HardwareAMD FreeSync now want your new 1080p monitor to support at least 144HzWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareAMD FreeSync now want your new 1080p monitor to support at least 144HzWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
Minimum requirements forAMDFreeSync have received a refresh, and 1080p gaming monitors and TVs will now have to hit 144Hz or higher. The change means if you want to pick up a screen that prevents tearing using the graphics card tech, you’ll have to opt for a model with a faster refresh rate.
Admittedly, most of thebest gaming monitoroptions out there right now support at least 120Hz. Sure, big budget screens are still clutching onto the refresh rate standard, but there are now also plenty ofgaming TVsthat will offer up faster visuals when hooked up to agaming PC. Simply put, display tech has evolved to embrace speed, and these AMD FreeSync minimum requirements changes are a reaction to that.
In a newblog post, AMD touches on why future new FreeSync 1080p screens will now require over 144Hz. According to thegraphics cardgiant, “60Hz was considered great for gaming” back when the tech made its debut, but “today, the majority of gaming monitors are 144Hz or higher, which clearly shows the upward refresh rate trend in the industry.”
Swipe to scroll horizontallyAMD FreeSync minimum requirements (2024)Header Cell - Column 0NotebooksMonitors and TVsFreeSyncMax. Refresh Rate: 40-60 Hz<3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 144 HzFreeSync PremiumMax. Refresh Rate: ≥ 120 Hz< 3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 200 Hz ≥ 3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 120 HzFreeSync Premium ProAMD FreeSync HDR on top of FreeSync Premium requirements.AMD FreeSync HDR on top of FreeSync Premium requirements.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
AMD FreeSync minimum requirements (2024)Header Cell - Column 0NotebooksMonitors and TVsFreeSyncMax. Refresh Rate: 40-60 Hz<3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 144 HzFreeSync PremiumMax. Refresh Rate: ≥ 120 Hz< 3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 200 Hz ≥ 3440 Horizontal resolution: Max. Refresh Rate: ≥ 120 HzFreeSync Premium ProAMD FreeSync HDR on top of FreeSync Premium requirements.AMD FreeSync HDR on top of FreeSync Premium requirements.
In any case, this change is a sign that companies see 60Hz gaming monitors as a thing of the past. I’d still argue they have their place within the scene today, especially if you’re using a Steam Deck dock or aiming for lower, stable refresh rates on a budget PC. I guess the point is that modern GPUs are powerful enough not to need a helping hand running games at 1080p 60fps without things getting visually messy, serving as a testament to progress rather than a commentary on antiquated refresh rates.
Should you buy an AMD FreeSync monitor?
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
When picking up a gaming monitor, features like FreeSync andNvidia’s G-Syncmight not be at the forefront of your mind. However, both are a godsend when it comes combating screen tearing and latency, and FreeSync specifically will cater to players with Radeon graphics cards in their rigs. That’s not to say you can’t use the perk at all if you’ve got a GeForce card, as AMD’s tech will work with “G-Sync compatible screens”, but the results aren’t quite as effective as full blown FreeSync Premium and panels withNvidia’s hardware built in.
Deciding which V-Sync alternative to go for depends on your PC’s graphics card and how much you’re willing to pay. Since FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync use chips within compatible screens, you’ll find that the price of said models is generally higher, but often comes as standard with some premium panels like theSamsung Odyssey OLED G9. Chances are that you’re going to end up with some sort of FreeSync or G-Sync compatibility no matter which screen you choose, and elevated tiers of the tech are considered an additional luxury.
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Today’s best gaming monitor dealsSamsung Odyssey OLED G9$1,599.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024Lenovo Legion Y25-30$526.44$374.88ViewSee all pricesBenQ Mobiuz EX3210U$699.99$629.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Samsung Odyssey OLED G9$1,599.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024Lenovo Legion Y25-30$526.44$374.88ViewSee all pricesBenQ Mobiuz EX3210U$699.99$629.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9$1,599.99$949.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9$1,599.99$949.99ViewSee all prices
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
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Deal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024
Deal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024
Deal endsMon, Dec 30, 2024
Lenovo Legion Y25-30$526.44$374.88ViewSee all prices
Lenovo Legion Y25-30$526.44$374.88ViewSee all prices
Lenovo Legion Y25-30
Lenovo Legion Y25-30
$526.44$374.88View
$526.44$374.88
$374.88
See all prices
BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U$699.99$629.99ViewSee all prices
BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U$699.99$629.99ViewSee all prices
BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U
BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U
$699.99$629.99View
$699.99$629.99
$629.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”