Fuzzy Lines - GTX 970, ASUS VG248QE, or DisplayPort cable problem?

[avidity]

The links below illustrate the problem as best as I could with my cellphone's camera.

http://i.imgur.com/5BkGszh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CpKEAwX.jpg

The problem starts when I turn my monitor off for maybe a few minutes or more and then turn it back on. I'm using DisplayPort with a Gigabyte GTX 970 and an ASUS VG248QE monitor.

I don't have another cable to try but it's a 6ft StarTech.com DisplayPort 1.2 cable. I've used the DVI cable that the monitor came with and it doesn't seem to have this problem. So my question is whether or not it is the graphics card, the monitor, or the cable that is causing this problem. You may notice from one of the images that the ASUS menu is fine while the desktop displays the fuzzy lines.

 

[CraigN]

It's a weird issue I've started to have with my PG278Q as well. I haven't figured out if it's the cable either, and I can't reproduce it consistently, but I've found that a restart fixes it, which makes me think it's a driver issue, since when you turn off a monitor over DP, my computer makes a sound like a device disconnecting.

I haven't had it happen since the latest Nvidia drivers, so maybe try a driver update? But as of right now, I'm not sure what causes it :\ I can only confirm getting the same issue over DP with a different ASUS monitor using Nvidia.

 

[avidity]

Glad I'm not the only one. I will have to test it the situation with the driver update.

 

[Nighthawks]

Having the same problem on Asus ROG Swift 144hz over DP - I have 970gtx from Gigabyte and have contacted Gigabyte support regarding this - they suggested VBIOS update on the GPU - since the fix notes from latest VBIOS mention several compatibility improvements with some monitors (not really specific). I did the VBIOs upgrade and it was fine for 3 whole weeks - after this the problem returned even worse than before.

What I've observed:

- same as you fuzzy lines all over the display but not on the OSD
- fuzzy lines appear after the monitor flickers (like turn off/on the display by itself several times in a row) - sometimes though the fuzziness does not appear and monitor just flickers
- in worst case scenario after those turn off/ons the monitor completely looses signal from GPU
- only reboot helps, but problem may reappear again after couple of minutes
- while fuzziness is there any change to GPU properties like refresh rate ends in signal lost on both of my monitors (the other one is 24' over DVI) - it seems the computer freezes here completely because of this
- tried already with different DP cable - no change
- issue may occur while watching video, in game (GSYNC mode) or just in plain desktop
- tried several driver versions with no difference - once even had the fuzzy lines in the Motherboard BIOS - so at this point would rather exclude the drivers from problem

Most likely GPU issue - at this point I will be most likely RMA my 970gtx as I bit out of ideas how to fix this

 

[CraigN]

Coming back to update on this, have gone a month and a half without this issue rearing up again. I have no idea what causes it, or how to "force" or replicate it. :\ Sorry I can't be of more help, but for myself, the issue has been mostly solved, not sure about OP though.

 

[Just Jon]

I have the same or similar issue with DP. I normally put my system to sleep instead of shutting it off. Occassionally when it comes back up the monitor will be fuzzy,blurry. Kind of looks the same. It is most noticeable with text. Just graphics dont seem to have the issue.

I unfortunately cannot tell where the issue is. I just ordered a new 4k DisplayPort cable which I hope helps but I'm doubtful.

I had the issue with two cables, a EVGA 670 GTX and a EVGA 980 GTX. With a Dell Ultrasharp U2410 at 1920x1200 resolution and also a HP HP ZR2740W at 2560 x 1440 resolution.

I cant remember having it when I had my ATI card but that was 3 cards back so I'm not sure. Plus I normally used HDMI or DVI with that card since I didnt have the HP at the time. The HP has minimal ports so I need to use DisplayPort with it.

Since I have seen it with two cards both Nvidia and two monitors, different brands and resolutions, I am thinking its a driver issue.

A restart will normally fix it, but not always. Sometimes I have to restart a couple times.

Its not happening as much as it used to, but still happens maybe once a week or two. Instead of daily like before.

I used to be able to change the resolution to something else and then change it back, or do a monitor detect and that would fix it, but that hasn't worked in a while. Reboot is only solution.

 

[avidity]

After awhile without it happening it's back! 🙁

 

[Balthesar]

I am having the exact same problem but with a different card and monitor. I have an EVGA 980 (04G-P4-1982-KR) and the Acer xb270hu. That same fuzziness is randomly happening. If I take a screenshot, it looks fine after a reboot. Also my second monitor on dvi looks normal while this happens. So the signal is fine, its something in the transmission. I'm also getting random black screen flashes, but not on my secondary dvi monitor.

I think the only common thread between us is nvidia 900 series cards and display port... which the more I google, its a big problem with no real solution. And not enough of us are having it to get fixed so far.

I've seen theories it is related to most display port cables having a connected pin 20 when it shouldn't be, but I'm not sure if it is an actual fix. I'm getting really upset.

 

[CloudStrife1987]

I have the same monitor but with a GTX 980 and it sometimes happens to me too.

A restart fixes it, and it only happens once every so often, but it still shouldn't happen at all.

 

[rymnd6c28]

hello there, i just want to share, i have experienced the same problem with DP. I have BenQ XL2420z with DP cable connected to my GTX 980. This never happened to me before with DL-DVI cable. This only happened once after my monitor is on stand by (automatically set from windows power options), i move the mouse and it will regain signal from GPU, then this fuzzy thing happened, restart and haven't succeed in repeating such events.

Another problem with DP was monitor can't be turned off while computer is on or i can't regain any signal from the GPU, it will only regain signal via boot and recover from standby as mentioned above.
I am very positive this is a DP problem. Because never ran into any problem whatsoever with DVI, you should probably change to DVI, since the only difference is analog/digital.

 

[avidity]

Does this issue stI'll occur for anyone or does the v bios update fix it?

 

[Nighthawks_1]

Does this issue stI'll occur for anyone or does the v bios update fix it?

On old card vbios update did not fix it at all.
What i did later was to RMA the card and got another one that was with never revision but same old bios - despite this, it is working much better now. Still there are days that the screen starts flashing and looses signal - but this is 100% random and I have no idea what causes it. Fuzzy lines seems to be gone though.
Note: it looks like monitor setting to 85hz is less likely to produce this issue than 144hz - worst case scenario I simply switch it to 85hz for a day or 2 as workaround and then go back to 144hz and it works again - totally random.