To prevent screen tearing and stuttering, AMD FreeSync technology synchronizes the refresh rate (Hz) of the display with the frame rate (FPS) of the graphics card. However, What Is FreeSync? And What Does It Do?
AMD FreeSync synchronizes the refresh rate (Hz) of a compatible monitor with the frame rate of a compatible graphics card (FPS).
Screen tearing and stuttering are thereby removed within the display’s supported variable refresh rate range.
A monitor’s refresh rate can change dynamically and in sync with a graphics card’s frame rate thanks to AMD Radeon FreeSync technology’s variable refresh rate (VRR).
What Is FreeSync?
The Adaptive-Sync protocols of the DisplayPort interface, which AMD eventually implemented over HDMI, are the foundation of FreeSync.
Remember that AdaptiveSync refers to VESA’s certification scheme for VRR performance validation while AdaptiveSync refers to the broader variable refresh rate operation and protocols (with a space or hyphen in between).
You won’t experience screen tearing or visual lag with AMD FreeSync, which are often side effects of having V-SYNC turned on.
Users must have an AMD graphics card with the Radeon R9/R7 200-series or newer, barring the R9 270/X, R9 280/X, R9 370/X, and R7 265 models, in order to take use of the benefits offered by AMD FreeSync technology.
NVIDIA graphics cards (GTX 10-series or newer) and compatible Xbox consoles can both use FreeSync when connected via DisplayPort to compatible monitors that support FreeSync and G-SYNC.
AMD FreeSync: What Does It Do?
You must be aware of how a monitor and graphics card interact with one another in order to form an image in order to comprehend how FreeSync functions and what it does.
Briefly stated, the display receives the frames that the GPU has rendered and updates them a predetermined number of times (for example, 60 times on a 60Hz monitor) to produce the image.
The GPU will occasionally deliver too many frames to the display while the monitor is still showing the previous refresh cycle, though. As a result, the screen tears (picture above).
Enabling the V-SYNC option in your drivers or video game settings will stop screen tearing.
Screen tearing is eliminated by V-SYNC, which makes the GPU wait until the monitor is prepared to display the next frame.
However, this results in more input lag and screen stuttering because the GPU will have to display the frames again if it can’t render them in time for the subsequent refresh.
In the end, you must decide between input lag and no screen tearing (V-SYNC enabled) or input lag and screen tearing (V-SYNC off).
Here, FreeSync steps in to ensure that, within a specified refresh rate range, the GPU and the display operate in perfect harmony.
FreeSync Premium & FreeSync Premium Pro
Three levels of FreeSync are available:
First, there is bare-bones FreeSync, which does not support LFC and has a refresh rate lower than 120Hz.
Then there is FreeSync Premium, which needs 1920 x 1080 resolution, at least 120 Hz, and LFC support.
Since this is a new trademark, some monitors’ product pages might not list the FreeSync Premium certification; nonetheless, as long as the monitor has a minimum refresh rate of 120Hz and a minimum VRR range of (2:1), for example, 60-120Hz, it is still considered to be “FreeSync Premium.”
The FreeSync Premium Pro tier is the last, and it adds HDR capability, at least 400 nits of peak brightness, and 90% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage to the FreeSync Premium criteria.
LFC (Low Framerate Compensation)
You won’t notice any input lag increases or obvious screen tearing as long as you stay inside the dynamic refresh rate range of FreeSync. But if your FPS falls outside of that band, FreeSync will no longer function.
The main issue here is that many FreeSync monitors have a limited dynamic refresh rate range, such as 48-75Hz or 40-75Hz instead of 30-75Hz for monitors with a maximum refresh rate of 75Hz.
Some displays have a third-party program called CRU (Custom Resolution Utility) that allows you to expand the dynamic range.
To ensure a smoother, tear-free performance, some FreeSync displays, however, use AMD LFC technology, which multiplies the refresh rate when your FPS falls below the lower end of the spectrum.
For instance, LFC will alter the display’s refresh rate to 74Hz on a 75Hz monitor if your frame rate dips to 37 FPS in order to improve performance.
LFC is automatically supported by every monitor with a variable refresh rate range of at least 2:1 (for example, 50Hz-100Hz). Therefore, if you’re shopping for a FreeSync monitor, look for LFC compatibility as well as a wide variety of variable refresh rates.
FreeSync vs G-SYNC
You might be curious to learn more about FreeSyncTM technology if you’re a player who cares about the quality of the images. Learn more about FreeSyncTM technology, including FreeSyncTM, FreeSyncTM Premium, and FreeSyncTM Premium Pro, and how they work to provide you a fun gaming experience.
An adjustable synchronization technique for LCD displays is called FreeSyncTM. It eliminates screen tearing, stuttering, and juddering in displays by matching the GPU’s framerate with the refresh rate of the monitor (the processing unit of a graphics card). A FreeSyncTM-enabled monitor has a variable refresh rate (VRR) that synchronizes with the AMD graphics card’s framerate. You can experience the highest framerate your graphics card is capable of with FreeSyncTM.
AMD FreeSync doesn’t increase the price of the monitor in any way, unlike G-SYNC displays that have a special module inserted inside of them.
However, G-SYNC monitors also include configurable overdrive, a broader dynamic refresh rate range, and a little lower input lag.
In contrast to most FreeSync monitors, most G-SYNC monitors only offer VRR when the monitor is linked to the GPU through a DisplayPort connection.
Some more recent G-SYNC gaming monitors do, however, support Adaptive-Sync over DisplayPort and/or HDMI as well as HDMI-VRR.
Last but not least, G-SYNC displays provide variable overdrive, allowing the display’s reaction time overdrive to alter instantly in accordance with the frame rate.
As a result, neither overshoot nor ghosting occur at either high or low frame rates.
When using a FreeSync monitor, you must manually adjust the overdrive setting for best performance, which can be problematic if your gaming FPS varies frequently.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many FreeSync displays with well-optimized overdrive implementations that allow you to employ a single overdrive mode throughout the whole refresh rate range.
FreeSync Standards: What’s the Difference?
The HDR indication was essentially what set the previous two FreeSyncTM tiers apart. With the addition of the new FreeSyncTM Premium tier, AMD plans to include two more advantages to make it simpler for gamers to choose the monitors of their choice:
- Minimum FHD resolution and a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz.
- Compensation for low frame rates (LFC)
While the new FreeSyncTM Premium Pro tier offers smoother gameplay by double the perceived color space of sRGB for improved brightness and contrast. It also supports HDR. See how FreeSyncTM Premium Pro renders graphics in the picture below. A FreesyncTM Premium Pro display is the best choice for gamers that value HDR effects.
You will find it much simpler to choose the finest gaming monitor for you and have a much more enjoyable gaming experience after you understand what FreeSyncTM technology is and the distinctions between G-Sync, FreeSyncTM, FreeSyncTM Premium, and FreeSyncTM Premium Pro.
FreeSync vs G-Sync: Which One is Right For You?
FreeSyncTM and G-Sync are two widely used solutions for displaying smooth images. To prevent tearing and stuttering, FreeSyncTM and G-sync were also developed. The distinction is that AMD develops FreeSyncTM whereas Nvidia develops G-sync. You must have an AMD graphics card in your laptop or an AMD CPU in your gaming console in order to take use of FreeSyncTM’s variable refresh rate. G-Sync technology aims to synchronize an Nvidia graphics card’s framerate with the refresh rate of a monitor. Each technology has its own supporters.
Because Xbox consoles feature AMD CPUs, FreeSyncTM-supported screens are the ideal choice for console gamers who play Xbox. For gamers who are thinking about utilizing a TV for gaming, have a look at this article to learn how Refresh Rate, Input Lag, and FreeSyncTM are related and to know what to look for. For gaming, monitors are a superior option. And there are several FreeSyncTM monitors with a variety of specifications on the market. As a result, gamers have access to a variety of monitor options.
Early in 2017, AMD released FreeSyncTM 2, which added HDR effect for a more immersive gaming experience. In order to meet gamers’ needs and deliver on their anticipated gaming experiences, AMD added a new FreeSyncTM Premium tier in the beginning of 2020 and restructured FreeSyncTM for HDR content as FreeSyncTM Premium Pro.
Conclusion: Solutions to Fit a Variety of Your Needs
If performance and image quality are your top considerations when selecting a monitor, G-Sync and FreeSync hardware are available in a range of configurations to suit almost any requirement. Levels of input lag or ripping distinguish the two standards most significantly.
The FreeSync standard is an excellent fit for you if you desire less input lag and don’t mind tearing. However, G-Sync-equipped monitors are a better option if you want fluid motion without tearing and don’t mind a little input lag.
G-Sync and FreeSync both provide great quality for the typical person or business professional. G-Sync is the clear victor if price is not an issue and you require the best graphics support available.
