AMD increases refresh rate requirements for monitors and TVs with FreeSync certification

AMD is increasing the requirements that monitors and televisions must meet to receive a FreeSync certificate. From now on, screens with less than 3440×1440 pixels must have a refresh rate of at least 144Hz to use this technology.

Previously, there were no minimum refresh rate requirements for desktop screens to use FreeSync, but now screens with fewer than 3440×1440 pixels must have at least support for a 144Hz refresh rate, AMD explains in a blog post. There is no minimum refresh rate for monitors and TVs with more pixels to use this adaptive image refresh technique.

To receive support for FreeSync Premium, an additional variant of the technology that adds support for low framerate compensation, there was already a refresh rate requirement of at least 120Hz. That has now been increased to 200Hz for screens with less than 3440×1440 pixels. Monitors and televisions with a higher resolution have a minimum refresh rate of 120Hz. The FreeSync Premium Pro variant is subject to the same conditions as Premium, except that the screen must also have HDR support. The FreeSync requirements for laptops will not change.

According to AMD, the requirements are now being increased to continue to guarantee that the FreeSync technology provides a good experience. The manufacturer adjusted its standards last September and is now announcing this. Screens that already have FreeSync certification but no longer meet the conditions are still supported, AMD writes.

Laptops Monitors and televisions FreeSync40-60Hz < 3440 horizontal pixels: ≥ 144 Hz FreeSync Premium ≥ 120 Hz < 3440 horizontal pixels: ≥ 200 Hz
≥ 3440 horizontal pixels: ≥ 120 Hz FreeSync Premium Pro ≥ 120 Hz plus hdr < 3440 horizontal pixels: ≥ 200 Hz plus HDR
≥ 3440 horizontal pixels: ≥ 120 Hz plus HDR