9070 XT - 2x HDMI high refresh displays (144 and 120 Hz) not working

[Assimilator]

God, I can't wait for the day when DP via USB-C is the only display connection and nobody has to worry about this HDMI garbage anymore.

No, stuck at 60 Hz.

And AMD should have oversight; especially if it will make their brand look bad.

The fault is entirely on Sapphire who decided to put two HDMI ports on their card, and instead of doing things sanely using an integrated DP-to-HDMI chip, decided to split the HDMI bandwidth over both ports. It's not AMD's fault when vendors do stupid s**t like that.

 

[King Mustard]

God, I can't wait for the day when DP via USB-C is the only display connection and nobody has to worry about this HDMI garbage anymore.

I cannot wait until DisplayPort disappears.

PC manufacturers are just being awkward at this point.

I understand DP and HDMI leapfrog each other in terms of versions/capabilities but it is clear HDMI has won in the industry.

Having TVs (and everything else) use HDMI but only monitors and PC graphics cards use DP is frustrating.

 

[Event Horizon]

My old Gigabyte GTX 970 has 3 DP, 2 DVI, 1 HDMI, and it supports using up to 4 at the same time. Kind of disappointing that Sapphire nerfed their card like this.

 

[King Mustard]

My old Gigabyte GTX 970 has 3 DP, 2 DVI, 1 HDMI, and it supports using up to 4 at the same time. Kind of disappointing that Sapphire nerfed their card like this.

But probably not at full speed per port, which is the issue this Sapphire card is having.

 

[LittleBro]

No, stuck at 60 Hz.

And AMD should have oversight; especially if it will make their brand look bad.

Have you tried another Display Port port?

AMD only sells GPUs and memory chips.
What seems really bad to me is that Sapphire has no details regarding HDMI output specs for that card.

I cannot wait until DisplayPort disappears.

PC manufacturers are just being awkward at this point.

I understand DP and HDMI leapfrog each other in terms of versions/capabilities but it is clear HDMI has won in the industry.

Having TVs (and everything else) use HDMI but only monitors and PC graphics cards use DP is frustrating.

HDMI serves it's purpose in TVs, DVD/BL-players, digital cameras (still and camcorders), etc. DisplayPort is more specific to computers.
HDMI was first and is more popular because of all those TVs, -cordes and -players out there.
HDMI 2.1 offers max. 48 Gbps bandwidth, while DisplayPort 2.x has 80 Gbps. Whenever possible at my work, for every computer I choose DP over HDMI.

 

[Assimilator]

I understand DP and HDMI leapfrog each other in terms of versions/capabilities but it is clear HDMI has won in the industry.

It doesn't matter, DisplayPort has won because of USB-C which means HDMI will die regardless of how much the entertainment industry is currently wedded to it. This is good given that DP is far superior.

 

[King Mustard]

<snip>

HDMI serves it's purpose in TVs, DVD/BL-players, digital cameras (still and camcorders), etc. DisplayPort is more specific to computers.
HDMI was first and is more popular because of all those TVs, -cordes and -players out there.
HDMI 2.1 offers max. 48 Gbps bandwidth, while DisplayPort 2.x has 80 Gbps. Whenever possible at my work, for every computer I choose DP over HDMI.

I specifically wrote that they leapfrog each other, to cover that DisplayPort currently has more bandwidth available.

HDMI 2.2, which was announced in January and will be released in the first half of 2025, supports 96 Gbps.

That 80 Gbps DisplayPort bandwidth is only available with very short cable lengths (under a meter, from what I recall), which makes it pointless for most people.

 

[TSiAhmat]

However, that 80 Gbps bandwidth is only available with very short cable lengths (under a meter, from what I recall), which makes it pointless for most people.

DP 80 Vesa certified is now available up to 2 meters (but these are relatively new, 2 - 3 months I think)

 

[King Mustard]

DP 80 Vesa certified is now available up to 2 meters (but these are relatively new 2 - 3 months, I think)

2 meters is not very long, especially if you have two large monitors and your PC is on the floor (and not in the middle, because that is often where your feet go).

 

[TSiAhmat]

2 meters is not very long, especially if you have two large monitors and your PC is on the floor (and not in the middle, because that is often where your feet go).

Well yes you can always go with longer DP 54 cables (or not Vesa certified dp 80) & most people don't have a 2 big TV setup.

 

[King Mustard]

Well yes you can always go with longer DP 54 cables (or not Vesa certified dp 80) & most people don't have a 2 big TV setup.

Ultrawide monitors now exist (see link below for a few dozen examples) and owners of those can very easily experience the issue of a 2-meter cable not being long enough if the monitor ports are on the left and the PC is on the floor to the right of the person.

Link: https://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=monlcd19wide&xf=11939_46 (scroll down for the models)

 

[Assimilator]

Ultrawide monitors now exist (see link below for a few dozen examples) and owners of those can very easily experience the issue of a 2-meter cable not being long enough if the monitor ports are on the left and the PC is on the floor to the right of the person.

Link: https://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=monlcd19wide&xf=11939_46 (scroll down for the models)

All of those monitors can comfortably be driven by DP 1.4, except for the Samsung G95NC which requires DP 2.0.

 

[Deleted member 245263]

avoid HDMI at all cost, its asking for problems, amd put 2 of this on their cards and will bear the fruit, it was obv

 

[King Mustard]

All of those monitors can comfortably be driven by DP 1.4, except for the Samsung G95NC which requires DP 2.0.

My point was in response to @TSiAhmat's "& most people don't have a 2 big TV setup."

 

[OldSchoolPCGamer]

That's a fault of AMD cards, then. They worked perfectly with my RTX 3080.

It is a shame, I will likely return the card and get a Nvidia 50 Series. It's not like there is a trusted source of certified cables. Not in the UK, anyway; and I am not going to import a HDMI cable.

have you tried if the rtx5000 cards work with the C2?

 

[TSiAhmat]

well wanted to try something out & now half my backlight died on my ips panel... sh*t

 

[LabRat 891]

I had no choice but to get the active adapter (Cable Matters DP 1.4 to HDMI) as my RTX 3080 only had 1x HDMI port and I have 2x OLED TVs as monitors (TVs never use DisplayPort).

It worked perfectly on the RTX 3080. This is, therefore, an AMD issue.

Ah, I see what you're saying. The adapter worked with the 3080 but not the 9070XT. I saw similar results from the reviews of the adapters on Amazon. NVidia users had glowing reviews and AMD users reported not all features were working, in particular VRR.

IIRC historically, AMD cards' outputs are not driven as strongly as nVidia's.
Things like cable length, connection impedance, etc. seem to more-strongly effect AMD cards.

Some users of DP->HDMI and other active adapters have mentioned reliability issues stemming from power and thermals.
Some adapters utilize external power, and others do not. Most of the newest-spec adapters, lack external power input.
I'm wondering if AMD cards simply cannot provide stable 3.3V 500ma power on the DP or, if the active adapters are drawing more than DP's spec?
-and nVidia merely provides better 3.3V power on display-outs?


BTW, while not always available nor the most-affordable... The reliable (gamer-enthusiast) choice for Quality cables and adapters, is Club3D.
The best active adapter I settled on for my MI25 turn WX9100, was Club3D, and their cables have resolved signal issues more than once for me.

No hate for CableMatters; they're great for affordable, certified, or at least 'quality' cables and passive adapters.
Just, Club3D's stuff is tested/developed/guaranteed to be VRR HDR, etc. compatible.
Ex. I almost bought an MST hub (for my MI25's single mDP 1.4a output) from Club3D, as they were the only ones claiming VRR capability.
While many did report VRR not working still, it was the only MST hub I could find w/ any end-user reports of VRR success, at all.

avoid HDMI at all cost, its asking for problems,

Agreed. The HDMI Forum can go- well... you get the picture

amd put 2 of this on their cards and will bear the fruit, it was obv

Incorrect.
AMD's spec for Navi 48 cards is 3xDP2.1s (2x concurrently usable, IIRC) and a single HDMI 2.1.
Sapphire (amongst others) decided to put 2x HDMI on the card.
-Likely, because it would seem attractive to people w/ HDTV displays, and the HDMI connection is (unfortunately) far more ubiquitous amongst non-enthusiast non-gamer consumer electronics.

While I can see why they did this,
I also cannot argue against it being a Royal PITA (vs. the expectations-set, upon seeing the dual HDMI outputs)

well wanted to try something out & now half my backlight died on my ips panel... sh*tView attachment 391942

I'm so sorry.
Hopefully its still under warranty or is a simple-enough fix (bad solder joint, loose connection, etc.)

 

[DaemonForce]

AMD's spec for Navi 48 cards is 3xDP2.1s (2x concurrently usable, IIRC) and a single HDMI 2.1.
Sapphire (amongst others) decided to put 2x HDMI on the card.

I went for this for those exact reasons. 3xDP is never going to be a thing in my situation and I already have issues where 2xHDMI is needed.
Am I doing anything like dual 4K HDMI? Oh hell no. Still, bandwidth could be leeched from my HMD to drive a 1920x720px display or something.
I fully recognize that HDMI is hella weird and I'm only using it because it is the industry default for the current range of modern display adapters.
It's a problem in normie spaces too. If I look for video capture or splitter devices and ask for help from an electronics guy, they don't understand.
Still can't tell if the hardware is genuinely that confusing or I'm just meeting one brain damaged Walmart scientist after another. Sapphire tried.

 

[LabRat 891]

Still can't tell if the hardware is genuinely that confusing or I'm just meeting one brain damaged Walmart scientist after another

USB(-C), HDMI, DP[to a much lesser degree] require attention to detail and specifications (that are often occluded in marketing) that most people would otherwise decry as "pedantic".

Example:

Notice how all 3 of those are listed as DisplayPort 2.1 Input 32" Class OLEDs?
Also notice, how the HP Omen Transcend 32 claims DP2.1, but the HDMI2.1 (48gbps) input is 8Gbps wider.

Even in researching a hypothetical HDMI 2.1->X adapter's ICs, the ASICs themselves like to play fast-loose with what "HDMI #.#" even means...

HDMI 2.1, but only 32Gbps...


I can go on and on with examples of "Pedantic attention to specifications, claims, and details" being a necessity these days.
(USB3.x and USB-C being the worst offenders)

Oh, and best of all!
-You can research and buy EXACTLY what you're looking for, and it still won't work as expected due to some minute detail overlooked, or flat-out dishonest marketing/specs.
[/rant]

 

[Deleted member 245263]

Incorrect.
AMD's spec for Navi 48 cards is 3xDP2.1s (2x concurrently usable, IIRC) and a single HDMI 2.1.
Sapphire (amongst others) decided to put 2x HDMI on the card.
-Likely, because it would seem attractive to people w/ HDTV displays, and the HDMI connection is (unfortunately) far more ubiquitous amongst non-enthusiast non-gamer consumer electronics.

While I can see why they did this,
I also cannot argue against it being a Royal PITA (vs. the expectations-set, upon seeing the dual HDMI outputs)

my bad, thank you for clarification

 

[TSiAhmat]

I'm so sorry.
Hopefully its still under warranty or is a simple-enough fix (bad solder joint, loose connection, etc.)

Yep, still under warranty for the next 3 ~ 4 Months.

I already noticed the week's before that the right part was quite a bit darker than the rest of the display. seems like plugging the DP out & in on the side of my GPU finished the job ^^"

Either way... hopefully MSI can fix that monitor.

 

[LabRat 891]

Received the CalDigit DP 2.0->HDMI2.1 adapter today.

I think I may have found part of OP's issue w/ their DP1.4a->HDMI2.1 adapter.

8.1x4=32.4Gbps, the max for DP1.4.
My DP2.0 adapter isn't handshaking a full DP2.0, and isn't outputting a full HDMI 2.1


With adapter:



Straight HDMI to HDMI:



Even disabling HDR, and setting a lower bit-depth, VRR does not appear as an option while using the CalDigit DP 2.0 to HDMI 2.1 adapter.
Not sure if a limitation of the adapter, or the card.

I'll ask my housemate to pull out a newer nVidia card, to test the adapter's behavior on Team Green. (I also have an Intel B570 I can test, to see if it behaves any differently, too.)

Edit: I'm on the phone w/ CalDigit Technical Support out of CA, USA at time of writing. ~3:45pm
Edit 2: Was able to speak to someone immediately, and was re-told what I already knew.
Kudos for immediate US-based service, not so kudos for lacking technical knowledge.

Since they do charge a restocking fee, I'll just hang onto the adapter for my hand-me-down Samsung 4K HDTV, when I eventually get that set up.

If, I get around to testing the adapter on a Intel or nVidia card, I'll report back. If, it still cannot handshake a full 12Gbps x 4 HDMI 2.1 link (as advertised on the packaging) I'll return it as defective.

 

[OldMan]

I bought the Reborn DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 Adapter and tested it with my LG C2 TV. Everything worked but VRR, also the HDR is not certified so results may vary. I will say though it got incredibly hot running 3840 x 2160, 120Hz, 10-bit, YCbCr4:4:4 with HDR. There were a lot of complaints of similar devices only working for days, if not a week at most before failure. I think heat is the issue in this particular device. At least when it comes to reliability. At 4K 60Hz it doesn't produce near as much heat.

 

[LabRat 891]

I bought the Reborn DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 Adapter and tested it with my LG C2 TV. Everything worked but VRR, also the HDR is not certified so results may vary. I will say though it got incredibly hot running 3840 x 2160, 120Hz, 10-bit, YCbCr4:4:4 with HDR. There were a lot of complaints of similar devices only working for days, if not a week at most before failure. I think heat is the issue in this particular device. At least when it comes to reliability. At 4K 60Hz it doesn't produce near as much heat.View attachment 392199

Seems most DP to HDMI adapters are not VRR compatible. -TBQH, I more than half-expected that, even though it's part of the HDMI2.1 specification. (see prior comments about 'fast and loose' specifications w/ HDMI, etc.)

I will give CalDigit/their ODM credit for giving the adapter some heatsinking, tho. Assuming, its thermally bonded inside, both ends are solid aluminum.
Right now, I'm using the adapter @ 4k 240hz 10-bit w/ HDR (DSC, I assume) through DP1, and 1080p 144hz 8-bit SDR on DP2.
-that should 'stress test' the adapter some

I had no choice but to get the active adapter (Cable Matters DP 1.4 to HDMI) as my RTX 3080 only had 1x HDMI port and I have 2x OLED TVs as monitors (TVs never use DisplayPort).

It worked perfectly on the RTX 3080. This is, therefore, an AMD issue.

Even though my "CalDigit DP 2.0 -> HDMI 2.1" adapter is only handshaking HBR3 8.1Gbps/lane (according to Radeon Settings), I can set output to 4k240hz 10-bit RGB4:4:4 w/ HDR on my Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT, using the adapter. (I also have an old 144hz 1080P VG248QE connected on the other DP)



note: VRR is enable on the display, AMD Settings says it's unavailable, on the PC-side.
Apparently, DSC is working


Your adapter appears to be the (*resolvable) problem point. Plausibly, related to DSC version differences.
DP 1.4 is associated to DSC 1.2.
DP 1.4a, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1a are associated to DSC 1.2a.


*Clearly, your current adapter worked w/ the 3080, and doesn't w/ the 9070XT. -and clearly, AMD has a part in this fault.

However, another newer spec active adapter is capable of meeting your needs/expectations.
Upgrading the adapter is the easiest and most affordable solution.

Edit: There's a chance you might be able to update the firmware on your current adapter, to address this compatibility issue.
Might not even need to upgrade, just update

Cable Matters Firmware Update Tool [4k@120hz on macOS] - Cable Matters Knowledge Base

• Cable Matters Firmware Update Tool [4k@120hz on macOS]​

  
  Article ID: 147
  Last updated: 17 Mar, 2025
  https://kb.cablematters.com/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=147#
  Cable Matters released a firmware update tool for 8K HDMI Cables and Adapters. These updates resolve several compatibility and performance issues.
  This firmware update tool can also be used to update compatible products to enable 4K@120hz on macOS.
  Applies to
  This firmware update tool applies to the following Cable Matters products:
  • USB C to 8K HDMI Adapter (201388)
  • USB-C to 8K HDMI Cable (201362)
  • DisplayPort to 8K HDMI Adapter (102101)

 

[OldMan]

It's funny you mention a heatsink because I attached an old M.2 heatsink to the Reborn DisplayPort adapter. It seemed to help greatly but it's not something I'd recommend. Probably the CalDigit Adapter would a better choice.

I am disappointed though the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070XT isn't working properly with two HDMI devices at full bandwidth. If it did, none of these work arounds would be necessary. Although, the information may prove helpful to others when connecting HDMI TV's through Display Port. Edit: grammar