G-SYNC vs FreeSync: What Australian Gamers Need to Know

Screen tearing has plagued gamers since the early days of PC gaming. That jarring horizontal line where two different frames meet mid-screen occurs when your graphics card's frame output doesn't match your monitor's refresh rate. Adaptive sync technology solves this problem by dynamically adjusting the monitor's refresh rate to match whatever frame rate your GPU produces.

The two main solutions—NVIDIA's G-SYNC and AMD's FreeSync—achieve the same goal through different approaches. This guide explains how each technology works, their compatibility requirements, and which option makes sense for Australian gamers in 2026.

The Problem: Screen Tearing

Traditional monitors refresh at a fixed rate—60 times per second for a 60Hz display, 144 times for a 144Hz display. Your graphics card, however, produces frames at varying rates depending on scene complexity. When the GPU finishes rendering a frame partway through the monitor's refresh cycle, you see parts of two different frames simultaneously—a horizontal "tear" across the image.

The old solution was V-Sync, which forces the GPU to wait for the monitor's refresh cycle before sending the next frame. This eliminates tearing but introduces input lag and stuttering when frame rates drop below the refresh rate.

Adaptive sync offers a better solution: instead of making the GPU wait for the monitor, it makes the monitor wait for the GPU. The result is tear-free gaming without the input lag penalty of V-Sync.

What Is G-SYNC?

G-SYNC is NVIDIA's proprietary adaptive sync technology, introduced in 2013. It requires a dedicated hardware module installed in the monitor, which adds to manufacturing cost but ensures consistent performance.

G-SYNC Tiers

• G-SYNC Ultimate: The premium tier with a dedicated hardware module, HDR support with 1000+ nit peak brightness, and NVIDIA's strictest quality certifications.
• G-SYNC: The standard tier with the dedicated hardware module, providing reliable variable refresh rate across the full range.
• G-SYNC Compatible: FreeSync monitors that NVIDIA has tested and certified to work well with NVIDIA GPUs. No hardware module; uses the standard VESA Adaptive-Sync protocol.

What Is FreeSync?

AMD's FreeSync, introduced in 2015, uses the royalty-free VESA Adaptive-Sync standard. Monitor manufacturers don't need to pay licensing fees or include special hardware, making FreeSync more cost-effective to implement.

FreeSync Tiers

• FreeSync Premium Pro: The top tier with HDR support, at least 120Hz refresh rate at 1080p minimum resolution, and low framerate compensation (LFC).
• FreeSync Premium: Requires at least 120Hz at 1080p and includes LFC for smooth performance during frame rate drops.
• FreeSync: Basic adaptive sync certification with varying quality—some monitors perform better than others.

Low Framerate Compensation (LFC)

LFC is an important feature that kicks in when your GPU's frame rate drops below the monitor's minimum adaptive sync range. Without LFC, adaptive sync disables entirely below this threshold. With LFC, the monitor displays each frame multiple times to keep the effective refresh rate within the adaptive sync range, maintaining smooth visuals even at 30fps or lower.

Compatibility: Which Works With Your GPU?

Compatibility has become less restrictive in recent years:

NVIDIA GPUs (GTX 10-series and newer)

• Work with all G-SYNC monitors (Ultimate, Standard, Compatible)
• Can enable adaptive sync on many FreeSync monitors through NVIDIA Control Panel, even those not officially "G-SYNC Compatible"
• GTX 16-series and RTX cards have the best FreeSync compatibility

AMD GPUs (RX 400-series and newer)

• Work with all FreeSync monitors
• Do NOT work with dedicated G-SYNC hardware module monitors
• May work with G-SYNC Compatible monitors (since these use VESA Adaptive-Sync)

Intel GPUs (Arc series)

• Support VESA Adaptive-Sync, working with FreeSync monitors
• G-SYNC Compatible monitors should work since they use the same protocol

Performance Differences

In practice, both technologies deliver excellent tear-free gaming within their operating ranges. The differences are nuanced:

G-SYNC (Hardware Module) Advantages

• Consistent quality due to NVIDIA's strict certification
• Variable refresh rate down to 1Hz
• Guaranteed variable overdrive (adjusts response time settings based on refresh rate)
• No flickering at low frame rates

FreeSync Advantages

• Lower cost—no hardware module means cheaper monitors
• Works with AMD, Intel, and (usually) NVIDIA GPUs
• More monitor options available
• Premium tiers approach G-SYNC quality at lower prices

Real-World Difference

For most gamers maintaining frame rates above 48fps (which is nearly everyone on modern hardware), the functional difference between well-implemented FreeSync and G-SYNC is negligible. You're unlikely to perceive any quality difference in everyday gaming.

Australian Price Considerations

The G-SYNC hardware module adds approximately $150-300 AUD to monitor pricing compared to equivalent FreeSync models. This premium buys you:

• NVIDIA's quality assurance testing
• Full refresh rate range support (1Hz minimum)
• Variable overdrive that adjusts to refresh rate

Whether this premium is worthwhile depends on your priorities. If you primarily play demanding games where frame rates occasionally drop very low, the full range support might be valuable. If you're maintaining 60fps or higher in your games, FreeSync Premium offers nearly identical performance at a lower cost.

How to Enable Adaptive Sync

NVIDIA G-SYNC / G-SYNC Compatible

1. Connect your monitor using DisplayPort (required for G-SYNC) or HDMI 2.1
2. Open NVIDIA Control Panel
3. Navigate to Display > Set up G-SYNC
4. Enable "Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible"
5. Select your monitor and apply settings

AMD FreeSync

1. Connect via DisplayPort or HDMI
2. Enable FreeSync in your monitor's OSD (On-Screen Display)
3. Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
4. Navigate to Gaming > Display
5. Enable "AMD FreeSync"

Common Issues and Solutions

Flickering

Some FreeSync monitors flicker at low frame rates, particularly below their minimum VRR range. Solutions: enable LFC if available, cap frame rate above the minimum range, or consider a FreeSync Premium/Pro monitor.

Adaptive Sync Not Activating

Ensure you're running games in fullscreen mode (not borderless windowed), using a compatible cable (DisplayPort for G-SYNC), and have both the monitor OSD and GPU software settings enabled.

Input Lag Concerns

Properly implemented adaptive sync adds no perceptible input lag. If you notice lag, check that you haven't accidentally enabled V-Sync in addition to G-SYNC/FreeSync.

Which Should You Choose?

Get a G-SYNC Monitor If:

• You have an NVIDIA GPU and want guaranteed quality assurance
• You play demanding games where frame rates regularly drop very low
• Budget isn't the primary concern
• You want the most premium experience with HDR (G-SYNC Ultimate)

Get a FreeSync Monitor If:

• You have an AMD GPU (avoid hardware G-SYNC models entirely)
• You want to save money for equivalent performance
• You might switch between GPU brands in the future
• You maintain frame rates above 48fps in most games

Get a G-SYNC Compatible Monitor If:

• You have an NVIDIA GPU but want FreeSync pricing
• You want flexibility to use AMD GPUs in the future
• NVIDIA has verified the specific model works well

Final Thoughts

Adaptive sync is effectively a solved problem in 2026. Both G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium deliver tear-free gaming with minimal input lag. The technology choice should rarely be the deciding factor in your monitor purchase—resolution, refresh rate, panel type, and size matter more.

For most Australian gamers, FreeSync Premium monitors offer excellent value. NVIDIA's G-SYNC Compatible certification means you can safely use these monitors with GeForce cards. True G-SYNC with the hardware module remains a premium option for those who want every possible edge and don't mind paying for it.