Monitor G-Sync and FreeSync

Monitor G-Sync and FreeSync

Screen tearing happens when the monitor refreshes its image while the GPU is still drawing a new frame. The top half of the screen shows the old frame and the bottom half shows the new one, creating a visible horizontal split. V-Sync fixes this by making the GPU wait for the monitor, but it introduces input lag and stuttering when the frame rate drops.

Variable refresh rate technology solves this problem by making the monitor wait for the GPU instead of the other way around. The monitor adjusts its refresh rate to match the GPU's frame rate in real time. If the GPU is outputting 75 frames per second, the monitor runs at 75 Hz. If it drops to 50, the monitor runs at 50 Hz. This eliminates tearing without the downsides of V-Sync.

NVIDIA's implementation is called G-Sync. The original G-Sync required a special module inside the monitor that handled the variable refresh rate. This added cost, often $100 to $200 more than a comparable monitor. Newer G-Sync Compatible monitors use the standard Adaptive-Sync feature built into DisplayPort, which is the same technology that AMD's FreeSync uses.

AMD's FreeSync is an open standard based on the VESA Adaptive-Sync specification. Because it does not require a proprietary module, FreeSync monitors are much cheaper than G-Sync monitors. FreeSync works over both DisplayPort and HDMI, while G-Sync traditionally required DisplayPort. Most modern FreeSync monitors also work with NVIDIA GPUs, though compatibility varies.

There are different tiers of FreeSync. FreeSync is the basic level, FreeSync Premium adds low framerate compensation, which helps when the frame rate drops below the monitor's minimum refresh rate, and FreeSync Premium Pro adds HDR support. For G-Sync, there is G-Sync Compatible, G-Sync, and G-Sync Ultimate. For most gamers, a FreeSync Premium or G-Sync Compatible monitor offers the best value.