Free-Sync & G-Sync?

[BlakeThePCScrub]

I'm about to buy a monitor for a new build but have no idea what they mean, free-sync monitors also seem to be cheaper. I am getting an intel build if that makes a difference. Could someone explain?

[Shiv78]

Freesync = adaptive refresh rate for AMD GPUs

G-sync = adaptive refresh rate for Nvidia GPUs

[Mr.Meerkat]

Freesync and Gsync are basically something that syncs the refresh rate of monitors with how much FPS the GPU is able to produce in order to prevent screen tearing (this is where half of the screen updates while an older frame is still displayed on the other half).

 

Freesync (monitors) works with AMD's GPUs and Intel's iGPUs that supports adaptive sync. 

Gsync only works with Nvidia GPUs.

 

Freesync displays are cheaper for the simple reason that it requires no additional modules as freesync is just AMD's implementation of software for a standard that was already part of the standard DisplayPort (and HDMI) whereas Gsync requires a module sold by Nvidia driving prices up.

 

Gsync works slightly better than freesync as Nvidia has control over the modules meaning it's more standardized than Freesync.

[BlakeThePCScrub]

1 minute ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Freesync and Gsync are basically something that syncs the refresh rate of monitors with how much FPS the GPU is able to produce in order to prevent screen tearing (this is where half of the screen updates while an older frame is still displayed on the other half).

 

Freesync (monitors) works with AMD's GPUs and Intel's iGPUs that supports adaptive sync. 

Gsync only works with Nvidia GPUs.

 

Freesync displays are cheaper for the simple reason that it requires no additional modules as freesync is just AMD's implementation of software for a standard that was already part of the standard DisplayPort (and HDMI) whereas Gsync requires a module sold by Nvidia driving prices up.

 

Gsync works slightly better than freesync as Nvidia has control over the modules meaning it's more standardized than Freesync.

so with an i5 or i7 I go with a gsync?

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, BlakeThePCScrub said:

so with an i5 or i7 I go with a gsync?

Do you have a dGPU? If not then what are you going to get, a Nvidia GPU or a AMD GPU?

 

Yes freesync monitors works with intel's implementation of adaptive sync on the existing DP standard but I'm pretty sure not all motherboards/iGPUs support it  

[BlakeThePCScrub]

3 minutes ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Do you have a dGPU? If not then what are you going to get, a Nvidia GPU or a AMD GPU?

 

Yes freesync monitors works with intel's implementation of adaptive sync on the existing DP standard but I'm pretty sure not all motherboards/iGPUs support it  

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/WRwPzM

[Oshino Shinobu]

FreeSync and GSync are adaptive refresh rate technologies that allow a monitor to adjust its refresh rate to match the frames being drawn by the GPU, as long as it is drawing the same or less frames than the monitor's refresh rate. (For example, a 60Hz adaptive refresh rate monitor can adjust to match up to 60FPS. Above 60FPS, it will be capped at its max 60Hz and the adaptive refresh rate technology will not do anything until it drops below 60FPS again).

 

It's something that is primarily (or pretty much exclusively right now) used for improving the gaming experience by (theoretically) eliminating tearing and stuttering in games, while not having the same performance impacts that technologies like VSync can have. (Note that adaptive refresh rates do not replace the functions of VSync, they can either work alongside VSync or VSync can be disabled. If working with VSync, VSync will kick in when your FPS goes above your monitor's refresh rate. If VSync is disabled, then the adaptive refresh rate technology will just deactivate when over the monitor's refresh rate and you may get screen tearing) 

 

AMD cards support FreeSync (very similar to VESA's adaptive-sync technology, which Intel plans to/does support. FreeSync has been adopted as an optional component into the DisplayPort 1.2a and higher standards). Nvidia cards support GSync, which is a proprietary technology that requires a physical processing module in the monitor and can only be used with Nvidia cards (Nvidia cards cannot use FreeSync). It often incurs a higher price premium than FreeSync as it requires additional hardware. As of right now, GSync doesn't really offer any real benefits over FreeSync, so if you're building a new system from scratch (or at least changing the GPU and monitor) the price differences is something to consider. That said, Nvidia has claimed that there are valid and good reasons for the module, as it can offer some extra features. We're yet to see what these features are, though. 

 

If you're not gaming, just buy a standard monitor as FreeSync and GSync will make no difference. If you are gaming, then you need to consider what GPU you have, or are planning on getting. If you're getting an AMD GPU, you will want to go for FreeSync (if you're wanting to go for an adaptive refresh rate monitor) or GSync if you have an Nvidia GPU. It's also important to consider what FPS you're likely to be running at. Adaptive refresh rate technologies are only active below the monitor's maximum refresh rate. So, if you're going to be consistently over your monitor's refresh rate in most/all of your games, there's no benefit for you to use adaptive refresh rate monitors in those games. 

 

Personally, I love my GSync monitor. I will never buy a gaming monitor without adaptive refresh rates again because it makes such as big difference. It's really up to you if you're willing to spend the money for it though, especially if going for GSync. Unfortunately, there's really no way to understand the difference that GSync and FreeSync make without actually using it, so you'll either need to find a demo in a store somewhere or find a friend who has one (or you can take people's words for it). 

[Mr.Meerkat]

22 minutes ago, BlakeThePCScrub said:

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/WRwPzM

Gsync cause you're buying a 1060 which is a Nvidia GPU  

[JabroniBaloney]

If AMD drops solid enthusiast level cards in the near future, with the abundance of well priced freesync monitors, AMD could gain a lot more market share.

[GamerDude]

11 hours ago, JabroniBaloney said:

If AMD drops solid enthusiast level cards in the near future, with the abundance of well priced freesync monitors, AMD could gain a lot more market share.

That's why I'm willing to wait till 1st quarter next year to see what AMD brings to the high end table, I'm waiting for VEGA!  Meanwhile, my 2x R9 290X in CF mode seems to be handling games at max (or near max) setting @ 3440x1440 with a degree of aplomb, so I can afford to wait. I'd gotten an Acer XR341CK which is a Freesync monitor because I have AMD cards, and I intend to get AMD's VEGA when it's released, so a Freesync monitor is a no brainer.

 

As for OP's question, I'd think it's rather easy, if OP has an nVidia card (or intends to get one), then it's rather clear that a Gsync monitor would be ideal.....assuming OP intends to get a decent nVidia card and not one of their entry level offering. Ofc, OP must be willing to pay more for a Gsync monitor as the nVidia module fitted in such monitors add to the cost. IF OP has an AMD card, or intends to buy one (like the RX480), then a Freesync monitor would be better and should cost less since no additional hardware needs to be added to the monitor to enable Freesync (assuming the monitor has VESA's adaptive sync tech).