Latest from Windows Central in Nvidia-g-sync

Samsung takes on LG's best gaming TVs — adds NVIDIA G-SYNC support to 2025 flagship

sean.endicott@futurenet.com (Sean Endicott) — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:04:49 +0000

Samsung's 2025 OLED TV lineup will support NVIDIA G-SYNC, starting with the flagship S95F. The Samsung S90F and S85F will also feature the technology.

Samsung has a limited-time sale on OLED TVs right now, some of which will support NVIDIA G-SYNC. I'd recommend browsing the deals right now to see if you can save big on an older model (if NVIDIA G-SYNC is not a priority) or save a bit on 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung.

NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility joins a long list of gaming features seen in the 2025 OLED models from Samsung. Those devices support HDMI 2.1, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and the aforementioned NVIDIA G-SYNC.

There used to be a significant gap between TVs and the best gaming monitors in terms of features and specs, but that gap has narrowed dramatically. While you should still choose a gaming monitor for certain refresh rates or if you game at a desk, a gaming TV can provide an excellent experience in 2025.

The new Samsung OLED TVs also have Samsung Gaming Hub, which makes it possible to stream games through services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now without requiring an external device.

This OLED TV comes in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 83 inches. Its 4K OLED screen supports HDR 10+, has up to a 165Hz refresh rate, and is designed to reduce glare.

It is also the first device from the 2025 Samsung OLED lineup to support NVIDIA G-SYNC, which matches the TV's refresh rate to the refresh rate of your PC.

👉See at Samsung

Samsung is not the first TV manufacturer to support NVIDIA G-SYNC, the well-reviewed LG C4 has had the feature for a while, but the feature is a welcome addition to Samsung's OLED lineup. NVIDIA G-SYNC, which matches a TV's refresh rate to a GPU's frame rate, is a critical feature for ensuring smooth gameplay when PC gaming.

The 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung also use AI Auto Game Mode to analyze the genre of game you're playing and optimize settings accordingly.

“With the addition of NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and our most advanced gaming features yet, Samsung’s 2025 OLED TVs deliver elite-level performance for even the most competitive players,” said Samsung's Kevin Lee.

“By building on our leadership in display innovation and integrating real-time AI enhancements, we’re redefining what gamers can expect from a TV—on and off the battlefield.”

Samsung's 2025 OLED TVs have specs that compete with the best gaming TVs, but they're for more than gaming. Samsung makes some of the best TVs in general.

The 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung feature 4K AI upscaling and screens designed to reduce glare.

The Samsung OLED S95F is the company's brightest OLED TV. That screen has a 4K resolution and up to a 165Hz refresh rate. It also supports HDR 10+, which means you'll see high contrast on a bright display.

How to enable NVIDIA G-Sync on your PC

richard.devine@futurenet.com (Richard Devine) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:00:00 +0000

NVIDIA G-Sync is a technology licensed out by the GPU maker to companies making displays the best computer monitors and laptop displays. In a nutshell, it provides silky smooth, tear-free gaming by allowing the monitor and GPU to talk to each other.

The display draws every frame outputted by the GPU, and this variable refresh rate ensures no tears during gameplay. It is, however, not enabled by magic as soon as you hook up a G-Sync display. There's some mild setup involved, but the good news is that as long as you've at least installed drivers once for your NVIDIA GPU, you won't have any additional software to install.

How to enable G-Sync on your PC

The first thing to do is to make sure you actually turn on the G-Sync setting on your PC.

Right-click on your desktop.
Select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Expand the display item in the sidebar.
Click on Set up G-Sync.
Check the box next to Enable G-Sync.
Below this choose whether you want G-Sync enabled for only full screen or full screen and windowed modes.

How to use G-Sync in your PC games

To use G-Sync in your games, you'll also need to set your monitor as your primary display in this same control panel if you're using multiple monitors.

In the same window as above click on Set up multiple displays.
Ensure that the G-Sync monitor is in the correct location and highlighted as primary.

If you need to make it your primary display then follow these steps.

Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
Click System.
Now click on Display.
Highlight the box corresponding to the display in question.
Scroll down and check the box next to Make this my primary display.

Now when you game you'll have crisp, tear-free on-screen action. Simple!

Best NVIDIA G-Sync-compatible 4K TVs 2021

Matt Brown — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:00:00 +0000

NVIDIA G-Sync delivers tear-free gaming, adapting your monitor or TV refresh rate to the outputted frames from any video game. It's one of the best ways to achieve a snag-free gaming experience, with your PC and display working in harmony to deliver the best image. NVIDIA G-Sync is mostly reserved for PC gaming monitors, but it's now found on more 4K TVs than ever. We've rounded up the best NVIDIA G-Sync-compatible 4K TVs to consider in 2021.

LG CX OLED

The best in 4K TVs

Suited to next-gen consoles and PC hardware, no display delivers uncompromised viewing like the LG CX. It claimed our best 4K TV award in 2020, with punchy and precise imagery and boasting an extensive feature set primed for smooth and responsive gaming. That includes HDMI 2.1 support, introducing 4K resolution at 120Hz over the connector, with onboard FreeSync and G-Sync to keep your games tear-free. You're also getting an OLED panel, with per-pixel precision over your viewing experience, for ultra-rich blacks and high contrast. It's available in 48-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch variants, easily topping the best G-Sync TVs in 2021.

Samsung QN90A

Stunning visuals

The Samsung QN90A is another performant 4K TV for gaming, with a vibrant 4K HDR QLED panel, simultaneously achieving up to 120Hz through its HDMI 2.1 ports. It's a bright display, with "Neo QLED" Mini LED technology for increased precision, contrast, and overall improved presentation. It's especially suited to gaming with its VRR implementation, including NVIDIA G-Sync. While it can't achieve the same deep blacks as OLED, this is one of the best 4K TVs out there, with no risk of burn-in.

LG NANO85/NANO86

More features for less

The LG NANO85 (or LGNANO 86 in Europe) continues to fly off store shelves as one of the most affordable 4K TVs that's fully compliant with next-generation consoles. It has HDMI 2.1 support, with 4K resolution up to 120Hz, coupled with low input lag and response times ideal for gaming. While the lower price tag means HDR proves mixed, this G-Sync-compatible TV supplies all the latest gaming features for less. It starts at 49 inches large, with 55-, 65-, and 75-inch variants also available.

ASUS PG43UQ

TV meets monitor

While current G-Sync TV options are limited, products like the ROG Swift PG43UQ straddle a new line between big-screen gaming with monitor features. This 43-inch monitor caters to PC gamers with 4K resolution up to 144Hz, 1ms response time, and NVIDIA G-Sync support. But with HDR, in-built stereo speakers, and a TV-style remote, you're still getting all the luxuries of any traditional TV. This makes it best-suited to any office, designed specifically for use with a PC.

Finding the best G-Sync TV for you

NVIDIA G-Sync put a stop to screen tearing, ensuring smooth PC gaming across supported graphics cards and displays. Those shopping for G-Sync-friendly hardware now have 4K TVs to consider, with some of the top models on the market now boasting VRR technology. That opens new benefits like bigger displays, dedicated smart TV features, and other features not present across the list of G-Sync monitors.

The LG CX OLED is our top G-Sync TV in 2021, officially certified by NVIDIA, and easily the best 4K TV for gaming right now. The OLED technology means the rich blacks pop, coupled with HDR for improved contrast and colors. HDMI 2.1 support, available across the latest NVIDIA RTX 30-series GPUs, also pushes up to 4K resolution at 120Hz, ideal for those pursuing high framerate gaming in the process. It's only worth stressing that, while uncommon, OLED technology does bring the potential for burn-in, with increased risk for PCs. While its current $1,350 starting price isn't cheap, it's great for PC gaming, and the best for 4K TV for Xbox Series X and PS5, too.

For a more affordable alternative that doesn't comprise functionality, the LG NANO 85/NANO86 is your best bet, with incredible value at this price. It's well fitted with 4K at 120Hz, HDR, and other gaming features bundled in one place. While it's not the best image out there, movies and games still shine on this TV. You also don't need to worry about the chance of burn-in, making this more reliable for years of PC use.

AOC announces new 35-inch ultrawide gaming display with 200Hz refresh rate and G-Sync

Rich Edmonds — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:28:26 +0000

Ultrawide and curved displays are becoming more popular within the PC gaming space and AOC is looking to capitalize on this with the AGON AG353UCG. This new monitor has virtually everything a PC gamer of today requires, including an excellent design, high refresh rate, low response time, and support for NVIDIA's G-Sync technology.

The latest monitor is part of the new AGON 3 family, joining the excellent AOC AGON AG273Q display. While it's a VA, which isn't favored by everyone, you will be getting a 200Hz refresh rate, which is huge for gaming. That allows the monitor and GPU to sync up and produce up to 200 frames per second of butter smooth gameplay.

VA panels usually come with rather high response times — not good for gaming — but AOC has this knocked down to just 1 ms, the norm for gaming displays. The ultrawide 21:9 display has a resolution of 3440 x 1440. There's even HDR and rated brightness of 1000 nits, so this should be good for not only gaming, but also movies and other media consumption.

It's good looking, has RGB lighting and a solid stand. USB ports are joined by a single DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 for video input, so you'll be able to hook up all your favorite devices. The only drawback to the AGON AG353UCG is the price. It's going to be expensive and should launch later in 2019.

Does NVIDIA support FreeSync on AOC AGON AG273QCX?

Rich Edmonds — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 14:00:02 +0000

Does NVIDIA support FreeSync on AOC AGON AG273QCX?

Best answer: AOC's AGON AG273QCX does not currently support NVIDIA G-Sync, but this could change in the future. Even so, we recommend you buy one of the currently certified FreeSync panels.Amazon: AOC AGON AG273QCX ($500)Amazon: AOC AGON AG241QX ($310)

NVIDIA hasn't certified this monitor yet

NVIDIA is certifying some FreeSync monitors so they work with an NVIDIA GPU, just as they would if they were a G-Sync display. This move got everyone with a FreeSync monitor jumping up and down, believing they will be able to save money by not having to pick up a G-Sync display.

The issue is NVIDIA has only certified a few monitors and the new AGON AG273QCX from AOC isn't among them. AOC not only released a FreeSync version of this monitor, but also a G-Sync counterpart. It costs a little more and would render it almost pointless if you could purchase the FreeSync display and save money.

Thus NVIDIA and AOC have not certified this monitor to work with NVIDIA GPUs.

Will NVIDIA certify this AOC display?

I believe so, eventually. But I wouldn't purchase this FreeSync display in the hopes that this day will come as there's the possibility it never will. You'd be better off spending money wisely on a G-Sync display or one of the certified FreeSync panels. We compiled a list of all the certified monitors listed by NVIDIA if you want to save some money.

You'll also find one of these — the AOC AGON AG241QX — below, which we recommend you check out should you own an NVIDIA GPU and need a monitor with synchronization tech.

FreeSync only

AOC AGON AG273QCX

AOC's latest monitor with FreeSync 2 is ideal for gamers.

Not only does this display come with FreeSync 2, but also support for HDR. This makes content displayed on-screen look even better, especially if you're playing HDR-compliant games.

G-Sync certified

AOC AGON AG241QX

A more affordable G-Sync display

While not strictly a G-Sync display, this NVIDIA-certified FreeSync panel from AOC is a fantastic monitor for gaming with a resolution of 1440p, 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. It's an older, but still excellent display.

How to enable NVIDIA G-Sync on a FreeSync display

Rich Edmonds — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:00:02 +0000

NVIDIA made a change in policy that pleased many PC gamers by starting to work on certifying AMD FreeSync monitors to work with NVIDIA GPUs. In this Windows 10 guide, we're going to run you through how to activate FreeSync on a monitor and use the technology to synchronize your PC output using an NVIDIA GPU.

Products used in this guide

Amazon: ZOTAC RTX 2060 ($350)
Amazon: AOC G2590FX ($329)

How to activate FreeSync support on NVIDIA GPUs

Firstly, make sure you've connected the display to your GPU using DisplayPort and not HDMI.

Activate FreeSync on your display, using on-screen controls.
Right-click NVIDIA logo on your Windows 10 taskbar.
Choose "NVIDIA Control Panel".
Choose "Change resolution" on the left menu.

Set the highest refresh rate for the FreeSync monitor.
Choose "Set up G-Sync" on the left menu.
Check the "Enable G-Sync" for the FreeSync monitor.

Fire up your favorite game and make sure there's no screen tearing or stuttering. Also, make sure you disable V-Sync.

If you can't get the monitor to work with NVIDIA G-Sync, you'll want to check the full list of certified FreeSync monitors to make sure yours is compatible. If you don't already own one, be sure to choose a monitor from the list.

Our top equipment picks

You're going to need a gaming display and compatible GPU to take advantage of this new feature from NVIDIA. We got you covered with the below suggestions.

Gaming display

AOC G2590FX

Frameless, 1080p and with all the gaming features

AOC did a great job with the G2590FX and we're not surprised NVIDIA certified this panel. Sporting a 1080p resolution, there's the inclusion of 144Hz refresh rate and response time of just 1ms, just in case you're disappointed with the lack of 1440p.

The AOC G2590FX isn't the best gaming display out there, nor will it blow you away with visuals, but what this display will do for the affordable price is allow you to enjoy butter-smooth gameplay with FreeSync and 144Hz refresh rate.

Additional Equipment

In order to use a FreeSync monitor with an NVIDIA GPU, you'll need ... well, an NVIDIA GPU. There are numerous available, both from the GTX 10 and RTX 20 series, but if we were to recommend one that offers great value, it would be the RTX 2060.

ZOTAC RTX 2060 SUPER MINI (Image credit: ZOTAC)

ZOTAC RTX 2060 GPU ($350 at Amazon)

You get similar performance as a GTX 1070, but with newer features, capabilities, and a solid price.

NVIDIA now supports FreeSync monitors as 'G-Sync Compatible' with driver update

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:00:31 +0000

NVIDIA pushed out a fresh driver update for its GeForce graphics cards today, bringing support for "G-Sync Compatible" FreeSync monitors. Leveraging the open Adaptive Sync standard, NVIDIA has brought official support for 12 FreeSync monitors, opening its G-Sync tech up for the first time.

G-Sync is the name for NVIDIA's variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, which aims to combat screen tearing in games by synchronizing the refresh rate of your display with the output of your graphics card. On the other side of the spectrum is FreeSync, based on the Adaptive Sync standard and associated with AMD's Radeon cards. Until now, if you had an NVIDIA graphics card and wanted to take advantage of G-Sync, you'd have to purchase any one of a number of G-Sync certified displays, which typically come with a price premium. FreeSync displays, meanwhile, are generally cheaper than their G-Sync counterparts.

At its CES 2019 press conference, NVIDIA said that it had tested 400 FreeSync displays for compatibility ahead of launch, of which only 12 met NVIDIA's bar for the "G-Sync Compatible" designation. Those 12 displays deliver, according to NVIDIA, "a baseline VRR experience on GeForce RTX 20-series and GeForce GTX 10-series graphics cards."

G-Sync Compatible Monitors

G-Sync will be enabled automatically once you've updated to the latest driver release if you own one of the twelve validated monitors. If you own a FreeSync monitor that isn't on that list, NVIDIA says that you can manually enable G-Sync, with the caveat that "it may work, it may work partly, or it may not work at all."

To give the newly added support for G-Sync Compatible FreeSync displays a shot, you can download NVIDIA's latest Game Ready Driver (version 417.71) from NVIDIA now. Today's driver release also adds support for the new GeForce RTX 2060, which is available now for $350. For more hardware options, be sure to have a look at our collection of best graphics cards.

AOC AGON AG241QG review: A great (and affordable) gaming display with G-Sync

Rich Edmonds — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:00:02 +0000

AOC is known for its range of affordable monitors. The AGON line of monitors is tailored to gamers, equipped with fast panels, synchronization technology, as well as some other goodies.

The AG241QG is one such monitor, offering PC gamers a way to enjoy more fluid gameplay with NVIDIA graphics cards without spending a small fortune.

G-Sync value

AOC AGON AG241QG

Costs around $475Bottom line: When you need to take PC gaming beyond 1080p and 60Hz, the AOC AGON AG241QG is an excellent choice for NVIDIA GPU owners who want to save a little cash or have a tighter budget.

Pros:

Great picture.Handles gaming well.G-Sync tech.Overclocked to 165Hz.

Cons:

The menu is a little slow.Poor viewing angles due to TN panel.

What makes the AG241QG great for gaming

AOC makes some stunning displays, but the company also makes some really good gaming monitors. We previously looked at the rather capable AG27QG and this 24-inch panel is essentially the smaller sibling, with a few differences.

The AG241QG is a TN panel. This means that viewing angles are much worse than an IPS display, and the colors aren't quite as good. TN displays are still more than capable of making games look good on-screen, especially after some calibration, and TN means seriously low response times. This monitor has a response time of just one millisecond, compared to the five milliseconds of the IPS AG27QG.

Category	AG241QG
Resolution	2560 x 1440
Refresh rate	165Hz (overclocked)
Panel	TN
Response time	1ms
Sync tech	G-Sync
VESA	100 mm x 100 mm
Ports	One DisplayPort 1.2 One HDMI 1.4 Four USB 3.0
Power draw	35W
Warranty	3 years

Hooking up the display to a GTX 1070 for testing allowed for some seriously smooth gaming. Witcher 3 ran at a steady rate of frames, thanks in part to the Ryzen processor, and the AG241QG displayed everything without issue. Allowing benchmarks to run for extended periods of time, as well as testing in a live environment, the monitor didn't fail at all, even when using the 165Hz factory overclock.

The choice of HDMI and DisplayPort is welcome and the 1440p resolution is the sweet spot for PC gamers. The added bonus of USB ports, a headset rest, and VESA support make this quite the monitor.

What you may dislike about this monitor

The only drawbacks I could see were the viewing angles, due to it being a TN panel. Everything else was good for gamers, and even if you don't have a monitor calibrator at hand, it's not too bad to look at out-the-box. The on-screen menu is a little clunky and slow, and you need to remember to use the included VESA bracket. But overall, it's a great display.

Should you want to hook up a bunch of devices to this screen, you may find it to be an issue with only having two inputs available.

Should you buy this PC monitor?

If you need a new gaming monitor for your PC, you should absolutely buy this. This panel — when paired with an NVIDIA GPU — offers exceptional value for the money. An overclocked 165Hz refresh rate is matched by a one-millisecond response time and TN technology for fluid gameplay. The viewing angles are a little off, but since you should be sitting correctly on a comfortable chair, this isn't a major drawback.

See at Amazon

AOC's new Agon G-Sync display will go all the way up to 240Hz

Rich Edmonds — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:23:20 +0000

Gamescom is the perfect time to reveal a new 240Hz monitor and that's exactly what AOC has done with the new Agon AG251FG. This display is available in Europe this week, offering an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time for optimal gaming performance. NVIDIA G-Sync, ULMB (helps tackle motion blur) and other features are bundled in for good measure.

The panel itself is a 24.5-inch TN display, rocking a resolution of 1080p. That's a bummer for those who enjoy 1440p and beyond, but with the Full HD experience it'll be easier for those with mid-spec gaming rigs to hit frame rates into the hundreds, which is supported by this screen. Those of you unfamiliar with G-Sync and are wondering why on Earth this should matter to you, if you have a compatible GPU from NVIDIA, this monitor will work with the graphics card to minimize screen tear and input lag.

Category	Specification
Display	24.5-inch TN
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Refresh Rate	240Hz
Response Time	1ms
Ports	1x HDMI 1x DisplayPort 4x USB 3.0
Sync Tech	NVIDIA G-Sync
Speakers	Yes

As is the case with other Agon monitors, AOC is packing in a headset holder (I'm a massive fan of this on displays), the company's Ergo Dial Base, as well as eye-protection technologies for extended sessions. The display itself will set purchasers back $499 (£519) and is available in Europe this week.

See at Amazon

AOC AG271UG Review: A great first attempt at bringing 4K to the Agon monitor series

Rich Edmonds — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:00:01 +0000

The next big investments today's PC gamers will be looking to make is taking the leap from 1080p or 1440p up to 4K. It's a massive undertaking for any PC, displaying essentially four 1080p displays worth of content every single frame. While 4K currently has downsides of being rather expensive to put together a machine capable of handling demanding gaming, there are some screens available that don't wreck the remaining budget but offer a great experience.

The AOC AG271UG is one such display. It's not the best monitor available that supports 4K, but at $799 one simply cannot overlook included features like Nvidia G-Sync, the design and build quality.

See at Amazon

Sync all the Gs

The AG271UG is a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, with an IPS panel for great viewing angles and image quality. It comes with a stand that can be adjusted to suit personal viewing preferences and setups. G-Sync is Nvidia's technology that allows for the enhanced connection between the display and a supported GTX graphics card. Most modern cards from the company should work with this panel and unlock synchronized frames.

G-Sync makes the AG271UG a compelling gaming companion.

What synchronized framing brings to gaming (and media consumption in general) is a far better viewing experience without screen tearing or limiting frame rates. You can use a non-supported Nvidia or AMD Radeon GPU with the display, of course, but you will be missing out on one of the main reasons for purchasing this screen. Should you own a new AMD RX GPU, it may be worth looking at FreeSync monitors, which use AMD's own technology to achieve the same result as G-Sync.

Specifications of the AG271UG include:

Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 1000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Viewing angle: 178/178
Response time: 4ms
Maximum resolution: 3840x2160 (60Hz)
Ports: HDMI, DisplayPort
Power draw: 50W

There is a total of four USB 3.0 ports on this monitor (two underneath, two on the side), as well as a single HDMI and DisplayPort for input. The latter port is required for 4K content at 60Hz, so be sure to use this option when setting everything up.

Gorgeous curves

The AG271UG is a stunning screen. Much like other Agon displays offered by AOC, I'm a massive fan of the use of colors and how aggressive the displays look without looking cheap. The thin bezels make it easy to hook up two or more of these displays (in the distant future, of course) and give the impression of the on-screen image "floating" in mid-air.

It's easy to spot some sort of arm on the right-hand side of the display, which one could mistake for some kind of Wi-Fi antenna, but it's actually an incredibly useful headphone stand. This can be folded back into the monitor unit when you don't need it to keep everything looking clean, and there's also a handy scale on the rear to ensure you have the display configured the exact same way no matter where you transport it — ideal for LAN events.

The built-in handle, headphone stand and scales allow for easier LAN setups.

Lastly, we have full VESA support for removing the bundled stand and hooking up your own arm or wall mount. As one who prefers to use aftermarket mounting options, I feel it necessary to point VESA support as a must-have addition to each and every monitor. Kudos, AOC. When it comes to turning the display on and enjoying the fruits of your own labor, there are far more positives than drawbacks here.

For colors specifically, they're good. They don't "pop," but are more than adequate for gaming and working with media. Some may find the view slightly washed out, but honestly, at under $800 there are certainly going to be some barriers in the way.

But how does it fare in gaming? We hooked up the AG271UG to a Zotac GTX 1070 AMP! Extreme Edition. While it's a powerful GPU, it has struggled at points to output high-quality frames in some AAA PC games.

As this is an IPS panel, we have a response time of around 4ms, which is fairly commonplace. Input lag was also difficult to spot, being on par with other screens within the same price bracket and using similar display technology. The main drawback here is the 60Hz, which makes it an automatic "pass" for many PC gamers.

The Verdict

Should you buy the AG271UG? If you're hunting down a good overall 4K monitor that doesn't cost an absolute fortune, then yes. The build quality, support for Nvidia G-Sync and awesome image quality with IPS technology to boot make it well worth the asking price.

That said, should you be someone who requires only the best in color reproduction and have images that really pop out the display, or happen to need a higher refresh rate than 60Hz, then you'll need to look elsewhere.

For $799, This Agon panel is a solid investment for anyone looking to make the jump to 4K.

Pros:

Nvidia G-Sync.
Solid build quality.
Somewhat affordable.
Sharp images.

Cons:

Colors aren't great.
Locked to 60Hz.

See at Amazon

FreeSync vs G-Sync: Which is best for you?

richard.devine@futurenet.com (Richard Devine) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:00:06 +0000

The decision boils down to one key choice: AMD or NVIDIA. The best graphics cards from both companies will let you play the latest games at varying levels of detail and resolution, but at their core, they all do the same thing.

When it comes to taking it up a gear, you have FreeSync, and you have G-Sync. Again, similar features, but the former is supported by AMD and the latter by NVIDIA.

If you already made your graphics card choice and you don't plan on switching, the decision is probably already made. But if you're still in the buying process, let's break down a few key factors that can help you decide.

What is FreeSync and G-Sync?

FreeSync allows the graphics card and connected monitor to communicate with one another to maintain a stable refresh rate that can be altered depending on what the graphics card is currently outputting. The result is a stable, super smooth experience and a variable refresh rate. But it's also not supported by all AMD graphics cards, though newer ones will be fine.

G-Sync synchronizes both the monitor and graphics card, thanks to an on-board module inside the display. The card and monitor will only run as fast as the slowest of the two can handle, depending on where the bottleneck happens to be. This means the net benefit is that the monitor will display every single frame produced by the GPU, thus resulting in a super smooth experience.

Ultimately the end result for both is a very similar experience: silky smooth gameplay. The two companies approach it a little differently, but the output is very alike.

The big difference between the two is that NVIDIA G-Sync requires monitors to embed a chip , thus affecting the retail price. We'll look at that more below.

Cost differences: Graphics cards

There's an assumption that AMD cards are better for gamers on a budget, and while that's not entirely incorrect, you can't just take it as fact and leave it there. At the time of writing NVIDIA and AMD are targeting different markets. AMD is definitely towards the budget end, with the RX 460 through to the RX 480, while NVIDIA is covering a wider range with the entry GTX 1050 going all the way up to the new GTX 1080 Ti.

That doesn't mean AMDs cards are bad, far from it. The RX 480 is very capable, as is the RX 470. And if you shop around you'll find an 8GB RX 480 for around or not much over $200.

By contrast, the highest end NVIDIA card will cost from $699, though it's far and away more powerful than anything AMD has to offer right now. At a similar price to the AMD cards, you'll find the GTX 1050 Ti and the GTX 1060, both excellent units for 1080p gaming at mid-to-high graphical settings.

AMD has its RX Vega cards coming later in 2017, but right now its highest end card is available for the price of a mid-range NVIDIA one. So if the price is important, going with AMD will save you some dollars.

More: The best graphics cards for gamers

Cost differences: PC monitors

AOC Agon G-Sync (Image credit: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central)

When it comes to choosing a PC monitor, there's no ambiguity like there is with graphics cards: G-Sync panels cost more. There's absolutely nothing anyone can do about that as NVIDIA controls it due to the module it dictates must be present for G-Sync.

FreeSync, by contrast, has a clue in its name. It doesn't generally add to the cost of the monitor. Manufacturers could slip in a little increase, but compared to a G-Sync equivalent the difference will be significant.

For example, you can get FreeSync in even a cheap gaming monitor from folks like Viewsonic for $140. For a G-Sync monitor, you're looking around $400 for something like a 24-inch monitor from Dell. It's the same across the board. The HP Omen 32 we recently reviewed supports FreeSync for $400 on a 32-inch 1440p monitor. There's no way it'd be priced so low if it had G-Sync.

The bottom line

On the whole, the biggest benefit to enjoying FreeSync gaming is cost. As things stand, you'll spend less on a current generation graphics card and less on a PC monitor to use it with. You may sacrifice some ultra power and things like 4K gaming, but you'll have silky smooth, crisp graphics and money in your pocket.

If your gaming tastes are for the bleeding edge, the latest, greatest, most powerful of everything, then you're going to get a NVIDIA card. You're already going to spend more on that, and then you'll spend more on a G-Sync monitor to go with it.

The end experience between the two systems is very similar, but how much you've spent to get there could be very different.

Microsoft unlocks frame rates for Windows Store games, adds Freesync and G-SYNC support

Rich Edmonds — Tue, 10 May 2016 13:45:56 +0000

Microsoft has announced the company will roll out an update to Windows 10 that will unlock frame rates of titles on the Windows Store, as well as add support for both AMD Freesync and NVIDIA's G-SYNC. It's a pretty big step for the company and its digital store, which is attempting to compete against the likes of Steam for gamers to spend their hard-earned cash. With the recent release of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex beta, Microsoft has deemed now as the perfect time to launch this system update.

Should you have titles from the Windows Store (like Forza 6), you'll be locked to just 60 FPS (frames per second), which is considered by many to be the absolute minimum for smooth gameplay. With more advanced monitors already available with higher refresh rates like 144Hz, those with capable systems are being penalised for downloading games from the Windows Store, when they could enjoy a much higher FPS experience elsewhere. Microsoft has made it so this is no longer the case but you'll need to wait for studios to unlock the FPS in titles, though.

As well as unlocking the FPS limit on Windows Games, Microsoft has also added support for AMD Freesync and NVIDIA G-SYNC synchronization technologies. Should you be rocking a compatible monitor, supported games from the Windows Store will now

The update will gradually hit systems from today, though you can download it manually from Microsoft TechNet{.nofollow}.