Page 24 - Computer Power User - February 2017

State-Of-The-Art

Standards

FreeSync & G-SYNC

n the quest to produce the smoothest are misaligned on-screen content and to introduce lag when HDR is used with
I and most realistic gameplay, power users fragmented scenes. videogames. Similar to the variable refresh
typically purchase the most powerful AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC rate techniques, FreeSync 2 and G-SYNC
graphics card (or cards) their budgets will technologies solve screen tearing by HDR allow a GPU to convey HDR
allow. More raw GPU horsepower typically synchronizing GPU and monitor refresh metadata directly to a compatible display.
translates to better FPS (frames per second) rates on a frame-by-frame basis. Because The gaming evolution never stops.
rates, and the faster the frame rate, the AMD and NVIDIA differ in how they
smoother gameplay will appear. A high- implement the respective variable refresh rate What’s Wrong With Vsync?
powered GPU can also let you max out technologies, both your GPU and monitor For years, gamers have been using
video settings to enhance effects and further must be compatible for refresh rates to sync Vsync to combat the problem of screen
immerse yourself in the game. Yet there are up. As such, you must use a compatible tearing, and you don’t have to have a
some graphics issues that even a pricey GPU AMD GPU with a FreeSync-enabled display, specific GPU to take advantage of Vsync.
can’t completely resolve by itself. or a compatible NVIDIA GPU with a But some gamers opt to disable Vsync
Screen tearing, for example, occurs G-SYNC-enabled display. because it can cause choppy onscreen
when a GPU’s frame rate doesn’t match Recently, Team Green and Team Red motion. Basically, Vsync forces to GPU
up with the monitor’s refresh rate. The raised the bar with new standards that add to render frames at a fixed cadence to
result is that the display might show parts support for HDR (high dynamic range) to create a set of completed frames, and the
of multiple frames in a single draw, and the respective adaptive-sync technologies. monitor will signal when it’s ready for a
where differences exist between those Titled FreeSync 2 and G-SYNC HDR, new frame. Stutter can occur when your
frames, noticeable artifacts will result. these technologies are necessary because GPU’s frame rate falls below the Vsync
Classic symptoms of screen tearing existing HDR transport methods tend cap, which is typically 60fps.

24 February2017 / www.computerpoweruser.com