Variable refresh rates became a solid resource to eliminate from the root some problems that the most demanding players suffer, such as lag, tearing, and stuttering of frames when V-Sync is active. Nvidia arrived first to the market with its hardware solution G-Sync, while AMD did its part by presenting FreeSync, a more software-focused alternative. Both are at similar levels, but AMD seeks to take the next step with FreeSync 2, which will focus on the inconveniences associated with HDR.
Some years ago it was enough to enjoy the latest games at a reasonable speed. Now, the requirements have changed completely. The advance of 4K, highly competitive environments, and a greater emphasis on graphics caused that certain classic limitations are no longer tolerated. The loss of fluidity when using V-Sync, the image tearing caused by its deactivation, and the always present lag became public enemies of companies and players alike. This new battlefield gave rise to developments like Nvidia's G-Sync, and AMD's FreeSync. The market has a wide variety of displays compatible with both technologies; however, there is a new rival on the horizon, and it is HDR. That brings us to FreeSync 2.
FreeSync 2: The Next Step
FreeSync 2 was announced by AMD not as a direct replacement of FreeSync, but as a parallel and complementary strategy, which also carries a very important business component. HDR support in Windows leaves much to be desired. Not even Windows 10's anniversary update has provided solutions that the market considers satisfactory, and although it is hard to believe, the latest generation of consoles is one step above in that aspect (the HDR10 profile has already been assimilated by the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S). A poorly implemented HDR translates into lag, but with the help of FreeSync 2, the process is more direct, fast, and simple. The development of FreeSync 2 also includes an automatic switching system, so that the Windows desktop can keep working with sRGB, and when a compatible game is run, it switches to FreeSync 2 without incidents.
The Business Component and Certification
The problem is that FreeSync 2 is much more demanding. After all, it is no longer about variable rates, but HDR comes into play. This is where the "business component" manifests itself. For FreeSync 2 to succeed, AMD will need to gather several partners in hardware and software, which equates to certifications. Games must know the monitor's specifications, which have to be announced by the hardware itself. But it is not an impossible situation. The reception of FreeSync among manufacturers has been good (more than 100 compatible models), and by adding support to the main graphics engines, it would be on the right track.
