(solved) AMD 7970 V-sync tearing problem (even with only 2 displays)

[BlackShark]

Hello everybody,
I've been reading these forums occasionally but it's my first post on the boards.

I just bought my new Radeon HD7970, and I'm running into a V-sync problem.
I'm running a special display configuration, I have a DIY 3D passive polarised Dual-projector system.
It's a bit complicated to run (see this thread at mtbs3d forums if you want details) so I'll just cut short to main point :

I need to run Eyefinty 2x1 configuration (3840x1080) , V-sync must be perfect and simultaneous on both outputs or I get huge visual artefacts (makes movies difficult to watch and most games unplayable in 3D).
I previously used a Radeon HD5870, and used the two DVI outs with DVI->hdmi passive converters to connect to my projector, it ran perfectly with V-sync.
With my new Radeon HD7970, there's only one DVI out on the back of the card. I tried every configuration I could, all provide a picture but none provided a working V-sync on both displays (there's always one working with good Vsync and the other with failing Vsync)
There's also a disturbing new options in the Catalyst control centre : there is a new entry for choosing which is the primary monitor inside the eyefinity group : this wasn't there with the previous card, when I used Eyefinity, the entire group used to be the primary.

The projectors take hdmi input. I tried the following configurations :
DVI -> hdmi (passive) -> projector1
hdmi -> projector2

miniDP -> DVI (active) -> hdmi (passive) -> projector1
hdmi -> projector2

miniDP -> DVI (active) -> hdmi (passive) -> projector1
DVI -> hdmi (passive) -> projector2

miniDP -> DVI (active) -> hdmi (passive) -> projector1 (1680x1050)
miniDP -> DP (passive) -> VGA (active) -> desktop monitor (1680x1050, 3360x1050 eyefinity because the VGA cable is not long enough to reach the second projector)

I am using the only Driver AMD has published so far for the HD7970 :
Catalyst 11.12, package 8.921.2-120104a-131222E-ATI, from this page : http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/radeon-7900-series.aspx

I knew there were sync problems with previous cards when using more than 2 displays, but now it has worsened, I can't seem even get up to 2 displays.
More worrying, I get the sync problem even when using two mini Display Port outs.
I sincerely hope it's a temporary driver bug that AMD will fix soon, otherwise I'm screwed. Has anyone else tested this card with eyefinity yet ?

[suiken_2mieu]

You can fix this by using two exact configuration for both projectors.

Projector 1 < Active DVI Adapter < MiniDP
Projector 2 < Active DVI Adapter < MiniDP

The active adapter will probably have to be the same too.

[BlackShark]

I find it hard to believe Eyefinity to be that picky.

I thought using active DP adapters (even with different screens with one VGA and one Hdmi) would allow the sync to work properly because they'd both use Display Port at the same resolution and refresh rates.
Also the fact that the configuration Hdmi ->proj1 + DVI->hdmi (passive)->proj2 doesn't work is really disturbing. I thought DVI and hdmi were almost identical (especially when using passive adapters).

The 5870 Worked just well.
Was the 6870 also that picky on outputs ? (you had to have the exact same display with the exact same converter ?)

[Taipan]

Since your name is Blackshark, I wonder have you been able to get DCS Blackshark working with your 7970?

So far I've heard bad reports that it just crashes with DCS A-10C or DCS Blackshark 2...

[dmanna]

Not that I want to hi jack your thread but I am in a similar situation.. I have been using a 5870 for some time, but seeing as I am into eyefinity I needed, or wanted a little more power so I grabbed up a7970 and I am pissed.. I went from 2 perfectly working screens out of 3.. now I have 0 perfectly good working screens out of 3. I have display corruption on all 3 screens now, in eyefinity mode none of the screens will V-SYNC.

The monitor that is plugged directly into the DVI-D port reads V: 59Hz H: 64KHz, The monitors that are plugged into active DVI-D to Mini DP adapters are reading V: 60Hz H: 64KHz.. I think that may have something to do with it.

Its always nice dropping 600 bucks on a graphics card that seemingly has some flaws.. i have tried plugging different cables into different monitors and switching main display.. The whole reason why I bought this card was for eyefinity resolution.. I certainly do not need this much juice for a single monitor or TV.

[Taipan]

I also want this for Eyefinity, but I haven’t seen much good reports and lots of bad reports so far..

I could hazard a guess though that the 7970 was designed for Eyefinity 2.0, whereas all the current drivers are for the old generation cards and Eyefinity 1.0.

Maybe you will find it perform better after Eyefinity 2.0 is released? I think the slides also mentioned different refresh rates would be supported as well..

[suiken_2mieu]

With eyefinity, always go for a card that has identical inputs.

Also, DMANNA Try putting two of your screens on the Display Ports, that should give you 2 that work well again. Though I really don't understand why the cards just cant output the same Hz on every output. That would solve the issue right there. The timings are wrong for 1 or more monitors.

[BlackShark]

Since your name is Blackshark, I wonder have you been able to get DCS Blackshark working with your 7970?

So far I've heard bad reports that it just crashes with DCS A-10C or DCS Blackshark 2...

I'm sorry, I don't play this game.
I already used this nick name before this game came out, I just kept it.

I read some people saying on [H]ard|forums that installing Catalyst preview 12.1a fixed their tearing.
I tried it but it doesn't seem to support the 7000 series, I tried about every beta driver I could find but I still get tearing.

[BHawthorne]

I am using the only Driver AMD has published so far for the HD7970 :
Catalyst 11.12, package 8.921.2-120104a-131222E-ATI, from this page : http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/radeon-7900-series.aspx

12.1a is available: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121apreviewdriver.aspx

[BlackShark]

[quote]
I am using the only Driver AMD has published so far for the HD7970 :
Catalyst 11.12, package 8.921.2-120104a-131222E-ATI, from this page : http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/radeon-7900-series.aspx

12.1a is available: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121apreviewdriver.aspx
Yes, that's the one i was talking about just above, it didn't fix anything for me (it doesn't seem to support the Radeon 7000 series at all).

[dmanna]

With eyefinity, always go for a card that has identical inputs.

Also, DMANNA Try putting two of your screens on the Display Ports, that should give you 2 that work well again. Though I really don't understand why the cards just cant output the same Hz on every output. That would solve the issue right there. The timings are wrong for 1 or more monitors.

So I went and orderd 2 identical display ports, 3 identical DVI-D cables and did not solve problem. I even just tried to use the 2 monitors that are displaying the same Hz and I still get tearing.

When d3doverrider is active in the back ground, I get NO Screen tearing but only if the FPS is maintained at 60 FPS.. as soon as the FPS dips below 60, even if its 59 I see minor tearing on all 3 screens. As a trouble shooting method what is this telling me? 60 fps perfect image.. below 60 fps tearing. I guess it means V-Sync is working but Triple Buffering is not working? Anyone have any idea's?

[BlackShark]

I've put the 5870 back in the computer and decided to test what would happen if I used 1 DVI out and 1 Hdmi out, like what I've been doing with the 7970.
The results were quite surprising :
There is no tearing with the 5870 with 1 DVI and 1 hdmi - BUT - there is still a problem which might not be visible under usual eyefinity conditions but is obvious with my configuration : a 1-frame lag.
The Catalyst control centre shows the "primary display" item in the catalyst control centre, the primary display is shown with no lag, the secondary display suffers from a 1-frame lag.
I thought it might be an interesting bit of information to share with you.

I am still waiting for my Display Port adapter, it should arrive tomorrow.

[BlackShark]

-double post-

[BlackShark]

Hello again.

My Display Port active adapter finally arrived.
It works without tearing now on the 7970. I use two mini-DP -> DVI (active) converters, then the DVI -> Hdmi (passive) adapter.
One thing to note: the adapters are different models and they are made by a different manufacturer (both the retail brand and the manufacturer's name on the back are different), so you can mix the converters as long as they're the same type.
The sync is identical and synchronized between the two displays, just like I had with the 5870 before.
I'm lucky I've got only 2 projectors to synchronize. If I were to made a 3-projector surround setup, I'd probably run into the same problem again until custom cards with DP only are available.