Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 DisplayPort issues!

[KingKazma]

Hello all,

Here are my system specs:
Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1
CPU: Intel 4790K
GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 980 reference model, on water
RAM: 16GB 1600 MHz
512 GB Samsung 850 Pro SSD (OS X)
256 GB Samsung 850 Pro SSD (Win7 64bit)
Monitor: LG 31MU97

I am having problems with my GPU(or at least I think the GPU is the problem). I am using DisplayPort to connect to my LG monitor. It is very important that I use the DisplayPort connection. I need the 4k resolution at 60 Hz at pretty much all times for the work I will be doing. Therefore HDMI wont cut it. The problem I am having, however, I believe lies with the DisplayPort. Just as an example, whenever I boot to BIOS I get a horribly distorted image(see image below). Whereas if I use HDMI, there is no distortion. As you can see from the specs above, my system is a Hackintosh, but up until now I haven't really used the OS X drive much. So much of my explanation pertains to my experience while in Windows 7, although when testing out OS X I had many of the same problems.

It was not very easy setting up my GPU when I first got it. After I installed the drivers and essentials for operation, and plugged into the monitor via DisplayPort, the image on the screen was distorted and stuck on a nasty resolution of 640x480. I was able to quickly fix this by creating a custom resolution at 4096x2160 in the Nvidia Control Panel. However, the Nvidia Control Panel actually still recommends the 640x480 resolution for my 4k monitor for some reason, but only when I am plugged in via DisplayPort. When plugged in via HDMI it picks up 4k resolutions with no problem(but only at up to 24 Hz).

I am not sure if there is something I can do to make the card automatically identify the LG monitor as a 4k monitor and not have to rely on software. At present I am not sure if there is anything actually wrong with the card, or if it may even be the monitor. I have no other DisplayPort monitors to test it on at the moment.

So I need help figuring out a solution to this. Ive re-flashed the BIOS for the GPU with no result, but other than that I'm not really sure what I should do.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Distorted BIOS - DisplayPort->GTX 980

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Not Distorted BIOS - HDMI->GTX 980

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Nvidia Control Panel with HDMI Connection

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Nvidia Control Panel with DisplayPort Connection

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[LucaFire]

Have you tried using different DisplayPort cables - preferably one that you know works?
Have you tried using DDU to uninstall and then reinstall all appropriate drivers for your graphics card?

 

[KingKazma]

Have you tried using different DisplayPort cables - preferably one that you know works?
Have you tried using DDU to uninstall and then reinstall all appropriate drivers for your graphics card?

The DisplayPort cable I'm using is been confirmed to be working. I tested in on a friend's monitor not too long ago. As far as uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling I've done that multiple times and to no avail unfortunately. Whenever I do so it reverts back to the 640x480 resolution when using DisplayPort. So I end up having to recreate the custom resolution at 4096x2160

Maybe it's something to do with EDID? I'm not sure how to go about changing that setting though...

 

[KingKazma]

bump

 

[LucaFire]

Have you tried plugging another monitor into the DisplayPort and seeing if it reacts similarly? It could be that the port is just broken/damaged on the card.

 

[KingKazma]

Have you tried plugging another monitor into the DisplayPort and seeing if it reacts similarly? It could be that the port is just broken/damaged on the card.

I sure hope its not broken. I went and borrowed a DisplayPort monitor today, and got the same result. I'd really like to think that this is a software issue but I'm just not sure how to go along fixing it. My reasoning for that is because I was able to create the custom resolution through the Nvidia Control Panel so it looks fine whenever Windows starts up. Problem is that it is the software doing this, software that is not loaded when the computer is booting(obviously). Ideally, the monitor and the GPU should handshake and at that time decide the best resolution automatically as it does with HDMI rather than defaulting to a low resolution, that's also distorted

 

[LucaFire]

Have you tried going into the NVIDIA settings and seeing if you can find a culprit there?
At this point I am very lost - it sounds like it could be a software problem (considering it clears up when you set your own custom resolution and it still works).

At this point I would recommend contacting NVIDIA support and seeing what they can draw from this situation. I maintain that there seems to be a problem with the DisplayPort on the card - although I'm not technically knowledgeable enough to understand completely what is occurring.

 

[KingKazma]

Have you tried going into the NVIDIA settings and seeing if you can find a culprit there?
At this point I am very lost - it sounds like it could be a software problem (considering it clears up when you set your own custom resolution and it still works).

At this point I would recommend contacting NVIDIA support and seeing what they can draw from this situation. I maintain that there seems to be a problem with the DisplayPort on the card - although I'm not technically knowledgeable enough to understand completely what is occurring.

I was afraid you might suggest that. I'll call Nvidia nonetheless, but I was really hoping that it wouldn't come to that. I have horrible luck with their customer service :T I think I've voided the warranty anyway because I removed the stock cooler for an XSPC waterblock. I may just front the cash and get another GPU(assuming that's the issue at this point). It'd be hard to test out though, seeing that I have a custom water loop. It'll be cumbersome at best to try and get everything organized for a quick test.

 

[LucaFire]

If you can get that test done, please tell me how it goes.

 

[KingKazma]

If you can get that test done, please tell me how it goes.

Will do, thanks for your help btw.

 

[LucaFire]

No problem.
Again, when the conclusion comes in, tell me - I really want to know!

 

[LucaFire]

Also, if I've answered everything (so far), you can close the thread by selecting any comment that helped you the most throughout this discussion.

 

[KingKazma]

The verdict is in. Unfortunately it looks like I'll be buying another GPU Have any suggestions? I need it to be OS X compatible, so probably an Nvidia card is the best choice.

A little about what I use the card for, I will be doing professional 4k video and picture editing across Windows and OS X platforms. 4k @ 60Hz is a necessity. I'll occasionally game here and there but not more than I'll be editing. I've already lost so much time trouble shooting. Need to buy a worthwhile card ASAP. Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[LucaFire]

Well, in your case, I would recommend either a GTX 1080 or GTX 1070 (depending on your budget).
A GTX 1080 would cost around $600+ but also has more horsepower behind it
A GTX 1070 would cost around $390+ with a little less ability to pump out frames.

In your case, since you're going to need 4K I would recommend the GTX 1080 (if you're also going to be gaming at 4K - although, by itself, the GTX 1080 can't pump 60FPS on Ultra settings on games but will be fine editing video and pictures at 4K 60FPS).

You could of course wait for the GTX 1080 Ti, but it doesn't seem like you have the time to do that.

 

[KingKazma]

Well, in your case, I would recommend either a GTX 1080 or GTX 1070 (depending on your budget).
A GTX 1080 would cost around $600+ but also has more horsepower behind it
A GTX 1070 would cost around $390+ with a little less ability to pump out frames.

In your case, since you're going to need 4K I would recommend the GTX 1080 (if you're also going to be gaming at 4K - although, by itself, the GTX 1080 can't pump 60FPS on Ultra settings on games but will be fine editing video and pictures at 4K 60FPS).

You could of course wait for the GTX 1080 Ti, but it doesn't seem like you have the time to do that.

Thanks for the suggestion, and all the help!!

 

[LucaFire]

No problem, and good luck with your future projects!