Monitor artifacts when using a (working) HDMI-DVI cable

[v1tesse]

Hey guys,

I recently decided to plug in my HDMI-DVI cable to replace the VGA cable I was using previously.

The problem however, is that when I plug it in (pc-HDMI, monitor-DVI), I get pretty bad artifacting - green dots/lines on black and pink angly lines on white (example below).

Before writing this, I tested the cable with the same monitor on a laptop and it worked perfectly, so neither the monitor nor the cable, in my opinion at least, should be at fault.

I'm using a i5-4440, running on the onboard graphics (for now), asus b85m-e motherboard, Benq GW2320 23" full hd monitor, Windows 8.1 x64, latest intel graphics driver.

I tried to plug the cable in several times in different ways (not that it should have made a difference), monitor on, monitor off, PC on PC off etc. I updated the graphics driver, tried disabling it and reenabling it, but still to no avail.

Photo examples (ignore the cyan radial artifacts on the white one as they're caused by the camera):

I wasn't sure where to post this as this might pertain to more than just a single subject - like monitor/display/cable/motherboard so here goes...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ko888]

Have you tried using a DVI-to-DVI only cable?

 

[v1tesse]

No, I haven't.

At the moment my cable options are quite limited - VGA or HDMI-DVI and I was hoping to try a few more things before going out and buying a bunch of cables.

Do you think it could be the HDMI connector or the cable itself somehow having a problem even though it works with a laptop?

 

[ko888]

I don't think it's the cable. It could be the HDMI port on the motherboard. If you had a DVI-to-DVI cable you could try the DVI-D port on the motherboard to see if you get the same or better results. If you get the same results then the problem resides on the motherboard. So that would limit the cause to either the motherboard or the CPU.

The latest Intel HD Graphics driver is Version: 15.36.18.64.4156. You can get this driver file win64_153618.exe from Intel's download center:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24785

 

[v1tesse]

Thanks for the prompt replies.

I have already installed the latest driver, so I don't think I can do anything else there.

I guess I'll keep using the VGA cable for now as it appears to not have any problems or degradation in image quality, until I get around to buying a DVI-to-DVI cable or just get a gpu (thinking of the 970). I'm not sure what'll come first.

 

[ko888]

Thanks for the prompt replies.

I have already installed the latest driver, so I don't think I can do anything else there.

I guess I'll keep using the VGA cable for now as it appears to not have any problems or degradation in image quality, until I get around to buying a DVI-to-DVI cable or just get a gpu (thinking of the 970). I'm not sure what'll come first.

Since the VGA D-Sub port works then it's not the CPU. That would mean a problem with the HDMI port on the motherboard. Can't rule out the DVI-D port or the DisplayPort yet.

 

[STWX]

Hi Guys,

I have the same problem at someone`s PC. However in my case i am not sure if it is especially a HDMI problem. After a while on both screens (he has a Dual Monitor Setup, 1x HDMI 1xVGA) there are blocked artifacts that show on both monitors. I have replaced the motherboard for a new one and later also the CPU (which rarely break but because it has the GPU we tried that). Also all software/BIOS/etc. is up to date.

Its has (almost) the same specs as the TS.

- Asus B85M-E
- Core i5 4430
- Standard 350w PSU.

Could the PSU be the culprit here? 2 Monitors on the Onboard GPU shouldnt be such a problem.

If i find anything i will let you know.

BR

 

[v1tesse]

Hi Guys,

I have the same problem at someone`s PC. However in my case i am not sure if it is especially a HDMI problem. After a while on both screens (he has a Dual Monitor Setup, 1x HDMI 1xVGA) there are blocked artifacts that show on both monitors. I have replaced the motherboard for a new one and later also the CPU (which rarely break but because it has the GPU we tried that). Also all software/BIOS/etc. is up to date.

Its has (almost) the same specs as the TS.

- Asus B85M-E
- Core i5 4430
- Standard 350w PSU.

Could the PSU be the culprit here? 2 Monitors on the Onboard GPU shouldnt be such a problem.

If i find anything i will let you know.

BR

Well, I bought a new GTX 970 recently and, while using the same cable (HDMI to DVI-D) with the same monitor, plugged into the video card's HDMI slot, I no longer have any problems.

For me at least, as ko888 said, it was the HDMI port on the motherboard that didn't function properly.


As for your problem, I would first use the same monitors and cables on a different computer to validate that those work as intended. That's what made me realize that the problem was related to the motherboard and not something else.

The PSU should have enough power to handle that setup, but wattage isn't the only factor when it comes to power supplies. Quality also matters a lot. An investment in a good psu is like an investment in an insurance that all the other components will function properly and for longer.

For example, what I bought is the Seasonic M12II Bronze Evo Edition (a fully modular 520W psu), after quite a bit of research and figuring out what was available in my country for a reasonable price. That psu also handles my new GTX 970 without problems (which btw, recommends using a 500W+ psu).

Either way, before buying stuff, try to borrow parts from other computers and figure out what doesn't work. That way what you get will actually fix the problem.

 

[Zergatul]

I have the same problem with my Samsung monitor, and even artifacts look similar (green dots at the top of correct image). To ensure this is really monitor problem I tried 2 different devices with 2 HDMI cables. I got the same result. My monitor has RGB input, but GPU doesn't. I hope it will work via RGB input, but I need to buy external converter.
My thought: HDMI signal decoder in monitor is dying.