AW2721D, enabling AMD Adaptive Sync Compatible, causes flashing colors

Note, AMD FreeSync compatibility was not tested by Dell Alienware with this Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate AW2721D. The online AW2721D User's Guide does not mention AMD or AMD FreeSync compatibility. It specifically mentions Nvidia seven times. So using the AW2721D with an AMD video card, AMD driver, and AMD control panel is non-tested ground for Dell. All we can recommend is that you keep trying the newer AMD drivers as they are released by AMD or XFX. For Dell to troubleshoot, you would need to test the AW2721D on a Nvidia video card to see if the issue is shown there.

Hello Chris,

Appreciate the response. I work in support so understand the variety of factors that can contribute to potentially defective behaviour. I've owned this monitor in the past and it never exhibited this behaviour. That monitor sadly fell and broke by accident, a deeply traumatic experience I'm sure you can imagine :). This new one I bought, exact same model, started to exhibit this behaviour recently from my experience. You're right it could quite possibly be a driver issue, I can most certainly roll back the version and see if that helps at all. I'm also aware that the documentation doesn't refer to any other variable refresh rate technology except G-Sync. I've never been one for Nvidia to be honest, but have had amazing experience with Alienware Monitors and wouldn't look elsewhere for any other brand, so had to go with this model since it is exactly what I needed, 1440p 240Hz.

On a side note, graphics cards are next to impossible to buy these days, so testing on an nvidia card isn't possible, quite possibly for most people. It would be awesome if Dell/ Alienware would be able to do a test since I'm sure they have semi surplus hardware in the labs. Some clarity would be ideal regarding support for freesync or Adaptive Sync (freesync option doesn't show up in the AMD display drivers since this monitor doesn't support it). Also I would have thought that if adaptive sync wasn't supported by the monitor why only at 240Hz? Surely it would either work or not.

Will get back to you with my driver test results. I can't do any testing on an nvidia card. 

If it helps:

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/alienware-aw2721d

"The Dell AW2721D has an exceptional 240Hz refresh rate with a wide VRR range. It has native G-SYNC support and is FreeSync compatible, but FreeSync only works over a DisplayPort connection. Unfortunately, you can only get up to 144Hz with 10-bit color at native resolution. You can get higher frame rates in 10-bit if you lower your resolution or by going down to chroma 4:2:2."

I noticed in the video you ran it at 240 Hz. Maybe that is the issue.

Hi Chris. Dell Support rejected my claim that my monitor is defective without given any reasons or methods to their conclusion. So I took the matter into my own hands and decided that I'd take my PC to my brother's home to test whether is my monitor or the AMD software. Bottom line, my brother's monitor works flawlessly no issue whatsoever.

Just waiting for a replacement now from you guys and an explanation why it's take over 2 weeks to respond back to me despite me having a 3 year Dell Premium Warranty with a next business day panel replacement policy in place.

To say the least, I'm very annoyed.

FYI here are the support ticket details:

Created:
Apr 6, 2021 (18 days ago)

If ever more evidence was required that my monitor is faulty, here's it is:

Where we at now?

I finally got my replacement monitor on Thursday, May 20. Logged the issue on the 6th April. You can do the math but that's a massive wait to get a replacement for a faulty under warranty piece of premium hardware. 

"piece of premium hardware."

Oh wow, had to look it up.  I didn't realize these are $668 monitors.  That's a pretty big extra investment to pay for the gsync ultimate chip in the monutor to then only use as freesync compatible without the benefit of the chip.  Good to hear it got fixed.

AMD support adaptive refresh rate or Variable Refresh Rate. It's effectively the same thing as GSync. They are all the same fundamental technologies and I've experienced no tearing at all since I received the new monitor. My brother has an RTX 3090, and I couldn't tell the difference between his monitor performance and mine. Mind you I get better FPS on my 6800 XT than his RTX 3090. Not sure why, but VRR/ Adaptive Sync must work for this monitor to be even worth considering outside of nVidia cards, otherwise it's a waste of money.

Hi there. In 10 bit mode, you only get 144hz on this monitor. With my replacement monitor everything works great. Adaptive Sync at 240Hz 8bit colour etc. I believe it even states in the manual that at 10bit colour it reduces to 144hz.

I read somewhere that to activate 10-bit color depth at 1440p 240Hz, you will need to change the output color format to YCbCr422 in your graphics card driver settings. 

Hi Waxta

I want to buy the same Alienware AW2721D monitor, like have you. Also I have Radeon RX 6800XT. I understand correct, with your replacement monitor works fine the Freesync, in 240Hz and 1440p, 10bit? No issues? Thanks your answer!

Hi Waxsta

Thanks for your answer! I was contact with my country's Dell distributor, this monitor at first place on my list. Unfortunately, it is very rare to buy it here with us.

Thank you again!