What is AMD FreeSync?
AMD FreeSync matches a monitor's refresh rate to GPU frame rate to stop tearing. FreeSync vs Premium, Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible, and NVIDIA support.
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What is AMD FreeSync?
AMD FreeSync is AMD's name for variable refresh rate: the monitor refreshes in step with the frames the graphics card delivers, which stops tearing and stutter. It works on AMD Radeon cards, on NVIDIA GeForce cards through G-Sync Compatible and on Xbox consoles, and it is on monitors from £139.99 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026).
Without it, a monitor refreshes on a fixed clock. When the graphics card finishes a frame between two refreshes, the screen shows parts of two frames at once (tearing), or holds the old frame for an extra refresh (stutter). FreeSync lets the monitor wait for the frame instead, anywhere inside its refresh range. It is built on the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard, so no per-monitor licence fee applies.
Refresh rate itself is covered in What refresh rate do I need for gaming? and the full buying method in How to choose a gaming monitor.
| Situation | What to do | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radeon graphics card | Any FreeSync monitor works | LG UltraGear 27G610A | £163.00 |
| GeForce graphics card | Pick a G-Sync Compatible badge | AOC Q27G42ZE | £197.00 |
| Xbox Series X or S | FreeSync works through the VRR setting | Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 | £139.99 |
| PS5 | HDMI 2.1 and VRR, game by game | Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 | £139.99 |
| HDR and the best sync label | Choose FreeSync Premium Pro | MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 | £349.00 |
What is the difference between FreeSync, Premium, Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible?
The tiers differ in guarantees, not in the basic technology. Tom's Hardware sets them out as follows: base FreeSync gives tear-free sync, FreeSync Premium adds a 120 Hz minimum at 1080p and low framerate compensation, and FreeSync Premium Pro (renamed from FreeSync 2 HDR in January 2020) adds validated HDR.
| Label | What it guarantees | HDR | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeSync | Adaptive-Sync within the monitor's range, tear-free | Not required | Sync only; range varies by model |
| FreeSync Premium | At least 120 Hz at 1080p or above, low framerate compensation | Not required | Smooth below the range's lower limit |
| FreeSync Premium Pro | Everything in Premium, plus validated HDR with low latency | Required | HDR games with sync on |
| G-Sync Compatible | NVIDIA validates an Adaptive-Sync monitor for GeForce cards | Not required | GeForce owners wanting a guarantee |
G-Sync Compatible is NVIDIA's validation badge, not a separate technology. Many monitors carry both an AMD tier and the NVIDIA badge, as the table below shows for four monitors on Amazon UK.
| Monitor | Sync label | Panel and refresh | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatible | 26.5 in QD-OLED, 240 Hz | £349.00 |
| LG UltraGear 27G610A | FreeSync | 27 in IPS, 200 Hz | £163.00 |
| AOC Q27G42ZE | G-Sync Compatible | 27 in Fast IPS, 260 Hz | £197.00 |
| Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 | G-Sync Compatible, 2 x HDMI 2.1 | 27 in IPS, 240 Hz | £139.99 |
What does low framerate compensation do?
Low framerate compensation (LFC) repeats each frame so the monitor stays inside its sync range when the game drops below the range's lower limit. It needs a wide range: the top refresh rate has to be roughly double the bottom.
- A 48 to 240 Hz range is 5.0 times wide. A game at 30 frames per second is shown twice per frame at 60 Hz, and at 20 frames per second three times, still inside the range.
- A 48 to 75 Hz range is 1.56 times wide. At 30 frames per second there is no multiple inside the range, and tearing or stutter returns.
- A frame at 30 frames per second lasts 33.3 ms; at 60 Hz the monitor repeats it every 16.7 ms.
FreeSync Premium requires LFC, which is why the Premium label matters more than the bare FreeSync label on a budget monitor.
Does FreeSync work with NVIDIA cards and consoles?
Yes on all three. NVIDIA announced that GeForce GTX 10-series and newer cards would run variable refresh rate on Adaptive-Sync monitors as G-Sync Compatible, and NVIDIA validates the monitors that meet its standard.
- Xbox Series X and Series S: support FreeSync; the console looks for it once variable refresh rate is enabled in video settings.
- PS5: Sony added variable refresh rate in a 2022 update. It needs an HDMI 2.1 display, and games support it individually. See Do I need a gaming monitor for PS5?
Which FreeSync monitor should you buy?
The MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 is the best FreeSync monitor here at £349.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), with the Premium Pro label, a 1,000-nit peak and a G-Sync Compatible badge.
MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 specifications
- Panel: 26.5-inch QD-OLED, 2560 x 1440, 240 Hz, 0.03 ms
- Sync: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, 1,000 nits peak
- Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort
- Warranty: 3 years on OLED panels, burn-in included (MSI)
MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 - pros and cons
Where to buy
Check price
Three cheaper IPS alternatives, at Amazon UK prices in October 2026.
Also consider
Radar · 0-100 scores
- MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24
- UltraGear 27G610A
- Q27G42ZE
- Lenovo Legion 27Q-10
Verdict
AMD FreeSync is worth having on any gaming monitor, and it no longer costs extra: the Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 at £139.99 carries it with two HDMI 2.1 ports. Buyers who want HDR with sync should choose the MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24 at £349.00. The wider monitor choice is in How to choose a gaming monitor and the brand ranking in Best gaming monitor brands UK 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is AMD FreeSync?
AMD FreeSync is AMD's branding for variable refresh rate on monitors. The monitor changes its refresh rate to match the frame rate the graphics card delivers, which removes screen tearing and the stutter of fixed refresh rates. FreeSync is built on the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard, so it adds no licence fee to the monitor, and it is on monitors from £139.99 at the time of writing (October 2026).
What is the difference between FreeSync and FreeSync Premium?
FreeSync Premium adds a minimum refresh rate of 120 Hz at 1080p or above and low framerate compensation, which keeps motion smooth when frame rates fall below the monitor's range. Basic FreeSync only guarantees tear-free sync within the monitor's range. Neither requires HDR; that arrives at FreeSync Premium Pro, as Tom's Hardware sets out.
What is FreeSync Premium Pro?
FreeSync Premium Pro is AMD's top tier, renamed from FreeSync 2 HDR in January 2020. It includes everything in FreeSync Premium and adds validated HDR with low latency. The MSI MAG 273QP QD-OLED X24, at £349.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), carries the FreeSync Premium Pro label with a 1,000-nit peak.
Does AMD FreeSync work with NVIDIA graphics cards?
Yes. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series and newer cards run variable refresh rate on Adaptive-Sync monitors through G-Sync Compatible, and NVIDIA validates monitors that pass its tests. A monitor sold as FreeSync Premium usually passes. A monitor not on NVIDIA's validated list can still work, without NVIDIA's guarantee of flicker-free behaviour.
Does AMD FreeSync work on PS5 and Xbox?
Xbox Series X and Series S support FreeSync through the console's variable refresh rate setting. The PS5 added variable refresh rate in a 2022 update, and it needs an HDMI 2.1 display, with support decided game by game. The Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 has two HDMI 2.1 ports and costs £139.99 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026).
Is FreeSync worth having?
Yes. A monitor with variable refresh rate stops tearing when the frame rate wavers, and it costs nothing extra: the LG UltraGear 27G610A is £163.00 and the Lenovo Legion 27Q-10 is £139.99 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026). Buyers should look for the Premium label or G-Sync Compatible badge for guaranteed behaviour.