BenQ XL2730z and Crimson 16.3.2 and beyond causes random corruption/flicker on desktp

[digitaldurandal]

Hello I am posting trying to determine if anyone else is having this same issue or has some ideas on how it might be resolved.

Interestingly there was an issue with this monitor at one point about a year ago where everyone who tried to use freesync 144hz would have constant corruption until there was a driver update which resolved the issue. The corruption/flicker they had is almost exactly the same thing I am seeing except for I am seeing it like once a minute or so tops and at the time it would flicker constantly.

I have tried 16.3.2 and 16.5.3 after using DDU with no luck and had to go back to 16.2.1 which works fine. Due to this reason the issue has something to do with changes made at the driver level.

I have tried with freesync on, off, blur reduction on, off and continue to have the flickering.

The thing is, I really like the monitor outside of this issue but am concerned that the issue will not be fixed essentially meaning I have to choose between the flicker and the latest drivers.

relevant computer parts:
W10 64bit professional, MSI 290 gaming (x2) both with xfire off and on, XL2730z @ 144hz

 

[digitaldurandal]

It may be related to clocks changing in 2d on my system. It appears the issue occurs when the speed drops back down to 306 GPU core after being ~600+. Trying to determine the easiest way to increase my idle core clock and see if it resolves the issue. I would prefer not to use extra software. You used to be able to edit some files from your catalyst profile but with Crimson I have not been able to find out how to do it.

 

[Rvenger]

Running an XL2730Z on 16.3.2 with an R9 390x. No corruption issues. With 16.5.3 I had TDRs on the desktop.

Freesync on and Power efficiency is on.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Running an XL2730Z on 16.3.2 with an R9 390x. No corruption issues. With 16.5.3 I had TDRs on the desktop.

Freesync on and Power efficiency is on.

If I disconnect my 1920x1200@60hz HP ZR24w I get constant flashing corruption on 16.5.3

 

[Rvenger]

What card?

 

[thetuna]

I have BenQ XL2730z as well, with a 290x.
I just now updated to 16.5.3 and I am getting intermittent flickering (kind of static-y).

 

[digitaldurandal]

What card?

MSI 290 4G Gaming

 

[Rvenger]

Run DDU?

 

[digitaldurandal]

I have BenQ XL2730z as well, with a 290x.
I just now updated to 16.5.3 and I am getting intermittent flickering (kind of static-y).

Yes this exactly is what I am experiencing.

It would be helpful if we can all contact BenQ on Tuesday. They should have a contact at AMD. I think it will be the easiest and fastest way to get a resolution. I have submitted a bug report to AMD already.

I got this number for a tech in reddit.com/r/BenQ

866.600.2367 Supposed to be a number for Robert at BenQ Tech Support. See if he can help us out.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Run DDU?

I used DDU and tried 16.5.3 fresh and even 16.3.2 fresh after DDU. No dice for me.

 

[Rvenger]

Guys, what version firmware are you running? 2.0?

I get no flickering with my R9 290 and 390x on 16.3.2.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Guys, what version firmware are you running? 2.0?

I get no flickering with my R9 290 and 390x on 16.3.2.

I am unsure but my manufacture date is March 2016 so I assume it is the new version.

Note that I do not have the flickering constantly although it did when I disabled my second display. It happens randomly, may be a correlation with when things load in. I notice for instance on a twitter feed when looking at https://twitter.com/killyourfm that if I scroll quickly it happens much more frequently. Perhaps when video previews are being loaded in the feed. It happened in both Chrome and Edge.

Sitting here typing on anandtech - no flicker happens.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Guys, what version firmware are you running? 2.0?

I get no flickering with my R9 290 and 390x on 16.3.2.

I tried to catch the constant flicker after disconnecting the HP on my camera and it did not do it this time. I found that with the second display disconnected I do not appear to get flicker.

Curious if @thetuna or @Rvenger also have a second display connected.

My second display is HP ZR24w 1920x1200 60hz via DVI.
My BenQ XL2730z is 2560x1440 144hz DP.

 

[thetuna]

I have version 2, and a monitor purchased this year definitely does as well.
To check your firmware version, you can turn off the monitor, then hold the fourth black button for 5 seconds, and press the power button before releasing the fourth button.
Finally, after the monitor is running, press the fourth button again.

I also used DDU before installing 16.5.3, and the presence of a second display does not seem to have any effect on the frequency of flickering.

 

[thetuna]

Another thing I didn't notice until just now... the driver update killed most video playback!
Browser based video still works, but MPC-HC, Windows Movies, and Media Player all crash out, or only play sound.
I've just rolled back the driver as well.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Video does not crash for me at least not immediately but I did not play video for that long. How long are you seeing before crashing?

I do think that video is part of the issue though as I have found that the random intermittent corruption can be triggered by moving around in a youtube video or by video previews on like a twitter feed. I have posted the information I have to the AMD support forums and completed a bug report. You should also complete a bug report.

 

[thetuna]

The video would immediately crash.
MPC handled it pretty gracefully, Media Player just locked up.

I also noticed scrolling increases the flickering.

 

[Stormflux]

Having just purchased this monitor (coming in on Tuesday) I was looking around at various forums and reading reviews and impressions.
Your problems look similar to this case: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=29005578&postcount=1733 Don't know if that will help but it may be a poor DP cable.

 

[Rvenger]

Ahh, I failed to mention that I did replace my DP cable with a monoprice 1.2 DP cable due to artifacting when I bought the monitor.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Ahh, I failed to mention that I did replace my DP cable with a monoprice 1.2 DP cable due to artifacting when I bought the monitor.

My issue is different, I don't get black screens.

So I could replace the DP cable but since rolling back my driver resolves it and the fact that it does not happen in 3d games. I don't believe this is a hardware issue at all. If I had a bandwidth issue I believe the driver version would not matter and whether or not I was in 2d or 3d mode would not matter.

 

[JBT]

Latest Crimson drivers cause flickering when flash video are on my display such as from FaceBook.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Latest Crimson drivers cause flickering when flash video are on my display such as from FaceBook.

Same monitor?

 

[digitaldurandal]

Issue may be fixed. Will check out driver tonight.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-art...are-crimson-edition-16.6.1-release-notes.aspx

Fixed Issues
*Display flickering or corruption may be experienced when playing videos in a web browser.

EDIT: It does indeed appear to be fixed. Wow AMD I am pleasantly surprised, I don't think it had even been mentioned as a known issue in the previous driver.

 

[thetuna]

Seems to be fixed for me as well, thanks!