Our Monitor Motion Tests  

Refresh Rate

Some monitors have dual-mode features to boost the refresh rate with a lower resolution. Most of the time, it does this by doubling the refresh rate and halving the resolution. For example, the ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG has a native 4k resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, and it can accept 1080p @ 480Hz with its dual-mode feature.

This test result is a Yes/No, so we list whether or not the monitor has this dual-mode feature.

The Native Refresh Rate is the monitor's refresh rate, at its native resolution, without any overclock or dual-mode settings applied. This is often the default refresh rate out of the box.

The Max Refresh Rate is the maximum possible refresh rate the monitor natively supports with its native resolution, whether it's by using a factory overclock or a dual-mode feature. While you may be able to force a higher refresh rate by using a custom resolution, we don't consider this as part of our testing.

We check the max refresh rate the monitor supports over HDMI and DisplayPort with 8-bit signals with chroma 4:4:4 at the monitor's native resolution. This includes a monitor's built-in overclock settings, but not dual-mode settings. While a monitor may support higher refresh rates using chroma 4:2:2 or 4:2:0, we only check for the max refresh rate using chroma 4:4:4.

We repeat the same tests to determine the max refresh rate with 10-bit signals and chroma 4:4:4 over DisplayPort and HDMI at the monitor's native resolution. While a monitor may support higher refresh rates using chroma 4:2:2 or 4:2:0, we only check for the max refresh rate using chroma 4:4:4. This test result is important for HDR gaming, which often uses 10-bit signals. If there any bandwidth limitations, then the 10-bit refresh rate is often lower than with 8-bit signals.

Many monitors have to use Display Stream Compression (DSC) to accept and compress high-bandwidth signals. While this is a visually lossless format, it can prevent the monitor from using certain features, like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) or Deep Learning Dynamic Super Sampling (DLDSR). If you prefer not using DSC, some monitors have settings to turn it off. We list this as a Yes/No.

We don't consider bandwidth version settings as the same as a DSC toggle. For example, some LG monitors, such as the LG 27GX790A-B, have an Input Compatibility Version setting that allows you to adjust the bandwidth available for the selected input. In this case, you're lowering the bandwidth and not turning off DSC.

If a monitor has a DSC toggle, we disable it and check the maximum refresh rate with an 8-bit signal at the monitor's native resolution with chroma 4:4:4. For dual-mode monitors, we may also check the max refresh rate with DSC off and list the max refresh rate in the text.

We use our test PCs, with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, to determine whether or not the monitor supports VRR to reduce screen tearing. This could include any format, including FreeSync, G-SYNC, and HDMI Forum VRR, which you can learn more about below.

We use our AMD RX 7800 XT graphics card to check whether or not the monitor works with FreeSync VRR. This test is important if you plan on using any device that supports FreeSync.

There are three possible results for this test:

• No: FreeSync doesn't work on the monitor, and there's screen tearing.
• Yes: VRR works, and most monitors that work with AMD graphics cards fall under this result. As long as the manufacturer advertises FreeSync support, or if AMD has it on their list of supported monitors, then the monitor gets a 'Yes'. We don't specify whether it's FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, or FreeSync Premium Pro certified, though.
• Compatible (Tested): If the VRR support works with an AMD graphics card, but it isn't advertised on the manufacturer's or AMD's websites, then it's considered 'Compatible'. Even if a monitor doesn't have official certification and we know that FreeSync works, you shouldn't experience any issues.

We also include a table in the text to show the VRR range with FreeSync over HDMI and DisplayPort. Most monitors work without issue over DisplayPort and HDMI.

We check for G-SYNC compatibility with our NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. This test is only important if you plan to use the monitor with a G-SYNC compatible graphics card. Unlike with FreeSync support, the different results can have an impact on the monitor's performance with an NVIDIA graphics card, as NVIDIA is stricter with their certifications.

These are the possible test results:

• No: Some displays simply aren't compatible with NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology, as there's screen tearing or other issues.
• Compatible (NVIDIA Certified): NVIDIA has a list of monitors with official G-SYNC Compatible certification. NVIDIA only certifies displays that work perfectly out of the box, but these models lack the G-SYNC hardware module found on native G-SYNC monitors. We list a monitor as G-SYNC Compatible either when it's on this list or if it appears as 'G-SYNC Compatible' in the NVIDIA Control Panel, and we don't experience any issues. If a monitor has G-SYNC compatibility, VRR is enabled by default.

• Compatible (Tested): Monitors that aren't officially certified but still work with G-SYNC get 'Compatible (Tested)' instead of 'NVIDIA Certified'. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, you'll notice that the monitor doesn't have 'G-SYNC Compatible' listed next to it, like how an officially certified G-SYNC compatible monitor has. Unlike G-SYNC compatible monitors, VRR isn't enabled by default. There could be different reasons why it's not certified by NVIDIA, including NVIDIA not testing it. As long as the VRR support works over its entire refresh rate range, that means VRR works with an NVIDIA graphics card.
• Yes (Native): Displays with built-in NVIDIA chips natively support G-SYNC and have a few extra features when paired with an NVIDIA graphics card. They can dynamically adjust their overdrive to match the content, ensuring a consistent gaming experience. Some also have NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer, which measures the latency of each source in your setup. When a monitor has native G-SYNC support, it's listed as 'G-SYNC Capable' in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Keep in mind that there are different G-SYNC tiers, like G-SYNC Ultimate and standard G-SYNC, but we don't list which the monitor has.

Like with FreeSync, we also include a table in the text to show which connections work with G-SYNC and the VRR range. Not every monitor supports G-SYNC over HDMI, though.

You can also learn how to enable G-SYNC.

This test represents the maximum refresh rate at which VRR works. This includes the maximum possible supported refresh rate on dual-mode monitors, so most of the time, it's the same as the 'Max Refresh Rate' result in the Refresh Rate test box.

Our VRR Minimum test checks for the minimum frame rate at which the VRR feature is still working properly. We check this using a Smooth Frog test pattern to make sure VRR works properly without any screen tearing with FreeSync and G-SYNC. If there's any difference in performance between the VRR formats, we put the widest range as the result and note the difference in the text.

LFC

Because we test for the effective frame rate rather than the display's actual refresh rate, our minimum refresh rate is often lower than the manufacturer's reported minimum. It's because many monitors support Low Framerate Compensation (LFC). If the frame rate of the source drops below the minimum refresh rate of the display, the graphics card automatically multiplies frames to bring the frame rate back within the refresh rate range of the display. Since we look at the effective VRR range, we don't differentiate between monitors that use LFC and monitors that can reduce their actual refresh rate.

We also make sure that VRR works over both HDMI and DisplayPort connections. We list which connections support VRR, which, in most cases, is both DisplayPort and HDMI.