[SOLVED] Dell S3220DGF can't render text correctly at 165Hz, only at 60hz.

[Santyclaws]

So I received my S3220DGF yesterday - so far, so good... Ish Looks great doing pretty much everything other than rendering text. I've been trying to figure out what the problem is here but can't find a solution...
I've found the problem is EXTREMELY pronounced with red text on a dark background - this is what I'm talking about:

https://imgur.com/yMe5zCy

View: https://imgur.com/yMe5zCy

The only difference is 60hz vs 165hz in that image... Is my display faulty? Is it a driver issue? Any advice is hugely appreciated!!
Some other details:
GSYNC is enabled on my GPU (GTX 1070) Freesync is enabled on the monitor Turning them off changes nothing.
& I'm using the bundled DisplayPort cable that came with the monitor.

 

[Santyclaws]

Update: After messing with custom resolutions, I discovered that the highest refresh rate I'm able to set is 137hz, after that the display blanks out until 165hz. The text rendering issue, however, is gone at 137hz... This compromise works, but since I bought a 165hz display - I'd like to use it at that resolution. Any thoughts?

 

[DSzymborski]

Have you tried removing the second monitor to see if the behavior continues? If not, try that. And if that resolves the issue, what are the specs of the second monitor? Both Nvidia and Windows have had issues with dual monitors of different refresh rates, though Windows did address this in an update earlier this year.

 

[Santyclaws]

Have you tried removing the second monitor to see if the behavior continues? If not, try that. And if that resolves the issue, what are the specs of the second monitor? Both Nvidia and Windows have had issues with dual monitors of different refresh rates, though Windows did address this in an update earlier this year.

Hey - yes I tried this earlier with no luck - but the issue is now resolved:


The included Dell DisplayPort cable wasn't capable of displaying a full 165hz signal, but Dell must have rigged up some ability for the monitor to forcibly display 165hz (164 with free/gsync enabled) with a displayport cable attached no matter what. The included cable can only run up to 137Hz without rendering problems.


Just swapped the cable for a DP1.4 cable (the bundled cable is 1.2), and the problem is resolved, now running full resolution at 164hz with zero text rendering problems.


As an aside note for anyone finding this thread in the future: The included HDMI cable was able to display full resolution at 144hz, but not anything higher. This also means you will not be able to fully enable freesync or gsync, as this requires a DP cable.

 

[DSzymborski]

Glad that this was resolved so easily!