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FreeSync

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FreeSync
Original author(s)AMD
Developer(s)AMD
Initial release19 March 2015;9 years ago(2015-03-19)
Stable release
FreeSync 2.0 / 3 January 2017;7 years ago(2017-01-03)
Operating systemWindows,Linux,Xbox One,Xbox Series X/S
LicenseOpen standard,royalty-free
Website[1]

FreeSyncis anadaptive synchronizationtechnology forLCDandOLEDdisplays that support avariable refresh rateaimed at avoidingtearingand reducing stuttering caused by misalignment between the screen'srefresh rateand the content'sframe rate.[1][2]

FreeSync was developed byAMDand first announced in 2014 to compete againstNvidia's proprietaryG-Sync.[3]It isroyalty-free,free to use, and has no performance penalty.[4]

Overview[edit]

FreeSync dynamically adapts the display refresh rate to variable frame rates which result from irregular GPU load when rendering complex gaming content as well as the lower 23.97/24/29.97/30 Hz used by fixed video content. This helps remove stuttering delays caused by the video interface having to finish the current frame andscreen tearingwhen starting a new frame in the middle of transmission (withvertical syncoff). The range of refresh rates supported by the standard is based on the capabilities reported by the display.[5]FreeSync can be enabled automatically byplug and play,making it transparent to the operating system and end user. FreeSync is not limited to only AMD graphics cards, FreeSync is also compatible with select Nvidia graphics cards and select consoles.[6][7]

Transitions between different refresh rates are seamless and undetectable to the user. The sync mechanism keeps the video interface at the established pixel clock rate but dynamically adjusts thevertical blanking interval.The monitor keeps displaying the currently received image until a new frame is presented to the video card'sframe bufferthen transmission of the new image starts immediately. This simple mechanism provides low monitorlatencyand a smooth, virtually stutter-free viewing experience, with reduced implementation complexity for the timing controller (TCON) and display panel interface. It also helps improve battery life by reducing the refresh rate of the panel when not receiving new images.[8]

Technology[edit]

The original FreeSync is based overDisplayPort1.2a, using an optional feature thatVESAtermsAdaptive-Sync.[9][10]This feature was in turn ported by AMD from a Panel-Self-Refresh (PSR) feature from Embedded DisplayPort 1.0,[11]which allows panels to control its own refreshing intended for power-saving on laptops.[12]AMD FreeSync is therefore a hardware–software solution that uses publicly-available protocols to enable smooth, tearing-free and low-latency gameplay.

FreeSync has also been implemented overHDMI1.2+ as a protocol extension.[13]HDMI 2.1+ also has its own native variable refresh rate system.

FreeSync tiers[edit]

AMD FreeSync technology is split up into three tiers known as AMD FreeSync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. AMD FreeSync requires the display to pass certification for low latency and refresh rate variation to match the render output of the graphics card.[1]

AMD FreeSync Premium mandates further requirements of Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) and at least 120 Hz refresh rate atFHDresolution. LFC helps ensure that when the framerate of a game is running below the minimum supported refresh rate of a display, the frames are displayed multiple times so the framerate remains in the supported refresh rate of the display and smooth gameplay is maintained.[14]

AMD FreeSync Premium Pro addsluminanceand wide color gamut requirements.[5]

FreeSync Premium Pro[edit]

In January 2017, AMD announced the second generation of FreeSync known as FreeSync 2 HDR. In January 2020, AMD Announced FreeSync 2 HDR was rebranding to FreeSync Premium Pro.[15]Requirements include removing the minimal frame rate and setting a maximum on screenlatency.FreeSync Premium Pro also doubles the color volume with support forwide color gamutcolor spaces and increased display brightness, enabling direct support ofHDR-capable displays by video-carddevice driverand application software. Display'sDisplayID/EDIDmetadata for color primaries and maximal/minimal luminances are used to adjust thetone mappingstep when writing to theframe buffer,thus offloading color space andtransfer-functionprocessing from the OScolor managementand the video interface circuitry, which reduces output latency.[16][17]

FreeSync-compatible APUs and GPUs[edit]

Main article:List of AMD graphics processing units § Features Overview

All AMD GPUs starting with the 2nd iteration of Graphics Core Next support FreeSync.

Nvidia 10-series (Pascal) and newer GPUs with driver version 417.71 or higher support FreeSync.[18]

Console APUs:

  • AMD Durango APU in Microsoft Xbox One console. (FreeSync)
  • AMD Edmonton APU in Microsoft Xbox One S console. (FreeSync Premium Pro previously known as FreeSync 2.0 with HDR)
  • AMD Scorpio APU in Microsoft Xbox One X console. (FreeSync Premium Pro previously known as FreeSync 2.0 with HDR)
  • AMD Lockhart APU in Microsoft Xbox Series S console. (FreeSync Premium Pro previously known as FreeSync 2.0 with HDR)
  • AMD Scarlett APU in Microsoft Xbox Series X console. (FreeSync Premium Pro previously known as FreeSync 2.0 with HDR)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"AMD FreeSync Technology".AMD.Retrieved30 March2015.
  2. ^"LG releases FreeSync Premium update for its CX, GX OLED TVs".FlatpanelsHD.Retrieved2021-04-26.
  3. ^Wasson, Scott (6 January 2014)."AMD could counter Nvidia's G-Sync with simpler, free sync tech".Tech Report.Retrieved6 April2018.
  4. ^Moammer, Khalid (21 March 2015)."AMD FreeSync Vs Nvidia G-Sync, The Ultimate Verdict".Wccftech.Retrieved30 March2015.
  5. ^ab"AMD FreeSync Technology FAQ".AMD.RetrievedApril 26,2021.
  6. ^"What is FreeSync? – How you can run AMD's tech with an Nvidia GPU".PCGamesN.Retrieved2021-04-26.
  7. ^Evangelho, Jason."PC Exclusive No More: FreeSync Finally Lands On Xbox One Consoles".Forbes.Retrieved2021-04-26.
  8. ^"AMD Freesync whitepaper"(PDF).Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). 4 March 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 23 December 2018.Retrieved2 February2015.
  9. ^Hagedoorn, Hilbert (5 December 2014)."VESA Adds Adaptive-Sync to DisplayPort Video Standard".Guru3D.Retrieved30 March2015.
  10. ^"What Is Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) & How Does It Work? | ZOWIE Asia Pacific".2022-05-02. Archived fromthe originalon 2022-05-02.Retrieved2022-05-02.
  11. ^Anand Lal Shimpi."AMD Demonstrates" FreeSync ", Free G-Sync Alternative, at CES 2014".anandtech.Retrieved27 January2016.
  12. ^Torres, Gabriel (15 September 2011)."Introducing the Panel Self Refresh Technology".Hardware Secrets.
  13. ^Sandhu, Tarinder (8 December 2015)."AMD announces FreeSync over HDMI".hexus.net.Retrieved7 August2016.
  14. ^"FreeSync 2 Explained".TechSpot.Retrieved2021-04-26.
  15. ^"AMD's new FreeSync tiers guarantee display performance".Engadget.Retrieved2021-04-26.
  16. ^Shrout, Ryan (3 January 2017)."AMD FreeSync 2 Brings Latency, LFC and Color Space Requirements".PC Perspective.Retrieved13 January2017.
  17. ^Hook, Chris (3 January 2017)."Radeon FreeSync 2 Technology Brings High Dynamic Range Gaming to Advanced PC Displays".Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).Retrieved26 May2018.
  18. ^"Nvidia driver unlocks FreeSync monitor support for GeForce graphics cards".2019-01-15.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=FreeSync&oldid=1221655902"