Independent G-SYNC Compatibility Testing Begins at Rtings

Subject: Displays | January 21, 2019 - 05:37 PM | Sebastian Peak
Tagged: vrr, variable refresh rate, rtings, nvidia, monitor, g-sync compatible, g-sync, freesync, display, amd

The staff of Rtings has embarked upon their own in-house testing of G-SYNC compatibility with FreeSync monitors (introduced with GeForce driver 417.71), and have released a video to introduce this new project:

While their choice of NVIDIA's Pendulum demo might be up for debate (since let's face it, any time NVIDIA anything is used to test, well, anything, there will always be a conspiracy theory) they have made some noteworthy observations about their experience vs. an AMD FX 580 with the same monitors. Still, as they point out in the article, "This test is by no means exhaustive, and your results may vary depending on the specific games you are playing, and your specific graphics card."

From RTings:

"We test FreeSync on a custom built PC, with an NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB. Each monitor is connected via DisplayPort, as NVIDIA's FreeSync implementation does not currently work over HDMI. We use NVIDIA's Pendulum G-SYNC demo to test for tearing, stuttering, screen blanking, and other artifacts. We start at the monitor's standard refresh rate, and gradually decrease the sliders until we could see any issues. From there, we gradually increase the sliders until we start seeing tearing or other issues. The results of both of these tests give us the effective variable refresh rate range. We repeat the test at least twice to confirm our findings.

We use the results of this test to subjectively assign a result, based on how well the monitor supports NVIDIA's FreeSync implementation. The possible results are:

• Yes, NVIDIA Certified: This is reserved for monitors that are certified by NVIDIA as being compatible with NVIDIA FreeSync.
• Yes, Native: This is used to differentiate between monitors that support NVIDIA G-SYNC, instead of NVIDIA FreeSync.
• Yes: These monitors are confirmed by us to support FreeSync with no major issues, but are not certified by NVIDIA.
• Partial: These monitors at least partially support FreeSync, but we experienced some issues during testing. See the review for details of these issues.
• No: These monitors either do not support FreeSync at all, or are unusable with FreeSync enabled."

​There are currently 25 test results available to help out with your variable refresh-rate monitor selections for use on NVIDIA hardware.

PC Perspective Podcast #529 - HyperX Cloud MIX, G-SYNC Compatible Monitors

Subject: General Tech | January 17, 2019 - 07:02 AM | Jim Tanous
Tagged: video, Threadripper, podcast, Optane, micron, Intel, hyperx, g-sync compatibility, g-sync, freesync, cortana, 3dmark

PC Perspective Podcast #529 - 1/16/2019

This week on the show, we look at a review of a new wireless gaming headset from HyperX, talk about the new G-SYNC Compatibility program for FreeSync monitors, look at ray tracing performance in the new 3DMark Port Royal benchmark, and more!

Subscribe to the PC Perspective Podcast

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Check out previous podcast episodes: http://pcper.com/podcast

Show Topics
01:34 - Review: HyperX Cloud MIX
05:19 - News: G-SYNC Compatible Monitor Driver
13:38 - News: Threadripper NUMA Dissociater
15:47 - News: HardOCP Interview with AMD's Scott Herkelman
21:35 - News: Intel-Micron 3D XPoint Split
24:34 - News: Cortana & Windows 10 Search
29:38 - News: 3DMark Port Royal Ray Tracing Benchmark
35:53 - Picks of the Week
46:24 - Outro

Sponsor: This week's episode is brought to you by Casper. Save $50 on select mattresses by visiting http://www.casper.com/pcper and using promo code pcper at checkout.

Picks of the Week
Jim: iPhone XS Max Battery Case
Jeremy: 3D-Printed Resistor Storage
Josh: ASRock X470 Taichi Motherboard
Sebastian: Koss KPH30ik Headphones

Today's Podcast Hosts
Sebastian Peak
Josh Walrath
Jeremy Hellstrom
Jim Tanous

GeForce Driver 417.71 Now Available, Enables G-SYNC Compatibility With FreeSync Monitors

Subject: Graphics Cards | January 15, 2019 - 03:25 AM | Jim Tanous
Tagged: variable refresh rate, nvidia, graphics driver, gpu, geforce, g-sync compatibility, g-sync, freesync

One of NVIDIA's biggest and most surprising CES announcements was the introduction of support for "G-SYNC Compatible Monitors," allowing the company's G-SYNC-capable Pascal and Turing-based graphics cards to work with FreeSync and other non-G-SYNC variable refresh rate displays. NVIDIA is initially certifying 12 FreeSync monitors but will allow users of any VRR display to manually enable G-SYNC and determine for themselves if the quality of the experience is acceptable.

Those eager to try the feature can now do so via NVIDIA's latest driver, version 417.71, which is rolling out worldwide right now. As of the date of this article's publication, users in the United States who visit NVIDIA's driver download page are still seeing the previous driver (417.35), but direct download links are already up and running.

The current list of FreeSync monitors that are certified by NVIDIA:

• Acer XFA240
• Acer XG270HU
• Acer XV273K
• Acer XZ321Q
• AOC Agon AG241QG4
• AOC G2590FX
• ASUS MG278Q
• ASUS XG248
• ASUS VG258Q
• ASUS XG258
• ASUS VG278Q
• BenQ XL2740

Users with a certified G-SYNC compatible monitor will have G-SYNC automatically enabled via the NVIDIA Control Panel when the driver is updated and the display is connected, the same process as connecting an official G-SYNC display. Those with a variable refresh rate display that is not certified must manually open the NVIDIA Control Panel and enable G-SYNC.

NVIDIA notes, however, that enabling the feature on displays that don't meet the company's performance capabilities may lead to a range of issues, from blurring and stuttering to flickering and blanking. The good news is that the type and severity of the issues will vary by display, so users can determine for themselves if the potential problems are acceptable.

Update: Users over at the NVIDIA subreddit have created a public Google Sheet to track their reports and experiences with various FreeSync monitors. Check it out to see how others are faring with your preferred monitor.

Update 2: Our friends over at Wccftech have published a short video demonstrating how to enable G-SYNC on non-G-SYNC VRR monitors:

NVIDIA adapts to the market and frees their displays

Subject: General Tech | January 7, 2019 - 01:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: nvidia, g-sync, freesync, benq, asus, AOC, amd, adaptive sync, acer

G-SYNC is showing some signs of defeat as today NVIDIA announced that several Adaptive Sync monitors have been tested and rated as G-SYNC compatible.  Adaptive Sync is the official VESA technology which is present in AMD's FreeSync monitors and it offers a definitive financial advantage over NVIDIA's G-SYNC as the module required for G-SYNC can add hundreds of dollars to the price.

So far only a dozen monitors out of around 400 tests have been rated as G-SYNC compatible, so don't expect to be mixing your monitors quite yet but it does imply in some cases the extra controller is not required for variable refresh rates with either NVIDIA's or AMD's GPUs.   The results of this test give AMD bragging rights for implementing adaptive sync in the most attractive way but this change could hurt GPU sales as users can now opt for an GeForce card paired with a FreeSync display.

Even if your display is not listed in those models, you can try enabling adaptive sync over DisplayPort and see if it works, though your results may vary. Ars Technica lists the models here.

"Besides being unexpected good news for gamers who already own one of these FreeSync monitors, this is also great news for gamers that want to add VRR to their Nvidia graphics card setup without breaking the bank."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk

• Marriott: Good news. Hackers only took 383 million booking records ... and 5.3m unencrypted passport numbers @ The Register
• Asus ZenBook S13 brings the display notch to laptops @ The Inquirer
• New side-channel leak: Boffins bash operating system page caches until they spill secrets @ The Register
• Vinyl and Cassette Sales Continued To Grow Last Year @ Slashdot
• 2018 review and 2019 outlook: Sharp price falls to boost NAND flash penetration @ DigiTimes
• Controlling Non-Googley Devices With Google Assistant @ Hackaday
• Huawei's 7nm Kunpeng 920 is 'industry's fastest' ARM-based processor @ The Inquirer
• The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Graphics Card @ Techspot
• ThunderX3 UC5 HEX RGB Gaming Chair Review @ NikKTech

A FreeSync G-Master G3266HS-B1 monitor, a sight for sore eyes

Subject: Displays | August 31, 2018 - 02:45 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: Iiyama, Iiyam, G-Master G3266HS-B1, freesync, 32in, 1800R, 144hz, 1080p

The G-MASTER G3266HS-B1 from Iiyama may not appeal to young gamers but for those who's eyes have seen better days, a 32" 1080p display is a decent size, and it includes a peak 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync.  The 1800R curve may not appeal to some, especially if they were planning to use this from a fair distance away but it is a feature many look for.  Check out what Kitguru thought of this inexpensive, extra large sized, HD display in their full review.

"However, Iiyama offers a nice selection of gaming-oriented monitors that are a bit easier on the wallet, and we’re looking at the largest of these, the 32in G-MASTER G3266HS-B1. Will it turn out to be a bit of a banger or a Ferrari lite?"

Here are some more Display articles from around the web:

Displays

• Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ Review: 4K 144Hz HDR Is Finally Here
• Acer ED273 27in @ Kitguru
• Asus RoG Swift PG27UQ - 4K G-SYNC 144Hz @ Guru of 3D
• One of the Best-Selling (No Brand) Gaming Monitors on Amazon @ TechSpot
• GeChic On-Lap 1102H Portable External Display @ Guru of 3D

Podcast #511 - IFA 2018, StoreMI, and more!

Subject: General Tech | August 30, 2018 - 12:58 PM | Alex Lustenberg
Tagged: podcast, xps13, StoreMI, Samsung, radeon pro, nvidia, Intel, ifa 2018, freesync, Azulle, amd, acer

PC Perspective Podcast #511 - 08/30/18

Join us this week for discussion on IFA 2018, StoreMI, and more!

You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE.

The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends!

• iTunes - Subscribe to the podcast directly through the iTunes Store (audio only)
  • Video version on iTunes
• Google Play - Subscribe to our audio podcast directly through Google Play!
• RSS - Subscribe through your regular RSS reader (audio only)
  • Video version RSS feed
• MP3 - Direct download link to the MP3 file

Hosts: Jeremy Hellstrom, Josh Walrath, Allyn Malventano

Peanut Gallery: Alex Lustenberg

Program length: 1:24:43

Acer shows off their stuff at IFA in Berlin

Subject: Shows and Expos | August 29, 2018 - 02:27 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: Swift 5, Predator XB273K, OJO 500, Nitro XV273K, g-sync, freesync, aspire, acer

Acer announced a variety of new products at IFA, from monitors to laptops by way of a gaming throne. First up are a pair of monitors, the G-Sync Predator XB273K and FreeSync Nitro XV273K and two other models.  The 4k IPS Predator sports an impressive 144Hz top refresh rate, with a variety of Acer VisionCare features to reduce eyestrain.

The Nitro series support FreeSync, and come in three models, a 4k IPS display and two 2560×1440 models, one IPS and one TN.  All three monitors can match the 144Hz top refresh rate of the Predator.  Purists will be a little disappointed that all four of these monitors were designed to the VESA DisplayHDR 400 standard.

A wide variety of laptops were revealed, including the Swift 5 which is the lightest 15" laptop on the market.  The magnesium-lithium alloy construction of the body keeps the weight to 990g (2.2lbs), which is lighter than most high end CPU heatsinks.  Inside you can choose from a i7-8565U or Core
i5-8265U, up to 16GB DDR4 and an NVMe SSD.

Their Aspire lineup has been updated with the Aspire 7 series featuring the Intel i7-8705G or or i5-8305G processor both of which have AMD's Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics onboard.  The Aspire 5 will offer a choice of 8th gen Amber Lake-Y or Whiskey Lake-U chips paired with NVIDIA's GeForce MX150 GP while the Aspire 3 line will offer a low cost laptop for students, with the choice to include an optical drive.

If you are looking for an all-in-one, the Aspire Z 24 is a impressive implementation of that form factor.  Hidden behind the 1080p 10 point touchscreen is a Whiskey Lake-U processor paired with a GeForce MX15 and even support for up to 32GB of Optane memory.  It is designed to be controllable from up to 4 metres away, offering more than just a small footprint on a work desk.

Last but not least is the OJO 500 Mixed Reality headset.  The two screens combine to offer a 100 degree FOV at a 2880 x 1440 resolution with up to a 90Hz refresh rate.  Acer chose to include small speakers in the headset as opposed to integrated headphones, in keeping with the mixed reality nature of the headset. The headset and two Bluetooth controllers will sell for $399US and will be compatible with Steam as well as Windows 10.

This is a Thronos, in which a Predator desktop PC and three screens can prevent any chance of human interaction.