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Yet another GTX Issue

Tags:
  • Zotac
  • Graphics
  • Gtx
  • 550 Ti
  • HDMI output flicker
  • Nvidia
  • Nvidia GTX
  • Screen Flicker
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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November 24, 2013 4:54:35 PM

First thing to note; I'm using an Emerson 40" HDTV.
I recently upgraded my rig with a new video card, processor and RAM, followed by a full re-install of Windows 7 x64.

Since the upgrade (to the Zotac Nvidia GTX 550Ti) I've had nothing but problems. After installing the latest driver for the GTX, the computer would freeze up from time to time, and this would lead to it shutting down on its own. I was never presented with a BSOD, and nothing came up in event viewer.
On top of that, I had to roll back the HDMI audio out driver, because any time audio would come through the HDMI, my screen would flicker twice as if changing video modes, like it would if a full screen game was launched.

This issue has been temporarily fixed by installing the 314.22 HQL driver from Nvidia, instead of using the most current. So far, it has been mostly stable, although I still have to roll back the HDMI audio drivers from Nvidia to generic Microsoft drivers (same issue as above).

That being said, I'm still having a real problem. Intermittently, I still get a screen flicker, again similar to switching video modes for a full screen game. That's the closest I can describe it. Doesn't happen very often, and I can't really replicate the problem. It seems to occur randomly - when writing a document, surfing the web, or playing games.

I did raise the clock speed for my RAM by one step after the upgrade, as it's advertised as running at 1066Mhz but the default clock is 800Mhz, but after these problems started I reset all of my BIOS configurations except disabling power saving and 'green' functions. Otherwise my CPU would be under clocked. The problems still persist. Also, setting clock speeds of any kind are a relatively alien practice for me.

Current System Information:

OS: Windows 7 64bit
Res: 1920x1080 150% DPI
Mobo: Gigabyte EP43-UD3L
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4Ghz socket 775
RAM: 8G (4x Kingston HyperX DDR2 1066 KHX8500D2K2/4G)
Video: Zotac Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB (HDMI 1 output)
Display: Emerson 40" not sure the model at the moment

Old System Information:

OS: Windows 7 32bit
Intel Core 2 Duo @2.9Ghz
Ram: 4G (2x Kingston HyperX DDR2 1066 KHX8500D2K2/4G)
Video: Nvidia GeForce 220 1GB

Note: Never had any problems with my old setup, anything not listed is the same as my upgraded specs.

Sorry I wrote a book here, but I've exhausted my research and attempts at fixing this, and I'm hoping someone has some information I may have overlooked. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread over the next couple days.

UPDATE: If it matters, I think either my TV, Win7, or the Nvidia software has some sort of automatic contrast adjust feature. Best example of this; Minimize and maximize a bright window like chrome or firefox, with a dark desktop background, and the screen darkens and brightens a few degrees, respectively. I can tell by watching the start bar. I haven't found an option to disable this.

More about : gtx issue

a b Î Nvidia
November 24, 2013 5:08:22 PM

Check the memory with Memtest 86.
Sometimes different runs of memory have the same main cas latencies but have different secondary latencies.
The 150%dpi can be a problem sometimes.
On a 40 inch screen the default of 96dpi should be fine and much sharper. It would be better to set the desktop to large icons in you need to.
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a b Î Nvidia
November 24, 2013 5:10:28 PM

For your update check the power saving options for the tv.
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November 24, 2013 5:27:11 PM

Unolocogringo said:
Check the memory with Memtest 86.
Sometimes different runs of memory have the same main cas latencies but have different secondary latencies.
The 150%dpi can be a problem sometimes.
On a 40 inch screen the default of 96dpi should be fine and much sharper. It would be better to set the desktop to large icons in you need to.


I'll run memtest tonight before I go to bed, it's 20:23 UTC here. On a side note, two modules are non-ecc, and two are ecc compliant. Thought it was odd that they actually worked together. I did have to buy the RAM from an e-bay seller so I should have done it sooner. He's kept in contact since the purchase, and said if there's any problems I can RMA it for an exchange he keeps in stock, and he's got a good review ratio too. Funny though, he sent it in a Crest box (still in anti-static pack) so it was minty fresh :p .

Unolocogringo said:
For your update check the power saving options for the tv.


The TV does have a power save option, but it's a toggle, and I keep it off. When I find the manual to get the model number, I'll check if there's a firmware update. Maybe that will reveal an otherwise hidden option for auto contrast control.

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November 24, 2013 5:37:01 PM

Thanks for the quick responses btw :) 

I run the high DPI because I sit on my couch to browse the web, IM through Pidgin/Xfire/Steam/Raptr, watch movies and generally speaking muck around on windows. It gets to be a strain to read small text in some cases. I'll go ahead and set default zoom in my browsers, and change the windows font sizes and anything else that might help on a default DPI setting. Been meaning to do it anyway.
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December 6, 2013 1:18:29 AM

Sorry about the long MIA. I've been doing some extensive troubleshooting in the mean time.
Here's what I've attempted:
Ran a memtest - all green
Ran a video card stress test - all green
Created a new user on my pc, with default resolution and DPI settings and used it for about a week
Bought a new HDMI cable
Tested the connections on the inside of the computer

After doing all of these, the screen still flickers intermittently. The dynamic contrast feature, whether in windows or on my TV, is still active and I have yet to find a way to disable it (wasn't present in my previous build, so it's got to be either a Windows or Nvidia feature). The most recent Nvidia drivers still cause random crashes on my PC, with no BSOD or error log. The most recent HDMI audio driver with the Nvidia driver package still causes constant screen flickering with audio playback of any kind - and the sounds are cut off so you can't really tell that there's any audio playback at all.

Anyone, have any kind of suggestions here? Anything would be greatly appreciated.
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Best solution

a b Î Nvidia
December 6, 2013 5:27:10 AM

Have you tried installing the older drivers with the custom option?

Then check the option for a clean install.
This will remove all previous driver versions.
Sometimes when installing older drivers over new drivers parts of the new drivers are left installed. This will cause conflicts and errors.

You can also try this tool which will remove left over registry entries etc...It also prevents windows from automatically upgrading your drivers during windows update.
http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/guru3d_driver_sweep...(no_installer).html
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