Intel I5-3570k screen flickering

[SyndromeOCZ]

Problem: When I'm watching videos with Netflix or Youtube, or KMP, or Cyberlink then my screen flickers, it isn't a timed flicker, it seems to occur randomly. I have uploaded a video of the flicker.

http://youtu.be/pJuO2A9wPdM


Computer Build:
Biostar B75MU3+
Intel I5-3570k
32GB Crucial Ballistix RAM
OCZ Vertex 4
Toshiba 40" 40SL412U
LG M2452D

Heres the thing, I used to have a Intel I3-3225 in here with some 32gb G. Skill RAM When I was upgrading my CPU then I also put in a larger heat sink, which wouldn't fit over the top of the heat plates on the RAM. So I upgraded to the Ballistix ram. When I had the old i3 in then I had zero issues with my screen flickering.

I did the RAM and CPU upgrade at the same time, but I tried using 16gb of the G. skill ram and it flickered, along with using 16 GB of the Ballistix, and 32gb of the Ballistix. I got flickering with all 3 variations of RAM.

While running the Ballistix ram I changed the XMP profile making it so it was running on CAS 8 when XMP was activate, and CAS 9 when it was default. I got more flickering when on CAS 9.

Note that my CPU temperature is from 20-27 C while it is flickering.

Any ideas on what to do to fix it? I've googled around and haven't found much solutions, though I have seen other posts on the net about this processor having some graphics issues.

 

[Smoove910]

are you overclocked at all? (CPU/RAM)

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

No, it is all stock right now. Sorry I should have mentioned that in the OP.

 

[Smoove910]

What VGA do you have? Have you updated the drivers for it? With you having this issue through 3 sets of RAM would lead me to believe it's NOT RAM related. I could be wrong though...

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I'm just running Intel HD 4000 graphics. Driver Version 8.15.10.2618

Ok I just updated to 9.17.10.2875 I'll see if that fixed it.

After the update it still flickered. 1 solution down, 100,000 to go. lol.

Reading around on the net with issues with this CPU/GPU it seems that people have switched rams around and it still hasn't fixed the issue, though some say if you take out all but 1 chip it goes away. But I would like to keep my full set. They also say it helps to go to a single monitor, but again I would like to keep my full set up.

 

[Steltek]

Did you check to make sure your video cables were firmly pressed into the ports (both at the motherboard and monitor) along with the monitor power plug? Also, before you do anything else, try swapping out your video cable.

One other thing you can check is to make sure the refresh rate isn't set too high for the monitor. It also wouldn't hurt to try your monitor on another computer (or, try another monitor on your computer) to ensure you don't have a failing monitor.

EDIT: Okay, dual monitors, so it is probably not a monitor or cable issue.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I did move all of my monitor cables around prior to OP. I don't think its the monitor because changing my RAM configuration did effect the rate of the flickers, the video posted is the least flickers I have managed. Some configurations would flicker once every few seconds.

 

[Steltek]

Now that I think about it, I believe that I dimly recall an Intel statement about this being a BIOS issue that would require a BIOS update from the motherboard manufacturer to resolve. The i7-3770k has the same problem, which is why I recall that it initially came to my attention.

Removing all but one of the memory modules to put the memory in single channel mode was a work around, but a BIOS update was the only solution.

I'll look around for it and see if I can remember where I found that information.

EDIT:

Found it - it was in the Intel Support Community forums. It also appears that a BIOS update doesn't necessarily solve the problem, either, based upon the most recent postings in that thread:

http://communities.intel.com/message/171578

It might be worth it to add a PCIe graphics card to your system to eliminate the problem altogether (it really doesn't look like the issue is going to be fixed any time soon, based upon the progression of that thread).

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

It might be worth it to add a PCIe graphics card to your system to eliminate the problem altogether (it really doesn't look like the issue is going to be fixed any time soon, based upon the progression of that thread).

I will have to update the BIOS and see if that fixes it, looking at it now there is 1 version newer than what I have installed.

I would rather get a different CPU than go with Nvidia or ATi. I built this desktop to be efficient rather than a huge power house. The only reason I got the I5-3570k is because my brother traded me straight across for my old I3-3225. He needed it for one of those new PC's that only have a 60 watt power block.