Microsoft to add 120Hz refresh rate support to Xbox One

The Xbox One X will support native 1440p displays

Microsoft to add 120Hz refresh rate support to Xbox One 

Over the past few months, Microsoft has added support for 1440p resolutions, auto low latency mode for HDMI 2.1 and beta support for AMD FreeSync 2, though Microsoft’s plans don’t end there. 

In May, Microsoft plans to deliver support for 120Hz displays with display outputs of 1080p and 1440p, which will be usable on both televisions and monitors that support the refresh rate, allowing Xbox One to take advantage of 120Hz display capabilities. 

While we do not expect any Xbox One game to release with 120Hz support, the feature is likely to work in conjunction with Microsoft’s FreeSync implementation to deliver a better visual experience, allowing FreeSync features like low framerate compensation to be utilised. 

Low Framerate Compensation uses a form of framerate doubling to expand a display’s FreeSync range, provided a display’s maximum variable refresh is over two times higher than its minimum. For example, a FreeSync Display with a 40Hz to 120Hz variable refresh range can use LFC to enable a VRR range that extends to 30FPS or lower, sending two frames to meet the display’s VRR requirements. In this case, a 30FPS output would be doubled to 60FPS to sit within the variable refresh rate range, and a framerate of 39 would be increased to 78. 

 

 

With the arrival of HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rates will become increasingly common on televisions, making Microsoft’s early adoption of FreeSync and 120Hz refresh rates a positive move for the company in the long term. While the Xbox One’s current implementation of FreeSync is not perfect, it undeniably offers a visual improvement (improved frame persistency) in supported titles.  

You can join the discussion on Microsoft’s upcoming 120Hz update for Xbox One on the OC3D Forums.Â