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Is there a difference between FreeSync & G-Sync monitors when using an NVIDIA GPU card?

MiLik97

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Feb 16, 2023
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Hi, everyone!

I wanted to ask about whether using an NVIDIA GPU card would have any drawbacks when utilizing the FreeSync technology compared to using the same card on a GSync monitor?

What I'm curious about is whether or not there would be some input latency (or any type of issue) or something similar when using the FreeSync technology with an NVIDIA card instead of using it with the GSync monitor. And in this case, let's assume that both monitors have the same specifications, (resolution, refresh rate, response time, etc.), the only difference being that one has FreeSync, and the other GSync.

Have there been any comparisons on whether or not FreeSync or GSync is better? And are there any differences when using FreeSync with NVIDIA's GPU card compared to using GSync with the same card?

If there is a difference, how big is it? Is it negligible, or is it quite noticeable?

The monitor that I use is Asus MG279Q, a FreeSync monitor, and my GPU is GTX 980 Ti, which cannot utilize my monitor's FreeSync feature as that's only available from RTX 10xx (or newer) cards. However, I do plan to upgrade soon to a 30xx (or even 40xx) RTX card.

Now, I'm curious, but with all this info, would it be worth it to sell my monitor and go with a G-Sync monitor, or should I save myself the money and just enjoy my monitor as is (which I'm very pleased with)?
 
I wouldn't, I'd just keep the MG279Q. Seeing as you have a GPU upgrade in mind and will be able to use it soon.

The main difference is the lower framerate limit for VRR - hardware G-sync monitors go down to 1Hz, while Freesync monitors always start at about 30Hz at the very least. Though with monitors that have LFC these days, how much practical difference there is, I really can't say.

A few of the very recent G-sync monitors also have built-in Reflex latency measurement (Reflex Analyzer).

Freesync monitors seem to have occasional inevitable flickering issues in some games, on both Radeon and Nvidia cards. But it's rare so if you don't play one of the affected games you will probably never see it, and I can't say for sure if G-sync monitors can avoid the issue. @Chrispy_


Nowadays potential GPU compatibility is not an issue as they now support Freesync and AMD cards, but I still wouldn't get a G-sync monitor just because it has a G-sync module.

Just stick with what you have, unless there's a particular monitor that you really want for other reasons and it happens to be a G-sync monitor.
 
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Your MG279Q has a limitation of 90Hz max in Freesync mode. If you plan to get a high end GPU that can run your games at more than 90FPS at 1440p, your monitor's freesync is useless and you should replace it if you want to use VRR.
It is mentioned in the manual of the monitor and in a review as well:


Whether you replace it with a GSync or a FreeSync one I can't help you there as I don't really look at VRR monitors.
 
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