AMD Freesync Monitors & Reviews Thread

[Subyman]

Thanks! That's just what I wanted to hear. I'll probably be going for a Freesync monitor vs. Gsync then, for the following reasons:

- More input ports, not just displayport such as with Gsync
- Built-in scaler so I can use it with different aspect ratios (convenient if you want to attach a playstation/xbox)
- Most of all: cheaper than an equivalent Gsync monitor.

I'm hopeful the new Asus 27" Freesync monitor coming out soon will be good enough. IPS screen with sRGB color space (good enough for my photography stuff after I calibrate it), good viewing angles and still high refresh rate.

And then hopefully the new 300 series from AMD coming out soon will at least be better than the GTX980 so I can get that as well (will be building a new PC this summer).

FWIW, free sync only works over display port. So even if there are DVI, VGA, or HDMI ports available, they would not be compatible with free sync. So you are really in the same situation as a gsync monitor. Some g sync monitors are now coming with other input options.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

I can't help but think that 4K monitors are in a hard place because the performance isn't there yet to drive them without a steep price tag. Hopefully the price tag on the monitors will fall as the price of hitting decent performance on them falls and widens the potential customer base.

I don't know these things from a technical standpoint like people here do, but what role, if any, would the efficiencies brought by DX12 have on hardware being able to drive 4K

 

[Subyman]

I don't know these things from a technical standpoint like people here do, but what role, if any, would the efficiencies brought by DX12 have on hardware being able to drive 4K

As far as I know, the big thing about DX12 is more draw calls. So more stuff can be drawn to the screen. Most games are made around the limitation now, so if anything, it will be harder on hardware as more developers utilize a higher number of draws (working the GPU to draw more.)

 

[sakete]

FWIW, free sync only works over display port. So even if there are DVI, VGA, or HDMI ports available, they would not be compatible with free sync. So you are really in the same situation as a gsync monitor. Some g sync monitors are now coming with other input options.

Yup, I'm aware of that. I'd use DisplayPort on the PC. But still nice to be able to hook up an Xbox/Playstation over HDMI. G-sync monitors don't give you that option apparently.

 

[96Firebird]

G-sync monitors don't give you that option apparently.

The BenQ XL2420G has DL-DVI and 2x HDMI along with the DP for G-sync.

 

[3DVagabond]

If you get a high refresh screen with backlight strobing that'll work fine on an nvidia card as well, just can't use the freesync.

On the 27" benq the ghosting is only there if you connect a freesync capable gpu and driver, with a non freesync gpu there are no problems. The screen has overdrive to combat ghosting, just turns off when you enable freesync.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/benq_xl2730z.htm

Backlight strobing doesn't work with any type of variable refresh.

There is supposed to be a fix in the works for the OD situation. We're still working on early release beta drivers.

 

[3DVagabond]

I can't help but think that 4K monitors are in a hard place because the performance isn't there yet to drive them without a steep price tag. Hopefully the price tag on the monitors will fall as the price of hitting decent performance on them falls and widens the potential customer base.

You can buy 4k for less than VRR. $550, compared to $600 for Freesync and $800 for Gsync. As far as cost to drive it's not any different than driving a 1440 monitor at +100fps like the VRR screens. It's just a matter of priorities.

The BenQ XL2420G has DL-DVI and 2x HDMI along with the DP for G-sync.

It's not a common feature with Gsync though. I believe that's the only monitor that has additional inputs because it requires a separate scaler for the other inputs. ie: more expense on an already expensive design. Because Freesync doesn't require any special hardware in the monitor, it can have a full array of input options standard without increasing the cost.

 

[sakete]

The BenQ XL2420G has DL-DVI and 2x HDMI along with the DP for G-sync.

Yes, but then you'll have to get a TN panel There's currently no IPS G-sync monitor with that option that I'm aware of.

 

[xthetenth]

You can buy 4k for less than VRR. $550, compared to $600 for Freesync and $800 for Gsync. As far as cost to drive it's not any different than driving a 1440 monitor at +100fps like the VRR screens. It's just a matter of priorities.

I got the feeling RS was talking about something more than just 4K resolution on a screen, with a few features. Even then, all that stuff is niche and getting priced as such it seems, although the 4K is doing reasonably well.

 

[Mand]

Yes, but then you'll have to get a TN panel There's currently no IPS G-sync monitor with that option that I'm aware of.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009742

Ah, you meant with the other connectors...yeah, since this is the only IPS one yet with these specs, it's kinda stuck.

 

[Elixer]

For those people that actually bought these monitors...

AMD fans have been outspoken about their love for the smooth gameplay of AMD FreeSync™ technology, and have understandably been excited about the prospect of using compatible monitors with the incredible performance of an AMD CrossFire™ configuration.

After vigorous QA testing, however, it’s now clear to us that support for AMD FreeSync™ monitors on a multi-GPU system is not quite ready for release.

As it is our ultimate goal to give AMD customers an ideal experience when using our products, we must announce a delay of the AMD Catalyst™ driver that would offer this support. We will continue to develop and test this solution in accordance with our stringent quality standards, and we will provide another update when it is ready for release

http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=454&threadid=186533&enterthread=y

 

[alcoholbob]

I don't know these things from a technical standpoint like people here do, but what role, if any, would the efficiencies brought by DX12 have on hardware being able to drive 4K

Considering even a 295x2 only gets about 4-6% perf boost at 4k with Mantle you won't see much at high resolutions. However since CPU bottlenecks are being removed it might be a smoother experience with higher min framerates.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

Considering even a 295x2 only gets about 4-6% perf boost at 4k with Mantle you won't see much at high resolutions. However since CPU bottlenecks are being removed it might be a smoother experience with higher min framerates.

Will that help MMOs where the number of players or mobile objects is hard on CPU?

 

[ShintaiDK]

The Asus MG279Q looks to support Freesync between 35 and 90hz. Without Freesync it goes up to 120hz.

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1011625/

 

[Final8ty]

So are you saying that you currently have no issues with Overdrive/Ghosting with your monitor using AMD's current cards/drivers?

That is correct - Over Drive has been working in our NX-VUE24 displays since AMD provided us with their first non-public BETA Freesync Drivers last year... Over drive is also working with the current AMD cards and current public BETA Freesync Drivers. During our own validation process when we turned ON Over Drive with Freesync ON - it was too strong and had significant pixel overshoot, but at the time we had other more important bugs (unrelated to Adaptive Sync/Freesync) to resolve at the time to get our monitor to be consumer ready.

When it came time to address the Over Drive performance with Freesync, we consulted with AMD and our scalar partner to fine tune it to the best that the display can handle to minimize both ghosting and pixel overshoot. It was a significant improvement and is no longer an issue. From my own eyes, with Over Drive enabled performance was about on par with other VRR monitors I have to play with.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1546934/various-amd-freesync-reviews/1660#post_23863846

 

[3DVagabond]

Based off from my current own experience with AMD, they never pressured me on a ship date or gave me a deadline. I also think they seem to care a lot, maybe too much, on just that one thing left we have been trying to resolve to get certified the past two months. Otherwise our monitor would have shipped earlier in the year.

Also if you are still talking about the ghosting with over drive settings - from my own product development process (as with all previous monitor projects) it was my responsibility to ensure everything in that On Screen Display Menu is working - including the color temperature settings adjustments, brightness adjustments, contrast adjustments, over drive adjustments, etc. For example one of our early firmware revisions had PiP/PnP features but did not work correctly to provide a seamless user experienced so I had that feature removed from the On Screen Display Menu.

I find this interesting as well. As many of us have said the issues are with the monitor. Freesync simply syncs the monitor with the GPU's output. If that is working, then Freesync is working. Anything beyond that is nothing to do with Freesync.

Also the lack of AMD's concern about quality control, while it was never based in fact only some poster's biased opinion, is also set aside by Peter Nixeus.

 

[96Firebird]

Who to believe, Peter Nixeus or BenQ via TFTCentral's review...

Having spoken to BenQ about it the issue is a known bug which apparently currently affects all FreeSync monitors. The AMD FreeSync command disturbs the response time (AMA) function, causing it to switch off. It's something which will require an update from AMD to their driver behaviour, which they are currently working on. It will also require a firmware update for the screen itself to correct the problem. Both are being worked on and we will aim to update this review when it is fixed, hopefully within a couple of weeks. Assuming that fixes the issue the performance when using a FreeSync system should be much better than now, as you can move from AMA Off to the better AMA High setting. At the moment if you use the FreeSync function, or even just have a FreeSync enabled system in place, the response times are slower than they should be by a fair amount, and so you will experience a moderate amount of blur. If you need to, you can always switch to DVI or another interface other than DisplayPort to benefit from the AMA setting (but lose FreeSync).

 

[3DVagabond]

Who to believe, Peter Nixeus or BenQ via TFTCentral's review...

Peter Nexeus is going to release Freesync monitors. If OD doesn't work then he's going to have egg on his face. He's not a nameless contact at BenQ. His name is on the monitors, remember.

Having spoken to BenQ about it the issue is a known bug which apparently currently affects all FreeSync monitors.

It does say it's a monitor bug. It could be an issue with the particular scalers they are using and Nexeus is using a different one?

Anyway, no reason to not believe him. Of course it won't stop some people of accusing him of being a liar. There are some who just throw that out there as a reason anytime they want to try and discredit an AMD feature. Remember "AMD was lying" about Freesync even working with some people. Still haven't seen a single one say they were wrong yet though.

 

[96Firebird]

Did you miss this part?

It's something which will require an update from AMD to their driver behaviour, which they are currently working on.

Maybe Peter has access to this updated driver, and is basing his conclusions from that?

Edit - I see he mentions it working with earlier drivers, so now I'm not sure what to believe...

 

[3DVagabond]

Did you miss this part?



Maybe Peter has access to this updated driver, and is basing his conclusions from that?

Edit - I see he mentions it working with earlier drivers, so now I'm not sure what to believe...

He said his first drivers as well as the current released drivers don't break OD. That points directly to a hardware issue. It doesn't mean that AMD and the scaler manufacturer can't address it in software.

 

[Peter Nixeus]

Peter Nexeus is going to release Freesync monitors. If OD doesn't work then he's going to have egg on his face. He's not a nameless contact at BenQ. His name is on the monitors, remember.



It does say it's a monitor bug. It could be an issue with the particular scalers they are using and Nexeus is using a different one?

Anyway, no reason to not believe him. Of course it won't stop some people of accusing him of being a liar. There are some who just throw that out there as a reason anytime they want to try and discredit an AMD feature. Remember "AMD was lying" about Freesync even working with some people. Still haven't seen a single one say they were wrong yet though.

Each panel type requires a different scalar to support it - our NX-VUE24 from what I know is using a different scalar than everyone else. At this time we are one of the few that is producing a 1920x1080 Freesync monitor.

 

[3DVagabond]

Each panel type requires a different scalar to support it - our NX-VUE24 from what I know is using a different scalar than everyone else. At this time we are one of the few that is producing a 1920x1080 Freesync monitor.

Cheers, Peter. You shouldn't have to explain. Especially when we have people with zero industry cred just make stuff up all of the time.

I hope you get your monitor out soon. Be careful though. As you can see around the web any little perceived fault that can be manufactured will be exploited to the max. It doesn't have to be with Freesync functionality either. If they don't like the shape and feel of the buttons is all it will take. Positives go unrewarded too. Freesync being compatible with the monitors standard features, like OSD, being able to be used both with and without vsync, having a full array of input options are all very positive aspects of Freesync over Gsync. Way more important IMO than how 144Hz monitors operate at <40Hz. What is it that every thread focuses on though?

I think what would help is if manufacturers responded to reviews when given the chance rather than sit there and do nothing. It doesn't have to be denial either. Reviewers love it when something is addressed because they brought it up.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. Looking forward to seeing your product.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

Each panel type requires a different scalar to support it - our NX-VUE24 from what I know is using a different scalar than everyone else. At this time we are one of the few that is producing a 1920x1080 Freesync monitor.

Do you already have overdrive + freesync working though?

 

[3DVagabond]

Do you already have overdrive + freesync working though?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37373976&postcount=365

That's what he said.

 

[biostud]

Freesync/gsync monitors should ship with the variable frequency range in the product specs. Not just 60Hz, 75 Hz or 144Hz. We should know both top and bottom.