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Multi-monitor and Adaptive sync issues hold me back from making the switch to Linux (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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System spec - Ryzen 3700X CPU - AMD RX 7900 XT GPU

I got an AMD GPU specifically because I wanted to switch to Linux. I've done a bunch of testing over the last year while I still had an nVidia card. Now I've got an AMD GPU I feel ready but it has not gone well.

When I use multiple monitors I get a range of odd behaviours, including a white screen, lock ups, failure to display anything on second screen. I've unplugged the second screen for now and all is OK except that adaptive sync does not work properly.

When I set adaptive sync to "Always" in the settings the screen sort of flickers when I move the mouse. To be more precise the screen gets a bit brighter when the mouse is moved, then returns to previous slightly dimmer brightness when the mouse is stopped. There are no errors that I've found.

Both of those issues happen in fresh Fedora 38 and Arch Linux installs. I'm running KDE-plasma (using Wayland not X) so it seems like a KDE issue. Though I'm about to test it with a Fedora and gnome install next, though I doubt it will be any different.

EDIT: Small update. Running Arch/KDE. I have found I can get it sort of working. I boot the PC with a single monitor (my 165Hz ultrawide) and set it to 60Hz, then turn on the second (1080p 60Hz) monitor. At this point I can set the then changing the ultrawide to 165Hz and set adaptive sync to automatic, but I have to do this process everytime I turn my PC on. Also, if it goes to sleep or I want to shutdown/reboot it goes mad again and things lock up. I have to turn off the second monitor off before I reboot/shutdown, or before I goes to sleep. Then I have to go through the whole process again. Obviosuly not ideal.

EDIT2: Turns out it was the old LCD I was using as a second display. It has been around a very long time, and while it always worked OK it clearly doesn't like something about how Linux talks to it. Anyway it is working now. Though Adaptive sync on the desktop is still flickery.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

When I use multiple monitors I get a range of odd behaviours, including a white screen, lock ups, failure to display anything on second screen. I've unplugged the second screen for now and all is OK except that adaptive sync does not work properly.

Sounds like a driver problem. What kernel are you using, and have you tried running Mesa-git?

When I set adaptive sync to "Always" in the settings the screen sort of flickers when I move the mouse. To be more precise the screen gets a bit brighter when the mouse is moved, then returns to previous slightly dimmer brightness when the mouse is stopped. There are no errors that I've found.

You can't find any errors because there are none. The brightness changing with the refresh rate is sadly how most monitors work today, and can't really be fixed. It's the whole reason for why adaptive sync is not set to always by default.

Why doesn't automatic work for you though?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You have a fairly recent piece of graphics hardware. It's not too surprising that it doesn't work super smoothly. This is often the case. Even with Intel who've had a long open source driver tradition, a new integrated GPU often has driver bugs. I know I had to turn off a few things on my 11th gen Intel GPU for a year and a bit until the bugs got squashed. To avoid any of this, I rarely buy bleeding edge hardware.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sounds like a driver problem. What kernel are you using, and have you tried running Mesa-git?

I'm not messing with the kernal at this point, just using whatever gets installed by default. I haven't looked at Mesa-git. If messing about with the kernel is required I might just wait until wayland and kde have matured enough to support adaptive sync and multi monitors better.

You can’t find any errors because there are none. The brightness changing with the refresh rate is sadly how most monitors work today, and can’t really be fixed. It’s the whole reason for why adaptive sync is not set to always by default.

I also tried "auto" which seemed to be ok for a few seconds but then behaved the same as always. I can live without it for desktop stuff, my concern is adaptive sync won't be on in games without enabling that settings.

[–] Nioxic 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the same gpu (and intel 8700K)

I got audi running to my monitor which then sends it to my speakers, in mint its stuttering and tertible, but smooth as silk on windows.

It runs fine though, in terms of games (only tested CSGO though) in 144hz. Not entirely sure about other features (freesync etc)

I had to update the kernel to get multi monitor and proper resolutions to work

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I'd like to explore messing with custom kernels but I've got a bunch to learn first. In the mean time it kinda feels like I'm stuck with no straight forward or standard way to ensure multiple monitors works at least. I've spent 2 days on this and still found no answer so I'm hoping someone will post a helpful hint or 2.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I have the same CPU and GPU.

Adaptive sync issues were fixed by kernel 6.4 for me. Before that the display would flicker and timeout every 10 minutes or so. There’s another issue caused by 6.4 where the VRAM doesn’t clock up though. Can be fixed by switching the refresh rate when a load is on the GPU. It’s been a rough time using this GPU with Linux.

Try 6.4 and see if it fixes your display issues. I’m using the release candidate kernel on silverblue rawhide.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Try different a DE like GNOME and see if the issue occurs again. I'm running perfectly with a Radeon 6700XT on GNOME with Wayland.

[–] Dreadful6644 2 points 1 year ago

Well, most (if not all) freesync monitors flicker when the frame rate changes. You are probably jumping from 48 to 120 or similar. You can use freesync only for fullscreen apps on kde plasma if that works for you.

[–] Fecundpossum 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I’ve been considering upgrading from my gaming laptop (intel/nvidia) with a secondary monitor to a monstrously specced out Thelio Major with a Ryzen 9 and RX7900. I have more money than time to build, I like the idea of coreboot and supporting system 76 as a company.

I’ve dealt with a slew of multi monitor issues already and my big hope for this new machine (aside from it being a gaming rig with some longevity spec wise) was that most of these display issues would be a thing of the past.

Reading this has me feeling a little crestfallen. Is this what I should expect from newer team red components? I usually run EndeavourOS and would probably install it before even booting Pop! which I’ve used and don’t really care for.