Nvidia’s
G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync are two flavors of the same technology: both allow a
high-refresh rate monitor to sync its refresh to the output of a graphics card
instead of operating at a static frequency like 60 Hz. The framerates of our PC
games can fluctuate wildly, and that’s a tricky thing for monitors and graphics
cards to deal with. As a result, we get screen tearing when the GPU’s refresh
rate and the monitor’s refresh rate aren’t in sync, or we get V-Sync slowdown
when the GPU drops below the monitor’s refresh rate.
G-Sync
and FreeSync solve those problems, and the result is a buttery smooth gaming
experience even as your framerate fluctuates from 50 to 80 fps. The technology
simply washes away obvious slowdown and little annoyances that have plagued
modern displays for years. It’s why a 144Hz G-Sync monitor is currently our
pick for the best gaming monitor. And there are now
more than a dozen G-Sync and FreeSync monitors for sale, ranging in size and
price. But tracking those monitors down and keeping their model numbers
straight can be confusing.
If
you’re thinking about buying a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, here’s what you need
to know.
Compatibility:
what graphics cards do I need?
G-Sync: G-Sync
only works with an Nvidia graphics card and monitors that include G-Sync
hardware. G-Sync works with Nvidia 600 series, 700 series, and 900 series
cards. This also includes Nvidia’s Titan cards. There’s a full list of these
cards on Nvidia’s website.
FreeSync: FreeSync
only works with AMD graphics cards and monitors that support FreeSync. AMD
Radeon R9 295X2, 290X, R9 290, R9 285, R7 260X and R7 260 graphics cards
support FreeSync during gaming. AMD APUs with the following codenames also
support FreeSync using their built-in graphics processing: Kaveri, Kabini,
Temash, Beema and Mullins.
As
of May 2015, FreeSync currently does not work with systems running multiple AMD
GPUs in CrossFire.
It’s
worth noting that FreeSync is based on a feature called Adaptive-Sync built into the DisplayPort standard.
Adaptive-Sync is not proprietary AMD technology, so it could, theoretically,
also be supported by Nvidia graphics cards.
Are
G-Sync and FreeSync exactly the same?
Despite
doing the same basic thing to your gaming experience, there are some key
differences between G-Sync and FreeSync beyond what graphics cards they’re
compatible with. Nvidia’s implementation of the technology includes some
special hardware embedded in compatible monitors. This hardware affects how
G-Sync performs when games run at a higher or lower refresh rate than the panel
supports (e.g. 15 frames per second or 160 frames per second). This
PCPer article goes into great depth to explain how
G-Sync and FreeSync handle those refresh rates differently.
Need
a refresher on the differences between TN and IPS panel types?.
G-Sync
monitors available as of May 2015
Monitor
|
Size
/ Resolution
|
Refresh
rate
|
Panel
type
|
Price
|
Acer
Predator XB270H Abprz
|
27-inch
1920x1080
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$500
|
Acer
XB280HK bprz
|
28-inch
3840x2160
|
30
- 60 Hz
|
TN
|
$683
|
Acer
XB240H Abpr
|
24-inch
1920x1080
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$400
|
Acer
XB270HU bprz
|
27-inch
2560x1440
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
IPS
|
$800
|
AOC
G2460PG
|
24-inch
1920x1080
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$400
|
Asus
RoG Swift PG278Q
|
27-inch
2560x1440
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$750
|
BenQ
XL2420G
|
24-inch
1920x1080
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$540
|
Philips
272G5DYEB
|
27-inch
1920x1080
|
30
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$600
|
FreeSync
monitors available as of May 2015
Monitor
|
Size
/ Resolution
|
Refresh
rate
|
Panel
type
|
Price
|
Acer
XG270HU
|
27-inch
2560x1440
|
40
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$500
|
BenQ
XL2730Z
|
27-inch
2560x1440
|
40
- 144 Hz
|
TN
|
$850
|
LG
29UM67
|
29-inch
2560x1080
|
48
- 75 Hz
|
IPS
|
$450
|
LG
34UM67
|
34-inch
2560x1080
|
48
- 75 Hz
|
IPS
|
$650
|
Source : PC Game
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