preset or another display mode blocks strobing.
- Restart after the firmware update.
NVIDIA’s support documentation notes that ULMB can be greyed out when the active refresh rate is not ULMB-capable or when G-SYNC is active. If a firmware update fails, stop using incompatible update tools and contact the monitor manufacturer rather than repeatedly attempting the installation.
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Why ULMB 2 may look dim or show double images
Brightness
Strobing necessarily keeps the backlight off for part of each frame. NVIDIA says ULMB 2 is nearly twice as bright as original ULMB, but it will not necessarily look as bright as the monitor’s ordinary non-strobed mode. HDR behavior and brightness controls may also change when strobing is enabled.
Crosstalk and double images
Visible duplicate images can appear when pixels have not settled before the backlight pulse. Confirm that the game is running close to the selected refresh rate, test the monitor’s recommended refresh mode, and check for firmware updates. Crosstalk can vary by vertical position, so note whether artifacts appear near the top, middle or bottom of the screen.
Unstable frame delivery
ULMB 2 works best when frame delivery is consistent. If the GPU produces uneven frame times or frequently misses the fixed refresh target, motion may look less smooth even though individual moving objects appear sharper. Fixed-refresh strobing can make frame-pacing problems more obvious.
The main trade-off: ULMB 2 does not use G-SYNC VRR at the same time
ULMB 2 is most effective when the game can maintain a stable frame rate near the selected refresh rate. That makes it a strong fit for games such as Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Overwatch 2 and Rainbow Six Siege on a sufficiently powerful system.
It is less attractive for cinematic games with highly variable performance or for systems that cannot sustain the target refresh rate. In those cases, ordinary G-SYNC VRR usually provides smoother delivery by adapting the refresh timing to the GPU’s frame rate, without the brightness trade-off of backlight strobing.
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Many users will therefore switch between two modes:
- Normal G-SYNC VRR: better for variable-frame-rate games and general use.
- ULMB 2 fixed refresh: better for stable, high-frame-rate competitive play.
ULMB 2 versus G-SYNC Pulsar in 2026
NVIDIA introduced G-SYNC Pulsar in January 2026 as a newer approach designed to combine variable refresh rate with backlight strobing. NVIDIA describes Pulsar as providing tear-free and stutter-free presentation while retaining more than 1,000 Hz of stated effective motion clarity.
This distinction matters: Pulsar is not simply “ULMB 3.” NVIDIA presents it as a separate, newer G-SYNC technology, while ULMB and ULMB 2 are earlier fixed-refresh solutions.
NVIDIA announced initial Pulsar monitors from Acer, AOC, ASUS and MSI. The launch displays were described as 27-inch 2560×1440 IPS models running at 360 Hz with up to 500 nits of HDR peak brightness, with U.S. launch prices starting at $599. Regional pricing, stock and specifications can differ, so check the current G-SYNC monitor directory and manufacturer listings.
NVIDIA’s support information also lists Pulsar firmware version 1.1.6, updated May 28, 2026, for the Acer Predator XB273U F5, AOC AGON PRO AG276QSG2, ASUS ROG STRIX Pulsar XG27AQNGV and MSI MPG 272QRF X36. The update addresses operation in the 100–180 FPS range, EDID white-point behavior, input switching, cable detection and occasional frame skips. Firmware version 1.1.4 documentation also mentions reduced sharp double images below 90 FPS, a corrected monitor FPS indicator and a fixed 60 Hz ULMB 2 strobing mode. A fixed 60 Hz ULMB 2 mode should not be confused with Pulsar’s VRR-capable operation.
ULMB 2 compared with other display options
| Option | Best suited to | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| ULMB 2 | Competitive games with stable, very high frame rates. | Fixed refresh; reduced brightness and less flexibility than VRR. |
| Standard G-SYNC VRR | Variable frame rates and general-purpose gaming. | Usually less motion clarity than properly configured strobing at a comparable refresh rate. |
| G-SYNC Pulsar | Buyers who want VRR and strobing together. | Requires a newer, generally more expensive compatible display. |
| Manufacturer-specific strobing | Users with displays supporting technologies such as DyAc or ELMB. | Behavior, brightness, crosstalk and VRR compatibility vary by model. |
| OLED | Users who prioritize contrast and fast native pixel transitions. | Motion clarity still depends on refresh rate, persistence and available strobing modes. |
| 500/540 Hz non-strobed LCD | Players who want shorter sample-and-hold persistence through a higher refresh rate. | Does not automatically match the motion behavior of a strobed display. |
Who should use ULMB 2?
Choose ULMB 2 if:
- You already own a confirmed compatible monitor.
- You play competitive games at a stable frame rate near the display’s maximum refresh rate.
- Tracking clarity matters more to you than VRR flexibility.
- You accept switching between normal G-SYNC and fixed-refresh modes.
- You prefer a high-refresh LCD and do not mind reduced strobing-mode brightness.
Do not prioritize ULMB 2 if:
- Your frame rate fluctuates substantially.
- You mainly play slower-paced or cinematic games.
- You require simultaneous VRR and strobing.
- You want unrestricted HDR brightness and the simplest plug-and-play experience.
- The monitor is not explicitly listed as compatible.
ULMB 2 buying and setup checklist
- Confirm the exact monitor model, including its suffix and region.
- Verify ULMB 2 support on NVIDIA’s documentation or the manufacturer’s support page.
- Check whether firmware is available for your region and whether the updater supports your connection.
- Confirm the monitor’s maximum refresh rate and supported strobing refresh rates.
- Estimate the frame rate your system can sustain in the games you play.
- Check brightness, HDR and color limitations in strobing mode.
- Look for model-specific crosstalk behavior rather than relying only on the ULMB 2 label.
- Confirm whether VRR can operate simultaneously. For traditional ULMB 2, assume it cannot.
- Review the manufacturer’s warranty and firmware-recovery process before updating.
Bottom line
ULMB 2 remains a meaningful upgrade for compatible high-refresh-rate LCD monitors, especially in fixed-refresh competitive games where stable frame delivery matters. Its “over 1,000 Hz” claim refers to NVIDIA’s effective motion-clarity metric, not a literal refresh rate, and its strongest results come with trade-offs: no simultaneous G-SYNC VRR, lower strobing-mode brightness and greater sensitivity to frame pacing.
For an existing compatible monitor, the firmware update can be worthwhile. For a new purchase in 2026, G-SYNC Pulsar is the more flexible direction if you want backlight strobing without giving up variable refresh rate.
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