Upcoming FreeSync-enabled monitors |
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| Manufacturer | Model | Size | Resolution | Max Refresh |
| BenQ | XL2730Z | 27-inch | 2560 x 1440 | 144Hz |
| LG Electronics | 29UM67 | 29-inch | 2560 x 1080 | 75Hz |
| LG Electronics | 34UM67 | 34-inch | 3440 x 1440 | 75Hz |
| Nixeus | NX-VUE24 | 24-inch | 1920 x 1080 | 144Hz |
| Samsung | UE590 | 23.6-inch | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz |
| Samsung | UE590 | 28-inch | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz |
| Samsung | UE850 | 23.6-inch | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz |
| Samsung | UE850 | 28-inch | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz |
| Samsung | UE850 | 31.5-inch | 3840 x 2160 | 60Hz |
| Viewsonic | VX2701MH | 27-inch | 1920 x 1080 | 144Hz |
At CES 2015, AMD showed off the first working monitors from its first partners which are going to be the first to bring out monitors compatible with the Adaptive Sync (aka FreeSync) specification added to the Displayport 1.2a standard. FreeSync is similar to GSync in that it allows for gamers to set VSync on in their games, but have the monitor change refresh rates in tune with the framerate that the GPU is capable of during your gaming session. Hit the jump for more.
Take note that it won’t just be any AMD product that will support FreeSync off the bat. You need to be running current Catalyst drivers and have either an AMD Kaveri-based APU with GCN graphics or one of the following GPUs:
- Radeon R7 260
- Radeon R7 260X
- Radeon R9 285
- Radeon R9 290
- Radeon R9 290X
- Radeon R9 295X2
There are also some mobile parts that will support FreeSync, but AMD isn’t yet commenting on which SKUs are capable of using the standard. There was a possibility that this could be done with older Radeon HD 7000 hardware, but it doesn’t seem like AMD will be trying to make it work.
FreeSync supports refresh rates from 30Hz all the way to 144Hz. Lower values are possible (e.g. 23.976Hz for movie playback) but will be supported on a case-by-case basis for monitors that pass AMD and VESA’s validation program.
All of these monitors will be launching to market within the next few months. Samsung’s UE590 and UE850 line will be debuting in March 2015, while AMD hopes to work with the other four vendors to achieve a late January or mid-February 2015 release.
Its worth noting that when GSync was launched by Nvidia, it only worked on a single monitor for a couple of months. Hitting the ground with no less than ten supporting monitors is sure to give FreeSync an immediate boost to its adoption.