Monitor Issues

AndrewHK2

AndrewHK2

AndrewHK2

Associate
Joined
20 Jun 2009
Posts
43
Hi there!

I've come to Overclockers in the hope I can solve what is a very annoying problem I started having yesterday. My specs are:

Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz
Memory:
6142MB RAM
Hard Drive:
535 GB
Video Card:
ATI Radeon HD 4890 XT
Monitor:
HannsG HW191D
Operating System:
Windows Vista™ Home Premium x64
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard

I play a few heavy graphic games for intense periods of time, to say the least. The monitor is second hand so much be getting on to about 2/3 years old now. I have had my graphics card for about a year now.

The problem I'm experiencing is a flickering of brightness on the screen - this happens briefly on startup as well if the PC has been on for a while. That said, when I start the PC up in the morning all seems to be normal until 20/30 mins in and the flickering begins slowly. It's not a constant thing but more of a random fluctuation which seems to intensify.

Graphics settings:

GPU Clock max setting
875 MHz

Memory Clock max setting
975 MHz

Fan
50%

When the problem is happening my GFX vitals are:

59 oC

Everything else appears to be the same as normal except that my fan speed seems to jump around a bit, having looked at the Catalyst Control Centre.

I'm thinking my most likely problem is that the monitor is getting too old now and the backlights are fading, something is overheating somewhere inside the monitor or there's a loose connection.

Any advice or speculation would be incredibly helpful so I can diagnose the problem and move on accordingly.

Thanks in advance!

AndrewHk2
 
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Does this only happen when you are or have been running that specific game? If you just browse the internet for the same period of time does anything happen? I don't think you should need an excuse to buy a new monitor really - your system is wasted on that pathetic excuse for a monitor. ;)
 
Yeah the flickering has happened after startup before the game but only after a quick reboot when something might still be hot? I haven't booted yet to try just the internet, will give it a try.

What from the game specifically could be affecting my monitor?

Thanks!

Edit: I've just turned the game off and the flickering is still happening. Will reboot now and see what happens.
 
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The reason I say to try just 2D stuff (ideally movies if you can) is that the graphics card won't be doing intense work whereas the monitor will be doing just as much as when you're gaming. If you still have problems during '2D' things then it most likely is the monitor at fault, whereas if you don't then it could be the graphics card. Do you have another monitor you could try or another system to try that monitor on as well?
 
Hey PCM2,

I shut down the computer after some Windows Updates and went downstairs for a bit. Came back to the Windows login screen and still the same flashing problem now that I'm just on the browser.

I have another monitor I can test but having some trouble finding the cord for it. Will let you know. Thanks so much for the help so far :)
 
Excellent - always happy to help. I'll be at work for the rest of the day but I'll see how you're getting on when I get back.:D If it is a monitor problem I can certainly be of assistance if you're looking for a replacement.
 
Right since I couldn't find the cable for the moment I plugged the monitor into my laptop and extended it. Switched Call of Duty 4 to full graphics and, playing on about 10 fps, the screen started doing the same thing. Is this because the screen can be under too much load, or something?

Perhaps I didn't even need to start the game to have it happen? Either way, the screen is still doing it as I write this and I have turned the game off.

In fact, funnily enough, now I don't have my noisy PC on, I can even -hear- a flickering/clicking in the back of the monitor. Maybe worth undoing this to check it out for the backlight?

As for the option of replacements - I've no idea about the price range for LCD widescreens but is it possible to get something in the £50-£100 range? The HannsG HW191D I have is a 19" I think, and would be willing to stick to this size for the price.

Thanks once again!
 
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I have tried both Analog and Digital settings, I think. The reason I say that is that it doesn't seem to want to change from Analog to Digital. When I switch the monitor turns itself off briefly, comes back on but with the same flickering. Nice to see you're an F1 fan as well! Who do you think will win it this year?
 
If you can possibly extend your budget to the lovely B2230H it would be a bit of a step up from the 20 inchers listed. If you only want a small screen and have a strict £100 budget then the Dell IN2010 is a good option.
 
Strangely enough it isn't. The 'N' and 'W' models are available but the former is VGA-only whereas the latter features a lower resolution.
 
Okay well I guess it's a goer then! The final question: I'm off to DSRack on Thursday morning - if I order this monitor on express option from Amazon, will I have it with me tomorrow or the next day? That is, if I order it right now?
 
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I don't think it's currently in stock with said retailer actually... It is available from their merchants but I wouldn't count on them for guaranteed next working day delivery. If you use expedited delivery for a product handled by the retailer themselves it would usually turn up the following working day. I am actually testing the FX2490HD at the moment using VGA and this has reinforced the idea that VGA connections on modern monitors actually offer the same quality as DVI or HDMI. I know this is difficult to fathom seeing as you are dealing with a routed analogue signal that is converted but the visual quality is not noticeably different at all. Given this you may want to plump for the B2230N as it is more widely available and the price is lower :).
 
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