Intel plans to support VESA’s Adaptive-Sync technology

AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync variable refresh technologies are widely used today by various display makers, greatly improving quality of video and games. Apparently, Intel Corp. would also like to support adaptable refresh and VESA’s Adaptive-Sync is a natural fit for the company. Unfortunately, the company is not sure when it enables the tech in its hardware and software.

David Blythe, chief graphics software architect of Intel and an Intel fellow, said in an interview with TechReport that Intel was “positively inclined toward standards-based solutions like Adaptive-Sync,” and that had plans to “support this optional extension to the DisplayPort spec.” However, he did not reveal any exact timeframes when Intel could actually enable Adaptive-Sync on its platforms.

The Adaptive-Sync technology is a standard for variable refresh displays supported by VESA’s DisplayPort 1.2a. The tech enables the display to dynamically match a GPU’s rendering rate, on a frame-by-frame basis, to produce a smoother, low latency, gaming experience and video playback. The Adaptive-Sync, has been supported by the embedded DisplayPort (eDP) standard for years in order to reduce power consumption of notebook displays. In case of the eDP, the feature is officially called Panel Self-Refresh (PSR), but it works generally the same way as the Adaptive-Sync does. AMD’s FreeSync relies on PSR and Adaptive-Sync, hence, it is highly likely that at least some of FreeSync-supporting monitors should also support Adaptive-Sync.

Since many integrated graphics processors are designed for both notebooks and desktops, it is logical to assume that they support PSR. However, TechReport claims citing a source familiar with the matter that far not all Intel processor fully support Adaptive-Sync today. As a result, only post-“Skylake”-based products will support the capability, the web-site claims.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Adaptive-Sync and PSR are two quite useful features. It is surprising that Intel’s current-gen hardware does not support them in any form…

Become a Patron!