Linux Gaming - Enabling Freesync on Linux

In this tutorial, I discuss the somewhat obscure requirements for getting FreeSync working on Linux, as well as a suggested method for enabling adaptive sync. Much depends on the capabilities of your GPU and monitor. Here I will discuss using the technology with AMD GPUs and Freesync certified monitors. If there is sufficient interest, I can also create a tutorial on using NVidia GPUs with Freesync monitors.

Unfortunately I do not have a G-Sync monitor available for testing, so I simply do not have the hardware to create a video about monitors specifically designed for NVidia's implementation of adaptive sync.

To enable Freesync, you may need to update your xorg.conf file (located in /etc/X11) or add a specific config file for your AMD GPU at /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-amdgpu.conf. If one of these files already exists, you can simply add this line to the "Device" section, which should also reference the "amdgpu" driver.

Option "VariableRefresh" "true"

If neither of those files exists you'll need to create a new file (I suggest creating /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-amdgpu.conf) and put the following block in it:

Section "Device"
Identifier "AMD"
Driver "amdgpu"
Option "VariableRefresh" "true"
EndSection

Note that in order to edit or create any of these files, you'll need to be logged in with the root account, or use the sudo command when starting your text editor.