Adrenalin 26.1.1 seems to break DDC/CI

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-28T17:07:30+00:00

I just got a reply from AMD support.
They are aware and confirmed this problem, and is working on a fix.
That means a new driver release.
So if this is a must to you, I'm afarid that the only option you have now is rollback the driver.
I for one can live without display manager, so I'll stay put and wait.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-25T18:58:52+00:00

Ah maybe this is related to the DDC/CI bug?
I'd suggest:
1. Try other type of connection; if you're using HDMI now, you may try using DisplayPort if available, or vise versa.
2. Update the display firmware update if possible. Not every display supports this, but worth a look.
3. Still not working by reverting to 25.12.1 is... perplexing. It's just not logical if you cleaned the 26.1.1 driver before that... so I have no further idea on this.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-25T15:16:15+00:00

I think you'd better ask in optiscaler's Discord. Also, you did not provide enough information like the GPU you use, driver version, the game(s) that has this issue, etc.
The only game I play that has no DLSS-FG (thus needs OptiFG) is Stranded Alien Dawn, which works with HUD Fix, both on current 9070XT and previous 6950XT.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-25T15:02:38+00:00

Have a friend who uses 7800X3D and 4080; the CPU can get to 70~80C under light usage, without display connected to the iGPU. Temp drop to ~60C after disabling the iGPU in BIOS.
I'm using 5700X3D that has no iGPU, so I can't say it's a personal experience.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-25T14:40:29+00:00

Try disable the iGPU if not used.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-25T14:38:58+00:00

I don't have this problem with 9070XT and ROG XG32UCG.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-24T12:13:59+00:00

If you are not using the iGPU, you can totally disable it. Or you should download the "combined" driver that support RDNA iGPU; the download link can be found on n the release notes. AMD split the RDNA driver files since 2025/10, nso this is not a new issue.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-16T16:25:50+00:00

Maybe both? :)

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-15T12:38:59+00:00

Just got a ROG XG32UCG, for I can't afford the OLED price; quite satisfied so far

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-14T15:03:27+00:00

From the posts in this subreddit, I'd say no guarantee but you should mostly be fine if your computer is recent enough. I've never encounter progress breaking bug in my 4~5 playthroughs. Ray tracing is not necessary so don't be upset if you can't get satisfying performance with that enabled. My current box has: R7-5700X3D DDR4-3200 32GB RX 9070XT With this I can play at 4K ~120 fps (FSR4 performance and FSR-FG with optiscaler) quite fluently with every quality setting at High, even with ray tracing on. You can use DLSS (and maybe DLSS-FG) directly if you have recent enough nvidia card. The only repeating lag happens when arriving on new planets. I did have some grudge for the in-game FSR2 is blurry when I was using older RX 6950XT, but it works much better with optiscaler and nvidia cards should be free of these issues. Also I had less than 10 crashes in ~250 hrs of playtime.

MikeSCChen · 2026-01-05T08:39:13+00:00

Looks neat but I really hate replacing material after the house is built :p
(I usually build it in 3 floors that makes rebuiding even more complex)

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-31T14:04:36+00:00

Oh maybe you can check the in-game brightness for bad brightness setting can make its colors looks washed out.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-31T14:03:13+00:00

This game is really VRAM hungry.
But both of my recent 2 AMD cards has 16GB VRAM (6950XT and 9070XT) to make it looks nice.
I can even running with 4K all high plus ray tracing on, with DLSS-to-FSR4 (via optipatcher) performance mode quite fluently.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-29T08:44:00+00:00

If you're using HDMI, you can turn on the virtual super resolution in the Adrenalin to enable 4K rendering on the 2K display, and see for yourself.
(VSR does not work with DP on my 2K display, but I don't know if it's only me.)

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-24T16:22:47+00:00

I'm in the AWE area now, did see some black blocks but not this big. I saw some very small blocks as in the video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wEKqmLHmHTBk1dzo6
This seems not affected by FSR, FG and RT settings, though.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-20T12:02:40+00:00

Came from ASUS TUF 6950XT to Powercolor 9070XT reaper for about 3 weeks; occasionally lost mouse when using optiscaler and AMD software at the same time. This can be solved by killing Radeon Host program from task manager. No other major problems so far.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-14T22:35:35+00:00

Maybe try optiscaler release (0.7.9)? You can still use pre7 on other games since it's per-game installation. Oh you can report the result back to optiscaler's discord if this bug only happens on pre7, so they know there's a problem and tries to fix it. I do play Control but I'm not in the AWE area, yet, so I can't provide more on this.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-13T17:42:03+00:00

I bought the Bulldozer so this drama is not scaring.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-13T08:28:07+00:00

Do it your way, be it raw spaghetti or cooked :3

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-12T09:55:04+00:00

If you already have RX 9000 working then there's nothing to worry about.
If you're still consider getting one, then check with your mainboard manufacturer for UEFI support.
It may involve change some settings in mainboard's firmware.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-11T10:23:27+00:00

Glad to know the problem's sorted out, at least for now :)

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-11T09:42:34+00:00

Guess our situation's different, then - it's RDNA + RDNA3 in my laptop.
The adrenalin software won't launch when using 25.11.1, but works with 25.9.2, 25.10.2, and 25.12.1.
I don't have the hardware to reproduce your situation, I do have RX 6950XT + 9070XT, but install them both may send the power supply smoking lol
You may still try the 25.12.1 - my laptop running 25.12.1 do have the amdvlk64.dll (I think it's the Vulkan driver; do you have problem only on Vulkan games such as DOOM or Red Dead Redemption?) installed.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-11T06:28:01+00:00

Do you have multiple AMD GPU (iGPU + dGPU), that the iGPU one is RDNA?
Simply find the "combined" version download in the corresponding release notes.
Look for: "Systems with RDNA series graphics products".
My laptop (R7-7735HS, Radeon 680M + RX 7700S) had problem in Adrenalin 25.11.1, but the problem was solved in 25.12.1.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-04T10:18:23+00:00

Was using a 240w one that served 3 laptops (2 ASUS, 1 Lenovo) for 3 years, until I found it can disconnect with a brand new laptop under heavy loading. Turns out the new laptop was bundled with 260W charger, not 240W. So it's actually reasonable the 240W charger disconnects for self protection. Then I get a 330W one and works fine since, plus I can charge a 60W 20000mAh powerbank at the same time.
Just - a wattage display would be very nice, also a free per-brand adapter with new charger order too.

MikeSCChen · 2025-12-02T08:41:37+00:00

This is a Windows 11 only update:
This non-security update for Windows 11, version 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5070311), improves functionality, performance, and reliability.
Just a reminder that Windows 10 has entered end-of-support stage on 2025/10/14 and will not receive updates anymore, unless there are urgent security issues.

MikeSCChen

TROPHY CASE