MSI AMD R9 280X weird screen flickering on desktop

Hardware Hub GPU
1

Like the title says. I am experiencing a weird flicker when nog gaming with my MSI 280X.
It is more explained in this thread: http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=440&threadid=168806&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

But basically, when doing anything on the desktop it seems that the gpu clocks back to 300/150 to save energy.

When gaming I don't experience any artifacts though. I have googled around and it seems it is not an isolated issue. I have tried different drivers ranging from the last whql 13.12 to the latest beta 14.3 and anything in between. It seems MSI's own drivers do solve this issue but the drivers recognize my card as a 7900 series card. Which also means the 2d clocks are alot higher at 500/1500 (at least according to gpu-z).

Have any of you experienced this problem? I am debating on waiting out new drivers or just RMA the card. What do You guys think about this? 

 

2

I had this problem before, it is the powerplay that causes this to occur.

Uninstall MSi afterburner and completely remove previous settings. Uninstall your AMD drivers.

After a restart, re download the amd driver and reinstall. then install MSI afterburner after the restart

If you are gonna use the unofficial overclock mode, you will have to set up a 2D profile and a 3D profile.

Capture.png414x764

 These are my settings for the general tab:

Capture2.png419x769

3

Wow, thank you for your detailled response.
I am going to try this right now! 

4

I have reinstalled the drivers and msi afterburner and used your settings (with a little lower 2d settings), just one question. In your screenshots you have powerplay ''enabled''. Does the flickering stop on your rig even with powerplay enabled, because when I look at gpu-z it still clocks down to 300/150?

5

For me there is no flickering if I check the reset display when applyings the clocks.  Else it will flicker. 

EDIT: Yes my clocks also goes down to 300/150 on desktop and browsing but it will automatically boost to 1120/1400 when I am gaming

6

Ok, thank you!
Haven't had the problem since I used your tips. Opened a case with MSI anyway so hopefully
they are working on some kind of vbios update.