The Effects of Adaptive Synchronization on Performance and Experience in Gameplay

Abstract

Adaptive synchronization (Async) is a recent display technology that lowers frame time mean and variation by altering communication between display and GPU. While conventional graphics systems introduce delay to match irregular GPU frame rates to regular display refresh rates, Async systems instead match display refresh rates to to irregular frame rates. Both NVIDIA and AMD claim that Async displays improve experience for enthusiast gamers. In a first, controlled examination of these claims with non-professionals playing a popular first-person shooter, we find that Async improves gaming performance, can improve experience, and has intriguing relationships to game familiarity and years of gameplay.