What you need to know
After a period of beta, the latest version of Razer Synapse is ready for prime time and is available now. Razer Synapse 4 features significant improvements over previous versions, including an overhauled UI, improved performance, and reduced system resource usage. Synapse 4 is backwards compatible with a wide range of Razer hardware, so you’re less likely to need to use an older version. Razer Chroma is a standalone app that looks and feels a lot like Synapse 4, but with built-in “immersive” settings, including Sensa HD haptics.
The 2024 edition of RazerCon brought some exciting new hardware, but the software aspect has also been left out. Razer Synapse 4 has been in beta for quite some time and is now generally available with the latest Razer Chroma app.
Synapse features a fresh new UI that includes a slick tabbed interface, performance improvements, and backwards compatibility with the latest and greatest as well as a long list of legacy Razer products. Digging deeper, there are some thoughtful new additions to make the experience a little bit better.
Alongside Synapse 4 comes the latest Razer Chroma app. No, I hear you screaming, another app?! But before you grab your pitchfork, there are good reasons to have both. Razer Synapse 4 focuses on hardware and performance, while Chroma focuses on the immersive aspects of the Razer ecosystem. In addition to controlling your Chroma RGB life, new Sensa HD haptic settings are enabled when you pick up the new Kraken V4 Pro or Freyja haptic cushion.
Visually, Razer Synapse 4 has a more subdued design, ditching the bright green bars in favor of a slick tabbed interface. (Image credit: Windows Central)
Razer claims a 30% performance increase with Synapse 4 compared to its predecessor. This is difficult to measure, but I have no reason not to believe it. It’s definitely an easy to use app.
“Synapse 4 also introduces a modern user interface designed for simpler navigation and streamlined customization, including a floating chip and centralized settings management. Backward compatibility with Synapse 3 devices. , with one button to temporarily unlock an additional feature set on top of existing button assignments, Rapid Trigger for effortlessly fast keystrokes, and Advanced to perform complex button presses in a single click. macros are available.
I really like the new interface. I like tabs. I also like the fact that I no longer have that intense green bar that burns my retinas every time I open Synapse.
Synapse 4 continues to be easy to use, and the hardware controls are essentially unchanged from previous versions. (Image credit: Windows Central)
I also like that Razer has compartmentalized each piece of hardware so that updating one piece of hardware won’t cause conflicts with other pieces of hardware. It doesn’t really happen to me, but it did happen and I’m glad it was addressed.
For more serious gamers, Razer has added some features to give you more granularity in your settings, making it easier to port your settings from one mouse to an entirely different mouse.
“Synapse 4 includes 1 DPI Step Adjustment for pixel-perfect sensitivity in single DPI step increments, Sensitivity Matcher Calibration for accurately porting DPI settings between Razer mice, and gamers can calibrate both mice. It also includes features such as enhanced asymmetric cutoffs that allow you to more accurately measure takeoff and landing distances and adjust your setup to your exact gaming preferences.
The Razer Chroma app offers delicious tactile adjustments along with beautiful RGB lighting. (Image credit: Windows Central)
Razer Chroma lets you do more than basic adjustments to your hardware’s RGB lighting. If you just want to use a preset and immediately assign it, you can do it from within Synapse 4. But if you want to consider the details and design the perfect setup, this is the place for you.
At the RazerCon announcement, this app calibrates the Kraken V4 Pro and Freyja haptic cushion Sensa HD. As of this writing, I haven’t had a chance to play with it, but from the press demo it looks like it’s just as easy to set up as any other piece of Razer hardware. Needless to say, I’m going to dive right in and prepare my head for tactile awareness.
However, if you don’t have a Sensa HD device and aren’t particularly interested in a custom Chroma setup, you don’t need to use the Razer Chroma app. There’s a lot of functionality here, and we appreciate being able to keep Synapse 4 lean by siloing this part within its own application.
Razer Synapse 4 and Razer Chroma are available for download now from the Razer website.
