What is FreeSync? Achieve Superior Gaming Performance

As a gamer who values image quality, you might be interested in learning about FreeSync™ technology. Let's find out what FreeSync™ technology is: FreeSync™, FreeSync™ Premium, FreeSync™ Premium Pro and how they function to bring you an enjoyable gameplay.

FreeSync™ is a type of adaptive synchronization technology for LCD displays. It helps displays eliminate screen tearing, stuttering and juddering by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the framerate from the GPU (the processing unit of a graphics card). When a monitor is equipped with FreeSync™, it gains a variable refresh rate (VRR) which matches the framerate of your AMD graphics card. With FreeSync™, you will enjoy the optimal framerate your graphics card can achieve.

Table of Contents

FreeSync vs. G-Sync: A Deeper Comparison
FreeSync™ Standards: What’s the Difference?
Find out AMD’s FreeSync™ Standards
Do I Need a Monitor that Supports FreeSync?
Does BenQ Monitor Support FreeSync?

FreeSync vs. G-Sync: A Deeper Comparison

In the world of gaming, smooth, tear-free visuals are essential, and two leading technologies—FreeSync™ and G-Sync—aim to deliver this experience.

FreeSync™

Developed by AMD, FreeSync™ uses the open DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync standard to synchronize a monitor’s refresh rate with an AMD graphics card. It's ideal for Xbox console gamers, as these consoles use AMD chips, ensuring compatibility. FreeSync™ monitors are widely available and affordable, offering various specifications. AMD has enhanced this technology with FreeSync™ Premium and Premium Pro. Premium adds Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), while Premium Pro includes HDR support with strict color accuracy and latency requirements for a more immersive and responsive experience.

Unlike G-Sync, FreeSync also works over HDMI, making it compatible with many TVs and consoles in addition to PC monitors.

G-Sync

G-Sync, by NVIDIA, synchronizes a monitor's refresh rate with an NVIDIA graphics card using a proprietary hardware module. This ensures high performance and includes features like variable overdrive. However, G-Sync monitors are typically more expensive due to the hardware requirements and were traditionally limited to NVIDIA cards, though compatibility with some FreeSync™ monitors has improved.

Key Considerations

Cost: FreeSync™ monitors are generally more budget-friendly, while G-Sync monitors are pricier due to their hardware module.
Compatibility: FreeSync™ works with both AMD and some NVIDIA cards, offering flexibility. G-Sync is primarily for NVIDIA cards, but newer models (GTX 10-series and above) can support G-Sync Compatible monitors—FreeSync™ displays that have passed NVIDIA’s certification for a stable experience.
Performance: G-Sync provides robust performance with additional features, while FreeSync™ offers a wide range of options with cost-effective solutions.

Your choice between FreeSync™ and G-Sync should depend on your hardware and gaming priorities. FreeSync™ is great for AMD users and budget-conscious gamers, while G-Sync is ideal for those with NVIDIA cards seeking high performance. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best option for your gaming setup.

FreeSync™ Standards: What’s the Difference?

What delimited the previous two FreeSync™ tiers was primarily the HDR indicator. Adding the new tier, FreeSync™ Premium, AMD intends to incorporate two more benefits to make it easier for gamers to pick out the monitors of their choice:

At least 120 Hz refresh rate at minimum FHD resolution
Low framerate compensation (LFC)

While the new tier FreeSync™ Premium Pro combines HDR support with variable refresh rate technology, offering smoother gameplay by twice the perceptual color space of sRGB for better brightness and contrast. You can check the image below to see how FreeSync™ Premium Pro renders images. If you are a gamer who values HDR effect, a Freesync™ Premium Pro monitor is right for you.

freeSync premium pro reduces tearing and stuttering and combines HDR support with variable refresh rate technology

After figuring out what FreeSync™ technology is and the difference between G-Sync, FreeSync™, FreeSync™ Premium, and FreeSync™ Premium Pro, it will be much easier for you to pick out the best gaming monitor for yourself and achieve a much more satisfactory gaming experience.

Find out AMD’s FreeSync™ Standards

• Tear free

• Low flicker

• Low latency

• At least 120 Hz at min FHD resolution

• Low framerate compensation (LFC)

• Tear free

• Low flicker

• Low latency

*Previously FreeSync 2

• HDR capabilities and game support

• At least 120 Hz at min FHD resolution

• Low framerate compensation (LFC)

• Tear free

• Low flicker

• Low latency

Do I Need a Monitor that Supports FreeSync?

Whether you need a monitor that supports FreeSync largely depends on the types of games you play and your overall gaming setup. FreeSync is particularly beneficial for:

Fast-paced Games: Titles like first-person shooters (FPS), racing games, and action games often experience rapid changes in frame rates. FreeSync helps maintain smooth visuals by adjusting the monitor's refresh rate in real-time.

Graphically Intensive Games: For games with high graphical demands, FreeSync can prevent screen tearing and stuttering by matching the monitor’s refresh rate to the GPU's frame rate, especially when the frame rate fluctuates or drops below the monitor's native refresh rate.

However, there are also scenarios where a FreeSync monitor might not be necessary:

Casual Gamers: If you primarily play games that are not graphically demanding or do not involve fast-paced action, such as puzzle games, strategy games, or turn-based RPGs, the benefits of FreeSync might be less noticeable. In these cases, a standard monitor without FreeSync can suffice, as the visual inconsistencies are minimal.
Non-Gamers: For users who primarily use their computers for tasks such as web browsing, document editing, or streaming videos, the advantages of FreeSync are unlikely to be significant. These activities typically do not involve rapid changes in frame rates, so a regular monitor will perform adequately.
Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you are on a tight budget and need to prioritize other components of your setup, you might choose to forgo FreeSync in favor of investing in a better CPU, GPU, or other peripherals that would have a more noticeable impact on your overall computing experience.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in a FreeSync monitor should be guided by your specific needs and priorities. For avid gamers who demand the best visual experience, a FreeSync-compatible monitor can be a worthwhile investment. However, for those who do not engage in graphically intensive activities, the benefits of FreeSync may not justify the cost.

Does BenQ Monitor Support FreeSync?

At BenQ, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge display technology tailored to enhance your gaming experience. Our EX series gaming monitors equipped with FreeSync technology ensure smoother gameplay and minimize visual artifacts, catering to both casual and professional gamers alike.

Our FreeSync-enabled monitors boast features that elevate your gaming sessions, including ultra-low input lag for rapid responsiveness, high refresh rates for fluid motion, and enhanced color accuracy for vibrant visuals. With BenQ, you can fully utilize FreeSync technology via DisplayPort connections, ensuring optimal performance and seamless integration with your gaming setup.

These attributes make BenQ monitors a top choice among gaming enthusiasts seeking superior performance and reliability. Elevate your gaming with BenQ's FreeSync monitors—where innovation meets immersion.

What is FreeSync? Achieve Superior Gaming Performance