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Game Window Mode Introduction

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    Ryan
    Twitter
Table of Contents

1. Exclusive Fullscreen

  • Definition: The game completely takes over the display, bypassing the operating system's window compositor (such as Windows DWM), and can set its own resolution and refresh rate.

  • Advantages:

    • Lowest input latency
    • Bypasses compositor, highest GPU resource utilization
    • Best support for VSYNC, HDR, FreeSync, more stable game frame rates

  • Disadvantages:

    • Alt+Tab causes black screen or mode reload
      • Game releases exclusive control of the display > System takes over, switches back to desktop mode > When switching back to game, game regains exclusive control and reloads display settings
      • Specific manifestations: Brief black screen (usually 1-3 seconds), resolution switches between game mode and desktop mode, refresh rate may change
    • Multi-display switching interrupts experience
      • Specific manifestations: When switching to other displays, the game may briefly black screen/pause/stutter

  • Resource Usage:

    • GPU efficient, unaffected by compositor
    • Lower CPU usage

  • Use Cases:

    • Competitive gaming, high refresh rate competitive environments
    • Scenarios requiring extremely high frame rates and latency

2. Borderless Windowed

  • Definition: Appears like fullscreen but is actually a borderless window, rendered through the system compositor.

  • Advantages:

    • Fast Alt+Tab switching, no black screen
    • Notifications and overlays don't interfere
    • Suitable for streaming, multitasking

  • Disadvantages:

    • System compositor still running, slightly increases CPU/GPU burden
    • FPS and response speed slightly lower than exclusive fullscreen

  • Resource Usage:

    • CPU and GPU usage slightly higher than exclusive fullscreen, but modern Windows optimizations have narrowed the gap

  • Use Cases:

    • Suitable for streaming, multitasking, balancing performance and smooth switching

3. Windowed Mode

  • Definition: Regular resizable window with borders and title bar, can be displayed alongside other applications.

  • Advantages:

    • Flexible multitasking, instant switching
    • Supports custom window sizes, compatible with older games

  • Disadvantages:

    • Highest GPU/CPU consumption (needs to composite multiple windows)
    • Weaker performance, unstable frame rates

  • Resource Usage:

    • Highest resource usage, system needs to handle window composition and background rendering, maximum overhead

  • Use Cases:

    • Suitable for older games, when custom sizing is needed, or when frequent interaction with other desktop programs is required
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