PC Graphics

[f14tomcat85]

My dad bought a 7900XT to replace his 2080 Super for DCS in VR. He bought it brand new sealed from the store. 

He is not tech-savvy, so I troubleshoot problems for him. If I can't figure it out, he will have to return the GPU to the store. 

His Specs: 

- 7800X3D (latest drivers - stock perf)

- 64 GB RAM (4 channel - XMP enabled)

- HP Reverb G1 (latest drivers) - **Bold below are how the VR was connected with each GPU**

- Windows 10 22H2 (latest updates - no optional updates)

- Old GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2080 Super (latest drivers - stock perf) - **connected to PC via 1 USB to USB 3.2 on Mobo & 1 DP connected to GPU**

- New GPU: XFX Merc 310 7900XT (latest drivers - stock perf) - **connected to PC via 1 USB to USB 3.2 on Mobo & 1 DP connected to GPU**

- Old office 60 Hz Monitor - connected to 1 DP on GPU

The Old GPU was bought along with the HP Reverb 5 years ago and was working flawlessly with this VR headset. Since 2023, he switched from using SteamVR, to OpenXR entirely, removing the need to have SteamVR. However, the HP Reverb MUST HAVE Windows MR in order to work. In some Windows 10 versions, WMR is bricked by Windows on purpose because it is EOL. That means that the Reverb or whatever VR depends on it is EOL and we can't rely on HP or Windows to help us. Same thing on Windows 11. 

I ran DDU, twice on different occasions, but the problems persisted. 

1. There was an initial issue with the VR. I was getting 2 errors. First, the VR could not run at maximum refresh rate of 90 Hz, and second, it couldn't communicate with the GPU drivers. I found out that they were rooted in settings in WMR settings. With the 2080 Super, the VR used to run well at 90 Hz. The settings now have to be set to either "Let Windows Decide" or "60 Hz" in order to mitigate the first problem. For the second problem, there is a resolution drop down menu: either "Automatic Upscaling" or "Native Resolution". On the 2080S, it was set at Automatic Upscaling. But on the 7900XT, it has the issue of not being able to read the GPU, so I must put it on Native resolution. 

2. Right now, with those issues fixed, WMR boots up the headset and I can see a mirror of the software inside the headset (it looks like a balcony with different apps). I move around the Headset and see on the mirror that it's tracking. However, there is NO VISUAL FEED inside the reverb itself, as if it's completely turned off. I have tested this with and without Steam VR as well, but it's the same. 

I need help figuring that out. This issue seems very rare from my google searches. Someone from a different subreddit suggested that the GPU sees the VR as a 2nd monitor, but if the DP doesn't have 2 different frequency timers, and one device is running at slightly different Hz, then the timer might only feed one screen. However, I have no way to be sure/check it. 

If I can't figure out a solution, he will have to return the GPU to the store. His game needs the VRAM, otherwise, I would have told him to buy a 9070XT or a 7800XT. 

I did some testing with my own PC as well as my own set of HP reverb G1 headset. 

1. I updated everything to the latest drivers(GPU, CPU, Windows (excluding optional updates) and everything in between (with device manager). I had a set of my own HP reverb G1 (headset and cables) which I use on my PC (with an EVGA RTX 2060). I tested it on my dad's PC using a combination of; his headset, my cables. my headset, his cables, and my headset my cables. Nothing worked. Same exact issue.

2. Then, I disconnected his headset and his cables and took it to my PC. My GPU has only 1 DP port, 1 HDMI Port, and 1 VGA port. The headset works ! .....here's some things that I noticed.

- I tested it normally before the 2080S to 7900XT swap, which meant running at 90Hz and Automatic Upscaling. Everything worked as expected. I have SteamVR and I could see the mountain range and the menu in front of me.

- Then, I tested it by forcing 60 Hz, and the framerate drops like crazy - to the point that I think it's no more than 10 FPS! So, I reverted back to 90 Hz and it became smooth again.

- Then, I switched from Automatic upscaling to Native Resolution. It still works the same but my PC started ramping up power like a jet engine. Switched back to Automatic Upscaling and it calmed down again. Not sure how it correlates to more power. My dad and I have the same PSU 750 W.

Then I went to the system display settings both on my Dad's PC and on my own PC. I saw something on my PC that looked very different than my Dad's PC.

- On my PC (2060): Display settings show my 2 monitors side by side, but then it shows up 4 displays (3-6) stacked on top of each other over display 1, when VR is running. I tested by disconnecting each display, and upon just disconnecting 1 of them, **VR Visual feed disappears** exactly the same way as the issue with my dad's PC. Reconnecting them causes the visual feed to return. On my Dad's PC, he just has 1 monitor, and when VR is connected, it's just his 1 display being detected (no display stacks) and VR feed is none.

- On my PC (2060): When you go to graphics settings, you can see the option to disable Hardware accelerated GPU scheduling. No such option on my Dad's PC with 7900XT, however, this option was there when he was running his old 2080S.

- On my PC (2060): In the same graphics settings, there is an option to select which app gets what kind of power treatment. You select an app or a Microsoft Store app, which I did and selected Mixed Reality portal. From there, you click on Options, and it will give you 3 options. Let Windows Decide, Power Saving, and High Performance. There is a subtitle underneath them which says which GPU will be chosen. On my PC, it says RTX 2060, but on my Dad's PC, it says Radeon TM Graphics, which is his iGPU. This is a biased one, because my PC does not have an iGPU, and his does, so I am not sure if this would be a universal case or not.

I appreciate any help.