If you have an AMD graphics card made in the last couple of years, even a modest one, and you don’t have a FreeSync gaming monitor, it’s time to upgrade that display. That goes double if you've nabbed one of the newest Big Navi graphics cards, like the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, which can pump out 4K visuals and spit out high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p. Once you experience the smoothness and responsiveness of a variable refresh rate monitor paired with a powerful graphics card, there’s just no going back.
Gamers with a beefy AMD graphics card in their gaming PCs owe it to themselves to upgrade to a FreeSync gaming display—the difference is truly striking. And, it's one of the best ways to avoid screen tearing, a problem that can plague even powerful setups. These are our picks for the best FreeSync monitor at every price range, size, and resolution – and click here to find them in the UK.
Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x ,1440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 470cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 170Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is a great example of what FreeSync is good for. This is an incredibly compelling gaming monitor, delivering a sharp 1440p resolution on a 27-inch display (a sweet spot we can't get enough of). You'll find a rich color palette thanks to a 10-bit IPS panel, and there's even some room for HDR on account of the 470-nit peak brightness the display can hit.
All of those details make this a good monitor in general, but Asus loads up on the gaming chops with a 170Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This monitor is ready to cruise through games. And since this display is both FreeSync enabled and G-Sync Compatible, you can play with the latest Nvidia RTX 3080 running G-Sync over DisplayPort or take advantage of FreeSync on the new consoles over HDMI 2.0.
Screen size: 23.8" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 75Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x D-sub
Not every gaming rig is going to be a rip-roaring speed demon that can spit out 360fps all day every day. For tamer rigs and more modest gaming demands, a simpler gaming monitor with a few amenities can do the trick while keeping the price down. The LG 24MP60G-B is just such a monitor. It offers a clean and clear 1080p picture on an IPS panel, so you won’t be fussing around trying to get the best viewing angle just to see what you’re looking at.
While keeping the specs fairly basic, LG did see fit to bump up the refresh rate by 25%, giving you 75Hz to work with for that extra sense of smoothness in your gameplay. It also comes with FreeSync, so you won’t run into screen tearing and stuttering if you’re not always hitting 75fps. Importantly, the display offers a 1ms response time as well, helping ensure you can see clearly even during fast-paced action. And, all that is coming at a retail price of $170.
Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10,DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
When it comes to 4K gaming monitors, the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B is our favorite, and it just so happens to come with FreeSync support. It's not just any FreeSync either, but FreeSync Premium Pro, ensuring you're guarded against tearing, stutters, and latency while gaming in HDR. This monitor is good to go on the HDR front as well. It's using an IPS panel that can cover 98% of the DCI-P3 color space and achieve high brightness levels to make the most of HDR10 content or games.
When you're gaming, you'll get some serious sharpness on account of the 4K resolution packed into the 27-inch panel, but LG doesn't make you trade speed for resolution. This panel can run at up to 144Hz, letting you go all-in for speed as well. You may not always hit that full speed at 4K, but that's where FreeSync is ready to back you up.
Screen size: 31.9" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync Compatible | HDR Compatibility: HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 175Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
If you're making the move to 1440p, you may as well get some of the other big features that are making the latest gaming monitors all the more impressive. The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q balances its features nicely, so you'll get a monitor that can deliver in just about every respect.
Here are the basics. The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q puts up a 32-inch panel with a 1440p resolution, and instead of stopping at 144Hz like many monitors, it speeds up to 175Hz. And, it's got adaptive sync capabilities to keep your visuals looking great. For color, you're getting an IPS panel that supports a 10-bit color depth and achieves 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Tack on a little bit of HDR in the form of DisplayHDR 600, and you've got a great picture on your hands.
Screen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Alienware has you covered for a great FreeSync experience at 1080p. Now, maybe you're think you don't need FreeSync too much on a 1080p monitor because you'll have an easy time hitting the max refresh rate and can just cap your frame rate in games. Think again. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HF) cruises with a 240Hz refresh rate that will take a lot of muscle in your gaming computer to max out.
You'll actually get to combine that speed with improved clarity by way of a 400-nit peak brightness that will make it easy to see what's on the screen. And, thanks to an IPS panel, you don't have to worry about poor viewing angles. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor will also let you take advantage of the variable refresh rate support offered by the latest consoles, since it has two HDMI 2.0 ports in addition to its DisplayPort connection.
Screen size: 27" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA QLED FreeSync Premium Pro | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4
Curved gaming monitors try to immerse you by bending the display around your field of vision, and the Samsung Odyssey G7 goes further than many of the monitors you've likely seen before. That's thanks to a tight curvature with a 1000R radius. Of course, that wouldn't be worth much if the display panel wasn't also a winner. Fortunately, the Odyssey G7 delivers a QLED panel with 10-bit color and a 600-nit peak brightness that can bring some solid HDR performance.
Your games will look especially great on this monitor with the combination of colorful and vivid visuals matched with a 1440p resolution and high contrast ratio. And, let's not forget that this monitor can cruise at a 240Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium Pro to smooth it all out.
Screen size: 34" 3800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, FreeSync | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz (180Hz OC) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Going with an ultra-wide gaming monitor can give you a cinematic experience that tops what you’d get from a 16:9 monitor. But, you still don’t want screen tearing to rain on your parade. The LG UltraGear 34GP950G will make sure you get that immersive 21:9 aspect ratio at a sharp 3,440 x 1,440 resolution with all the consistency FreeSync can offer. If you’re using multiple devices, you can also use the display’s G-Sync Ultimate capabilities.
LG goes well beyond just resolution and VRR with this display. It’s big and colorful while providing exceptional brightness levels. It almost completely covers the DCI-P3 color space, which is no small feat. You’ll get a peak brightness of 600-nits to make that colorful HDR content pop. The panel is also a high-speed IPS type with a low pixel response time and a high 144Hz refresh rate. Finally, rounding out the experience, LG has built an RGB light ring into the back of the monitor to provide some stylish bias lighting.
Screen size: 64.5" | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: Neo QLED | HDR Compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Quantum HDR 32X | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Inputs: 4x HDMI 2.1, 1 x RF, 1 x Optical Audio Out
Sometimes a monitor just isn't going to cut it. The screen is too small, and you’ll be missing all the little details in your games if you want to kick it on the couch. But even if you go for a big display, you don't have to miss out on FreeSync. Samsung’s Class QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV manages not only a proper FreeSync experience but also supports a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K and ALLM on a 64.5-inch screen. That perfectly sized display is rocking Neo QLED technology, which allows for a staggering number of local dimming zones that really dial up the contrast ratio and the brightness for highlights giving you a stunning HDR experience.
Now, the Samsung Class QN90B offers up some solid tear-free gameplay, but it isn’t exclusively a gaming TV. You can also enjoy streaming your favorite movies and TV shows, and with a built-in AI-processor, it can upscale that content to 4K. And, feel free to leave your headphones and desk speakers behind, as the ones onboard this TV blow away the speakers on any traditional monitor you've ever used. It’s also packing loads of connectivity, including four HDMI ports that deliver 4K at 120Hz. Overall, this is a great pick if you need something that can perform double-duty for both gaming and media.
Screen size: 43" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible | HDR: DisplayHDR 1000 | Brightness: 1,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor that can support your PC over DisplayPort but still keep you covered for the latest features on consoles over HDMI 2.1, you’ll want the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U (read our review). This massive monitor packs a real wallop between its sharpness, brightness, and speed, so it makes sense you’d want to take advantage of it with every device you can.
The Gigabyte Aorus FV43U has a 4K VA panel that can hit a 1,000-nit peak brightness while offering a 4,000:1 contrast ratio and 10-bit color depth for some rich HDR visuals. And, you’ll be gaming pretty thanks to those specs coming alongside a 144Hz refresh rate. Don’t worry about torn frames or stutter, as this display also features FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync support. You’ll just want to make sure you’ve got room, as this monitor is almost 40 inches wide and will add over 30 pounds onto your desk. If you’re just after a big display for gaming, there are plenty of great gaming TVs with HDMI 2.1 to consider as well.
FreeSync is AMD’s branding for its variable refresh rate (VRR) monitor technology. It’s built on top of the open VESA Adaptive-Sync protocol as part of the DisplayPort 1.2a spec. If you have a FreeSync monitor, you’ll get variable refresh rates with just about any modern AMD graphics card.
If you’re running an Nvidia graphics card or using another video source (like a game console via an HDMI input), a FreeSync monitor will act just like a normal monitor.
Basically, a standard monitor is locked to a single refresh rate—that’s the number of times per second that it changes the color and brightness of the pixels on the screen. Your graphics card draws a frame and then waits until the monitor’s next refresh to display it.
This has the effect of making your game jump frame rate between even multiples of the display’s refresh: with a 60Hz monitor, your game will run at 60fps, 30fps, 20fps, 15fps, or 12fps, for example. Disabling vsync will also allow your graphics card to run as fast as possible on any monitor, but it produces an ugly visual artifact called tearing, where the monitor displays partially-drawn frames on top of the previous frame.
With VRR technology, the monitor refreshes whenever the graphics card is done drawing the next frame.
With VRR technology (G-Sync or FreeSync), the monitor refreshes whenever the graphics card is done drawing the next frame. So your monitor might max out at 60Hz and your game at 60fps, but if your game is running at 52fps the monitor will refresh at 52Hz, drawing the frame immediately instead of waiting for the next 60Hz cycle. So you’ll see the frame rate your graphics card is capable of, not an unnecessary downgrade to 30fps. This also eliminates screen tearing caused by the GPU sending multiple frames to the monitor when it's still rendering a previous frame.
There are two VRR technologies gamers should know about: G-Sync and FreeSync. G-Sync is Nvidia proprietary technology and only works with Nvidia graphics cards. FreeSync is AMD’s brand for a VRR technology and only works with AMD GPUs. G-Sync requires extra hardware in the monitor, driving monitors costs up but maintains consistently high quality. FreeSync has no licensing fee and requires no proprietary hardware, and thus monitors are typically cheaper, but quality control is a little less consistent in our opinion.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
Gamers with a beefy AMD graphics card in their gaming PCs owe it to themselves to upgrade to a FreeSync gaming display—the difference is truly striking. And, it's one of the best ways to avoid screen tearing, a problem that can plague even powerful setups. These are our picks for the best FreeSync monitor at every price range, size, and resolution – and click here to find them in the UK.
TL;DR – These are the Best FreeSync Gaming Monitors:
- Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
- LG 24MP60G-B
- LG UltraGear 27GN950-B
- Asus ROG Swift PG329Q
- Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor
- Samsung Odyssey G7
- LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
- Samsung 65” Class QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV
- Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
1. Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A
Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x ,1440 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 470cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 170Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
The Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A is a great example of what FreeSync is good for. This is an incredibly compelling gaming monitor, delivering a sharp 1440p resolution on a 27-inch display (a sweet spot we can't get enough of). You'll find a rich color palette thanks to a 10-bit IPS panel, and there's even some room for HDR on account of the 470-nit peak brightness the display can hit.
All of those details make this a good monitor in general, but Asus loads up on the gaming chops with a 170Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This monitor is ready to cruise through games. And since this display is both FreeSync enabled and G-Sync Compatible, you can play with the latest Nvidia RTX 3080 running G-Sync over DisplayPort or take advantage of FreeSync on the new consoles over HDMI 2.0.
2. LG 24MP60G-B
Best Budget FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 23.8" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 75Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x D-sub
Not every gaming rig is going to be a rip-roaring speed demon that can spit out 360fps all day every day. For tamer rigs and more modest gaming demands, a simpler gaming monitor with a few amenities can do the trick while keeping the price down. The LG 24MP60G-B is just such a monitor. It offers a clean and clear 1080p picture on an IPS panel, so you won’t be fussing around trying to get the best viewing angle just to see what you’re looking at.
While keeping the specs fairly basic, LG did see fit to bump up the refresh rate by 25%, giving you 75Hz to work with for that extra sense of smoothness in your gameplay. It also comes with FreeSync, so you won’t run into screen tearing and stuttering if you’re not always hitting 75fps. Importantly, the display offers a 1ms response time as well, helping ensure you can see clearly even during fast-paced action. And, all that is coming at a retail price of $170.
3. LG UltraGear 27GN950-B
Best 4K FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible | HDR compatibility: HDR10,DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
When it comes to 4K gaming monitors, the LG UltraGear 27GN950-B is our favorite, and it just so happens to come with FreeSync support. It's not just any FreeSync either, but FreeSync Premium Pro, ensuring you're guarded against tearing, stutters, and latency while gaming in HDR. This monitor is good to go on the HDR front as well. It's using an IPS panel that can cover 98% of the DCI-P3 color space and achieve high brightness levels to make the most of HDR10 content or games.
When you're gaming, you'll get some serious sharpness on account of the 4K resolution packed into the 27-inch panel, but LG doesn't make you trade speed for resolution. This panel can run at up to 144Hz, letting you go all-in for speed as well. You may not always hit that full speed at 4K, but that's where FreeSync is ready to back you up.
4. Asus ROG Swift PG329Q
Best 1440p FreeSync Monitor
Screen size: 31.9" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: IPS G-Sync Compatible | HDR Compatibility: HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 175Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
If you're making the move to 1440p, you may as well get some of the other big features that are making the latest gaming monitors all the more impressive. The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q balances its features nicely, so you'll get a monitor that can deliver in just about every respect.
Here are the basics. The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q puts up a 32-inch panel with a 1440p resolution, and instead of stopping at 144Hz like many monitors, it speeds up to 175Hz. And, it's got adaptive sync capabilities to keep your visuals looking great. For color, you're getting an IPS panel that supports a 10-bit color depth and achieves 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Tack on a little bit of HDR in the form of DisplayHDR 600, and you've got a great picture on your hands.
5. Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HF)
Best 1080p FreeSync Monitor
Screen size: 24.5" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Panel type: IPS FreeSync Premium, G-Sync Compatible | Brightness: 400cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
Alienware has you covered for a great FreeSync experience at 1080p. Now, maybe you're think you don't need FreeSync too much on a 1080p monitor because you'll have an easy time hitting the max refresh rate and can just cap your frame rate in games. Think again. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HF) cruises with a 240Hz refresh rate that will take a lot of muscle in your gaming computer to max out.
You'll actually get to combine that speed with improved clarity by way of a 400-nit peak brightness that will make it easy to see what's on the screen. And, thanks to an IPS panel, you don't have to worry about poor viewing angles. The Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor will also let you take advantage of the variable refresh rate support offered by the latest consoles, since it has two HDMI 2.0 ports in addition to its DisplayPort connection.
6. Samsung Odyssey G7
Best Curved FreeSync Gaming Monitor
Screen size: 27" 1000R | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Panel type: VA QLED FreeSync Premium Pro | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4
Curved gaming monitors try to immerse you by bending the display around your field of vision, and the Samsung Odyssey G7 goes further than many of the monitors you've likely seen before. That's thanks to a tight curvature with a 1000R radius. Of course, that wouldn't be worth much if the display panel wasn't also a winner. Fortunately, the Odyssey G7 delivers a QLED panel with 10-bit color and a 600-nit peak brightness that can bring some solid HDR performance.
Your games will look especially great on this monitor with the combination of colorful and vivid visuals matched with a 1440p resolution and high contrast ratio. And, let's not forget that this monitor can cruise at a 240Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium Pro to smooth it all out.
7. LG UltraGear 34GP950G-B
Best Ultra Wide FreeSync Monitor
Screen size: 34" 3800R | Aspect ratio: 21:9 | Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440 | Panel type: Nano IPS Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, FreeSync | HDR compatibility: DisplayHDR 600 | Brightness: 600cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz (180Hz OC) | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
Going with an ultra-wide gaming monitor can give you a cinematic experience that tops what you’d get from a 16:9 monitor. But, you still don’t want screen tearing to rain on your parade. The LG UltraGear 34GP950G will make sure you get that immersive 21:9 aspect ratio at a sharp 3,440 x 1,440 resolution with all the consistency FreeSync can offer. If you’re using multiple devices, you can also use the display’s G-Sync Ultimate capabilities.
LG goes well beyond just resolution and VRR with this display. It’s big and colorful while providing exceptional brightness levels. It almost completely covers the DCI-P3 color space, which is no small feat. You’ll get a peak brightness of 600-nits to make that colorful HDR content pop. The panel is also a high-speed IPS type with a low pixel response time and a high 144Hz refresh rate. Finally, rounding out the experience, LG has built an RGB light ring into the back of the monitor to provide some stylish bias lighting.
8. Samsung 65” Class QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV
Best FreeSync Gaming Television
Screen size: 64.5" | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: Neo QLED | HDR Compatibility: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Quantum HDR 32X | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Inputs: 4x HDMI 2.1, 1 x RF, 1 x Optical Audio Out
Sometimes a monitor just isn't going to cut it. The screen is too small, and you’ll be missing all the little details in your games if you want to kick it on the couch. But even if you go for a big display, you don't have to miss out on FreeSync. Samsung’s Class QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV manages not only a proper FreeSync experience but also supports a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K and ALLM on a 64.5-inch screen. That perfectly sized display is rocking Neo QLED technology, which allows for a staggering number of local dimming zones that really dial up the contrast ratio and the brightness for highlights giving you a stunning HDR experience.
Now, the Samsung Class QN90B offers up some solid tear-free gameplay, but it isn’t exclusively a gaming TV. You can also enjoy streaming your favorite movies and TV shows, and with a built-in AI-processor, it can upscale that content to 4K. And, feel free to leave your headphones and desk speakers behind, as the ones onboard this TV blow away the speakers on any traditional monitor you've ever used. It’s also packing loads of connectivity, including four HDMI ports that deliver 4K at 120Hz. Overall, this is a great pick if you need something that can perform double-duty for both gaming and media.
9. Gigabyte Aorus FV43U
Best HDMI 2.1 Gaming Monitor With FreeSync
Screen size: 43" | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Panel type: VA FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible | HDR: DisplayHDR 1000 | Brightness: 1,000cd/m2 | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Response time: 1ms | Inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor that can support your PC over DisplayPort but still keep you covered for the latest features on consoles over HDMI 2.1, you’ll want the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U (read our review). This massive monitor packs a real wallop between its sharpness, brightness, and speed, so it makes sense you’d want to take advantage of it with every device you can.
The Gigabyte Aorus FV43U has a 4K VA panel that can hit a 1,000-nit peak brightness while offering a 4,000:1 contrast ratio and 10-bit color depth for some rich HDR visuals. And, you’ll be gaming pretty thanks to those specs coming alongside a 144Hz refresh rate. Don’t worry about torn frames or stutter, as this display also features FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync support. You’ll just want to make sure you’ve got room, as this monitor is almost 40 inches wide and will add over 30 pounds onto your desk. If you’re just after a big display for gaming, there are plenty of great gaming TVs with HDMI 2.1 to consider as well.
What to look for in a FreeSync gaming monitor
FreeSync is AMD’s branding for its variable refresh rate (VRR) monitor technology. It’s built on top of the open VESA Adaptive-Sync protocol as part of the DisplayPort 1.2a spec. If you have a FreeSync monitor, you’ll get variable refresh rates with just about any modern AMD graphics card.
If you’re running an Nvidia graphics card or using another video source (like a game console via an HDMI input), a FreeSync monitor will act just like a normal monitor.
What is VRR?
Basically, a standard monitor is locked to a single refresh rate—that’s the number of times per second that it changes the color and brightness of the pixels on the screen. Your graphics card draws a frame and then waits until the monitor’s next refresh to display it.
This has the effect of making your game jump frame rate between even multiples of the display’s refresh: with a 60Hz monitor, your game will run at 60fps, 30fps, 20fps, 15fps, or 12fps, for example. Disabling vsync will also allow your graphics card to run as fast as possible on any monitor, but it produces an ugly visual artifact called tearing, where the monitor displays partially-drawn frames on top of the previous frame.
With VRR technology, the monitor refreshes whenever the graphics card is done drawing the next frame.
With VRR technology (G-Sync or FreeSync), the monitor refreshes whenever the graphics card is done drawing the next frame. So your monitor might max out at 60Hz and your game at 60fps, but if your game is running at 52fps the monitor will refresh at 52Hz, drawing the frame immediately instead of waiting for the next 60Hz cycle. So you’ll see the frame rate your graphics card is capable of, not an unnecessary downgrade to 30fps. This also eliminates screen tearing caused by the GPU sending multiple frames to the monitor when it's still rendering a previous frame.
There are two VRR technologies gamers should know about: G-Sync and FreeSync. G-Sync is Nvidia proprietary technology and only works with Nvidia graphics cards. FreeSync is AMD’s brand for a VRR technology and only works with AMD GPUs. G-Sync requires extra hardware in the monitor, driving monitors costs up but maintains consistently high quality. FreeSync has no licensing fee and requires no proprietary hardware, and thus monitors are typically cheaper, but quality control is a little less consistent in our opinion.
Where to Get the Best FreeSync Monitors in the UK
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
