Freesync Monitor: Worth The Money?

If you're a gamer, you may want to consider buying a monitor with FreeSync. FreeSync is a type of adaptive synchronization technology for LCD displays that helps to eliminate screen tearing, stuttering, and juddering. It does this by synchronizing the monitor's refresh rate with the framerate from the GPU, providing a variable refresh rate (VRR) that matches the framerate of your graphics card. This technology is particularly useful for gamers who want to achieve the smoothest possible gameplay experience, as it allows the GPU to control the monitor's refresh rate and ensures there is no screen tearing.

FreeSync is developed by AMD and is free to use by any display manufacturer, with no royalties to be paid to AMD. It is worth noting that FreeSync is not compatible with legacy connections such as VGA and DVI. To benefit from FreeSync, you need to ensure that your device has an AMD graphics card or, if you're a console gamer, an AMD processor.

While FreeSync offers a cost-effective way to enhance your gaming experience, it is not without its drawbacks. One notable issue is ghosting, where an object leaves behind a bit of its previous image position, creating a shadow-like image. This is caused by imprecise power management, where too much or too little power is applied to the pixels.

Overall, if you're a gamer seeking an enhanced experience without breaking the bank, FreeSync is a great option.

FreeSync vs G-Sync

FreeSync and G-Sync are variable refresh rate technologies that improve monitor performance by matching the performance of the screen with the graphics card. They eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, providing a smoother gaming experience.

FreeSync

FreeSync is an AMD technology that reduces screen tearing and stuttering by synchronising the monitor's refresh rate with the content's frame rate. It is an open-source standard, meaning it can be used by any display manufacturer without paying royalties to AMD. This results in FreeSync monitors generally being cheaper than their G-Sync counterparts. FreeSync requires a compatible AMD GPU (Radeon R9/R7 200-series or newer) or select NVIDIA cards (GTX 10-series or newer).

G-Sync

G-Sync is NVIDIA's proprietary solution, which requires display makers to purchase a G-Sync module to use in their displays for compatibility. This adds to the cost of G-Sync monitors. G-Sync works with NVIDIA GPUs from the 10-series onwards, and AMD GPUs from the RX 200 series onwards.

The core functionality of G-Sync and FreeSync is the same: they both sync the monitor to the graphics card and let that component control the refresh rate on a continuously variable basis. However, there are some differences to consider when deciding between the two:

• Price: FreeSync monitors are generally cheaper than G-Sync monitors due to the additional hardware costs of G-Sync.
• Compatibility: G-Sync monitors will work with older GPUs, whereas FreeSync is only compatible with AMD GPUs from the RX 200 series onwards.
• Performance: G-Sync has a slight edge over FreeSync in terms of performance, offering a wider variable refresh rate range and variable overdrive. FreeSync, on the other hand, may be prone to certain screen artifacts like ghosting.
• Lock-in: With a G-Sync monitor, you are locked into using NVIDIA GPUs to get the most out of the monitor's adaptive-sync features. FreeSync monitors offer more flexibility, often supporting both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs.

In conclusion, both technologies offer similar performance benefits, and for most users, either one will be fine. For those seeking a budget setup, FreeSync is the better option. If you require impeccable gaming performance and are willing to pay a premium, G-Sync is the way to go.

Variable refresh rate technologies

Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a dynamic display feature that allows a screen to change its refresh rate seamlessly and continuously without user input. This is particularly useful for gaming, where the frame rate of a game might fluctuate, but it is also useful for films and videos, where the refresh rate can be automatically matched to the various standard frame rates used in the industry (24, 30, and 60 FPS). VRR can also save power by not needlessly refreshing the display when no new frame is being pushed out.

VRR technology is particularly useful for gamers as it can transform their gameplay by eliminating screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag. When playing a computer game, the average frame rate is 60 FPS, but many high-end games operate at 120 FPS or more, which requires a monitor to have a refresh rate of 120Hz to 165Hz. If a game is run on a monitor with a lower refresh rate, performance issues arise.

There are several VRR technologies available, including:

• G-Sync: This is NVIDIA's proprietary solution, which requires display makers to purchase a G-Sync module to use in their displays. This often results in more expensive monitors compared to FreeSync models. G-Sync ensures that when the GPU speed is out of sync with the monitor's refresh rate, the graphics card adjusts its output rate.
• FreeSync: This is AMD's implementation of VRR, which is free to use by any display manufacturer, with no royalties to pay to AMD. FreeSync is prone to certain screen artifacts like ghosting.
• HDMI Forum VRR: A new VRR format used mainly in consoles over HDMI connections.
• Adaptive-Sync: This is an optional feature of DisplayPort 1.2a.

FreeSync standards

FreeSync is an adaptive synchronization technology for LCD and OLED displays that support a variable refresh rate. It was developed by AMD and released in 2015 to compete with Nvidia's G-Sync. FreeSync is royalty-free and has no performance penalty.

FreeSync dynamically adapts the display's refresh rate to variable frame rates, removing stuttering delays and screen tearing. Transitions between different refresh rates are seamless and undetectable to the user. FreeSync can be enabled automatically by plug and play, and it is compatible with select Nvidia graphics cards and consoles.

The original FreeSync is based on DisplayPort 1.2a, using an optional feature that VESA terms Adaptive-Sync. FreeSync has also been implemented over HDMI 1.2+ as a protocol extension, and HDMI 2.1+ has its own native variable refresh rate system.

AMD FreeSync technology is split into three tiers: AMD FreeSync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Each tier has different minimum requirements that must be met for certification. Standard FreeSync provides a variable refresh rate, but if the frame rate drops below the minimum refresh rate, the benefit is lost. FreeSync Premium includes Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), which multiplies frames to maintain a smooth gameplay experience. FreeSync Premium Pro adds luminance and wide colour gamut requirements.

FreeSync and G-Sync for non-gamers

FreeSync and G-Sync are variable refresh rate technologies that enhance monitor performance by matching the performance of the screen with the graphics card. They are mostly used by gamers to get the most frames with the least frame-related artifacts. However, non-gamers may also benefit from these technologies in certain situations.

FreeSync

FreeSync is a standard developed by AMD and released in 2015. It is an adaptive synchronization technology for liquid-crystal displays that reduces screen tearing and stuttering caused by the monitor not being in sync with the content frame rate. FreeSync is based on VESA's Adaptive-Sync technology, which is free and open-source, meaning it does not increase the monitor's price. It is compatible with most AMD graphics processing units and can also work with select NVIDIA cards.

G-Sync

G-Sync is NVIDIA's proprietary solution, released in 2013. It synchronizes a user's display to a device's graphics card output, leading to smoother performance, especially in gaming. G-Sync ensures that when the GPU speed is out of sync with the monitor's refresh rate, the graphics card adjusts its output rate. G-Sync offers premium performance but at a higher price. It requires purchasing a G-Sync-equipped monitor and graphics card, which can be costly.

FreeSync vs G-Sync for Non-Gamers

For non-gamers, the argument for G-Sync and FreeSync becomes weaker, as other aspects of image quality, such as colour gamut or high resolutions, may take priority. However, high refresh rate monitors that offer a smoother and snappier experience often come with a VRR solution, and there is no particular reason to avoid this feature if the other specifications suit your needs.

Additionally, modern operating systems are beginning to take advantage of variable refresh rates. For example, Windows 11's dynamic refresh rate feature aims to save power but may eventually adjust the refresh rate to optimize the user's current activity, similar to smartphones.

In conclusion, while FreeSync and G-Sync are primarily targeted at gamers, non-gamers may still benefit from these technologies, especially as they become more integrated into operating systems and high-refresh rate monitors.

FreeSync monitors and compatibility

FreeSync is an adaptive synchronization technology for LCD and OLED displays that support a variable refresh rate. It was developed by AMD and released in 2015. FreeSync is designed to reduce screen tearing and stuttering caused by misalignment between the screen's refresh rate and the content's frame rate.

FreeSync is compatible with most AMD cards (Radeon R9/R7 200-series or newer) and can also work with select NVIDIA cards (GTX 10-series or newer). However, not all FreeSync monitors will work equally well with NVIDIA graphics cards. NVIDIA maintains a list of FreeSync monitors they've tested and certified as 'G-Sync Compatible'. While uncertified FreeSync monitors may still work with NVIDIA cards, it's not guaranteed.

FreeSync comes in three types: FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, and FreeSync Premium Pro, each with different minimum requirements. Standard FreeSync provides a variable refresh rate, but if the frame rate drops below the minimum refresh rate the monitor can display, the benefit is lost. FreeSync Premium includes Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), which multiplies the frames to an exact multiple of the supported refresh rate if the frame rate drops below the minimum refresh rate. FreeSync Premium Pro requires a wider colour gamut and additional luminance from a monitor to be certified.

FreeSync is generally considered most beneficial for gamers, as it gives them the most frames with the least frame-related artifacts. It allows the GPU to control the monitor's refresh rate, ensuring there's no screen tearing where the frame changes partway through the monitor's image refresh. This results in a smoother gaming experience and a more responsive feel.

For non-gamers, the argument for FreeSync becomes weaker, as other aspects of image quality, such as colour gamut or high resolutions, may take priority. However, many monitors on the market have a VRR solution as part of the overall package, and there's no particular reason to avoid this feature if everything else suits your needs.

Frequently asked questions