MSI HD 7950 Twin Frozr III OC - Random screen flickering while gaming

Jemba

Reputable
Mar 21, 2014
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4,510
Hello,

I've got a really annoying problem going on and it is starting to really get on my nerves because I can't seem to find a fix for it nor can I find where the problem is originating in the first place, so I was hoping some helpful soul out there would be able to help me.

While I'm gaming, sometimes a single black line (sometimes even a big chunk of the screen) flickers. For example, it happens in the Borderlands 2 menu (and in-game), once every couple of seconds the "artifact" (don't know if it should be classified as one) appears and disappears in a split second. Same thing on CS:GO, Payday 2, etc.

The funny thing is, I tried to record it (I was hoping that capturing it on video would be able to help people understand my problem), but while playing back the footage, there is no flickering. I've also tried streaming it but it doesn't show up on the stream.

I've tried different drivers but it still didn't help.

I should also mention that when I run burn-ins like OCCT, Furmark and MSI Kombustor, it doesn't happen.

My graphics card is oc'd but I wouldn't expect it to be unstable at this voltage (1.250 V) (unless I've been given possibly the worst possible chip there is) and I've experimented with the stock settings and it happens anyway.


I've managed to grab my camera so you can clearly (sorry about my shaky hand) see what kind of flicker it is.

I should also mention I tried with another monitor but it still happens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofh475sscR8


My specs:
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
MB: Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 (rev 4.0)
CPU: AMD FX-8350 @ 4.5 GHz
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
GPU: MSI HD 7950 OC Twin Frozr III @ 1100 core / 1250 memory / 1.250 V
RAM: 8 GB Kingston HyperX Red
HDD: 320GB Western Digital HDD SATA II
PSU: NOX Urano VX650 650W
 
make sure the refresh rate is set to 60 no like 55 or 70 or something. that can cause flicker. Also turn on/off vsync to see if it has any effect. Could be the power supply, Nox units are made by Super Flower and CWT which are both good brands, but still, how old is it.
 
Have you tried a different cable/HDMI? I had the same issue with my card, and it ended up being the port I pluged my HDMI cable into. Luckily there were two ports on the card for HDMI. If you are using the DVI cable, try using the HDMI-DVI adapter that came with your card and see if it still happens. I also flashed my bios around the same time, so it may of cured my issue as well.

I just noticed that you are overclocked. My card would only do 1025mhz core until I flashed my card to a modded bios. Maybe you should see if the issue exists at stock clocks. Now I can run 1070/1500 fine. I actually tried the higher clocked bios and had no troubles either, other than heat. lol. I just decided to use the 1070/1500 bios. If I were home I could link you to the site where I obtained my bios from. The bios was custom designed for our cards.
 

Jemba

Reputable
Mar 21, 2014
3
0
4,510


I had already tested with both 60 and 75 hz refresh rate on the monitor, it happens on both. Vsync doesn't make any difference and the power supply is only a couple of months old and never gave any problem, at least until now.
 

Jemba

Reputable
Mar 21, 2014
3
0
4,510


This monitor only has DVI and I did try with another monitor that only had VGA, which I connected to a VGA-to-DVI adaptor, so it could be the DVI port acting up, maybe? Also, my card only came with a VGA/DVI adapter. I also tested with stock clocks and it still happened. Only thing I haven't tried was another vbios but it could be my power supply acting up.