G-Sync vs FreeSync: Which Do You Need?
G-Sync and FreeSync are adaptive sync technologies that make games look smoother by eliminating screen tearing. Here's how they differ and which one is right for you.
What adaptive sync does
Normally your monitor refreshes at a fixed rate, which can cause tearing (when a new frame arrives mid-refresh) or stutter. Adaptive sync matches the monitor's refresh rate to your GPU's frame rate, removing tearing without the input lag of traditional V-Sync.
G-Sync (NVIDIA)
G-Sync monitors traditionally included a dedicated hardware module, offering a very consistent experience. Native G-Sync displays tend to cost a bit more.
FreeSync (AMD)
FreeSync is an open standard with no extra hardware, so FreeSync monitors are usually cheaper and far more common.
The good news: they mostly work together now
Most modern NVIDIA GPUs support FreeSync monitors ("G-Sync Compatible"), and AMD cards work with many G-Sync displays. In practice, you can usually get adaptive sync working regardless of your GPU brand.
Do you need it?
It's a genuinely nice upgrade, especially if your frame rate fluctuates. Look for a monitor that supports the standard matching your GPU, and make sure to enable it in your driver settings.
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