What Is NVIDIA Reflex? How It Cuts Input Lag
What is NVIDIA Reflex? NVIDIA Reflex is a technology built into supported games that reduces system latency, the delay between a mouse click and the result appearing on screen. It works by removing the render queue and keeping the CPU and GPU in sync, so your actions show up faster, which matters most in competitive shooters.
If you play Valorant, Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, or Apex Legends, you have probably seen a Reflex toggle in the graphics menu and wondered what it does. This guide explains how it works, what hardware you need, and which setting to choose.
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How does NVIDIA Reflex work?
When you press a button, your input travels through the game, the CPU, the render queue, the GPU, and finally the display. Each step adds a little delay, and the total is called system latency.
The biggest hidden delay is usually the render queue. When the CPU prepares frames faster than the GPU can draw them, those frames pile up in a line. Every frame waiting in that line shows an older version of your input.
Reflex shortens that path in two ways:
- It removes the render queue. The game engine and GPU are synchronized so the CPU only hands over a frame when the GPU is ready for it.
- It reduces back pressure on the CPU. The game does not run far ahead of what the GPU can actually display, so what you see is newer.
The result is lower latency without changing how the game looks. It is most noticeable when your GPU is the limiting part, which you can confirm with our guide to a GPU bottleneck.
NVIDIA Reflex modes: Off, On, and On + Boost
| Mode | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Off | No latency optimization | Not recommended in competitive games |
| On | Removes the render queue and syncs the CPU and GPU | Most players, most of the time |
| On + Boost | Does everything “On” does and also keeps GPU clocks high | Competitive play when the GPU is under heavy load |
Should you use On or On + Boost?
Start with On. It gives most of the latency benefit with the least downside. Switch to On + Boost if you play competitively and your GPU often sits at high usage, since keeping clocks up avoids dips that add delay. Boost can raise power draw and temperatures slightly, so check your GPU usage and thermals if you try it.
NVIDIA Reflex vs Low Latency Mode in the NVIDIA Control Panel
The NVIDIA Control Panel has a driver-level “Low Latency Mode” setting that also tries to limit queued frames. Reflex is different because the game itself talks to the driver. That lets it manage timing more precisely than a driver setting that works from the outside.
If a game supports Reflex, use the in-game Reflex option and leave the Control Panel setting alone. If a game does not support Reflex, the Control Panel option is the fallback.
What is Reflex 2 and Frame Warp?
NVIDIA announced Reflex 2 at CES 2025 alongside the GeForce RTX 50 series. Its main feature is Frame Warp. Just before a frame is shown, Frame Warp updates it using your newest mouse movement and camera position, so your view responds even faster.
NVIDIA reported Valorant averaging under 3 ms of PC latency at over 800 FPS on an RTX 5090 with Reflex 2. At launch, Reflex 2 was announced for RTX 50 series GPUs, with THE FINALS and Valorant named as the first games.
Independent testing has suggested Frame Warp works best at high frame rates, with visible artifacts more likely at low frame rates. Support has also rolled out slowly, so check the current game list before assuming your game has it.
| Reflex (original) | Reflex 2 (Frame Warp) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main method | Removes the render queue | Updates the finished frame with the latest input |
| Launched | 2020 | Announced 2025 |
| Hardware | GeForce GTX 900 series and newer | Announced for RTX 50 series |
| Game support | 150+ games | Very few games so far |
NVIDIA Reflex requirements
- A GeForce GPU. Original Reflex works on GeForce GTX 900 series cards and newer. Reflex 2 was announced for RTX 50 series.
- Current NVIDIA drivers. Update through the NVIDIA app or the NVIDIA website.
- A game that supports Reflex. The toggle only appears in games where the developer integrated it.
- Optional: a Reflex Analyzer monitor. Some G-SYNC monitors and compatible mice can measure end-to-end latency for you.
Does NVIDIA Reflex increase FPS?
No. Reflex is about latency, not frame rate. Your FPS may stay the same, and in some GPU-heavy scenes it can drop slightly. A game can run at a high frame rate and still feel delayed, and Reflex targets that delay.
If you are chasing more frames, look at your CPU and GPU balance first with our CPU bottleneck guide or run your parts through the PC bottleneck calculator.
Does NVIDIA Reflex work with DLSS Frame Generation?
Yes, and it matters. Frame Generation inserts extra frames, which can add latency, so DLSS Frame Generation relies on Reflex to keep delay down. If you use Frame Generation, leave Reflex on.
Which games support NVIDIA Reflex?
Reflex has passed 150 games, according to TweakTown’s report, and appears in nine of the top ten competitive shooters. Popular examples include Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, and Counter-Strike 2.
The list grows with every patch, so check the game’s graphics menu or NVIDIA’s current supported-games list before you publish or play.
How to turn on NVIDIA Reflex
- Update your GPU driver. Install the latest Game Ready driver.
- Open the game’s graphics or video settings. Look for “NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency”.
- Choose On or On + Boost. Start with On.
- Turn off VSync if the game allows it. VSync adds its own delay, so competitive players usually avoid it.
- Test it. Play a few matches and watch your temperatures with a tool from our free PC benchmark software list.
Is NVIDIA Reflex worth using?
For competitive games, yes. It is free, built into the game, and has few downsides. For slower single-player games it matters less, though it can still make aiming feel more responsive. If your monitor is the weak link instead, see our monitor refresh rate guide.
NVIDIA Reflex FAQ
What is NVIDIA Reflex in simple terms?
It is a game setting that makes your mouse clicks show up on screen faster by cutting the delay between your PC’s CPU and GPU.
Is NVIDIA Reflex good for gaming?
Yes, especially in fast competitive shooters where every millisecond counts.
Should I turn NVIDIA Reflex on or off?
Turn it on in any game that supports it. There is rarely a reason to leave it off.
What is the difference between Reflex On and On + Boost?
On removes the render queue. On + Boost does that and also keeps your GPU clocks high, which can help in heavy scenes but may use more power.
Does NVIDIA Reflex work on AMD GPUs?
No. Reflex is an NVIDIA feature for GeForce GPUs. AMD offers its own similar technology called Anti-Lag.
Does Reflex reduce FPS?
Usually not by much. In some GPU-bound situations you may see a small drop, but the latency gain is the point.
Do I need an RTX card for Reflex?
Not for the original Reflex, which supports GTX 900 series and newer. Reflex 2 was announced for RTX 50 series.
Conclusion
NVIDIA Reflex is one of the easiest ways to make a game feel more responsive. It does not add frames. It trims the delay between your input and the screen by removing the render queue. Turn it on in supported games, try On + Boost for competitive play, and watch for Reflex 2 as more titles add it.
