X34a Overclocked but no 100Hz in NVIDIA Control Panel

lancewhite
lancewhite Member Posts: 4 New User
edited March 2023 in 2016 Archives

Hi All, 

 

I have been facing this issue for several weeks, the monitor was perfect for the first 2 weeks of owning it. but after 2 weeks, the screen would start flicking black during use ONLY on Displayport.

The issue would happen regardless of overclock or 'gaming settings' and regardless of whether G-Sync was enabled or not.

 

So the initail issue was after about 30 minutes or so of use, the screen would flash black, it would gradually start happening more and more until the screen was more black that disply output. It would then go to no signal.

When this occours, I could still use HDMI without issue. 

unplugging the monitor from power for a few hours would seem to reset the symptoms and I could then use it for half an hour or so again.

This began to get worse and even unplugging didn't work after a while, the display would just continiously flicker begining at 1 second intervals and gettting more frequent until boom, 'No Signal'

 

This is no longer the issue, but I will get back to that

 

Here is my config:

Windows 10 Home 64-bit

Intel 4790 Processor & Asus Maximus Ranger VII mobo (If these are relevant, I don't know)

2x Asus Strix GTX 970's in SLI

Acer Predator X34a Manufactured in August 2016

 

Initial Troubleshooting:

So when the issue first presented itself I:

Reset the display settings to default from OSD

Loaded optimised defaults in BIOS

Updated EVERY driver available 

Tested DP cable on both GPU's 

Disabled SLI and ran a single card

Updated vBIOS on both cards (Now currently running version: 84.04.84.00.2C)

Disabled overclock and ran everything at stock settings

Tested second DP cable (was a cheap one)

 

The issue still persisited

 

I then decided to get a new, good quality DP cable, I also needed a longish cable, so I got a 5 Metre cable, (the longest within VESA complaince I believe) - This may be a cause, but I'm not 100% sure 

 

So now I am faced with a new issue, the display will output fine, no flickering, no black screens, no 'No Signal'

My issue now is that whenever I set an overclock value (even the lowest of 75Hz all the way to 100Hz) the options for any value above 60Hz are not available within both NVidia Control Panel and 'Advanced Display Settings > Display Adaptor Properties'. Both of these have a max of 60Hz.

G-Sync and all other features have no issues and after an 'Apply and Reboot', the settings reflect correctly in the OSD.

 

SO to troubleshoot this furthur, I purchased a BRAND NEW SSD, performed a clean install of Windows 10 and installed ONLY:

All Windows 10 updates

Current manufacturer motherboard drivers 

NVIDIA GeForce Experience

ASUS GPU Tweak (Manufacturer GPU software - I would usually run MSI Afterburner)

 

Anyway, I had seen that a few weeks after my X34a was manufacturered there was a Firmware update for the Display and by this point I am convinced that this is a hardware fault.

 

I called Acer Support this evening and I explained everything above to him, he advised me to "reset the display settings to default, check for any new driver and Windows updates and call back"

I did so, just in case, and then called back and got THE SAME GUY!

He advised me that since 'All the troubleshooting had been done', that it was a software issue, working in tech support in the past, this made no sense to me.

I was given another number (I am located in New Zealand) - ************ (an Australian number) 

The tech told me this number is 'Acers Software Engineers' and if they resolve the issue, there will be a fee. I wasn't ready to pay a fee when this monitor is the price it is and there are so many documented (unoffical, albeit) issues.

 

Anyway I would appreciate some input from the community here, I have done all the troubleshooting I believe needs to be done to isoalte this issue.

 

-----

 

Actually! Hold on here a second!

 

I have come to this point and while writing this I thought it might be worthwhile testing the original Acer DP cable on the fresh W10 install. With this cable, the original issue has returned, the flickering. However, when I was able to briefly see the display output, I CAN set 100Hz, however, the monitor is un-usable with this cable. 

 

Just while writing this I MAY have isolated my issue!

I will park this one for now and purchase a cable shorter than 5 Metres and report back.

 

[edited for privacy-please do not post personal or unique information such as but not limited to full names, email addresses, phone numbers, full serial numbers, etc.]

Answers

  • lancewhite
    lancewhite Member Posts: 4 New User

    So I made some progress on this now, I have bought a 2 metre cable of the same brand as the 5 metre cable. 

    With the 2 metre cable, I get the same behaviour as the original cable that shipped with the display.

     

    At this point I am truly convinced it's a faulty monitor. All I can think to do is to test this now is to try on another PC to be 100% sure. I am really reluctant to call Acer support again as they weren't too helpful and also wanted me to pay. 

     

    Pretty dissapointed that this is the outcome so far, I have spent about 100NZD on new DP cables to test this issue.

     

    If anyone has any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated

  • lancewhite
    lancewhite Member Posts: 4 New User

    Update on this again, 

     

    I have taken the monitor to a friends house to test. 

    He has a GTX 1070 and gets identical behaviour as my PC, we tested with each cable I have and it's all the same. 

     

    I have contacted the place of purchase and they have said they can provide me a fullr efun or exchange, I will call Acer support again soon and see what they say since I have tried it on other PC now and am having the same issues. 

  • fst2011
    fst2011 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter

    I know amonth or so had pass but was checking to see if you figured out the issue or just returned for full refund. Also can you please post the manufactured date of the monitor please.

     

    I also just bought the same monitor and getting ready to OC to 100hz but keep hearing all sorts of issues. Curious what happened, please fill us in. Thanks in advance

     

     

    Max

     

    Win 10 Pro 64-bit
    MSI XC99A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 2011 - v3
    Intel Core i7 - 6800k 6 Core 3.4GHz
    G.SKILL Ram 32 Gb DDR4 3200MHz
    EVGA Geforce GTX 1080 FTW
    Samsung EVO 1TB SSD
    WD Black 4TB
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Cooler Master V8 GTS CPU Cooler
    Raidmax Vampire RX1000W
    Corsair 780T Black
    Predator X34 Ultra-Wide G-Sync

  • lancewhite
    lancewhite Member Posts: 4 New User

    fst2011 wrote:

    I know amonth or so had pass but was checking to see if you figured out the issue or just returned for full refund. Also can you please post the manufactured date of the monitor please.

     

    I also just bought the same monitor and getting ready to OC to 100hz but keep hearing all sorts of issues. Curious what happened, please fill us in. Thanks in advance

     

     

    Max

     

    Win 10 Pro 64-bit
    MSI XC99A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 2011 - v3
    Intel Core i7 - 6800k 6 Core 3.4GHz
    G.SKILL Ram 32 Gb DDR4 3200MHz
    EVGA Geforce GTX 1080 FTW
    Samsung EVO 1TB SSD
    WD Black 4TB
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Cooler Master V8 GTS CPU Cooler
    Raidmax Vampire RX1000W
    Corsair 780T Black
    Predator X34 Ultra-Wide G-Sync


    To be honest I have been a bit slack with this. I ended up contacting the original place of purchase and they told me I could return it no questions asked, they told me that basically every unit they had sold has been returned and they wouldn't replace it but would give me a full refund. I was planning to go ahead with that and then, just my luck when unplugging all the cables, it pivoted on the stand and hit the back of my PC case and I smashed the panel Smiley Sad So now I am in the process of getting a replacement through my contents insurance. Really has been a hassle, I have owned it for months now and only used it very minimally for 2 weeks (other than troubleshooting) My monitor was manufactured in August 2016 according to the serial number label that was on the box. Best of luck with yours! It really is the only monitor out there that met the requirements I was looking for, it is also **bleep** sexy
  • fst2011
    fst2011 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter

    lancewhite, thanks for the info sorry to hear about your monitor. hope things work out for you in the long run.

     

     

    Max

     

     

    Win 10 Pro 64-bit
    MSI XC99A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 2011 - v3
    Intel Core i7 - 6800k 6 Core 3.4GHz
    G.SKILL Ram 32 Gb DDR4 3200MHz
    EVGA Geforce GTX 1080 FTW
    Samsung EVO 1TB SSD
    WD Black 4TB
    Creative Sound Blaster Z
    Cooler Master V8 GTS CPU Cooler
    Raidmax Vampire RX1000W
    Corsair 780T Black
    Predator X34 Ultra-Wide G-Sync

    * Cats Are Walking Static Death Bombs *