XG270HU random flickering over 60hz

I am having a flickering issue after buying the Acer XG270HU for the FreeSync support. I am seeing random flickering every few seconds if the monitor runs at anything higher than 60hz (freesync on, crossfire disabled). I created a short video showing what is happening, if you click at 1:15 seconds you can see the flicker twice, just keep looping the video. Its not always in the same part of the screen and its really random but consistent. It does not happen when I set the display to 60hz, it starts happening (even on the desktop) if the display is set to 120hz or 144hz or freesync is dynamically changing it over 60hz. The first part of the video I zoom into show you that freesync is enabled noting the Hz changing with the fps of the game (Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfRVFiH6Cw4

Hardware

Acer XG270HU

AMD R9 290X (Catalyst 15.5 Beta)

Using Display Port 1.2 cable that came with the Acer

Is this something I need to send this monitor in for service/replacement?

Accepted answers

voigt

On a whim I decided to buy another DP cable and so far so good, I have used both the 14.12 and 15.5 beta drivers all day. I have not seen a single flicker at 144hz since.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EFDQHUU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Here is the cable I purchased, maybe you will have similar luck. Apparently the cable that ships with the Acer is the worst cable ever if so many people are having this problem.

All comments

micleg

http://community.acer.com/t5/Monitors/Flashing-flicker-blinking-display-XB270HU-in-this-case/m-p/362642#U362642

I have almost none flickering now with driver 353.06 but I will soon try two or three other DP cables.

voigt

On a whim I decided to buy another DP cable and so far so good, I have used both the 14.12 and 15.5 beta drivers all day. I have not seen a single flicker at 144hz since.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EFDQHUU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Here is the cable I purchased, maybe you will have similar luck. Apparently the cable that ships with the Acer is the worst cable ever if so many people are having this problem.

-Justin

I have confirmed with our engineers that these monitors should have the updated firmware on them to address some Freesync and Overdrive issues. If you are experiencing some flickering we do suggest that you try a new Display Port cable to see if that resolves it. If you do not have a Display Port cable to test with please either contact our technical support group or send me a message and I will have a cable sent out to test with.

UserID10T

Hey there, Jason!

I just purchased the XG270HU, and am suffering from the flickering when using Freesync. I'd followed the suggestion to try the monoprice cable, which did not resolve the issue, and it persists with no noticable change in flicker. You were not online when I registered and posted this, so I'll keep an eye when you're online, as you seem to be versed in this issue.

I really do not want to return this monitor to the store. When the issue is not happening(it flickers more often than not), I am experiencing a whole new level of productivity and gaming. However, when I can't see the screen from flickering and black outs...it's kind of impossible to enjoy the full experience.

Thanks for any help!

-Justin

UserID10T,

If you have not looked through this thread for some of the troubleshooting steps other users have went through I would ask that you read it through. I would be happy to send you a cable from our end to see if that helps resolve the issue, just in case.

Boom123

Hello,

I am having exactly the same issues as described by other users in this thread. I have tried another cable and seen no difference. What should I do?

CSXParasite

Hey Justin,

I'm also having all the issues associated with the XG270UH, I did get a new 1M DP 1.2 cable from Accel, as someone in the forum had recommended and I did notice some reduced flickering when running 1440p@144hz, some games do run at 100mhz and freesync enabled but many only run at 60hz.

Im not fond of downclocking my video card as my r290x video card is OCed from manufacturer and would like it to have that speed boost.

Unplugging and re-plugging DP sometimes stabalizes the issue, and the worst part is that when running at 144hz there are loud popping noises when it flickers.

Just got this bad boy about 2 months ago and was playing everything at 60hz, until I realized you can bump it up with a DP 1.2 and run the freesync on it, thats why I bought it, and it has failed so far. I thought it might be my video card but from reading all the posts, and seeing how the new DP1.2 cable reacted to the monitor I can assume that it might be a Firmware issue and that my monitor might have to be sent in for repair.

I did the firmware check on the monitor by turning off monitor, holding e button (farthest button to left) and the power button (farthers button to right) at the same time and waiting for desktop, then releasing the power button and then releasing the E button and pressing E button again.

Firmware is as follows

16_06_08-3

Is that firmware still the bad version? Do I have to downclock my videocard? I also read that you might have to downclock your memory? My timings are at 9-9-9-24.

Currently OC'ing my old AMD8-core Zambezi (FX-8150) with watercooling and running stable at 4.1 ghz

16gb 1600mhz

On a ASUS Saberthooth 990fx Mobo. Also using latest AMD Crimson Drivers (16.50.2611-170113a-310468E ), CPUID says im at 1000mhz clock speed with video card, not sure if that is stock or OC.

Also tried to install your driver from website, did manage to do so after a couple of tries, but it was latter suggested I use the Generic Display PnP driver from windows.

Only running a single card, with my thrid DP12 cable (stock cable does the same as well as a cheaper DP1.2 cable I bought that had false claims of 2k@144hz support.)

Accell DisplayPort 1.2, the one recommended from the VESA website.

Im at my wits end, I can't return it, but since I just bought it about 2 months ago, Im hoping that my 1 year warranty can cover the repair on my monitor, also to note, is that a dead pixel and some stuck pixels have appeared as a result of testing out games and different cables at 144hz. Please help a brother out, other than that Acer has been a sweet company and I still sell your laptops and monitors at our tech shop.

Regards,

Anoneom

I got the flickering to stop by installing the windows 8 driver in the support page, but with that driver the monitor cant properly display png images and the internet is full of those. i cant browse my facebook page because of it.

CSxParasite2

This is CSxParasite replying to my own post as another account, since my first one I cannot get into.

But straight to the point, I found a solution to all my issues!

Great news indeed, it was my video-card the whole time. After the monitor returned to me fromt he repair center, I had to make sure it was not the monitor. But they said everything worked at 144hz no problem, so I had to blame my video-card next. After swapping my video-card with another one that supported 144hz, I came to the conclusion that the monitor was working fine, and that my video-card somehow did not like 144hz.

XFX 290x 8 gb. If anyone has this exact same card, you might run into the same issue I did. I read other 290x cards had the same issue. It must be something on the board that triggers it. Luckly I had registered my card, and XFX has a lifetime warranty. Shipped it in and it was confirmed to be failing at 144hz, they replaced it with a 390x 8gb. So the 290x series was just a lemon all around if they arent even fixing them. Only at 144hz mind you, it worked fine with all the other games. With the new 390x installed everything ran just fine! No more flickering, no more popping. Acer tech support was quick at looking at my monitor so props to them. I still stand behind Acer as a go-to for badass monitors. Looks like the video card was the culprit afterall.

Happy hunting!

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