RX480 and dual 4K 60Hz monitor woes, what to do?

[fleshconsumed]

So I decided to splurge and got two 4K 60Hz Freesync LG 27UD68 screens. My R9 290 didn't have necessary interfaces to drive those properly so I picked up an MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8GB to go along. All in all close to a $1K of cash spent

The problem is I just can't get the new setup to work properly at 4K at 60Hz no matter what I do.
1. Problem one I typically set my monitors to go to sleep after 5-10 minutes to cut down on power usage and if I use DisplayPort interfaces windows moves all my applications to primary monitors when my monitors come out of sleep. This issues is described at length over here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...or-power/1653aafb-848b-464a-8c69-1a68fbd106aa And we even had a thread on it at anandtech. I've tried modifying registry as described in the thread, but it does not work. I've tried connecting both monitors via DP to RX 480, I've tried connecting one of my monitor to RX 480 and one to iGPU, my windows still get rearranged. Nothing works.
2. Problem two, if I use HDMI interface to connect my monitors all my windows and icons stay in place when coming out of sleep, but then I get random monitor blanking out for a couple of seconds every so often. Basically the monitor would go blank/black for ~2 seconds, sometimes it happens every 10 seconds, and sometimes I can go for a few hours without issues. I get it on both monitors, on desktop and while playing games. I have tried changing cables, I have installed monitor drivers, I have installed latest AMD drivers, even did DDU reinstall of AMD drivers, I have changed video output from YCbCr to RGB, I have lowered refresh rate to 50Hz which is the lowest I can tolerate, nothing helps. AMD forums have a topic on it https://community.amd.com/message/2757442

Basically whether I use DP or HDMI I have some kind of problem driving 4K at 60Hz. I'm out of options of what to do. The only option I haven't tried yet is clean reinstall of entire OS. I love the new monitors but I just can't live with windows constantly rearranging my windows or random screen blanking out. Do I RMA my video card to newegg and risk missing out on the $20 rebate that was included? Got 11 days left to submit rebate and I don't think I can get a card back from newegg that quick. Or do I just return my new 4K monitors and give up on the whole thing?

 

[Chicken76]

Can't say anything regarding Problem 1, but have you tried connecting just one monitor and use HDMI to see if you still have the blanking problems? If you do, try switching the monitors and the HDMI port. Maybe you have a monitor with a defect or a problem with the HDMI output of your RX480.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Can't say anything regarding Problem 1, but have you tried connecting just one monitor and use HDMI to see if you still have the blanking problems? If you do, try switching the monitors and the HDMI port. Maybe you have a monitor with a defect or a problem with the HDMI output of your RX480.

I specifically picked MSI RX 480 because it has two DP and two HDMI ports to have the most flexibility in output options given that I have dual monitors. I knew about DP window rearranging problem and wanted a card with two HDMI outputs just in case. I just didn't think I'd still have problems with HDMI too. In scenario two both my monitors are connected via HDMI to RX 480, and both monitors blank out, so sadly I don't think it's the monitors (unless the entire LG 27UD68 line is defective, but according to thread in AMD community it looks like people have the same problem with other 4K TVs as well).

 

[Chicken76]

Does the problem appear only when using two 4K displays or you have the blankings with just one monitor connected also?

 

[Stuka87]

The HDMI port blanking out is a VERY common issue. Here at work we use HDMI for our main projector, and it happens during pretty much every meeting. Regardless of the computer hooked up, be it a Mac or Windows. Here at my desk i run one display with DP, and one with HDMI (Both are Dell 1200P displays). The HDMI one blanks out a couple of times a day. This is with a Dell M3800 which uses a Quadro 1000 video card (well, and the integrated Intel).

I have no found any fix for the HDMI issue.

The icon issue is a Windows thing, that is just annoying.

 

[Bacon1]

Problem one I typically set my monitors to go to sleep after 5-10 minutes to cut down on power usage and if I use DisplayPort interfaces windows moves all my applications to primary monitors when my monitors come out of sleep. This issues is described at length over here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...or-power/1653aafb-848b-464a-8c69-1a68fbd106aa And we even had a thread on it at anandtech. I've tried modifying registry as described in the thread, but it does not work. I've tried connecting both monitors via DP to RX 480, I've tried connecting one of my monitor to RX 480 and one to iGPU, my windows still get rearranged. Nothing works.

Sadly this is just a stupid "feature" of windows. When sleeping / monitor turns off, windows thinks you disconnected it so says "hey let me rearrange everything for you so you don't lose that window!"...

Very annoying :\

 

[Rifter]

The HDMI port blanking out is a VERY common issue. Here at work we use HDMI for our main projector, and it happens during pretty much every meeting. Regardless of the computer hooked up, be it a Mac or Windows. Here at my desk i run one display with DP, and one with HDMI (Both are Dell 1200P displays). The HDMI one blanks out a couple of times a day. This is with a Dell M3800 which uses a Quadro 1000 video card (well, and the integrated Intel).

I have no found any fix for the HDMI issue.

The icon issue is a Windows thing, that is just annoying.

Same at my work, we have a boardroom laptop hooked up to a projector. Its a Dell laptop with integrated intel GPU. Blanks out few times a day.

So unfortunately OP i doubt your blanking issues are a defective GPU or display, and likely some HDMI bug.

 

[namx01]

Just a shot in the dark but did you try the hybrid sleep option in the power plan?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I don't have HDMI monitor blanking / "blacking" issues currently, on my 7950 3GB card, connected to my Westinghouse 24" HDTV 1080P monitor, but I used to have some issues with that when I was at my prior apt., with a GTX460 1GB OC WindForce card, driving a KDS 26" LCD monitor, at 1920x1200 (1200P), with audio. Apparently, that was right at the edge of the HDMI specs, for NV cards. I fixed it by replacing my generic HDMI cable, with a different, branded one. (A "Firefold" cable.)

Right now, I'm using 10' generic HDMI cables, that I think I bought from 1saleaday / BensBargains, when they used to sell items, before they became a "deal site", and stopped selling merchandise directly.

Edit: I should note that the GTX460 card I was using at the time, had a "mini-HDMI" port native on the card, and had a stubby adapter (not a cable), to plug in a regular-sized HDMI cable. This adapter, had to plug in at a slight angle, so that might have something to do with it too. But a new cable did seem to fix it. As did, switching to DVI-D, which was my other option, only that option didn't carry the audio to the monitor.

 

[giantpandaman2]

I'd try either active HDMI cables or some lower gauge short HDMI cables. Preferably certified at 18gbps speeds.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Small update, no real resolution yet. Did lots of googling yesterday, I've seen someone recommending disabling HDMI audio, did that, did not help. Also apparently 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 can be a real pain over 25' (and sometimes even shorter distances) as evident by the thread on avsforum http://www.avsforum.com/forum/168-h...-support-4k-60hz-4-4-4-chroma-deep-color.html I was a bit surprised by that thread and by all responses over here because honestly I have never ever had problems with HDMI. I have had 1080p monitors connected via HDMI cables before and my current HTPC setup is driving 1080p LCD TV and 1080p projector via HDMI with zero problems. The projector I'm guessing has 25 to 35' of HDMI cable running to it, a 6' cable, then female-to-female adapter, another 15'+ HDMI cable, second female-to-female adapter, and another 10' HDMI cable running to the actual projector. It's a weird setup, but I did it to test the setup before I put the cable in the subfloor. It's all working flawlessly, this is the first time I'm running into HDMI issues. I guess it makes sense that 4K 60Hz would be more sensitive to poor cables, but I did not expect the problem to be so widespread, and if the cables are the issue, I certainly did not expect LG to include non-working cables in the monitor box.

So as it is, I currently disabled second monitor and testing my setup with one monitor only connected using HDMI. It's too soon to tell if it'll work as the blackouts can be sporadic. I have also ordered two 24AWG HDMI cables from monoprice, hoping thicker gauge wires will solve my issues.

 

[wilds]

Do you get zero flickering with 24 hz? I'm not saying 24hz is useable however, haha.

 

[fleshconsumed]

I never had any problems with Deep Color disabled on LG monitors which effectively forces 30Hz refresh rate. However 30Hz is horrid. 50Hz is almost acceptable, but unfortunately I still have blackouts even at 50Hz. Just waiting on those 24AWG cables from monoprice now...

 

[Dave2150]

So I decided to splurge and got two 4K 60Hz Freesync LG 27UD68 screens. My R9 290 didn't have necessary interfaces to drive those properly so I picked up an MSI RX 480 Gaming X 8GB to go along. All in all close to a $1K of cash spent

The problem is I just can't get the new setup to work properly at 4K at 60Hz no matter what I do.
1. Problem one I typically set my monitors to go to sleep after 5-10 minutes to cut down on power usage and if I use DisplayPort interfaces windows moves all my applications to primary monitors when my monitors come out of sleep. This issues is described at length over here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...or-power/1653aafb-848b-464a-8c69-1a68fbd106aa And we even had a thread on it at anandtech. I've tried modifying registry as described in the thread, but it does not work. I've tried connecting both monitors via DP to RX 480, I've tried connecting one of my monitor to RX 480 and one to iGPU, my windows still get rearranged. Nothing works.
2. Problem two, if I use HDMI interface to connect my monitors all my windows and icons stay in place when coming out of sleep, but then I get random monitor blanking out for a couple of seconds every so often. Basically the monitor would go blank/black for ~2 seconds, sometimes it happens every 10 seconds, and sometimes I can go for a few hours without issues. I get it on both monitors, on desktop and while playing games. I have tried changing cables, I have installed monitor drivers, I have installed latest AMD drivers, even did DDU reinstall of AMD drivers, I have changed video output from YCbCr to RGB, I have lowered refresh rate to 50Hz which is the lowest I can tolerate, nothing helps. AMD forums have a topic on it https://community.amd.com/message/2757442

Basically whether I use DP or HDMI I have some kind of problem driving 4K at 60Hz. I'm out of options of what to do. The only option I haven't tried yet is clean reinstall of entire OS. I love the new monitors but I just can't live with windows constantly rearranging my windows or random screen blanking out. Do I RMA my video card to newegg and risk missing out on the $20 rebate that was included? Got 11 days left to submit rebate and I don't think I can get a card back from newegg that quick. Or do I just return my new 4K monitors and give up on the whole thing?

The black screen issue is a faulty card for sure. I had exactly the same problem on my 390X, RMA'd it and the replacement was perfect.

Out of curiosity, what DP cables are you using? Make sure they are DP certified ones and are 2M or less.

Check if your cables are certified here: http://www.displayport.org/products-database/

 

[fleshconsumed]

The black screen issue is a faulty card for sure. I had exactly the same problem on my 390X, RMA'd it and the replacement was perfect.

Out of curiosity, what DP cables are you using? Make sure they are DP certified ones and are 2M or less.

Check if your cables are certified here: http://www.displayport.org/products-database/

I use DP cables that came with monitors, however, to be clear I don't get black screens with DP. I only get black screens with HDMI.

Did your 390X have problem with DP or HDMI?

 

[tential]

My 25 foot hdmi cable was good for 1 day before blacking out a lot.

As you said, Google tells you it's not a great choice. Many have confirmed that.

I have no idea how you're projector is working like that. That's a crazy distance.

Our projector at work stopped doing 1080p 60hz over hdmi. I really feel like the cables get worse over time too but I have no way to back up such a claim whatsoever.

 

[Dave2150]

I use DP cables that came with monitors, however, to be clear I don't get black screens with DP. I only get black screens with HDMI.

Did your 390X have problem with DP or HDMI?

I use DP cables that came with monitors, however, to be clear I don't get black screens with DP. I only get black screens with HDMI.

Did your 390X have problem with DP or HDMI?

Oh I'm sorry, I misread your post.

Yes I only had black screens via DP, and only when driving 1440P 144Hz.

I'd try your best to fix the DP issue firstly, since that's AMD's preferred connection type.

 

[fleshconsumed]

I'd try your best to fix the DP issue firstly, since that's AMD's preferred connection type.

I did everything I could to fix the DP problem including DDU'ing my previous drivers in safe mode and deleting/fixing registry entries under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration. The only thing left is to do a clean reinstall and I won't have time to do it until two weeks from now.

Also, tried disconnecting the second monitor, it did not help, the monitor that was left was still blanking out. The new 24awg cables are supposed to be delivered tonight, crossing my fingers it'll fix HDMI blanking out because I don't have any other options left.

 

[William Gaatjes]

At such a high resolution, i suspect the quality of the cables. Signal integrity is very important and at 4K resolution, cheap hdmi cables that are also of long length can causes issues.
Personally, i just use 1080p resolution but i bought a 4K capable hdmi cable of 5 meters long. It was not the most expensive cable, but certainly not the cheapest cable either. I never had any issues and picture looks great.

 

[giantpandaman2]

I'm actually not sure that Monoprice's 24 AWG cables can handle 4K @ 60 4:4:4. I'd say you need to step up to the Luxe series for distances greater than 20ft or the Certified Premium cables for shorter runs. Monoprice lists what each cable supports pretty clearly.

 

[gus6464]

I was just going through the same issue with my Samsung KU6300 and GTX 1070 with the screen cutting in and out. It was the cable. This is the cable you want to get from monoprice.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024014&p_id=13591&seq=1&format=2

This is the original one I got that can't seem to do 4K 444 @ 60Hz.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024021&p_id=15428&seq=1&format=2

 

[fleshconsumed]

Well, the 24awg cables are still blanking out, although not as bad as the other cables I have which lends some ground to theory that it's the cables. Surprisingly, the 6ft seems to be a bit more stable than 5ft one. Stupid. Why the hell HDMI standard is so sensitive to cable quality? I'm not running 25' to my projector, I'm just trying to power my monitors, it's just 6 stinking feet. Sigh... I guess I'll be buying more cables soon.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Maybe this will help some :

https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-2-0-what-you-need-to-know/

Will I need a new cable?
NO! Well, probably not. Here is the exact quote from HDMI.org: "Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification does not define new cables or new connectors. Current High Speed cables (category 2 cables) are capable of carrying the increased bandwidth." Emphasis mine. Here's another direct quote: "HDMI 2.0, which is backwards-compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI specifications..."
Version 2.0 (like 1.4 before it) is entirely a hardware change. It is not a cable change. You can expect cable manufacturers to proclaim that you need expensive new "Version 2.0 cables" but this is untrue. Your current High Speed cables should work just fine.
I hedge with "should" as if the cable isn't fully up to the High Speed spec, it might not work. In this case, you might get dropouts or sparkles (as discussed in this article). If you do, a different but not more expensive HDMI cable should work just fine.
It's worth mentioning, again, that 4K HDMI cables are nonsense.

 

[William Gaatjes]

In the home, there are only four basic types of HDMI cables:

• High-speed (also called Category 2)
• High-speed (also called Category 2) with Ethernet
• Standard-speed (Category 1)
• Standard-speed (Category 1) with Ethernet

That's it. Standard-speed cables are rated to carry up to 1080i. Many standard-speed cables can probably handle 1080p, they're just not rated for it.
High-speed cables can do well beyond 1080p (up to 4K, so you don't need "4K HDMI cables"), including 3D. Check out my article on how 3D content works for more info on that.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Well, what you mention in the op kind of remembers me of when i turn on my TV that i have connected to my pc (A10-6700 AMD APU) through hdmi . My pc monitor (DVI connected) will go black for a few seconds because windows is doing some graphic stuff and driver loading i guess. After a second or 2, All is normal. I have the same thing when i turn off the tv again. Maybe it is not your cables, but a windows issue. Some power safe issue or windows device detect issue ?

I did notice, that when i switch my monitor input from pc to raspberry pi, that after a few times of switching forth and back, windows 10 does not understand it anymore and will no longer display an image to my monitor. When i turn on my tv, and check with the AMD catalyst control center, the AMD CCC mentions that i have an tv and a monitor connected. As soon as i log off, the picture to my monitor reappears. I think windows 10 still has some weird bugs in it. Maybe you have also some windows 10 issue.