FreeSync FAQ Released - pretty disappointing

[exyia]

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet? I looked

 

http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/freesync-faq.aspx

 

and by the way...

 

How are DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync and Project FreeSync different?

​DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync is an ingredient DisplayPort feature that enables real-time adjustment of monitor refresh rates required by technologies like Project FreeSync. Project FreeSync is a unique AMD hardware/software solution that utilizes DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync protocols to enable user-facing benefits: smooth, tearing-free and low-latency gameplay and video.​ Users are encouraged to read this interview​ to learn more.

 

Q: When can I buy a monitor compatible with Project FreeSync?

A: AMD has undertaken every necessary effort to enable Project FreeSync in the display ecosystem. Monitor vendors are now integrating the DisplayPort™ Adaptive-Sync specification and productizing compatible displays. AMD is working closely with these vendors to bring products to market, and we expect compatible monitors within 6-12 months.

 

 

 

as someone who's invested in AMD long term and watching their value (and my faith) plummet since their acquisition of ATi, this whole Free-Sync debacle is turning into such a joke imo. The label Free is becoming nothing more than a distasteful attack at G-sync.

 

there is nothing FREE about freesync. They're merely pushing the burden of R&D monitor manufacturer to adopt and build a solution. nvidia went about g-sync the way they did to guarantee the end result.

 

it's for reasons like this that I can't stand AMD's marketing/PR. Free-Sync is nothing but an attack on G-Sync for an idea that AMD didn't think of.

 

reminder: (http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/100408-more-marketing-speech-amd-doing-the-work-for-everyone/)

 

 

 

Multiple generations of AMD video cards have the ability to alter refresh rates on the fly, with the goal of saving power on mobile displays.

 

...

 

AMD has stated that the reason the feature didn't catch on was a lack of demand...

 

http://www.extremete...ia-rebuts-fight

 

 

A good reminder quote from MarshallR@Asus (which was posted by Mand12 off ocn.net)

 

Originally Posted by MarshallR@Asus

Quote:

                 Originally Posted by Antronman 
                  You know any monitor that can get the G-Sync upgrade already has VBlank enabled, which means it is freesync compatible, right?

No. It's not the same. It needs to be enabled in firmware, drivers, ICs.

This not 'ASUS official' - it's just a bit of background info on the machinations of product development to help our fans understand more. We love all our partners equally and wish only the best consumer choice

Having an 'industry standard' is only a first step. It doesn't suddenly make everyone jump onboard unfortunately. Now VESA is onboard though, things will get rolling, but it will not likely be fast.

Also, this doesn't take into account LCD/display companies are already deeply invested in 'more popular' technologies with more extensive market applications: 21:9, touchscreen, 4K, curved displays etc (remember they are not gamers).

Adaptive refresh needs a ASIC display IC physical redesign, not just a firmware update. This means silicon redesign, tape out, manuf, testing, firmware - the lot. AFAIK that's typically 12 months FROM NOW to get it on our hands (but I dont work for IC companies, so I dont know their roadmaps) - let alone 6 more months of product dev work to actually make a retail display. And that's all IF display IC manuf. decided to update for 1.2a, and not just wait for 1.3 (business speak: If company bean counters ask "why would you pay for two updates, when 1.2a rolls into 1.3 anyway?" how do you justify it?)

Not just display ICs, but LCD firmwares and GPU drivers too. AMD will obv support it, Intel has yet to publicly commit to any of it (go ask them), and Nvidia is (so far) backing its own solution as it is also yet to officially comment (again, go talk to them).

I expect Nvidia has been working on GSync for a year+ before they showed it last Nov - remember they use an FPGA not ASIC IC, so time to market is faster, but FPGAs are v.v.expensive. And 9 months after first show we're only now just getting ready to ship hardware. That's the kind of timescales we're looking at. So anyone thinking any display manuf. will magically pop out a display to compete with Gsync this year is mistaken: my educated guess is that GSync is your only choice until very likely well into 2015.

Short term:
Until further notice we are committed to GSync and PG278Q, as logically it's the only market ready technology. Given our close working relationship with Nvidia, we're hugely confident that PG278Q will still be the best possible GSync LCD on the market.

Medium term:
ASUS is standards agnostic: Freesync/GSync - we will work with all parties and investigate everything (that's no commitment either way). At the very least, this VESA 1.2a/1.3 will give great consumer choice!

Long term:
Will GSync and Freesync ultimately converge? Who knows. That bridge is ~years away.
 

I'd love to see a standard adaptive refresh monitor that's GPU agnostic (as we make all AMD/Intel/NV hardware), but that's long long term. If you bought PG278 this year, whatever happens in 'long term' will likely be your replacement!

 

go ahead and label me an anti-AMD fanboy, but please justify the word "Free" in FreeSync

[Dietrichw]

this is not new. and a lot of what you posted is taken out of conext

[Xorbot]

Such nostalgia, since the rapid change in formatting reminds me of Geocities sites

[Enderman]

And the difference is Nvidia gsync already exists and works and is 100% reliable.

The 'no proprietary software or hardware' crap that AMD describes freesync as when it was revealed is just a bunch of lies.

 

In the end it will end up being the same as gsync, where you need a special monitor that supports it.

[Altecice]

wait... when did AMD ever say it would be available to Nvidia? I think its a good thing, what's the point in deving for it when Nvidia has there own?

Also Freesync is to do with the Displayport... obviously the monitors will need to support the new DP version to support Freesync... stop the AMD hate train please... its getting real old!

[Dietrichw]

AMD has already had monitors working with just a firmware change, the only downside is the panel couldn't work well below 40Hz so it only had a range of 40-60, the only thing AMD needs is for Manufactures to support lower refresh rates on panels. G-Sync requires another board in the display which will cache up to one frame ahead while freesync does not.

[TheSLSAMG]

This text, it makes me laugh.

So, is AMD still a more "enthusiast/consumer oriented company" than NVIDIA and Intel?

 

Let's see...

 

FX 8350 binning is shit since the FX 9370 and 9590 exist at price-based premiums.

The R9 290/X cooler is trash.

The R9 295X2 is just as overpriced as the Titan Z when compared to a dual card solution.

FreeSync isn't exactly free, not as widely compatible as they made the consumer thought.

[LukaP]

In the end it will end up being the same as gsync, where you need a special monitor that supports it.

[Enderman]

The R9 295X2 is just as overpriced as the Titan Z when compared to a dual card solution.

FreeSync isn't exactly free, not as widely compatible as they made the consumer thought.

Wow I never noticed that...

The 295x2 is 150% the price of two 290xs

The Titan z is 150% the price of two Titan Blacks

[Altecice]

 

 

FreeSync isn't exactly free, not as widely compatible as they made the consumer thought.

 

FreeSync will not be free as in you will need to buy a new monitor with the new DP version. You didint expect this from the start?

[flibberdipper]

Please AMD, I don't want to see you die, or have Intel/Nvidia invest in you to keep you afloat.

[Nineshadow]

Wow I never noticed that...

The 295x2 is 150% the price of two 290xs

The Titan z is 150% the price of two Titan Blacks

Ah, Nostalgia...

[Glenwing]

FreeSync will not be free as in you will need to buy a new monitor with the new DP version. You didint expect this from the start?

 

Not all monitors with the new DP version will be FreeSync compatible.  Only monitors with special hardware inside will be, and those will no doubt cost more.

[Glenwing]

Wow I never noticed that...

The 295x2 is 150% the price of two 290xs

The Titan z is 150% the price of two Titan Blacks

 

At least the dual 290X was upgraded from the cheapest possible air cooler to an AIO water cooler.

[TheSLSAMG]

FreeSync will not be free as in you will need to buy a new monitor with the new DP version. You didint expect this from the start?

 

Not all monitors with the new DP version will be FreeSync compatible.  Only monitors with special hardware inside will be, and those will no doubt cost more.

[TheSLSAMG]

Ah, Nostalgia...

Oh yeah, just like how AMD made $500 + $500 = $1500. Good laughs from both side, especially since AMD had to change cooling solution just to make the GPU run at less than 95C.

[Enderman]

Ah, Nostalgia...

@TheSLSAMG 

[Dietrichw]

Oh yeah, just like how AMD made $500 + $500 = $1500. Good laughs from both side, especially since AMD had to change cooling solution just to make the GPU run at less than 95C.

$500?? R9 290x is not $500 unless it is on a really good sale 

[Nineshadow]

So...FreeSync is just GSync...made by AMD.Why didn't they call it RSync?It would match the manufacturers' color schemes!(and it isn't free obviously)

 

 

Yeah,AMD's been talking and giving a lot of crap lately.

"We don't have access to the GameWorks source code!" - Why would you want that first of all?It's NVidia's work.Do you think they'd just let you use their code in your own good(like make and AMD GameWorks or something)?Also,Gameworks is a direct link library(dll) so...your code accesses the code(variables,mehtods,etc.) from the library.

"Freesync"...yeah,sure.

And the list keeps going on...

[exyia]

This text, it makes me laugh.

So, is AMD still a more "enthusiast/consumer oriented company" than NVIDIA and Intel?

 

Let's see...

 

FX 8350 binning is shit since the FX 9370 and 9590 exist at price-based premiums.

The R9 290/X cooler is trash.

The R9 295X2 is just as overpriced as the Titan Z when compared to a dual card solution.

FreeSync isn't exactly free, not as widely compatible as they made the consumer thought.

 

keep avoiding the original question

 

What is the reason for naming adaptive sync, FREE SYNC other than a childish attack at G-Sync?

[mr moose]

wait... when did AMD ever say it would be available to Nvidia? I think its a good thing, what's the point in deving for it when Nvidia has there own?

Also Freesync is to do with the Displayport... obviously the monitors will need to support the new DP version to support Freesync... stop the AMD hate train please... its getting real old!

 

When they said it was an open standard that anyone can use.  Now it is becoming an open standard that requires specific hardware as well as a new monitor.  It's not entirely AMD's fault, many AMD nuts glossed over the details in their rush to hang shit on nvidia which caused a fair bit of confusion and false beliefs. 

[Enderman]

$500?? R9 290x is not $500 unless it is on a really good sale 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125499

This took 8 seconds to search up...

[Dietrichw]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125499

This took 8 seconds to search up...

look above the price before the temporary sale

[TheSLSAMG]

keep avoiding the original question

 

What is the reason for naming adaptive sync, FREE SYNC other than a childish attack at G-Sync?

There is no other reason.r

 

$500?? R9 290x is not $500 unless it is on a really good sale 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131548

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103246

http://www.microcenter.com/product/431572/AMD_Radeon_R9-290X_Dual_Fan_4GB_GBDDR5_PCIe_30x16_Video_Card

 

Say again? Even before the sale, one of these are around $500 as well.

[Enderman]

look above the price before the temporary sale

$549 original price.

 

This looks pretty close to $500 to me...