Freesync working on G-Sync monitors? Since when?

[Totally]

I bought the new Alienware 34 inch ultrawide, saw it for 40% off and couldn't resist. Once it got here connected and once windows got around to figuring out what this new monitor was(until it downloads the dell software from the store it's 'generic monitor') and then Adrenaline detected it, a couple dialog boxes popped asking to turn on Freesync and related settings. A couple of clicks later jumped in a few games and it seems to be working. Prior to this I asked on reddit(I know better now) and earned quite a bit of scorn, ridicule, downvotes, strange looks I can imagine for merely asking if 'Freesync would work on a g-sync monitor, or if there were and software tricks to do so.' I gave up on freesync and planned to live with the monitor as the panel had every other spec I wanted and to my surprise here it is working literally out of the box. When did this happen?

 

[INSTG8R]

Problem is ”Gsync Compatible“ which means it was already Freesync but NV is “erasing” Freesync with their labeling.

 

[Totally]

Ohhh, it doesn't even say compatible it's just states G-sync, complete with a obnoxious sticker on the screen. but if that is the case it makes sense.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Technically it shouldn't:

https://www.amd.com/en/products/freesync-monitors

If you really want to test, try the AMD Windmill Demo. It lets you set the framerate so you can look for tearing. Inside the display's adaptive sync range, there shouldn't be any.


I don't think NVIDIA patched G-Sync modules to work with FreeSync data but maybe they did.

 

[Totally]

Ran the windmill demo no issues, the osd fps meter was more or less matching the fps stated by the demo

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Did you slide the "windmill speed" slider? Turn vsync off?

If yes and yes and never saw any tearing then apparently the G-Sync module is accepting the FreeSync signal.

 

[Totally]

yeah toggled everything looking for tearing/ghosting

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

Hmmm tell your results in r/monitors if you have a reddit account pls. People need to discuss this.

 

[cucker tarlson]

Problem is ”Gsync Compatible“ which means it was already Freesync but NV is “erasing” Freesync with their labeling.

well it's a g-sync module monitor so freesync sticker has no business being there.

 

[Voluman]

When did this happen?

Since January of 2019

 

[newtekie1]

I don't think NVIDIA patched G-Sync modules to work with FreeSync data but maybe they did.

Is nVidia still requireing the G-Sync module in monitors to be considered G-Sync? I thought they only required the module in "G-Sync Ultimate" monitors now, so it is very possible this monitor doesn't even have a module and it just using VESA VRR? I thought they were allowing monitors without the module to be labelled as G-Sync monitors as long as they pass the G-Sync tests. But the whole thing is so confusing I don't even know anymore...

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Is nVidia still requireing the G-Sync module in monitors to be considered G-Sync? I thought they only required the module in "G-Sync Ultimate" monitors now, so it is very possible this monitor doesn't even have a module and it just using VESA VRR? I thought they were allowing monitors without the module to be labelled as G-Sync monitors as long as they pass the G-Sync tests. But the whole thing is so confusing I don't even know anymore...

Exactly, they bought out not brought out a lower teir g-sync that doesn't use a module, go figure freesync works.

 

[cucker tarlson]

Is nVidia still requireing the G-Sync module in monitors to be considered G-Sync? I thought they only required the module in "G-Sync Ultimate" monitors now, so it is very possible this monitor doesn't even have a module and it just using VESA VRR? I thought they were allowing monitors without the module to be labelled as G-Sync monitors as long as they pass the G-Sync tests. But the whole thing is so confusing I don't even know anymore...

g-sync has the module
g-sync compatible does not have the module
gsync ultimate has 1000nits certified hdr


this one has no ulmb though,so it seems it g-sync compatible.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Is nVidia still requireing the G-Sync module in monitors to be considered G-Sync? I thought they only required the module in "G-Sync Ultimate" monitors now, so it is very possible this monitor doesn't even have a module and it just using VESA VRR? I thought they were allowing monitors without the module to be labelled as G-Sync monitors as long as they pass the G-Sync tests. But the whole thing is so confusing I don't even know anymore...

I think so because G-Sync Compatible is the label they use for VESA adaptive sync. I know for a fact there's a Samsung monitor that is "G-Sync Compatible" and not FreeSync compatible. If simply supporting VESA adaptive sync were sufficient, they would have called it G-Sync, but it's marked as G-Sync Compatible. G-Sync must have the NVIDIA board in it; G-Sync Ultimate has the NVIDIA HDR board in it. G-Sync Compatible has no proprietary NVIDIA hardware in it.

Remember why NVIDIA differentiated the product stack: the NVIDIA board costs in excess of $100. It's a branding thing which is why they had to separate "Compatible" from the rest of the product stack otherwise they'd further plunder their own premium products.


There's only one G-Sync Compatible Alienware panel and it's 27" where the one being discussed here is 34".

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

Huh. It's said everywhere the monitor's G-sync. If it's just G-sync Compatible then it's final, Nvidia not only killed the Freesync label but also buried it, lol.

Yeah. There's three G sync tier. G sync Comp that's Freesync, just G sync that costs $100 or so per module and G sync Ultimate with HDR that I hear is $500 or so.
Btw there are two $100 modules iirc. v1 that has Displayport and maybe DVI. While v2 has HDMI too, though HDMI won't do g sync.

 

[cucker tarlson]

imo you bought a gsync compatible monitor with a gsync sticker.false marketing on the side of alienware and/or nvidia.

 

[Totally]

Seems so but not going to cry over spilt milk since I wanted Freesync anyway.

 

[cucker tarlson]

Seems so but not going to cry over spilt milk since I wanted Freesync anyway.

ironically,you made the right purchase.
this monitor is slightly less expensive than other 3440x1440 120hz IPS ones that use the module,and with the module freesync wouldn't work.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

imo you bought a gsync compatible monitor with a gsync sticker.false marketing on the side of alienware and/or nvidia.

I highly doubt it. NVIDIA and Dell are on the level.

The most plausible explanation is that NVIDIA pushed out G-Sync module firmware to OEMs which removes the branding check and Dell pushed the firmware update out in their own firmware update through Windows Update. I don't think any announcements were made to this affect but I'm fairly certain people have tried FreeSync on G-Sync panels before the G-Sync Compatible move and it would only do fixed refresh rate so somehow, the panel was updated to report adaptive sync compatibility through the EDID. I'm pretty sure people tried spoofing EDID too back with FreeSync on G-Sync but the module refused to give it so something had to be changed in the G-Sync module's firmware to allow this.


Anywho, it works, OP is happy, job done.

 

[cucker tarlson]

I highly doubt it. NVIDIA and Dell are on the level.

The most plausible explanation is that NVIDIA pushed out G-Sync module firmware to OEMs which removes the branding check and Dell pushed the firmware update out in their own firmware update through Windows Update. I don't think any announcements were made to this affect but I'm fairly certain people have tried FreeSync on G-Sync panels before the G-Sync Compatible move and it would only do fixed refresh rate so somehow, the panel was updated to report adaptive sync compatibility through the EDID.

g-sync module monitors have ulmb.this one doesn't.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

g-sync module monitors have ulmb.this one doesn't.

That's not proof of anything:

What Is G-SYNC And What Does It Do? [Simple Guide]

G-SYNC synchronizes refresh rates of a monitor (Hz) to the frame rates of a GPU (FPS) in order to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.

www.displayninja.com

That’s why most G-SYNC gaming monitors (not all of them!) also have a feature called ULMB available.

The backlight may not support strobing so they wouldn't enable the ULMB feature.


Moreover, review says it has the module (and NVIDIA confirms this by not calling it "Compatible"):

Alienware AW3418DW Review – 34-Inch 120Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor with G-Sync - MonitorNerds | Gaming Monitor Reviews

Check Latest Price The Alienware AW3418DW is an exclusive ultrawide behemoth that offers a G-Sync module mated to a 120Hz IPS screen for low latency high-end gaming. Boosted ultrawides gained traction in the last few years with favorite products like the Asus PG348Q and the Acer X34 as prime...

www.monitornerds.com

The Alienware AW3418DW is an exclusive ultrawide behemoth that offers a G-Sync module mated to a 120Hz IPS screen for low latency high-end gaming.

 

[ShurikN]

Moreover, review says it has the module (and NVIDIA confirms this by not calling it "Compatible"):

Alienware AW3418DW Review – 34-Inch 120Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor with G-Sync - MonitorNerds | Gaming Monitor Reviews

Check Latest Price The Alienware AW3418DW is an exclusive ultrawide behemoth that offers a G-Sync module mated to a 120Hz IPS screen for low latency high-end gaming. Boosted ultrawides gained traction in the last few years with favorite products like the Asus PG348Q and the Acer X34 as prime...

www.monitornerds.com

Old model, not the one OP has.

EDIT
The review is 2 years old, there was no "compatible" back then.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Fair enough but digging for AW3420DW there's not one reference that calls it G-Sync Compatible. It's got a G-Sync module. It couldn't retail for $1500 if it didn't.

 

[Totally]

Hmmm tell your results in r/monitors if you have a reddit account pls. People need to discuss this.

r/monitors deem otherwise followed your advice and as expected slowly but surely about to be downvoted into oblivion.

Since January of 2019

Care to elaborate?

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

r/monitors deem otherwise followed your advice and as expected slowly but surely about to be downvoted into oblivion.

hmmm I don't see any post regarding AW3420DW on r/monitors sorted by new. Maybe your post got removed by automod for not putting flair or sth.

Regardless this is big news. Alienware is either selling G Sync module-less Freesync monitor as G Sync (and everyone's in on the joke) or Nvidia quietly updated G Sync modules (inside the monitor) to take Freesync signal.

Looking at the predecessor aw3418dw, it alao didn't have ULMB even though it also claims as G Sync so it's not conclusive that G Sync means it comes with ULMB. Actually none of ultrawides do I think.