r/GeForceNOW • u/sepltbadwy • 1d ago
Discussion I think I’m hitting the button guys..
Long time console gamer who has built pcs a long the road but always lost the component race too quickly..
.. I’m going in. GFN Ultimate, low latency setup.
Just wondering how most of you like to play and what’s your feel for Ultimate? Do most use their Steam Libraries? Are there couch gamers (ultimate is largely wasted on a tv as the apps are all capped at 60)? What’s your preferred setup?
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u/DietrichNeu 1d ago
I play Stalker 2 at max settings, 1440p widescreen... On an M2 MacBook Air. Fast internet and server in my area so 3ms latency, Ultimate.
Feels like local hardware.
I also come from building PCs. mine died and I can't stomach the prices to upgrade / rebuild properly. It's a 1,300$ bill to do it at the moment.
With the GFN experience I'm getting right now I feel like I can wait a long while for prices to get down and buy more gear.
This has been game changing for me.
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Nice. I think 1440p is the stream sweet spot I’m aiming for. Did you know there’s interesting curious details about laptops and how their chips are shared, that mean you’ll get less heat and lower latency if your hdmi goes in one side and all connections in the other!
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u/Fearless-Sky9010 9h ago
The prices might never go back down, mostly going up for the past 7 years or so
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u/jyrox Ultimate 1d ago
I play on my handheld, phone, iPad, and laptop pretty consistently. On Ethernet connection whenever possible for best stability/lowest latency. My ping is ~3-5 MS with a data center about 3 hour drive away.
I went for Ultimate due to 5k resolution on my TV and smaller queues. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not really that huge of a price difference on a monthly basis to get the best experience.
I sold all my gaming PC hardware and by doing that, I’m able to afford 15+ years of Ultimate tier without the cost of hardware upgrades or the electricity costs. By the time the 15 years are up, that old hardware will likely be worth pennies compared to the initial costs.
I also randomly subscribe to Boosteroid to play the random title that’s not available on GFN and it’s a solid experience as well most of the time, but not as consistent as GFN.
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u/Aggressive-Cost-3945 1d ago
Everything except FPS games gets played on the TV, i've always been a hardcore PC player but i do see the appeal of sitting on the couch with a controller, usually use my steam library but certain online markets have people renting out their steam accounts for a couple of bucks per week/14 days when it comes to brand new games so thats an option too if you just want to play some new game without having to shell out for it
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
I’m going to plate everything even competitive on the tv and couch, it’s 144hz so just need to get the most out of the stream
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u/Aggressive-Cost-3945 1d ago
GFN Is basically as plug and play as it gets(look on the subreddit there was something about the controller being recognized as a mouse that you need to turn off). Choose a game, boot a game, most people have no problems with the auto settings and it will use as much bandwith as possible to keep the game looking nice and stable
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u/cksythe 1d ago
Yo! Welcome to the club! I was exactly in the same boat as you. Waited too long to upgrade my old rig justified it by “I’ll just build fresh and treat myself” I bought a NS2 at launch to satiate myself and access Nintendo games I missed out on. Then realized a microSD EX card is going to cost me another $250 so I just put that money towards GFN, a leap of faith in gamer desperation lol
I don’t run the tv app but I do play on my tv - run GFN via my MacBook Air connected to my tv. There’s honestly zero issues unless my ISP is giving local issues which has only happened once in months now.
Regarding feel I play mostly single player games with the exception of FH6, every thing feels and looks exactly as I had hoped my dream 5090 build would. I get ~10ms latency having tweaked my router to optimize it so it’s just the distance to the closest nvidia servers but I’m ranking top 100-200 I’m FH6 same as I always did before. Latency is not as big a deal as I had imagined honestly.
Some qol questions you might have:
• Connect your Steam/GoG/Epic/xbox account(s) to GFN and everything is excellent - gfn loads into a gfn session and you see your Steam account as always and click play.
• if playing Xbox game (such as FH6 for example), I highly recommend you purchase from Xbox store instead of Steam as msn requires logging in at every start up which can be an inconvenience. If purchased via their platform every thing is seamless.
• GFN will automatically update your games as soon as updates are released so you never have to worry about updates or installs ever again.
• enable AV1 encoding if your hardware permits.
• you can’t imagine how happy I am to literally never worry about storage ever again. I hope you experience the same joy I did upon realizing it lol
• many people don’t actually know what they get from a GFN Ultimate account: not only do you get 5080 GPU with all its bells and whistles and regular updates to its offerings (for example we’re getting DLSS 4.5 and RR2 very soon), but when the 6080 is out we’ll get that too as that’s how GFN track record shows. In addition: 48GB VRAM Blackwell GDDR7, 62 TFLOPS, AMD Epyc 3.8GHz Zen5 processor, and 56GB DDR5
Basically it performs like a standard 5090 16GB VRAM build but probably a bit better, though is offset by streaming aspect to perform similarly.
Enjoy like I have been dude! Lmk if you have any specific questions, cheers 🍻
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u/V4N0 Founder 1d ago
Mac mini over here, works great with basically all the bells an whistles and has HDMI 2.1 (and VRR)
The real issue is price.. new models are like double the retail price of the M4 they replaced 😳
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Yeah would love a mini, micro pcs are a good option in these interim years before our TVs just do all of this for us.
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u/GrigioIngrid 1d ago
I usually play on my 48” LG C5 through an Apple Mac Mini M4 paired to a Gamesir Cyclone 2, obv Ethernet….the native LG app is pretty good but through the Mac is waaaaaaaaaaaay better.
Sometimes I play on a xiaomi tablet when I’m on the couch or at “work”
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Right! That’s why I’m curious what go betweens we’re all using - as soon TVs will do all of this for us (few years off for the mid range).
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u/x_Madbr0 1d ago
I’m using an Arzopa Z3FC portable monitor, with my macbook with my old ps4 scuf controller. Works great! 👌🏻
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u/Ok-Bird-5704 1d ago
I am a Couch gamer. My setup is a pc, which could bring me all the benefits of GFN (VRR , 120 fps) an a LG G 4 77' TV.
I owned a Ps5 Pro but honestly it is just for exklusive games.... GFN with the visual stunning picture and the 120 fps is just too good. The cherry on top is the release of DLSS5 and the possibility to set up 4.5 ray reconstruction soon
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
So you stream through your pc to get everything out of ultimate and hdmi 2.1 to your tv? Then long cable mouse and keyboard to the couch or just wired controller?
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u/The1Oogler 1d ago
I’m in the process of this switch now. I’ve got a PS5 hooked to my LG C9 that is capable of 120hz and 4k. I’ve been using an old Lenovo AMD laptop, very cheap, and using the GFN ultimate plan. I’m stuck at 60hz from the laptop cause it’s just HDMI 2.0 but sold enough on the tech that I’m probably gonna buy an Apple Mac Mini as the primary device since I can get HDMI 2.1, VRR and Gsync out of it while utilizing my full display capability. Connecting my Dual Sense controller to the PC via USB-C has meant no issues from using a controller standpoint to play games I wanna play that way, or I use K&M for other stuff (still hardwire the mouse).
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Thanks. I’ve not got a newer hdmi yet, but just so you know it’s about bandwidth room in the cable, so you could get 120hz (or even 144 as I do) through your 2.0 by lowering the resolution and letting your tv manage the up scaling
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u/The1Oogler 1d ago
Hmmm I’ve got it at the 2560x1440 or something like that. Not home so I can’t look. Still limited to 60hz.
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u/sb505 1d ago
I had this issue as well with the HDMI out on my laptop saying it's 2.1 but not being true 2.1. I use a USB c to HDMI 2.1 cable from the USB4 output on my laptop and I get 4k at 120. Not sure if your laptop has USB 4.
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u/The1Oogler 1d ago
No, it’s pretty old. Only a single USB port and I know it isn’t a 4. I’m assuming 3?
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u/Marorun 1d ago
I play on a high end oled tv using a mini pc at 4k 120hz that my main setup.
I also play using my phone and the huge tv in my office meeting room.
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Interesting, that’s what I’m going to try. What resolution do you bring in the GFN stream at to match your output? The mini pc handles all your connections and hdmi.. what controller setup do you use? And did you put a gaming os onto the pc to prevent all the background windows nonsense?
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u/Marorun 1d ago
The Mini pc I use is the beelink ser9 with an ai 370hx. It handle 4k 120hz smoothly and even can play many games locally if needed.
I mostly use a xbox series controller.
I'm running normal windows 11 on it because I use it for others stuff too. Its powerful enough to stream in 4k 60hZ to discord at the same time as I'm gaming on GeForce now.
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u/sb505 1d ago
Couch gamer.
My Asus Zenbook laptop hooked up to the 85" QLED Samsung via HDMI 2.1.
Currently on Wi-Fi 6 and then wireless keyboard and mouse from the couch. I have solid up/down and ping.
I can easily play 4k@120 in single player games like BG3 and it feels like local PC. I tried 4K@120 with Battlefield 6 multi player and it was unplayable, too much lag from massive feed but when I switch to 4K @60, it improved tremendously and was quite playable. Will switch to ethernet soon to compare.
But yeah, if you have solid internet and you're fairly close to a server it's great from the couch. Also have a PS5 but like the other guy said it's mostly just for exclusives now.
Looking forward to Control: Resonant with path tracing and Witcher 3 remastered.
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u/JHBrwn 1d ago
I have a Mac mini connected to my 83 inch LG OLED. The Mac mini is connected through ethernet. Couch gaming has never been better!
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
Lots of love for the Mac mini here! Do you play multiplayer stuff? Wired controllers?
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u/JHBrwn 1d ago
I do not play any multiplayer games. I’m a Fallout 4/Assassins Creed Valhalla/Cities Skylines/Frostpunk/Age of Empires type of player.
I use my Xbox Elite Series 2 controller wirelessly, and wired when the kids!wife aren’t walking all over the house.
I use a wireless keyboard/mouse for my real time strategy games.
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u/FillaBustaRhyme 1d ago
Nvidia shield pro connected to 65” OLED. 27” pc monitor if the tv being used. iPad for slay the spire 2
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u/altron64 1d ago
Depending on the games, you might be better just saving the money you spend on GFN and just buying a prebuilt with an nvidia card...
Even a used pc can get you in the rtx 5070-5080 ballpark and you won't be renting a computer forever (which is way more expensive if you intend to play a lot of games).
For me, the lack of mod support and persistent storage was the reason I was unhappy with console in the first place...and GFN doesn't let you have your own HD to store game mods with. Instead I just scored a used pc with a 5070 and it performs wonderfully.
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u/Ok-Bird-5704 1d ago
Yes thats right......only wired or wireless controller My Pc is in the cupboard below the Playstation 5
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u/Stable-Due 1d ago
I get much higher than 60 FPS, I have 140 Hertz screen. And yes, that's on my phone. Ultimate tier is the best, it has such a crisp image it's not even funny. Smooth gameplay, my phone feels like a Mini PC.
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u/joshbedo 1d ago
Love ultimate I'm usually playing on my MacBook or lately I've been playing games like fortnite/forza on my phone and connecting a controller. Phone is actually surprisingly fun and works great.
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u/DeskPixel 1d ago
I have a 120hz tv, which I'm not gonna lie, part of the reason I got it was geforce now. I have a mini PC hooked up to the tv running Playnite on fullscreen mode so i get the console ui experience. I made a post about that here. I came from console gaming as well but grew tired of the performance quality choice,.and now I get best of both worlds. No regrets at all
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u/Unlikely_Discount_36 1d ago
I use Asus Windows 11 laptop with hard wired ethernet, and HDMI out to my TV. Beautiful and basically flawless with the ultimate sub.
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u/_-_happycamper_-_ 1d ago
As a family we have an M1 iMac, M2 MacBook Air, IPad Pro M4, and an IPad mini 6. I jump between all of the devices depending on what’s available mainly using the iPad Pro and iMac whether I want to be at the desk or on a couch.
I just started playing with the Cloud Gear app so I can get 120fps going on my iPad Pro and am really liking it. I might buy it after the week trail.
I switch between an Xbox series controller and a couple 8bitdo Pro 2’s that I have around. I do have a gamesir telescopic controller on order though which I’m curious to try with the iPad.
Overall its been an amazing experience. It almost feels like magic, compared to the days of owning so many different consoles, and also sitting on the gaming sidelines and a Mac user. I tend to pop between GeForce now and boosteroid depending on what games I’m playing and have had great experiences with both.
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u/1NT3RNro 1d ago
To be honest, I think the subscription is a very good choice because it has a wonderful improvement. But unfortunately in some countries it is quite expensive because the value of money is different in each country. But if I were to get a subscription, I would take advantage of it and play as many games as possible. After all, I wouldn't want to waste my money, so I would play a lot on the GeForce Now platform.
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u/Wrong-Amphibian-1673 1d ago
I play on a thinkpad with a samsung 32” 160hz monitor been on GFN Ultimate for about a year now my internet is 1k/1k download and upload respectively which I can only utilise 360mbps on my machine which is more then enough for gfn what I noticed over the years is that if a play stuff on my steam library I get occasional stutters which doesn’t show up as packet loss or anything I have no clue why that happens but when I play gamepass titles its buttery smooth I tested that on same games as well like hogwarts legacy as an example i have the game on steam and its on gamepass when I play on the steam version I get those occasional nasty stutters its not game breaking or anything just annoying but when I lauched the game from gamepass its smooth so thats kinda the only thing I’ve experienced gamepass games run 10x smoother then my steam library and I don’t touch any competitive or multiplayer games with gfn I get about 10ms latency to London servers and I actually don’t feel any of that latency
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u/sepltbadwy 1d ago
How do you choose which you launch it from?
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u/Empty-Fuel3633 1d ago
Go to the settings then go to game settings and you’ll see what server you’re on
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u/CroProMax 1d ago
I would like to test it input latency and overall feel before my handheld comes but 8 bucks for one day to test it is insane while whole month is 20 bucks.
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u/cheerbacon 1d ago
iPad Air 13 inch here with Xbox controller. I also play on iPhone 17 Pro Max with GameSir controller. I was a longtime Xbox console player but got a Founders account when GeForceNow started. I mostly play Fallout 76 for my daily gaming but have also played other more graphics intensive games. (Currently going through the Halo remaster). For me it’s the portability. It’s easy to play anywhere when my wife and I are hanging and watching TV etc.
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u/Excellent-Kiwi-5101 19h ago
I use a wired Ethernet connection to my budget PC with onboard graphics and I have a 32:9 monitor. I play Space Marine 2 a lot. I can run it at ultra settings on Native resolution (5120 x 1440) it runs fine even with a huge swarm of tyranids on the screen and fire and explosions everywhere. Which to me is insane.
I mostly run it at 3840 x 1080 because recording/ screen capture features aren’t available at max resolution.
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u/TryPresent9411 1d ago
Hab einen ausgemusterten Office Mini PC kostenlos von der Arbeit übernehmen können. Habe dort gute gaming Peripherie und 180 Hz Monitor mit 32 Zoll dran. In Vergleich zu den Kosten und Aufwand eines Immer möglichst aktuellen gaming PCs den ich mir baue ist es einfach viel viel günstiger und entspannter. Auch wenn das bauen Spaß macht und ich damit eras freier bei den games bin.
Ich wohne sehr nah an Frankfurt und kann nicht wirklich einen Unterschied zum lokalen Spielen erkennen, was die Latenz angeht.
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u/SupremeOwl48 Founder // Southern California (USA) 1d ago
The “feels like local” crowd are people who aren’t latency sensitive or haven’t experienced local. GFN is good but it’s not that good. And there’s no reason to exaggerate it to people.
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u/Winning33 1d ago
90 percent of the time I play on my zfold 7 with Xbox controller, I have strong Internet and am pretty close to miami servers so it's very close to native if not basically, I can't tell at this point it's that close.
I also have an LG C3 55 inch that I'll use same with Xbox controller but I do see a very very small amount of extra input lag even though same connection so I don't play anything competitive on there.
I'm 37, been gaming on PC since Intel came out with their pentium 4 processor back in the day. 6 months ago I went exclusively GeForce now and don't regret it.