Does Freesync work in any capacity over HDMI?

[Iggy Wolf]

I ask because I have an AMD Freesync monitor that works with "G-Sync Compatible", but only apparently over DisplayPort. My new computer is connected via DP and shows the G-Sync option in the NVC. But my old PC is connected via HDMI 2.0. The monitor only has 2.0 slots. I've read that G-Sync "can" work over 2.1, but that those are only on TVs. And that G-Sync only works on 30xx series cards. My old PC still has an RTX 2060 Super.

So, even if the VRR option is not available in Windows Display Graphics Options, and G-Sync is not in the NVC, does that mean that no Freesync is being used at all? Even if I have my monitor's "Freesync" On? I mean, I still get 180 Hz on the old PC, but without Freesync, I'm guessing it'll stutter more often or have tearing because the refresh rate won't be synced with the framerate. Is my only choice at that point to cap the FPS AND Refresh rate in games individually if possible? Or simply lower the overall monitor's refresh rate to the FPS that my GPU CAN achieve in most games?

[Komarimaru]

if I remember correctly, for Gsync to work, on a Freesync monitor, it requires HDMI 2.0, 2.1 or Displayport 1.3? Or 1.2. One of those.

It won't show up on the control panel though, unless it's enabled in the Monitor/Displays menu first though.

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by Komarimaru:

if I remember correctly, for Gsync to work, on a Freesync monitor, it requires HDMI 2.0, 2.1 or Displayport 1.3? Or 1.2. One of those.

It won't show up on the control panel though, unless it's enabled in the Monitor/Displays menu first though.

That I know. I'm asking if Freesync on my monitor can still work even without the G-Sync option. Would it still sync the refresh rate, even if not as well as G-Sync would?

[MancSoulja]

I have an old AOC 1080p freesync monitor that works with Gsync over HDMI. It definitely isn't 2.1

[emoticorpse]

I never really use Freesync or G-sync (even though I have a Freesync "capable" monitor, but why wouldn't Freesync work without G-sync?. I'm not sure I'm even sure what's being asked but I'm interested in the answer.

[MancSoulja]

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

Originally posted by Komarimaru:

if I remember correctly, for Gsync to work, on a Freesync monitor, it requires HDMI 2.0, 2.1 or Displayport 1.3? Or 1.2. One of those.

It won't show up on the control panel though, unless it's enabled in the Monitor/Displays menu first though.

That I know. I'm asking if Freesync on my monitor can still work even without the G-Sync option. Would it still sync the refresh rate, even if not as well as G-Sync would?

No Freesync doesn't work with Nvidia at all.

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

I never really use Freesync or G-sync (even though I have a Freesync "capable" monitor, but why wouldn't Freesync work without G-sync?. I'm not sure I'm even sure what's being asked but I'm interested in the answer.

I guess what I'm asking is if even need to have the G-Sync option present, and enabled in the Control Panel and VRR enabled in Windows Display just to even be able to use Freesync in games. I mean, if the monitor has Freesync on, then it should technically sync the refresh rate with the FPS regardless, no?

Unless it requires both the GPU and monitor to be able to sync. I have the 518 driver for my RTX 2060 Super on my old PC, so driver wise, it's pretty up to date for G-Sync. But for some reason, still doesn't show up in the Control Panel. And neither does the "Variable Refresh Rate" option in Windows Display Graphics Options.

[emoticorpse]

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

...I mean, if the monitor has Freesync on, then it should technically sync the refresh rate with the FPS regardless, no?...

This is what I would think? I can experiment with a game but not sure how I'd do that.

Have you tried it?

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

...I mean, if the monitor has Freesync on, then it should technically sync the refresh rate with the FPS regardless, no?...

This is what I would think? I can experiment with a game but not sure how I'd do that.

Have you tried it?

I just tested it, and no, unfortunately it doesn't. The "VRR" option in Display options only exists if G-Sync is enabled. And G-Sync needs to be enabled just for the monitor to sync the refresh rate with the FPS. When I just tried playing Doom with the Brutal Doom mod, and the FPS fell to 100 when staring at a bloody wall, I checked the refresh rate in the OSD and it still showed 165 Hz, which is my default refresh rate. So it DIDN'T sync it. When G-Sync is on, then the refresh rate adapts to whatever FPS I have. Basically, no G-Sync = Fixed Refresh Rate.

[Komarimaru]

Originally posted by MancSoulja:

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

That I know. I'm asking if Freesync on my monitor can still work even without the G-Sync option. Would it still sync the refresh rate, even if not as well as G-Sync would?

No Freesync doesn't work with Nvidia at all.

Freesync works, under these conditions.

Driver version 417.71 or newer.
Windows 10/11.
10/16 series. 20-40 series.
Displayport 1.2 or higher, HDMI 2.0/2.1
And finally..
Enable Freesync/VRR inside the monitor itself, through its own menu.

[emoticorpse]

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

This is what I would think? I can experiment with a game but not sure how I'd do that.

Have you tried it?

I just tested it, and no, unfortunately it doesn't. The "VRR" option in Display options only exists if G-Sync is enabled. And G-Sync needs to be enabled just for the monitor to sync the refresh rate with the FPS. When I just tried playing Doom with the Brutal Doom mod, and the FPS fell to 100 when staring at a bloody wall, I checked the refresh rate in the OSD and it still showed 165 Hz, which is my default refresh rate. So it DIDN'T sync it. When G-Sync is on, then the refresh rate adapts to whatever FPS I have. Basically, no G-Sync = Fixed Refresh Rate.

I have the impression Freesync is different than VRR but serve the same purpose?

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

I just tested it, and no, unfortunately it doesn't. The "VRR" option in Display options only exists if G-Sync is enabled. And G-Sync needs to be enabled just for the monitor to sync the refresh rate with the FPS. When I just tried playing Doom with the Brutal Doom mod, and the FPS fell to 100 when staring at a bloody wall, I checked the refresh rate in the OSD and it still showed 165 Hz, which is my default refresh rate. So it DIDN'T sync it. When G-Sync is on, then the refresh rate adapts to whatever FPS I have. Basically, no G-Sync = Fixed Refresh Rate.

I have the impression Freesync is different than VRR but serve the same purpose?

To an extent. VRR is "Variable Refresh Rate". The option only exists apparently if G-Sync is available in the Control Panel. When I turned off G-Sync, the option in the Windows Display section disappeared. So basically, Freesync requires the software to also have G-Sync enabled. AMD Freesync being ON in the monitor OSD by itself is not enough.

Now I suppose for my old PC, on which I have older games and my RTX 2060 Super doesn't get frames as high as 165 like my new PC does, I suppose tearing or stutter wouldn't be as problematic, especially when I limit my FPS. But it does mean I won't be able to sync the refresh rate to the FPS.

So if the GPU ends up putting out frames faster than my monitor or CPU can process them, then I'll get tearing regardless. Especially if I lock the FPS to a round value (e.g. 60, 90, or 120). I know rule of thumb is to cap 2-3 frames below maximum or above a round value to avoid tearing. I might even get less input lag without G-Sync, but more likely to stutter.

[emoticorpse]

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

I have the impression Freesync is different than VRR but serve the same purpose?

To an extent. VRR is "Variable Refresh Rate". The option only exists apparently if G-Sync is available in the Control Panel. When I turned off G-Sync, the option in the Windows Display section disappeared. So basically, Freesync requires the software to also have G-Sync enabled. AMD Freesync being ON in the monitor OSD by itself is not enough.

Now I suppose for my old PC, on which I have older games and my RTX 2060 Super doesn't get frames as high as 165 like my new PC does, I suppose tearing or stutter wouldn't be as problematic, especially when I limit my FPS. But it does mean I won't be able to sync the refresh rate to the FPS.

So if the GPU ends up putting out frames faster than my monitor or CPU can process them, then I'll get tearing regardless. Especially if I lock the FPS to a round value (e.g. 60, 90, or 120). I know rule of thumb is to cap 2-3 frames below maximum or above a round value to avoid tearing. I might even get less input lag without G-Sync, but more likely to stutter.

It's not in your control panel either when you turn off G-sync?

Where is the VRR option normally exactly? I'm trying to find it. I just figured out how to enable/disable G-sync.

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

To an extent. VRR is "Variable Refresh Rate". The option only exists apparently if G-Sync is available in the Control Panel. When I turned off G-Sync, the option in the Windows Display section disappeared. So basically, Freesync requires the software to also have G-Sync enabled. AMD Freesync being ON in the monitor OSD by itself is not enough.

Now I suppose for my old PC, on which I have older games and my RTX 2060 Super doesn't get frames as high as 165 like my new PC does, I suppose tearing or stutter wouldn't be as problematic, especially when I limit my FPS. But it does mean I won't be able to sync the refresh rate to the FPS.

So if the GPU ends up putting out frames faster than my monitor or CPU can process them, then I'll get tearing regardless. Especially if I lock the FPS to a round value (e.g. 60, 90, or 120). I know rule of thumb is to cap 2-3 frames below maximum or above a round value to avoid tearing. I might even get less input lag without G-Sync, but more likely to stutter.

It's not in your control panel either when you turn off G-sync?

Where is the VRR option normally exactly? I'm trying to find it. I just figured out how to enable/disable G-sync.

When you go to Settings in Windows 10, select "System". The top option will have "Display" showing. In that section, at the bottom below "Multiple Displays" is an option called "Graphics Settings". When you click on that one, it'll show you a section, with one of the options being "Variable Refresh Rate". This option doesn't show up if G-Sync is disabled or not available in the Control Panel.

[emoticorpse]

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

It's not in your control panel either when you turn off G-sync?

Where is the VRR option normally exactly? I'm trying to find it. I just figured out how to enable/disable G-sync.

When you go to Settings in Windows 10, select "System". The top option will have "Display" showing. In that section, at the bottom below "Multiple Displays" is an option called "Graphics Settings". When you click on that one, it'll show you a section, with one of the options being "Variable Refresh Rate". This option doesn't show up if G-Sync is disabled or not available in the Control Panel.

Interesting, I don't have the VRR option in there. I have "Hardware Accelerated GPU-scheduling" and "Graphics performance preference".

I wonder why. My monitor is "Freesync capable" or something like that. I'm guessing because maybe it's not full Freesync certified or whatever Windows isn't giving me the option maybe? I have G-sync enabled though. Ineresteing.

[Iggy Wolf]

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Originally posted by Iggy Wolf:

When you go to Settings in Windows 10, select "System". The top option will have "Display" showing. In that section, at the bottom below "Multiple Displays" is an option called "Graphics Settings". When you click on that one, it'll show you a section, with one of the options being "Variable Refresh Rate". This option doesn't show up if G-Sync is disabled or not available in the Control Panel.

Interesting, I don't have the VRR option in there. I have "Hardware Accelerated GPU-scheduling" and "Graphics performance preference".

I wonder why. My monitor is "Freesync capable" or something like that. I'm guessing because maybe it's not full Freesync certified or whatever Windows isn't giving me the option maybe? I have G-sync enabled though. Ineresteing.

I mean, mine's not "G-Sync" certified, though I think it is "Freesync" certified. It's "AMD Freesync Premium". It works as "G-Sync Compatible" in the NCP, but does let me know it's not a certified G-Sync monitor. The option only appears if you have G-Sync enabled, as well as "force enabled for the display" box ticked as well.