Monitors literally stutter when VRR/G-SYNC is enabled

Graphics / Linux Linux
, ,
1

When I enable VRR on dual monitor setup, my monitors literally stutter. I can see on the monitor OSD refresh rate is unstable even on desktop with no game or full screen application running. I noticed it happens when GPU clock changes.
The only way to fix the issue is to disable VRR on both monitors or use only one monitor.

In addition, on Linux, VRR doesn’t work with more than one monitor even if Wayland compositor reports it’s supported and enabled, so videos or games that doesn’t fully load the GPU are very stuttery unless I disable VRR.

Monitor 1: 2560x1440 144 Hz
Monitor 2: 1920x1080 75 Hz
OS: Arch Linux 6.3.8-arch1-1 and Windows 10 22H2
GPU: RTX 2080 SUPER

The issue happens with 535, 530 and 525 series with Windows and Linux (open and proprietary) Nvidia driver.

2

Here is a gif to illustrate the issue (on Windows, no game running):
vrr_stutters

The big number on top left corner is the monitor 1 refresh rate: it drops very shortly to 49 Hz when GPU clock changes.

3

Unfortunately the 545 driver doesn’t fix that issue neither in Linux nor in Windows.

4

Any update? The issue makes my screen flickering and stuttering like crazy.
The windows/linux beta driver from 555 series still doesn’t fix the issue.

5

Try selecting "Automatic” adaptive sync rather than “Always”.

6

The issue happens regardless adaptive sync option I set. The only way to prevent the issue is to disable adaptive sync directly on the monitor or to use only 1 monitor.

  • The problem also occurs with the Windows WDDM driver.
  • Only the 144 Hz one have the issuse

Additional info:

  • 1st monitor: MSI MAG271CQR 2560x1440 144 Hz
  • 2nd monitor Iiyama G2250HS 1920x1080 75 Hz
7

Any update ?
The 560.70 WDDM driver is released and the issue is still there.

8

I recreated this topic in the right section: https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/t/vrr-g-sync-instability-when-gpu-clock-is-ramping-up-or-down/

9

It’s by default only enabled for fullscreen apps, even in Windows. I assume you have G-sync enabled for everything? I have 2 monitors and haven’t noticed any issues in Windows, but I only have it on for fullscreen apps.

With that being said, they need to fix VRR when using 2 monitors in Wayland. After all, wayland can support it, unlike Xorg.

10

The issue doesn’t happens when fullscreen apps are running but when G-Sync is checked on Nvidia control panel and no app is using G-Sync and GPU clock is ramping up or down. It even happens on Wayland even if VRR is not working with 2 screens. In such case I have to disable VRR directly on the OSD of monitor 1 to workaround the issue.

VRR has 3 states:

  1. Disabled (G-Sync unchecked in Nvidia control panel or disabled in the screen menu)
  2. Enabled but not used (G-Sync checked in Nvidia control panel and enabled in the screen menu, but no fullscreen app is running)
  3. Enabled and used (G-Sync checked in Nvidia control panel and enabled in the screen menu and a fullscreen app is running)

I only observe the issue in state 2.
If you have 2 screens on Wayland and Xorg every VRR enabled screens will always be in state 2 if VRR is enabled but never in state 3: it is for now only possible on Windows.

11

I don’t have this issue in any of the three states described. Do you have GSP disabled?

12

I have this issue with and without GSP on Wayland, Xorg and even Windows

13

Then it likely is not an issue with the driver.

14

I tried multiple combinations of refresh rate:

  • If I set 75 Hz on monitor 2 and 144 Hz on monitor 1, I have the issue.
  • If I set 75 Hz on monitor 2 and 120 Hz on monitor 1, I don’t have the issue.
  • If I set 50 or 60 Hz on monitor 2 and 144 Hz on monitor 1, then the GPU is stuck to P0 power state, so I have high power usage at idle and I don’t have the issue.

I even tested to connect the monitors to my laptop (GTX 1060):

  • If I set 60 Hz on monitor 2 and 144 Hz on monitor 1, I don’t have the issue.
  • If I set 50 or 75 Hz on monitor 2 and 144 Hz on monitor 1, then the GPU is stuck to P0 power state, so I have high power usage at idle and I don’t observe the issue.

The issue is possibly a VBIOS issue.

15

I bought a 1440p 360Hz monitor and now my GPU is stuck in P0 state and consumes 67W instead of 23W at idle.

Monitors:

  • 2560x1440p 144 Hz
  • 2560x1440p 360 Hz
16

Lucky, I am at 100w.

17

Do you have reported this issue to Nvidia ?

18

I’m sure for every kWh I have wasted someone has reported it…

19

If I force adaptive sync in KDE, the desktop becomes very laggy., It happens even if I unplug the HDMI cable from the secondary monitor.
Power usage stays the same tho, it’s at P8, 12W.

20

Use automatic.