AMD has just revealed FreeSync 2, the next generation of its display-sync technology built for gamers. The iteration is designed to exist alongside the original FreeSync. The second generation AMD Radeon FreeSync will represent a minor step up for support to bring better and smoother images to monitors with HDR capabilities.
HDR support is starting to be common on TVs and console games. PC monitors won't get left behind as they also have adapted to the trend by allowing PC games to run with HDR. While an excellent feature for users who want more vibrant colors, the higher latency poses to be problems with games. AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 is designed to counter the issue by shifting the groundwork, usually handled by the monitor, towards the graphics card.
How does AMD Radeon Freesync 2 work?
This mechanism in transporting HDR formats were initially meant for movie content that is displayed on TVs, which already have tone mapping handled by the displays. PC monitors on the other hand could not handle the effect which is loading too much latency to it. AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 will offer an alternative which shifts the workload to a powerful channel of a Radeon Graphics Processing Unit. This will allow the game to do the tone map directly to the luminance, color space, and contrast of the target display.
With that said, AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 technology boasts over twice the color and brightness compared to a standard RGB display. AMD has stated that the FreeSync and its decendant FreeSync 2 can coexist in the marketplace. The latter is specialized for more premium displays that support HDR.
How about users who already have AMD Radeon graphics cards?
If a user has a AMD Radeon graphics card that is compatible with FreeSync, it will also support AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 with a simple driver download and update. Games will still need to have their own AMD FreeSync 2 compatible API update. Fairly soon, AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 will be running on most monitors as it is expected to be released on the market on or before the first half of 2017.
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