Project Scorpio Is Compatible with AMD’s FreeSync 2 & HDMI 2.1

After we found out exactly what’s inside Microsoft’s highly anticipated Project Scorpio, we managed to dig up some more interesting details about this upcoming console, and things are definitely looking up for Microsoft’s loyal gaming base. As part of its exclusive Project Scorpio coverage, Digital Foundry has just revealed that the product will actually offer complete support for AMD’s FreeSync 2 technology, as well as HDMI 2.1. FreeSync 2 was unveiled by AMD at CES 2017, and it promises to deliver impressive features such as Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), doubling color and brightness spaces to accommodate High Dynamic Range, and setting a maximum on-screen latency.

“In fact, Microsoft has actually implemented the FreeSync 2 standard, meaning compatibility with HDR and full support across the range of potential frame-rates. Paired with a supported screen, this will even eliminate tearing on games running with adaptive v-sync with frame-rates under 30fps, something not supported on most FreeSync 1 screens (VRR range varied on a per-screen basis, with 40Hz to 60Hz commonplace).

Scorpio’s adaptive sync support is baked in at the system level – the developer doesn’t need to worry about it (though they could enable higher frame-rate caps for VRR users if the overhead is there). And on top of that, it works across all Xbox content that runs on the new console – Xbox 360 backward compatible titles and Xbox One games.”

Apparently, developers could leverage these technologies in order to target specific frame rate caps such as 45 or 50, but since this would likely require extra work on their part, it’s probably safe to assume that not many games will be designed as such. Furthermore, there are currently no TVs with HDMI 2.1 support, which kind of puts a damper on things as well. Project Scorpio is expected to be released this year around the holiday season, which means that we still have a long way to go before we’ll be able to get our hands on one of these consoles.

Still, are you looking forward to Microsoft’s new product?