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What is freesync?

I just typed freesync into google and it was everwhere. Wow. I then clicked on a few links and then I found out what is actually was. Wow. :p

Its supposed to be AMD's answer to Nvidias G-Sync, damn spoilt it now.
 
Its supposed to be AMD's answer to Nvidias G-Sync, damn spoilt it now.

This, G-Sync and Free-Sync is a variable refresh rate system, it stops ghosting and screen tearing.
The difference between the two is with NV G-Sync you need a new screen, a compatible screen that has £100 worth of hardware built in pushing the price of the screen up by that much.
With AMD's Free-Sync what that £100 hardware add-on does is done locally on the GPU its self, including all HD 6000 Series GPU's and obviously all later GPU's.
You still need a new screen, a compatible screen, but there is no need for the £100 add-on hardware.
 
This, G-Sync and Free-Sync is a variable refresh rate system, it stops ghosting and screen tearing.
The difference between the two is with NV G-Sync you need a new screen, a compatible screen that has £100 worth of hardware built in pushing the price of the screen up by that much.
With AMD's Free-Sync what that £100 hardware add-on does is done locally on the GPU its self, including all HD 6000 Series GPU's and obviously all later GPU's.
You still need a new screen, a compatible screen, but there is no need for the £100 add-on hardware.

Misleading much?

You're making it sound like there's a cost in addition to the new monitor on the G-sync side whereas it's an implicit 'cost' on both sides making it directly and easily comparable. I hope that isn't intentional misleading.
 
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Misleading much?

You're making it sound like there's a cost in addition to the new monitor on the G-sync side whereas it's an implicit 'cost' on both sides making it directly and easily comparable. I hope that isn't intentional misleading.

No need to start in an argumentative tone :)

G-Sync does add costs to the screen.

The verdict, therefore, is that while G-Sync doesn’t matter for every game, it can make a dramatic difference in certain titles, particularly if you’re upgrading from a 60Hz panel. Asus estimates that the VG248QE, which normally runs about $280, will go for $400 with a G-Sync kit built-in. That’s a substantial cost adder, particularly for a TN panel — Anandtech hopes that we’ll see the technology built into 2560×1440 displays, where it might also make more sense for FPS reasons. G-Sync works best in games where the frame rate hovers between 30 and 60 fps. Modern high-end cards have less trouble at 1920×1080, but take heavier hits at 2560×1440.
http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/1...-reinvent-gaming-or-vanish-as-a-niche-product
 
Not sure if any Non laptop screens have the required hardware for Freesync atm either so its also likely to be a added cost
 
Not sure if any Non laptop screens have the required hardware for Freesync atm either so its also likely to be a added cost

Free-Sync doesn't require any hardware, AMD came up variable refresh rates for the HD 6000 Series, its done locally on those and later GPU's. (The hardware already exists on AMD's current GPU's)
This is why AMD were able to demonstrate it on existing Hardware.

All the screen needs is V-Blank compatible firmware, some screens already have that, On some Laptops as a power saving feature. other none V-Blank screen could even be made compatible with a firmware update.

For the Desktop Variable refresh-rates are transmitted trough the DP Port.
 
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This, G-Sync and Free-Sync is a variable refresh rate system, it stops ghosting and screen tearing.
The difference between the two is with NV G-Sync you need a new screen, a compatible screen that has £100 worth of hardware built in pushing the price of the screen up by that much.
With AMD's Free-Sync what that £100 hardware add-on does is done locally on the GPU its self, including all HD 6000 Series GPU's and obviously all later GPU's.
You still need a new screen, a compatible screen, but there is no need for the £100 add-on hardware.

It doesn't stop ghosting, even in the slightest.

The best/only method to get rid of ghosting/motion blur is low persistence, which requires a fixed refresh rate. It's effectively pulsing the light behind the screen for a much much shorter time than they do now which is effectively always on. It's flashing/pulsing the backlight for 0-3ms(to little will leave a too dark image, too long increases the blur. It's basically impossible to do low persistence and variable refresh rate at the same time, well not impossible just would be horrible.

Effectively low persistence is somewhat similar to reintroducing flickering, hence like CRT's flickering is far "better" as in less bad/less noticeable from 90hz up. So realistically low persistence is a 90hz + mode that needs a fixed refresh rate(as the time you flash is actually dependant on the refresh, IE you need to flash for say 2ms for a 60hz frame and you'd want the light on for maybe 4-6ms if it was a 30hz frame. You'd get a variable flicker rate which would effectively **** up anyone's head.

g-sync is about smoothness and tearing. Tearing was entirely fixable but with a bit of lag, not exactly much good screens it wasn't particularly noticeable. Smoothness is another question but effectively the higher the range of frame rates you're in, the less difference it makes. g-sync is primarily a 30-60fps frame rate target. No ghosting, little to no tearing 90fps + then low persistence is what you want anyway.
 
Yes Humbug we get that but that isn't what I originally interjected on.

What I was saying is that the way you worded your original post was that there was a cost ON TOP of the cost of the new monitor.

If it has the Hardware inside it, there is.

The verdict, therefore, is that while G-Sync doesn’t matter for every game, it can make a dramatic difference in certain titles, particularly if you’re upgrading from a 60Hz panel. Asus estimates that the VG248QE, which normally runs about $280, will go for $400 with a G-Sync kit built-in. That’s a substantial cost adder, particularly for a TN panel — Anandtech hopes that we’ll see the technology built into 2560×1440 displays, where it might also make more sense for FPS reasons. G-Sync works best in games where the frame rate hovers between 30 and 60 fps. Modern high-end cards have less trouble at 1920×1080, but take heavier hits at 2560×1440.
 
So atm there isnt a Free sync screen available then?
We have to wait for firmware/hardware new models? Can we flash the firmware on our current monitor ?
 
Freesync is AMD's alternative to G-Sync.

G-Sync stops tearing/stutter and helps to eliminate input lag and gives a smoother feel to lower frames.

G-Sync is available now Freesync isn't and no mention at all of when it will be available.
 
If it has the Hardware inside it, there is.

Oh my days. :rolleyes:

So yes, the cost of the new G-sync model is 'all in' right? There's nothing then on top of that price. Which is what I said you were being misleading over. I think it's clear now so objective achieved :)
 
Oh my days. :rolleyes:

So yes, the cost of the new G-sync model is 'all in' right?

The cost of the 'only existing' G-Sync Monitor WITHOUT G-Sync is $280, the same screen WITH G-Sync is $400.

The verdict, therefore, is that while G-Sync doesn’t matter for every game, it can make a dramatic difference in certain titles, particularly if you’re upgrading from a 60Hz panel. Asus estimates that the VG248QE, which normally runs about $280, will go for $400 with a G-Sync kit built-in. That’s a substantial cost adder, particularly for a TN panel — Anandtech hopes that we’ll see the technology built into 2560×1440 displays, where it might also make more sense for FPS reasons. G-Sync works best in games where the frame rate hovers between 30 and 60 fps. Modern high-end cards have less trouble at 1920×1080, but take heavier hits at 2560×1440.
 
The cost of the 'only existing' G-Sync Monitor WITHOUT G-Sync is $280, the same screen WITH G-Sync is $400.

Yes we get that but that wasn't the point I was making. Can you stop spamming that quote in this thread please. It only needs to be once. :)

Edit: For the OP:

On the subject of Freesync vs G-sync the simple point is that one is available now with a small cost (G-sync). The other (Freesync) isn't available, has no date on when it will be available and other than the PR of 'it's free' there's no real proof that there will be no extra cost either from the monitor manufacturer or the retailer. And in life in general the thing that is free isn't as good as the thing that isn't :p. That's my opinion now on it at least. Could be wrong though and time will tell.

Edit 2: D'oh. Apologies - the OP didn't ask about G-sync. Reading and comprehension failure :D.
 
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Not sure if any Non laptop screens have the required hardware for Freesync atm either so its also likely to be a added cost

Only non-laptop panels I know of that currently support it (theoretically) are high end panels used for instance in air traffic control i.e. 5 figure sum prices for example Raptor SQ2804.

(I've never actually tested if it works :p so don't go out and buy one).
 
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