AMD Freesync on "native" Gsync monitors

[Markachy]

Hi all

I am currently on the hunt for a new monitor, having suffered for years with the Acer XF270HUA and its broken Freesync overdrive (making it a blurry mess). I tried the XG270 but, despite the absolutely amazing strobing, the 1080p resolution was too low for my work purposes.

I've landed on the LG nano-IPS variants as the next best thing: LG's own 27GL850 (and many variants thereof), Lenovo Y27Q-20 (highly rated alternative) and the Viewsonic XG270QG (GSync native, much more expensive...usually). I was settled on the Lenovo, but then along came a UK Amazon Warehouse 30% off deal (literally this morning), which made a XG270QG available for a measly £390...basically the same as the Lenovo.

I have an AMD RX5700XT and so am limited to Freesync...which would normally knock out GSync monitors...HOWEVER! I have noticed some conflicting information around using AMD cards ie Freesync with native GSync monitors.

https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/news/gs ... ard-nvidia
https://www.tftcentral.co.uk/blog/nvidi ... e-screens/

So I have taken the plunge with the XG270QG as both Rtings and TFTCentral list the XG270QG as one of these Freesync-compatible GSync monitors! I will report back when it arrives. I was wondering: does anyone have any information at all regarding how this is implemented? Does it effectively bypass the GSync module, or does it actually allow AMD cards to use the GSync module, and thus deliver superior variable overdrive VRR ie achieve superior VRR with an AMD card than any Freesync monitor can with an AMD card?

[Chief Blur Buster]

I think it does go through the GSYNC module, as the monitor manufacturers pay NVIDIA for the privelege.

But it MAY have certain behaviours different such as NVIDIA versus AMD different implementations of LFC — the Low Frame Rate Compensation, for framtimes slower than min Hz. FreeSync tends to use more driver-side operation and NVIDIA uses more monitor-side (e.g. auto repeat buffered refresh if no new refresh/frame arrives on time).

[Markachy]

Interesting stuff then - I can't imagine how they have managed to get that GSync module to function seamlessly with AMD GPUs, which presumably spit out display instructions over Displayport that expect no module on the other end of the cable. Presumably, as well as the monitor manufacturer paying for the AMD-on-GSync-module privilege, that nVidia themselves had to do some work with AMD to ensure the GSync module can process the AMD GPU output?

Either way, after experiencing the broken Freesync overdrive on my current monitor, I'm very excited to experience Freesync via GSync, hoping and assuming it is able to leverage variable overdrive that GSync is able to do - I shall report back later today or tomorrow to detail how (or if!) all goes smoothly!

[Markachy]

UPDATE: I received my XG270QG yesterday, and I am frankly blown away by it. It is the first time in a long while (probably since I first saw my B7 OLED) where my jaw slightly dropped when I saw the monitor screen, whether a static image or in motion - the colours, motion handling and image quality are staggering. While the motion blur isn't quite as good as strobing, its not far off, and Doom Eternal looks truly fantastic - these panels really are a generational leap over older 144hz IPS. I'm coming from a 144Hz 1440p IPS monitor, and even with that, this thing is amazing me.

With regards to using AMD Freesync on this GSync module monitor - it works seamlessly. I simply enabled Freesync in Radeon software as usual (listed as "Adaptive Sync compatible"), and DONE. It works. The monitor also tells me that GSync is "enabled". Pure sorcery, and a wise move on nVidia's front - very consumer friendly. It also works at the "overclocked" 165Hz mode this monitor allows.

Highly recommended!