Building a gaming PC can be thought of like fine-tuning a car. In order to get maximum performance, mechanics of the car should be working in harmony. Similarly, the lack of performance in any part of the PC can cause several infuriating issues. The relationship between the gaming monitor and GPU is an important one, and if the two are not working in Sync, it could lead to some serious issues. Fortunately, several sync technologies have been developed over time so that this issue can be dealt with.

How Can Adaptive-Sync Be Defined?

Adaptive Sync is a VESA DisplayPort Standard and serves the function to synchronise fps provided by the video card with the monitor refresh rate so that issues like input lag, tearing and stutter could be eliminated. It also tends to add fluidity to such an extent that 40fps with adaptive Sync feels like 60 fps with v-sync.

How Can Free Sync Be Defined?

The AMD Radeon, Free Sync technology, uses the Adaptive-Sync protocols of display ports to provide a variable refresh rate. A freesync monitor is highly unlikely to go through the issues of visual latency or screen tearing and frames would be displayed at just the required speed.

The free sync technology makes the display and GPU work in perfect harmony within a certain range of refresh rate. However, if your framerate drops below the range, the free Sync would possibly stop working.

The Tiers of Free Sync

Free Sync has a total of three tiers which are explained down below.

• Free Sync Basic

As the name suggests, this tier offers basic features only. The basic free sync monitor offers a lower refresh rate, i.e. Below 120Hz. It has a low latency rate, a low flicker and is tear-free. However it comes without the LFC support.

• Free Sync Premium

The Free Sync Premium monitor provides you with not only LFC support but also 120Hz display at minimum FHD resolution. It has low framerate compensation as well as low latency and low flicker. The monitor is also tear-free.

• Free Sync Premium Pro

The Free Sync Premium Pro monitor has not only the HDR capabilities with game support but also provides 120Hz display at minimum FHD resolution. It manages to provide a low frame rate compensation along with low flicker and also low latency in both HDR and SDR.

Is Free Sync Really Worth It? The Verdict

It is no harm in saying that free Sync accomplishes what it aims to. Free Sync monitors are cheaper when compared to their competitor G-Sync monitors. The primary reason for this could be that it is an offshoot of the open-source adaptive sync standard, which makes it a software-based solution. On the flip side, its competitor, the Nvidia G-Sync, is a hardware-based technology. All in all, just like G-Sync Technology is worth it for the right user under the right circumstances, Free Sync is also worth it for certain users. In the end, it all comes down to your needs, your budget as well as your personal preference.