[SOLVED] Flickering.... REALLY grinds my gears........

[jackington]

Bad quality and I have tried blocking somewhat sensitive information, but you can clearly see the issue here:

View: https://youtu.be/u6Pk8T8rHcM


Specs:
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Ryzen 5 3600
RTX 2070 Super AORUS
16GB TridentZ 3200MHz
ROG STRIX X570-E GAMING
and my brand new monitor ASUS VG35VQ

I built this PC like two months ago. Don't recall having issues back then, not sure.

This happened on my previous 60Hz monitor too, but it was way less frequent. Now, depending on what I do, it can get very serious (as seen from the last 10 seconds of the video, me editing in Vegas Pro 14). It seems like this happens more on desktop than in games. I also play VR a lot, no issues in the headset (except for some red artifacts a while ago, fixed by reseating the headset HDMI cable). Screen flickers white/black, fonts and window sizes change until I move my mouse around them... It's really bad.

My GPU is mounted vertically with the CableMod vertical bracket. I thought this could be the issue, but nope. Changing my monitor's settings doesn't seem to help (tried with G-Sync and ELMB on/off). This happens with both DisplayPort and HDMI.

I have every driver up to date, afaik. I tried uninstalling my display adapter in safe mode, no luck.

Anything??? Please??? This is REALLY frustrating, I tried googling solutions but none helped. Is my gpu bad, should I re-install windows??
Please and thank you...

 

[sizzling]

Hmm just ideas.

Uninstall the gpu driver using DDU and then reinstall the latest driver. It’s important to use DDU to remove all traces of the current driver.

There is part of me that thinks this could be some form of malware/key logger. If the driver clean install using DDU does not work I’d very tempted to format and reinstall Windows.

 

[jackington]

I forgot to mention my PSU. 750 Watts, should be plenty enough.

Thanks for the reply! I will scan for malwares now (doubt there are any, brand new windows installation, I'm very careful with viruses as well) and then try using DDU. I'll report back soon!

 

[jackington]

As I'm scanning with Malwarebytes, the window keeps flickering... eh. :/

 

[jackington]

Hmm just ideas.

Uninstall the gpu driver using DDU and then reinstall the latest driver. It’s important to use DDU to remove all traces of the current driver.

There is part of me that thinks this could be some form of malware/key logger. If the driver clean install using DDU does not work I’d very tempted to format and reinstall Windows.

I just noticed something! While Malwarebytes is flickering, I tried changing the power options. Currently it is set to Windows Balanced. I changed it to Windows Power Saving and the flickering is COMPLETELY GONE? As soon as I select Balanced again, the flickering starts... Flickers with every option except Windows Power Saving. CPU issue? On every option, the CPU is constantly boosting at 4150MHz except Power Saving, where it sits at 3275MHz. While I'm on the desktop, not doing much, at least.

 

[jackington]

Currently using Power Saving at 3275MHz, no flickering. Just a moment ago the clock went to 4000MHz and the flickering began. What can we make of this?

edit because why not: I am monitoring with MSI Afterburner. I have a flash game on the side and On Screen Display enabled so I can see the info. CPU is 45 degrees idle, about 10% usage and been at 3275MHz for 10+ minutes now.

 

[jackington]

Is the MHz capped at 3275 on Power Saving mode? How much does the extra ~800MHz affect game performance, if compared with 2070 Super? Any info to fix the flickering at high MHz? Cheers.

 

[sizzling]

3275 is a 22% decrease in clockspeed/performance. Absolute worst case is you would see 22% less fps but its unlikely to be that high.

With that additional information I would try updating to the latest BIOS for your motherboard. If that still doesn't work I think a format and fresh install of Windows is the next best step.

 

[jackington]

3275 is a 22% decrease in clockspeed/performance. Absolute worst case is you would see 22% less fps but its unlikely to be that high.

With that additional information I would try updating to the latest BIOS for your motherboard. If that still doesn't work I think a format and fresh install of Windows is the next best step.

Thank you for replying! I will look up a tutorial and be very careful as I update my bios. I will let you know how it goes!

 

[sizzling]

Thank you for replying! I will look up a tutorial and be very careful as I update my bios. I will let you know how it goes!

Good plan. BIOS updates have become safer but only if you follow the instructions.

 

[Tolis_GR]

Revert to bios defaults and do a CLEAN install of gpu drivers. I doubt cpu boost clocks have anything to do with screen flickering. You are dropping cpu clock in power saving, which obviously hinders the gpu's performance and stops the flickering. It seems you gpu has issues with current drivers, maybe try older drivers

 

[jackington]

Updated bios succesfully. Still flickers when MHz goes near the 4000 mark. Must go for 20 minutes, when I'm back I will do as Tolis said. Thank you.

 

[jackington]

By the way, just a thought. I have the 2070 Super AORUS, which is set to 1905 MHz by default. This combined with the fact that my gpu is vertically mounted (slightly higher temps), could this be causing the artifacts/flickers? Perhaps it's worth a shot to underclock the card, if a clean gpu driver installation does not work? Just a thought.

Well, I'll try re-installing the drivers now and give you an update after.

 

[13thmonkey]

precisely what PSU? Try using this power plan. https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/1usmus-custom-power-plan-for-ryzen-3000-download.html
Why isn't there a ryzen power plan? Is win 10 fully up to date, are the mobo drivers installed?

 

[jackington]

precisely what PSU? Try using this power plan. https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/1usmus-custom-power-plan-for-ryzen-3000-download.html
Why isn't there a ryzen power plan? Is win 10 fully up to date, are the mobo drivers installed?

Sorry, I do have all the AMD plans. Ryzen High Performance, -Power Saver and -Balanced. All cause flickering.

When installing the drivers, I assume I should download them from NVIDIA's site? Version 441.87, and not from AORUS' website (they have version 431.36)

edit: PSU is Seasonic 750W PRIME Ultra 750 Gold. Latest Windows 10 and yes, latest mobo drivers have been installed.

 

[13thmonkey]

Try the isumus plan.

 

[jackington]

Try the isumus plan.

I'm trying but I can't follow the instructions, like "set Global C-state Control = Enabled" as my mouse does not work in my bios, only my keyboard. I can press f9 to search and find it, but cannot access it and I have no idea where it's located. I tried looking around but could not find it...

edit: nevermind. I could just hit tab after searching for a keyword to change the values. Making me look like a total newbie here ahah. And p.s. my mouse CLICK was not working, mouse movement was fine. Installing the power plan now.

 

[jackington]

Try the isumus plan.

1usmus Ryzen Power Plan: 4150MHz while using Malwarebytes, flickering. Same with 1usmus Ryzen Universal. I also installed the latest NVIDIA drivers from their own website before doing any of this.

 

[jackington]

I tried underclocking the gpu from 1905MHz to the speed of the reference card, 1770MHz. Still flickering if I change the power plan.

 

[jackington]

Just tried entering vr and it was sort of flickering there too... graphical issues.

edit: Like, I launched Beat Saber and everything mirrored / flipped for like 0,1 seconds from time to time, and there was this rather unnoticeable black pulsing of some sorts, hard to explain.

 

[cryoburner]

Have you tried underclocking the VRAM of the graphics card, rather than just the GPU core clock? I'm not sure if it's an artifact of the video compression or actually present, but it looks like there might be some artifacting going on when the screen flickers. That kind of makes me think the data in the video memory might be getting corrupted.

Have you tested the card without connecting it through the riser? And is there another system you could test the card in?

 

[jackington]

Have you tried underclocking the VRAM of the graphics card, rather than just the GPU core clock? I'm not sure if it's an artifact of the video compression or actually present, but it looks like there might be some artifacting going on when the screen flickers. That kind of makes me think the data in the video memory might be getting corrupted.

Have you tested the card without connecting it through the riser? And is there another system you could test the card in?

Unlocking the VRAM? I haven't unlocked anything. I tested without the riser and sadly there is still flickering. I have another system (not for long) but my current GPU won't fit in it. Appreciate the comment!

lol edit: I misread your comment. UNDERCLOCKING the VRAM, no, but I will try now. My bad!

 

[jackington]

Probably best to get this resolved somehow, at some point, but here is my temporary workaround:
I selected the Windows Balanced power plan (as I read it's recommended for Ryzen 3600, correct me if I am wrong). The minimum processor state was 5% by default, and I set the maximum state from 100% to 99%. No flickering so far, will update if this changes. Now the idle frequency of the cpu is 3525MHz. Not optimal, but it could work until we can figure out what is exactly wrong...

edit: According to Afterburner, the cpu clock can go all the way to 4200MHz when gaming, and there has been no flickering so far. Good news?

 

[jackington]

Played a few games with no flickering. Will continue gaming and try vr soon. What I did seems to have fixed my problem, but I would like to find out why 100% breaks like everything.

 

[jackington]

My desktop flickered a little when I booted up the system. Just tried playing a game called Dead by Daylight, and unfortunately there was severe flickering present, even with the max processor state set to 99%. The following games didn't flicker from what I tested so far: Grand Theft Auto V, RESIDENT EVIL 2, The Evil Within 2, HITMAN, Rise of the Tomb Raider and BioShock Infinite.

What gives? :/