How do I check if AMD Freesync ACTUALLY works?

[Macro Device]

I bought a pretty much no-name 4K display mostly just for the memes, yet it's one hell of a pretty monitor. Compit HA2704 does probably ring no bell to most of you. Freesync has never been the reason why I bought it, yet as far as it at least pretends to have this feature, I enabled it in my monitor menu and also enabled that in the AMD Adrenalin software (version: 23.30.01.03):

But in all games I've ever tried, vsync off with or without FPS cap regardless ends up being a screen tearing clown fiesta and a half. The only ways I see no screen tearing are:

A. Not playing games (you know it's not an option).
B. Using vsync (you know it's not ideal).
C. Going above 120 FPS (you know it's not really possible at 4K with an RX 6700 XT).

Is there any software method to check if my VRR is actually VRR? And, most importantly, why the only way to get rid of extremely massive screen tearing is to enable vsync? I tried enhanced sync, I tried FPS caps (both 55, 57, 58, and 60 FPS caps) both driver-wise and game-wise, I also tried capping framerate by third party software such as RTSS. No luck. Vsync off = I see more tearing than you see dildos in the 18+ store. Changing drivers, reinstalling the OS, replacing cables, disabling overclocking etc had zero impact on the situation.

System specs are up to date. It happens on both my systems (RX 480 runs on 23.5.2 driver). Spending money on anything is not an option, too.

 

[Ware]

"If vsync is off, gsync is off"
Try vsync always on in drivers / off in game.
Set your frame limit in game engine.
Your display has a sync range, and if you're above or below that range freesync is off.

 

[Night]

What does it say under Display->Display Specs

 

[AusWolf]

1. Set your frame rate cap at the monitor's refresh rate.
2. Enable Adaptive sync (you've already done it).
3. In the Gaming -> Display -> Display specs tab, look for "FreeSync Range" (the bottom value). FreeSync will only work within this FPS range, unless your monitor supports LFC.
4. In a game that runs within the above values, bring up the monitor's menu, go to the info tab, and see your refresh rate fluctuate together with your FPS.

 

[Night]

Another question actually. Are you sure that your monitor is FreeSync certified? Far as I can see there's no actual option to turn FreeSync on.

 

[Macro Device]

Set your frame limit in game engine.

I already tried that. Ugh, maybe one day people will start actually reading OPs...

if you're above or below that range freesync is off.

I know that and I don't expect tearing to go away if I'm at 80 FPS (my VRR is 48 to 60 Hz) but why does it tear at 55 FPS?

What does it say under Display->Display Specs

View attachment 329834

It says, "48 to 60 Hz" and it doesn't matter what FPS I achieve I ALWAYS end up having screen tearing with vsync off.

FreeSync will only work within this FPS range

This is what I was expecting but my screen tears at 55 Hz despite it being well within that range. WHY?

Are you sure that your monitor is FreeSync certified?

At least it has this option in its menu and AMD drivers consider it a legit VRR display.

 

[Night]

It says, "48 to 60 Hz" and it doesn't matter what FPS I achieve I ALWAYS end up having screen tearing with vsync off.

So it's 60 Hz max refresh rate anyway, just turn on vsync.

 

[Macro Device]

just turn on vsync.

I hate repeating myself over and over and over again but this thread is not about turning vsync on. I want to avoid it as much as possible.

In some games, turning vsync on adds too much latency so it becomes very hard to enjoy. I want to have less latency but not at the cost of excessive screen tearing.

 

[GerKNG]

either your monitor has a framerate counter in the OSD or as an overlay or you download something like the frog demo from aperturegrille and move the framerate slider beyond and below the max refreshrate. normally you will be able to see that the tearing imediately stops when freesync kicks in within the range and imediately stops and tears again beyond.
same is with LFC where you'll see at low refreshrates a strong difference when the panel starts to double low refreshrates and the image gets a lot clearer at lets say 40 FPS compared to 50.

 

[Onasi]

Does it have an OSD framerate/refresh counter? That’s usually the easiest way to see. If it is always stuck at max refresh, then VRR doesn’t work. If it fluctuates with the framerate - it does.
Software wise… I know NV has an option in drivers to display the GSync logo when it is detected to be active in game. Anything similar for AMD maybe?

 

[Macro Device]

I checked and it reports that its refresh rate fluctuates.

Why does it tear then? I have very stable 52 to 57 FPS, my VRR is 48 to 60, there should be no problem but it's not flawless.

 

[Onasi]

I checked and it reports that its refresh rate fluctuates.

Why does it tear then? I have very stable 52 to 57 FPS, my VRR is 48 to 60, there should be no problem but it's not flawless.

Poor scaler controller performance that can’t actually keep up with the needs of VRR maybe? Was originally why GSync had its own chip, scalers were not to par. Less of a problem now with decently quality models. This might be a possibility if the display is REALLY bargain basement. That, AFAIK, is why AMD implemented the whole certification thing. Anyone can implement FreeSync/AdaptiveSync on paper, it does not guarantee that it actually will perform properly.

 

[Klemc]

I checked and it reports that its refresh rate fluctuates.

Why does it tear then? I have very stable 52 to 57 FPS, my VRR is 48 to 60, there should be no problem but it's not flawless.

My BenQ 32" 4k 60hz VA, always shows tearing, my OLED 27" 2K 240hz never !!

It's the monitor quality, that's it.

EW3270U

 

[Night]

replacing cables

Have you just replaced the cables, or you tried a different type of port? I've read somewhere that there could be issues because of HDMI's (below 2.x) lower bandwidth capabilities.

 

[Macro Device]

Have you just replaced the cables, or you tried a different type of port? I've read somewhere that there could be issues because of HDMI's (below 2.x) lower bandwidth capabilities.

I mainly use DP. With DP, the issue is equally pronounced no matter what cable I use. The same cables were working wonders for my m8 who has a 4k144 display which is far more heavy than my 4k60.
With HDMI, this issue is pronounced way harder, sometimes to the extent of it being less playable at 60 FPS than it is at 15 FPS + vsync on.
Didn't try Type-C because my GPU doesn't support that.

It's the monitor quality, that's it.

I suspected that and was wondering if they slapped a "Freesync" logo on top of this display just for the marketing purposes. Apparently that's the case here.

 

[P4-630]

if the display is REALLY bargain basement.

It probably is...

 

[Macro Device]

It probably is...

It SURELY is. The cheapest 4k60 monitor ever. That's why I didn't expect Freesync to work properly but getting a confirmation or some workaround/solution never hurts.

This screen tearing with vsync off + no integer scaling whatsoever are the ONLY two issues I'm facing. Colour quality, image stability, brightness, contrast, everything is complete eye-candy and I love everything about this display. Getting rid of tearing makes it a perfect purchase.

 

[P4-630]

Get a better monitor.

 

[Macro Device]

Get a better monitor.

Spending $600 or more only because of screen tearing considering my <10K USD annual income screams pure insanity. I also stated I'm not gonna spend money on the solution in the OP.

 

[Onasi]

It SURELY is. The cheapest 4k60 monitor ever. That's why I didn't expect Freesync to work properly but getting a confirmation or some workaround/solution never hurts.

I looked it up and had a chuckle at the company site of Compit. Seems the guys found themselves a nice niche rebranding cheap Chinese OEM parts. Amusing. You payed what for it, 20-25K in roubles? If it actually is decent apart from the FreeSync issue, then it’s not a bad buy, really.

Get a better monitor.

Nah, if he just wants to get a taste and feel for what 4K is like it’s fine.

 

[Macro Device]

You payed what for it, 20-25K in roubles?

173 USD sharp, VAT included. And it's not decent, it's great if we don't count this sync issue.

 

[Onasi]

Even better then. You can’t really ask for much more in a 4K monitor for these money. Hell, a “good” high refresh 1440P would be significantly more expensive.

 

[AusWolf]

It says, "48 to 60 Hz" and it doesn't matter what FPS I achieve I ALWAYS end up having screen tearing with vsync off.

This is what I was expecting but my screen tears at 55 Hz despite it being well within that range. WHY?

48 to 60 Hz isn't a lot of room for FreeSync to activate. Without LFC, I suspect your monitor shifts from FreeSync on and off as your FPS fluctuates, so you see screen tearing anyway.

When I was using a display with a similar range, the only way I could avoid screen tearing was by turning on a constant 60 FPS cap in the driver and enabling Enhanced Sync.

My current monitor's range is 48 to 144 Hz, and it also has LFC, so I'm noticing the effect of FreeSync much, MUCH more than before!