FreeSync eliminates the stuttering you see when your graphics card and monitor refresh rates don't match

FreeSync is a technology that syncs your monitor's refresh rate to your graphics card's output, frame by frame. Without it, your monitor refreshes at a fixed rate (usually 60 times per second) while your graphics card sends frames at whatever speed it can manage. When those two speeds don't line up, you see tearing — a visible horizontal line where the top of the screen shows one frame and the bottom shows another. FreeSync eliminates that by letting the monitor wait for the next frame instead of refreshing on a fixed schedule.

FreeSync is made by AMD and works only with AMD graphics cards (Radeon). If you have an NVIDIA card, you need G-Sync instead, which does the same job but is a different technology. If you have integrated graphics from Intel, neither technology will work, and you won't see a benefit from FreeSync.

The trade-off is straightforward: FreeSync monitors cost $20 to $50 more than identical models without it. Whether that money is worth spending depends on what you do with your monitor and what graphics card you own.

Key Takeaways

  • FreeSync only works with AMD Radeon graphics cards; NVIDIA users need G-Sync instead, and Intel integrated graphics cannot use either.
  • FreeSync reduces visible tearing and stuttering in games and fast-motion video by syncing your monitor to your graphics card's frame rate.
  • The benefit is most noticeable in games where your frame rate fluctuates between 30 and 144 frames per second.
  • FreeSync monitors cost slightly more than non-FreeSync models but the feature must be enabled in your graphics settings to work.
  • If your frame rate stays consistently above your monitor's refresh rate, or if you do mostly office work, FreeSync provides little or no benefit.

When FreeSync actually makes a visible difference

FreeSync matters most in games where your frame rate bounces around. If you're playing a demanding game and your graphics card outputs 80 frames one second, 65 the next, and 95 the third, your monitor without FreeSync will show tearing or stuttering because it's still refreshing at a fixed 60 or 144 times per second. With FreeSync, the monitor adjusts to each frame as it arrives, and the motion looks smooth.

You'll notice the difference most in first-person shooters, action games, and any game where you're moving the camera quickly. Slower games like turn-based strategy or puzzle games won't show much benefit because the frame rate stays steady anyway.

FreeSync does not help if your frame rate is consistently higher than your monitor's refresh rate. If you have a 144 Hz monitor and your graphics card is pushing 200 frames per second, FreeSync won't do anything — your monitor still only displays 144 of those frames per second, and the rest are wasted. In that case, you want to enable a frame rate cap in your game settings to match your monitor's refresh rate, or use V-Sync instead.

How to check if your monitor has FreeSync

Look at your monitor's specifications sheet or the sticker on the back. FreeSync will be listed as a feature, usually alongside the refresh rate and resolution. You can also check the manufacturer's website by searching for your exact monitor model number.

Having FreeSync on your monitor is not enough — you also need an AMD Radeon graphics card. If you have an NVIDIA GeForce card, FreeSync will not work, even if your monitor supports it. You can check your graphics card by right-clicking your desktop, looking for "AMD Radeon Settings" or "NVIDIA Control Panel", or opening Device Manager on Windows and expanding "Display adapters".

Enabling FreeSync in your graphics settings

FreeSync must be turned on both in your monitor's menu and in your AMD graphics settings, or it won't work. On your monitor, look for a menu button (usually on the back or bottom edge), navigate to a settings or advanced menu, and look for FreeSync, AMD FreeSync, or Variable Refresh Rate. Turn it on and save.

Then open AMD Radeon Settings on your computer. Right-click your desktop and select "AMD Radeon Settings", or search for it in your Windows Start menu. Go to Display, then look for FreeSync or Radeon FreeSync. Toggle it on. Some older AMD drivers call it "FreeSync" and some call it "Radeon FreeSync" — the name varies by driver version.

After you enable it, launch a game and look for tearing or stuttering. If you still see it, check that both the monitor and the graphics settings are actually on. Some monitors have FreeSync disabled by default.

FreeSync versus G-Sync: which one you need

FreeSync and G-Sync do the same job but are not compatible with each other. FreeSync works only with AMD Radeon cards. G-Sync works only with NVIDIA GeForce cards. If you're buying a new monitor and already own a graphics card, match the monitor's sync technology to your card's brand.

G-Sync monitors are typically $50 to $150 more expensive than FreeSync monitors because NVIDIA charges monitor makers a licensing fee. If you're choosing between an AMD card and an NVIDIA card for other reasons, the cost difference in monitors is worth factoring in.

Some newer monitors support both FreeSync and G-Sync. These are usually more expensive, but they give you flexibility if you upgrade your graphics card later.

When you don't need FreeSync

If you use your monitor for office work, web browsing, or video watching, FreeSync provides no benefit. Those tasks don't produce the frame rate fluctuations that cause tearing. You're paying extra for a feature you won't use.

If you play games but your graphics card consistently outputs more frames than your monitor can display, FreeSync won't help. For example, if you have a 60 Hz monitor and your graphics card outputs 120 frames per second, the monitor will only show 60 of them anyway. In that case, enable V-Sync in your game settings to cap your frame rate at 60, which will eliminate tearing without needing FreeSync.

If you're on a tight budget, a non-FreeSync monitor with a higher refresh rate or better color accuracy is usually a better choice than a FreeSync monitor with lower specs. The refresh rate itself matters more than the sync technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does FreeSync work with NVIDIA graphics cards?

No. FreeSync is made by AMD and only works with AMD Radeon cards. NVIDIA users need G-Sync instead. Some newer monitors support both technologies, but standard FreeSync monitors will not work with NVIDIA cards.

Will FreeSync reduce input lag?

No. FreeSync reduces visual tearing and stuttering, but it does not lower the delay between your mouse movement and what appears on screen. Input lag is determined by your monitor's response time and your graphics card's performance, not by sync technology.

Can I use FreeSync with a laptop?

Only if your laptop has an AMD Radeon graphics card. Most laptops use NVIDIA or Intel graphics. Check your laptop's specifications or Device Manager to see which graphics card you have. If it's NVIDIA, you would need a G-Sync monitor instead.

What's the difference between FreeSync and regular V-Sync?

V-Sync caps your frame rate to match your monitor's refresh rate, which eliminates tearing but adds input lag. FreeSync syncs your monitor to your graphics card instead, eliminating tearing without the lag. FreeSync is the better option if your graphics card supports it.

Do I need a high refresh rate monitor to use FreeSync?

No. FreeSync works on 60 Hz, 75 Hz, 144 Hz, and higher monitors. The benefit is most noticeable on higher refresh rate monitors because there's a wider range where your frame rate can fluctuate, but FreeSync will reduce tearing on any refresh rate.