If your gaming computer has an AMD graphics card, then pairing it with a FreeSync enabled monitor can ensure a tear-free gaming experience with no input or screen lag. Especially if you’ve just spent a fortune building or upgrading your gaming PC, you’ll be happy to know that not all monitors that offer FreeSync compatibility are expensive.

The first thing to know about FreeSync computer monitors is that unless you are using it with an AMD graphics card, you are not going to see any improvement whatsoever. So users with Nvidia cards should avoid these monitors. Now that that’s out of the way, keep reading to learn more about choosing the right gaming monitor for you.

Before Purchasing a Cheap FreeSync Monitor

The chances are high you’ve heard of G-Sync and FreeSync monitors. What are they, and are they worth the extra cost?

A system’s graphics card delivers images as fast as it can. However, standard monitors have a fixed refresh rate, say 75Hz. If your graphics card happens to render frames beyond the 75Hz schedule, then there lies a problem. The screen will display a portion of a new frame and the last frame onscreen simultaneously, which results in screen tearing, i.e., an image appears to be split into two.

The VSync setting of your graphics card worsens the problem. It sends signals to the GPU to wait on a new frame until it’s ready for it, thereby introducing stuttering and lag.

FreeSync synchronizes your monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card frame rate so they can reach a frame rate they both can agree on and stick to it with zero variations. The results? Smooth and fluid visuals without the annoying effects of stuttering, screen tearing, or input lag.

In implementing FreeSync, AMD demands no licensing, royalties, or additional hardware. That means there are no extra costs on top of the FreeSync monitor you intend to purchase. Therefore, AMD adaptive sync monitors tend to cost much less when compared to their G-Sync Counterparts.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a FreeSync Monitor

Choosing a FreeSync monitor can be an involving task on its own as there are a couple of factors to influence your choice. Here are a few important considerations:

Monitor Type

Depending on the technology use, there are three major types of monitors – LCD, LED, and CRT. Today, LCD monitors have become so widespread due to their slim design, sharp display,  flicker-free tech, and consistent tonal scale.

LED monitors are the latest monitor types, and they make use of light-emitting diodes. These monitors also sport very thin designs, some are curved, and output images with high resolution.

Therefore, it goes without saying that, unless otherwise, you should go for either LED or LCD FreeSync monitors.

Purpose

If you’re a gamer, you need a large-sized monitor with a high resolution, fast response times, and a high refresh rate. For console gaming, make sure it features the necessary connectors.

A business monitor doesn’t necessarily have to be sophisticated. A 1200p resolution, add-on speaker bars, and the ability to display inputs from multiple computers at a go would make for a perfect business monitor.

If you’re into tasks that demand high image accuracy, such as video editing and graphics design, you want a FreeSync monitor with a premium IPS panel.

Size

With a small budget, even below $300, you can land LCD or LED displays with screen sizes above 24 inches. As we pointed out, in determining the screen size, the resolution must come into play.

Graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators will do better with large monitors, around 27 inches and above. It’s even possible to find a budget quality 34-inch monitor.

If you’re a gamer, even a 24-inch gaming monitor will do perfectly fine. But your gameplay will be more immersive if you have a larger screen.

Standard tasks such as browsing would do perfectly well with a 21-24 inch monitor with a 1080p full HD resolution.

Resolution

A monitor’s resolution describes the number of pixels it can display. The image quality increases with an increase in the resolution. Irrespective of the purpose, it’s best not to go for any monitor with a resolution below 1920x1080p.

Features

Regarding features, we refer to the properties or specs of a particular monitor, like panel type, screen size, resolution, response time, refresh rate, anti-glare, connectors, etc. Budget monitors compromise a little bit on these features.

Budget

Finally, the price of the monitor. How much can you spend on a monitor? In this case, we’re talking about cheap monitors in two categories, under $150 and under $300. Oftentimes, the monitor size influences the price of a monitor, although there are other factors. A $300 budget and under can get you an excellent 34-inch monitor.

Final Words

Purchasing a FreeSync monitor is one of the best decisions you can make. A monitor with FreeSync technology guarantees smooth visuals. There are a couple of features and specifications to look for in a monitor other than the screen size and resolutions, including the connectors, refresh rate, and response time. It’s upon you to decide what extra features the monitor should have. We hope you’ve identified an excellent budget FreeSync monitor from the ten we’ve reviewed.