Page 28 - Computer Power User - February 2017

FreeSync 2 puts the tone-mapping duties onto your GPU, rather than the monitor, to reduce input lag.

monitor. Colors on the standard it easier to incorporate HDR rendering quantum-dot nanoparticles are able to
panel were flat and washed out in into new games. produce a wider range of colors.
comparison to the HDR displays, There are no concrete details about AMD hasn’t officially certified
where we could clearly see more the exact brightness, contrast, and any displays for FreeSync 2, but the
vibrant hues and deeper contrast. color gamut specifications a monitor company’s Senior Manager of Global
HDR metadata and tone mapping, must meet for the new FreeSync 2 and Technology Marketing, Antal Tungler,
which allows for the expanded color G-SYNC HDR standards. But we do tells us “several displays are in the
saturation and contrast, forces the know that any monitor to meet the certification pipeline now.” Again, there’s
monitor to deal with a lot more data respective standards must be approved no definitive timeline on when FreeSync
than what it sees with standard dynamic and certified by AMD or NVIDIA. 2 monitors will be available, but we
range content. Existing HDR formats And because most current monitors expect some to see some announcements
(HDR 10 and Dolby Vision) work fine are based on standard dynamic range this year. One thing we can say for
with Ultra Blu-ray movies and HDTVs, specifications, it appears that monitor certain is that all FreeSync 2 monitors
for example, because input lag isn’t a manufacturers will need to make some will support LFC, and AMD expects the
concern. NVIDIA estimates that current significant improvements to meet the monitors to provide twice the perceivable
HDR TVs produce at least 21 to respective HDR standards. brightness and color volume over
45ms of latency, while AMD indicates The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ is standard RGB panels.
input lag could be as high as 100ms. one of the first G-SYNC HDR displays,
Such input lag would kill the HDR and it includes some features that A Game Changer
experience for gamers. Both FreeSync most current premium displays can’t FreeSync and G-SYNC displays are
2 and G-SYNC HDR are designed to match. For example, ASUS indicates readily available to produce exceptionally
minimize input lag while supporting the that the PG27UQ supports a 1,000cd/ smooth, fluid gaming visuals, when paired
tear-free adaptive-sync experience. m2. Conventional PC monitors are with a compatible graphics card. FreeSync
With FreeSync 2, AMD reworks designed to deliver between 200 and 2 and G-SYNC HDR are the next step
the transport system for HDR. AMD 300 cd/m2. ASUS achieves this through toward perfect pixels, but it will likely
indicates that FreeSync 2 takes the tone- the use of quantum-dot technology be a while before the HDR standards
mapping duties away from the display and a backlight that can be selectively are widely supported by monitors and
and moves it over to the GPU. The controlled over 384 zones. According games. Even so, it’s nice to see AMD and
game engine, in turn, maps content for to ASUS, breaking down the backlight NVIDIA get ahead of the curve with
targeted brightness, contrast, and color to individual zones allows the HDR HDR, and the backing of Team Red and
values. AMD is providing a FreeSync 2 transmission to selectively dim zones Team Green should help to move the
extension to game developers to make and maximize contrast, while the needle with monitor manufacturers. ■

28 February2017 / www.computerpoweruser.com