FreeSync Vs G-Sync Explained | Which is Best For You

It’s crucial to evaluate FreeSync vs G-Sync when purchasing a gaming monitor. Both approaches increase monitor performance by matching the screen’s performance to the graphics card’s performance. And each has distinct advantages and disadvantages: G-Sync provides superior performance at a greater cost, but FreeSync is prone to screen abnormalities such as ghosting.

So FreeSync vs G-Sync? Finally, it is up to you to pick which is ideal for you using our guide below.

FreeSync Vs G-Sync Explained

In the past, monitor makers depended on the V-Sync standard to assure that customers and business executives could use their monitors with high-performance PCs without problems. However, as technology advanced, new standards emerged, the most notable of which being G-Sync and Freesync.

FreeSync is a standard established by AMD that, like G-Sync, is an adjustable synchronization system for liquid-crystal displays. It was released in 2015. Its purpose is to decrease stuttering and screen tearing caused by the monitor’s frame rate not matching the content frame rate.

Because this technology relies on the Adaptive-Sync standard established with the DisplayPort 1.2a standard, it may be used with any monitor that has this input. FreeSync is not compatible with old connectors like VGA and DVI, so keep that in mind.

The “free” part of FreeSync derives from the fact that the standard is open, which means that other manufacturers may use it without paying AMD fees. As a result, many FreeSync products on the market are less expensive than comparable G-Sync devices.

Because FreeSync is an AMD-developed standard, it is supported by the majority of AMD’s contemporary graphics processing units. Other electronics manufacturers support the concept as well, and with the correct understanding, FreeSync may even be made to function on NVIDIA hardware.

FreeSync is a huge advance over the V-Sync standard, however, it isn’t without flaws. Ghosting is FreeSync’s most noticeable flaw. This occurs when an item leaves a trace of its prior picture location behind, resulting in a shadow-like picture.

Improper power management is the major cause of ghosting in FreeSync devices. Images reveal gaps due to sluggish movement if adequate power isn’t delivered to the pixels. Ghosting, on the other hand, occurs when too much power is applied.

G-Sync is an NVIDIA technology that synchronises a user’s display to a device’s graphics card output, resulting in smoother performance, notably with gaming. It was first released to the public in 2013. Because display refresh rates are always better than the GPU’s capacity to produce data, G-Sync has acquired appeal in the electronics industry. This has a huge impact on performance.

When the GPU speed is out of sync with the display refresh rate, G-Sync guarantees that the graphics card adapts its output rate.

If a graphics card is delivering 50 frames per second (FPS), for example, the display’s refresh rate will change to 50 Hz. When the FPS count drops to 40, the display switches to a 40 Hz refresh rate. G-Sync technology’s normal effective range is 30 Hz to the display’s maximum refresh rate.

The most noticeable advantage of G-Sync technology is that it eliminates screen tearing and other frequent display difficulties that come with V-Sync equipment. G-Sync technology does this by adjusting the vertical blanking interval on the monitor (VBI).

The VBI stands for the duration between when a monitor finishes drawing one frame and moves on to the next. When G-Sync is activated, the graphics card detects a gap in the signal and delays transmitting further data, preventing frame problems.

G-Sync Ultimate is a newer version of G-Sync created by NVIDIA to keep up with technological advancements. G-Sync is being replaced with this new standard, which is a more sophisticated form of G-Sync. The built-in R3 module, high dynamic range (HDR) compatibility, and the ability to show 4K quality pictures at 144Hz are the main features that distinguish it from G-Sync equipment.

Despite the fact that G-Sync provides excellent performance across the board, its biggest downside is the cost. Users must acquire a G-Sync-enabled monitor and graphics card to fully benefit from native G-Sync technology. The quantity of G-Sync devices available to customers was limited due to this two-part equipment requirement. It’s also worth mentioning that these displays require a graphics card that can connect through DisplayPort.

While native G-Sync equipment will almost certainly be more expensive, budget-conscious organizations and individuals may still benefit from an increased viewing experience by using G-Sync Compatible equipment for the time being.

G-Sync and FreeSync are both effective in eliminating stutters and screen tearing in games. However, because they are executed in different ways, they each have advantages and disadvantages.

G-Sync displays are limited to two inputs: DisplayPort and HDMI, with only DisplayPort supporting adaptive sync. They also employ a proprietary scaler provided by Nvidia. The scaler is a piece of equipment that manufacturers must include in their displays in order to enable G-Sync, which adds an average of $200 to the cost of the display when compared to equivalent FreeSync choices.

FreeSync is an open standard developed by AMD that does not need the addition of any extra hardware to monitors in order to function. FreeSync displays are not only less expensive than G-Sync counterparts, but they also provide additional connectivity choices, including older connections like DVI and VGA. FreeSync has the added benefit of functioning across HDMI in addition to DisplayPort, albeit in my experience, FreeSync across HDMI does not always operate as planned.

It’s vital to note that G-Sync and FreeSync are only compatible with supported Nvidia graphics cards and AMD graphics cards, respectively. If you buy a FreeSync monitor and utilize it with an Nvidia graphics card, you won’t get any adaptive sync benefits, and vice versa. 

You would believe that if you have an AMD card, FreeSync is always likely to be the superior option based just on price. The G-Sync certification scheme, on the other hand, assures that all displays that support it also enable Low Framerate Compensation (LFC). Below the adaptive sync refresh window, LFC assures that the variable refresh rate will still operate.

In other words, if your framerate dips below 40fps, a display with an adaptive sync window of 40Hz to 100Hz will still suffer from screen tearing or stuttering. LFC prevents this from occurring, which is one of the main advantages of G-Sync versus FreeSync, as most FreeSync displays do not support LFC. Because AMD recognizes the importance of LFC for the optimal adaptive sync experience, they just released FreeSync 2, a new adaptive sync technique.

G-Sync requires a GeForce 600 series or newer, whereas FreeSync requires a Radeon Rx 200 series or newer. With any other cards, you may use the displays normally, but adaptive sync will not function.

It’s difficult to go back after using an adaptive sync display, but there are some situations when buying a panel without adaptive sync stands to reason, especially if you’re on a budget.

Gamers who typically play competitive FPS games should choose a display with a high refresh rate (120Hz or above) over one that supports either FreeSync or G-Sync but has a refresh rate lower than 75Hz, regardless of whether it includes adaptive sync. In most other circumstances, though, FreeSync and G-Sync will significantly enhance your gaming experience.

AMD and Nvidia have raised the game with new versions of their Adaptive-Sync technology, adding even more options to a potentially confusing market. This is justified, to be sure, by certain significant advancements in display technology, such as HDR and expanded color.

Without gaining the “Ultimate” certification from Nvidia, a monitor can enable G-Sync with HDR and expanded color. Nvidia gives that name to displays that can display “lifelike HDR,” as defined by the company.

The G-Sync Ultimate standard is ambiguous, but Nvidia explained it to Tom’s Hardware, saying that these monitors should be factory-calibrated for the HDR color space, P3, with 144Hz and higher frame rates, overdrive, “reduced latency,” and “best-in-class” picture quality and HDR compatibility.

For a monitor to be listed as FreeSync Premium, it must support HDR, extended colour, a minimum of 120 Hz at 1080p resolution, and feature LFC. If you’re looking for a replacement for FreeSync 2, AMD has released FreeSync Premium Pro. They are identical in terms of functionality.

Another fact: If your HDR display supports FreeSync with HDR (for suggestions, check our post on choosing the best HDR display), there’s a strong chance it also supports G-Sync with HDR.

What about FreeSync Premium Pro, for example? It’s in the same boat as G-Sync Ultimate in that it adds nothing to the fundamental Adaptive-Sync technology. Simply said, FreeSync Premium Pro implies AMD has validated that monitor to deliver a valuable outcome with at least a 120 Hz refresh rate, LFC, and HDR.

If the FreeSync display supports HDR, it’ll very certainly function with G-Sync (whether Nvidia-certified or not).

Conclusion

So, FreeSync vs G-Sync: which is better? With the features being so comparable, there is no need to choose one monitor over the other. At this stage, the battle is a wash because both technologies provide the same result.

Instead, consumers looking for a PC monitor must choose which extra functions are most important to them. What should be the refresh rate? What is the maximum resolution that your graphics card can handle? Is it necessary to have a high level of brightness? Do you want HDR and a wider range of colours?

The game experience is influenced by the mixture of these factors, not only the adaptive sync technology used. At the end of the day, the more money you pay, the better gaming display you’ll obtain. When it comes to displays these days, you certainly get what you pay for. However, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy a decent, seamless gaming experience.