GeForce NOW’s Performance tier supports up to 2560×1440 at 60 FPS and several ultrawide formats. However, “ultrawide support” does not mean every ultrawide monitor runs at its native resolution. NVIDIA lists 2560×1080 and 3840×1080 for Performance, while the popular 3440×1440 format is listed for Ultimate.
The short version
- 2560×1440: Supported on Performance at up to 60 FPS.
- 2560×1080 and 3840×1080: Listed ultrawide formats for Performance, also up to 60 FPS.
- 3440×1440: Not listed for Performance; NVIDIA lists it under Ultimate.
- Browser, Android, TV and other clients: Do not necessarily expose the same options as the native Windows and macOS applications.
The change is also not a brand-new 2026 rollout. NVIDIA introduced Performance in November 2024 as the renamed successor to Priority. Existing Priority members were automatically upgraded, and the tier moved from a 1080p maximum to 1440p while adding selected ultrawide modes and persistent graphics settings.
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Which resolutions does Performance support?
NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW resolution table separates standard QHD from higher-pixel-count ultrawide formats. The listed Performance modes are:
| Format | Resolution | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 QHD | 2560×1440 | Yes, up to 60 FPS |
| 16:10 QHD | 2560×1600 | Yes, up to 60 FPS |
| 21:9 UW-FHD | 2560×1080 | Yes, up to 60 FPS |
| 32:9 UW-FHD | 3840×1080 | Yes, up to 60 FPS |
| 21:9 HD ultrawide | 1680×720 | Yes, up to 60 FPS |
| 21:9 UW-QHD | 3440×1440 | Ultimate |
| 24:10 ultrawide | 3840×1600 | Ultimate |
| 32:9 UW-QHD | 5120×1440 | Ultimate |
That distinction explains most of the confusion. Both 2560×1440 and 3440×1440 have “1440” as their vertical resolution, but they are not the same output class. A 2560×1440 display is standard 16:9 QHD. A 3440×1440 display is 21:9 UW-QHD and requires substantially more horizontal pixels.
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What this means for common monitors
- 27-inch 2560×1440: A strong Performance match if 60 FPS is enough.
- 29-inch 2560×1080: Fits one of Performance’s listed ultrawide modes.
- 49-inch 3840×1080: Also listed for Performance.
- 34-inch 3440×1440: Performance may fall back to a supported lower mode such as 2560×1080. Ultimate is the appropriate tier for native 3440×1440 output.
- 49-inch 5120×1440: Not a Performance fit; NVIDIA lists the format for Ultimate.
Using a 3440×1440 monitor does not force GeForce NOW to transmit 3440×1440. The client, membership, display mode and network conditions all affect the actual stream.
Use the native app for the highest modes
For a Windows or Mac setup, NVIDIA says the highest resolutions and frame rates require the native GeForce NOW application rather than a browser tab.
- Install or update the native GeForce NOW app.
- Connect the computer to the monitor you intend to use.
- Set the operating system display resolution and refresh rate appropriately.
- Open GeForce NOW’s settings and find the streaming-quality controls.
- Choose Custom if the desired option is not available in a simpler preset.
- Select the highest resolution NVIDIA lists for your plan, device and display.
- Launch a game and verify the delivered stream using the statistics overlay.
Do not expect an unsupported resolution to appear simply because the monitor can display it. A Performance subscriber with a 3440×1440 monitor may see 2560×1080 or another supported option instead.
How to check the real stream resolution
Open GeForce NOW’s in-game statistics overlay with:
- Windows:
Ctrl+N - macOS:
Cmd+N
Check the streaming information rather than relying on the desktop resolution shown by Windows or macOS. These are different measurements:
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- Desktop resolution: The resolution used by the local operating system.
- Game rendering resolution: The resolution at which the cloud game renders, subject to its settings.
- Stream resolution: The image resolution transmitted by GeForce NOW.
- Display scaling: Any upscaling performed locally by the client or monitor.
A monitor running its desktop at 3440×1440 therefore does not prove that GeForce NOW is transmitting 3440×1440.
Device and client restrictions matter
Performance’s native Windows and macOS capabilities should not be generalized to every GeForce NOW device. NVIDIA’s current system requirements describe different limits by platform.
Windows and macOS
These are the most relevant clients for Performance ultrawide use. NVIDIA’s table lists compatible local hardware, including GeForce GTX 750 or newer, Intel HD 510 or newer, AMD Radeon 300-series or newer and Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c+ or newer, along with supported Mac models. These are client decoding requirements; your local machine does not render the cloud game.
Browsers
Do not assume Chrome, Edge or Safari exposes the same resolution choices as the native application. NVIDIA identifies browser QHD streaming and 120 FPS support as Ultimate features. If a resolution is missing in a browser, try the native Windows or macOS app before concluding that the monitor or account is incompatible.
Android
NVIDIA identifies 1440p and 120 FPS streaming on Android as Ultimate features. Performance’s native-PC resolution list should not be treated as a promise for Android phones and tablets.
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- Smooth motion: 240Hz refresh rate and fast 0.5ms response time provide crisp visuals and fluid movement with less input lag.
- Seamless gaming: FreeSync Premium and HDMI VRR eliminate tearing for smooth, responsive PC and console gameplay.
- Fast IPS: Faster 0.5ms response with excellent color accuracy across wide IPS viewing angles.
- Rich color: 99% sRGB color coverage delivers vivid, detailed imagery with strong accuracy.
- Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star certified display lowers blue light while preserving color quality.
ChromeOS, iPhone, iPad, TVs and SHIELD
These platforms have separate requirements and limitations. iPhone and iPad use a browser-based experience and require a controller for gameplay. ChromeOS does not provide the same native-PC feature set, while 4K support on SHIELD and smart TVs is reserved for Ultimate. TV and browser streaming should not be assumed to work like the native desktop client.
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- You are using a browser: Switch to the native Windows or macOS application where supported.
- Your plan does not include the mode: Performance does not list 3440×1440, 3840×1600 or 5120×1440.
- The device is restricted: Android, TV, SHIELD, iOS and ChromeOS have platform-specific limits.
- The application is outdated: Update the native client and restart it.
- The display connection is unsuitable: An adapter, cable or unsupported monitor timing may prevent a mode from appearing.
- The game handles ultrawide poorly: Some games add borders, stretch the image, crop the field of view or require an in-game ultrawide setting.
- The network is adapting: Packet loss, latency, Wi-Fi interference or insufficient bandwidth can reduce effective stream quality even after a higher resolution is selected.
Game-specific problems are not necessarily GeForce NOW tier failures. The service may provide an ultrawide stream while the game itself renders menus or gameplay incorrectly.
Network and frame-rate expectations
NVIDIA recommends at least 35 Mbps for QHD or UW-QHD streaming at 120 FPS on supported configurations, latency below 80 ms to an NVIDIA data center, and either Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. The 35 Mbps figure is guidance, not a guarantee: bitrate headroom, jitter, packet loss and local Wi-Fi congestion also affect image quality.
Performance’s 60 FPS figure is a ceiling, not a locked result. Actual game performance depends on the title, graphics settings, assigned cloud hardware and server conditions. A 60 FPS stream also offers limited benefit on a 60 Hz monitor; owners of 120 Hz, 144 Hz or faster displays may need Ultimate for higher-frame-rate modes.
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Choose Performance if you use a standard 2560×1440 display, are satisfied with 60 FPS, use the native desktop app, or own a 2560×1080 or 3840×1080 ultrawide. It is also the more sensible option if you do not need 4K, HDR or high-refresh-rate streaming.
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Choose Ultimate if native 3440×1440 output is important, you use a 4K display, want 120 FPS or more, need HDR or higher-end streaming modes, play competitively on a high-refresh monitor, or primarily use a browser, Android device, SHIELD or TV where NVIDIA reserves higher resolutions for Ultimate.
NVIDIA’s marketplace currently lists Performance at $9.99 for one month, $99.99 for 12 months and $3.99 for a one-day pass in the U.S. Ultimate is listed at $19.99 per month, $199.99 per year and $7.99 for a one-day pass. Prices and availability can vary by region and change over time; check the official marketplace before subscribing.
If you are unsure whether your exact monitor and client combination works, a one-day pass is the safest way to test it before committing to a longer plan.
Verdict
Performance is a meaningful upgrade over the former Priority tier for standard 1440p users and owners of lower-resolution ultrawide displays. But NVIDIA’s wording needs to be read precisely: Performance supports selected ultrawide formats, not unrestricted 1440p ultrawide output. For a 3440×1440 monitor, 4K display or high-refresh-rate setup, Ultimate remains the tier to consider.
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