Issue with Intel iGPU HDMI Output on BIOS Versions above 2403 (Z690 Strix-F)

[DaleR]

I cannot re-open the post I made back in February so I am starting a new post.

In February I wrote:

"Today I decided to re-install Windows and update the BIOS etc on my motherboard.

Firstly I did a ME Update, then BIOS Update from 2403 to 3101 and a clean install. But had then noticed a couple of strange things.

 

Firstly text and graphics were really blurry in windows, kind of like "chromatic aberration" with a coloured outline to text that would change as I moved things around on the screen. Then I realised the HDR option would no longer work, the slider would move across and the screen would go blank as if it's being switched on but then the slider would remain "Off"

 

I tried multiple display drivers, re-installing windows multiple times, reset the BIOS etc. Nothing helped.

I plugged my laptop in to the same monitor and that did not have this problem, so I tried my hardest on the laptop to replicate this issue.

 

At a loss after trying everything I downgraded the BIOS to 2403 which I was previously running.

I booted in to Windows 11 and the display was crystal clear and HDR was working again.

I then tried every single BIOS version after 2403 and the problem returned, something has changed in BIOS versions after 2403 which is causing an issue with HDMI Timing and HDR. Going back to BIOS 2403 the problem went away again.

 

I cannot see anything related to this in any of the change logs.

"

I could not find a solution to this so went back to Bios Version 2403, however I am deeply concerned about vulnerabilities and microcode updates so I did not want to stay on this BIOS. This evening I updated to BIOS Version 3802 hoping this issue would be rectified by now but it still remains. It probably won't get reported by others as I use the iGPU on my Intel i7 12700K/Z690 Strix-F and most users will have a discrete GPU (I do not need a GPU)

I completely re-installed Windows 11 and reset BIOS to defaults and then loaded the optimised defaults.

But this problem remains. 

I have worked out that this issue is only present on the HDMI port, I tried the Display Port output on the same monitor and the problem has gone, but I need to use the HDMI port so this is not a fix for me.

It seems there is a HDMI timing/frequency issue/error on all Bios versions above 2403

I also have a Lenovo T14S 12th Gen Intel i7 1245U which has the latest BIOS, latest microcode and the same iGPU which does not have this issue over HDMI.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Some images of this issue posted below:

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @DaleR 

Thank you for getting back to us. In order to prevent information gaps or inaccurate information transmission, threads that have not received a response in a long time will be closed.
According to your previous post, the issue occurred with BIOS version 3101, while the latest BIOS versions available for the ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI is 3901.
Could you please confirm if the problem persists with the latest BIOS? Please ensure clearing CMOS after updating BIOS.
Additionally, have you tried setting the Launch CSM to Enabled, Boot Device Control to [UEFI only], and the Primary Display in Graphics Configuration to [CPU Graphics] to see if that improves the situation? Please refer to the BIOS manual if needed.
Please also check whether the HDMI cable meets the output specification of HDMI 2.1, or try testing with a different HDMI cable. 
As well as confirm the brand and model of your monitor, whether the firmware and drivers are up to date, and did resetting the monitor's OSD settings have any effect?

Thank you.

[DaleR]

Hi Jiaszzz_ROG

Thankl you for your reply, I have tried all BIOS's up to 3802 as mentioned in my post above, I added additional information below where I quoted the original post. I have not installed 3901 as I do not install Beta versions of any Firmware.

I have cleared the CMOS many times and also removed the battery, I have loaded optimised settings on all verisions of the BIOS too.

I have tried CSM Enabled and CSM Disabled, it is UEFI Only and the Primary display is set to CPU Graphics.

I have tried multiple HDMI cables with no change and all are HDMI 2.1.

My monitors are a LG 32UN650-W and a Philips 288E2UAE, both are 4K IPS Displays.

Neither are firmware updatable and both have had their OSD settings reset.

I only have this issue with HDMI, both monitors work absolutely fine on Display port regardless of BIOS version, using Display port is not a workaround/fix as I have to use the HDMI Port as well.

If I roll back to BIOS 2403 regardless of any BIOS or Windows settings this issue is gone. 

Regards

Dale

[DaleR]

A further update Jiaszzz_ROG,

I did some playing around again and found out what the problem is, but I am unable to find out the root cause, when I use any BIOS above 2403 the Colour format changes to YCbCr420 but it should be RGB, if I flash back to BIOS 2403 it goes back to RGB.

Screenshot added:

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @DaleR 

Thank you for your prompt response and update.
After consulting with our engineers regarding BIOS version differences, we generally wouldn’t expect these to cause the color shifts or blurriness described. Summarizing the scenario, it may stem from driver/ firmware compatibility factors, or the system may apply default settings that differ upon hardware recognition, leading to the problems you've encountered.
Could you let us know if you also update the chipset driver and all the driver versions released on the ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI support page when updating the BIOS?
Additionally, we noticed it seems that a new driver update was recently released on the 32UN650-W support page, and based on the 32UN650-W user manual:

We recommend adjusting the Color Depth settings within the OSD and also trying to modify the color format under OS.
For related guidance, you may also refer to the steps in "How to Configure YCbCr in the Intel® Graphics Command Center" and try switching the color format from YCbCr to RGB.
Alongside these setting adjustments, please also consider reaching out to the monitor manufacturer to check if there are any recommended driver or firmware updates for this scenario.

Thank you.

[DaleR]

Hi Jiaszzz_ROG

YCbCr420 is a compressed colour format and will cause colour fringing and blurriness, it is a video format for televisions for playing videos. It is not suitable for PC desktop use due to these issues that are well known and well discussed in great detail online.

I have tried all the driver updates on the Asus website with no change, as mentioned my monitor is not firmware updatable and I have this issue on other monitors too, I have a Philips 4K, BenQ monitors and also a LG C2 48" OLED and this issue is present on those too. 

I also have laptops with the same iGPU running the latest BIOS/Microcode/ME Firmware that do not have this issue on the same displays.

The driver listed on the monitor support page is for Windows 10 and is dated 2023 which is older than the driver provided by Microsoft. I did try it and it made no difference.

There is no setting in any version of the Intel Graphics Command centre for changing colour formats on an Intel iGPU, I believe that setting is only there on an Intel ARC GPU.

As I have the same issue on 5 different monitors I have tried here and I do not have this issue on various other 12th Gen Intel Laptops with the same iGPU there is nothing wrong with the monitors.

I have taken a video for you today which demonstrates this issue on the latest BIOS and the difference with BIOS 2403 loaded. Both reset with optimised defaults.

The video is here: https://youtu.be/D9MCj1haSTw

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @DaleR 

Thank you for providing the video and relevant information.
We would like our engineers to further verify the issue you described, however, we still need details about your current software and hardware specifications.
As previously requested, please assist by providing the current brand, model, and installation slot of the installed RAM (part number), SSD/HDD, and PSU, as well as the OS build, chipset driver version, and Intel Graphics Command Center version.
Please confirm the brand and specifications of your HDMI cable (e.g., if it was included with your monitor), and for the three additional monitors mentioned beyond the LG 32UN650-W and Philips 288E2UAE, kindly specify their brand and model.

According to your description, this issue does not occur when using a DP cable connection.
Does that mean, as shown at 2:56 in your video, that if you immediately switch to a DP connection to integrated graphics, this issue does not reoccur?
When connected via the DP cable, does the color format displayed in the system show as YCbCr420 or RGB?

We also noticed that the desktop wallpaper differs between BIOS 3802 and 2403.
Could you confirm if you have multiple system drives installed and whether you are booting from different system drives under different BIOS versions?

Thank you.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @DaleR 

Following verification by our engineer, we were able to replicate the same behavior.
Additionally, we found that setting the 'Color Format' to 'RGB' under Intel Graphics Command Center > Display > General allowed the RGB format to apply correctly when connected via HDMI, enabling HDR as well.
To adjust the format in Intel Graphics Command Center: 

System Color Format and Color Space:

We recommend following these steps and checking again. 

Thank you.

[DaleR]

Hi Jiaszzz_ROG,

Apologies for the late reply I have been away from home and just got back.

To answer your questions in the previous message, the specs of my machine is:

Ram: Adata DDR5 2x 16GB in slots A2 and B2 as per the manual, PSU: Corsair RM750x, NVMe: Samsung 980 Pro, OS Windows 11 26100.2033, Chipset Driver: V10.1.19899.8597

HDMI Cables are: QED Performance Pro HDMI 2.1, Belkin HDMI 2.1, Lindy HDMI 2.1 and the supplied LG, Phillips and BenQ HDMI cables.

Additional Monitors are: BenQ PD3200U x2 and LG OLED48C24LA

Thank you for your second reply, it is good to know that your engineer was able to verify this issue.

I have taken the steps you have show in Intel Command Centre, although I can select RGB there, this changes the refresh rate to 30Hz which is unusable. I can also see in your attached screenshot that it is also only 30Hz on your engineers system with the BenQ PD2700U. On BIOS 2403 and below it is 60Hz with RGB.

I have also tried BIOS 4001 this evening and that has the same issues.

Kind Regards,

Dale

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @DaleR 

Thank you for providing an update on your situation and for your patience.
I have DM with the latest developments regarding this issue. Please check the message inbox in the upper right corner of the forum when convenient.

Thank you.