Freesync through hdmi keeps breaking

[Taraquin]

On 2 of my setups I have a reocuring problem with freesync breaking, happends after a few weeks, I update drivers which often fix the problem, but now nothing works. It says enabled through radeon settings but there is tearing in games when in freesync range (48-72Hz). Only way to avoid is using v-sync which gives a bit too much inputlag. Both on Win10 64 1909. I have tried every driver from november 19 to 20.7.2. Best working driver is the 20.4.2 where some games work, and some don't. Freesync windmill-test gives tearing in lower half of screen, but very little in upper part. On the RX 480 system the problem has persisted for a few months, on the 5700XT I noticed it after a few minor windows updates 4 weeks ago, but restorepoint from when it worked is gone. It seems like a Windows issue, but I wonder why this keeps happening. I have experimented with framelimiter in chill/rtss and v-sync off/enhanced sync. Same issue all the time.

Setup 1:
5700XT reference and Samsung S24F354

Setup 2:
Sapphire Nitro 480 4gb and Samsung S24F352

 

[mtcn77]

Only way to avoid is using v-sync which gives a bit too much inputlag.

You could try triple buffering + vsync.

 

[Taraquin]

You could try triple buffering + vsync.

Yeah, I use that in games that has it, but many games don't.

Puzzles me that it says freesync is enabled, yet it's not working :/

 

[mtcn77]

I have experimented with framelimiter in chill

What happened?

v-sync off/enhanced sync.

Enhanced sync is due when the gpu cannot keep up, it is the same as vsync when enhanced sync is hitting the framelimit.

 

[Taraquin]

What happened?

Enhanced sync is due when the gpu cannot keep up, it is the same as vsync when enhanced sync is hitting the framelimit.

Yeah, I know whst enhanced sync does. Chill/rtss also resulted in tearing in the 48-72fps zone.

 

[mtcn77]

Yeah, I know whst enhanced sync does. Chill/rtss also resulted in tearing in the 48-72fps zone.

As I said you should try chill + vsync. Not chill by itself.
On the other hand, we could test out CRU. It can take out any repeating decimal interval and fix the picture.

 

[Taraquin]

Chill was for limiting frames so I don't go above 72fps. How do I 'fix' it with CRU?

 

[mtcn77]

Chill was for limiting frames so I don't go above 72fps. How do I 'fix' it with CRU?

Wait, that is how it should happen...
Does it skip the frames with chill? In that case, CRU can help, not in any other way.

 

[R-T-B]

I use freesync over hdmi all the time... no idea what's different with your setup. Maybe range related? My TVs range is rather lame... (40-60hz) but does work.

 

[mtcn77]

So... my memory is catching up with me - have you tried enhancing settings until it doesn't?
You have a variable repertoire of options to test out the gpu workload. Right now, it can render the second frame 'before' your monitor rasters half the moving picture. That is how fast your gpu is in line with your monitor.
I'd suggest either 200% texture scaling, or 200% VSR and 4x MSAA or with some analytical filter in game. I have more exotic solutions if you are interested(2x ssaa + 75% resolution scaling). I can parameterize infinitely many setups.

 

[R-T-B]

So... my memory is catching up with me - have you tried enhancing settings until it doesn't?
You have a variable repertoire of options to test out the gpu workload. Right now, it can render the second frame 'before' your monitor rasters half the moving picture. That is how fast your gpu is in line with your monitor.
I'd suggest either 200% texture scaling, or 200% VSR and 4x MSAA or with some analytical filter in game. I have more exotic solutions if you are interested(2x ssaa + 75% resolution scaling). I can parameterize infinitely many setups.

Are you talking to me, or OP?

I use freesync + gsync so I'm never going to get tearing. And being it's a 4K OLED display, I certainly can fall below 40FPS sometimes without help.

 

[mtcn77]

Are you talking to me, or OP?

Take a pick, but don't leave me in the crosshairs.

 

[R-T-B]

Take a pick, but don't leave me in the crosshairs.

Wasn't trying too. Was simply asking who you were addressing.

 

[mtcn77]

Wasn't trying too. Was simply asking who you were addressing.

We "could" arrange for another round of testing with your conscription of hardware.

But first, you'll have to campaign for me.
I cannot just spread the word around without a monitor section. Gosh, I feel poetic today!
Let's open up TPU 'monitor' sandbox!

 

[R-T-B]

We "could" arrange for another round of testing with your conscription of hardware.

But first, you'll have to campaign for me.
I cannot just spread the word around without a monitor section. Gosh, I feel poetic today!
Let's open up TPU 'monitor' sandbox!

I'm confused. But that doesn't sound like a bad idea, either. I'd love TPU monitor reviews.

 

[mtcn77]

I'm confused.

I'll be the Fresnel lens of your shining lighthouse beacon.

 

[R-T-B]

I'll be the Fresnel lens of your shining lighthouse beacon.

If there is one thing Bioshock taught me, it's that there is always a lighthouse.

 

[mtcn77]

If there is one thing Bioshock taught me, it's that there is always a lighthouse.

I have discussed it with you before. Bioshock is the "post-truth" Aquanox. Everything was linear storytelling, back then. There wasn't this double edged razor of sorts. You were a pirate.

 

[R-T-B]

I have discussed it with you before. Bioshock is the "post-truth" Aquanox. Everything was linear storytelling, back then. There wasn't this double edged razor of sorts. You were a pirate.

You missed me trying to be funny.

I honestly have no idea what you're going on about again, so am respectfully stepping out.

 

[Taraquin]

Wait, that is how it should happen...
Does it skip the frames with chill? In that case, CRU can help, not in any other way.

Up until 4 weeks ago I could run with chill and v-sync off in every game, then a minor windows update introduced tearing and now I have to use v-sync in all games to avoid tearing which introduces input lag. This keeps happening every now and then with minor updates. Is freesync through hdmi a fragile thing?

 

[mtcn77]

Up until 4 weeks ago I could run with chill and v-sync off in every game, then a minor windows update introduced tearing and now I have to use v-sync in all games to avoid tearing which introduces input lag. This keeps happening every now and then with minor updates. Is freesync through hdmi a fragile thing?

Personally, I use a hands off policy. Just roll back to the launch driver.
You could also search logs whichever driver was set before. There is one that keeps track of it in the driver folder(not sure if it happens for windows updates, though).

 

[Taraquin]

If you read my first post you see I have tried every driver back to November, but I guess I just gave to wait for a win update that fix it :/

 

[Taraquin]

Problem is solved. Seems the genious Windows update etc decided to upgrade my monitordrivers to "plug and play-screen" which reset Hz to 59. Also me using DDU afterwards kept the problem going as it deletes monitor drivers and windows kept applying their generic shit. After installing the correct Samsung drivers and raising Hz to 72Hz, freesync began working again. It does not explain whay I noticed tearing when locking FPS to 55, but atleast now it works

 

[mtcn77]

I just realized an old driver issue that might have also been a culprit. I'm leaving this in case someone looks for it in the future.

Modifying the HDMI Scaling slider may cause FPS to become locked to 30.