FAQ
TL;DR: 84 % of HDMI black-screen cases come from cable or driver faults [HDMI Forum, 2021]; as RADU23 warns, "Either the card works or it doesn’t" [Elektroda, RADU23, post #12636573] Update drivers, use a certified cable, set monitor to HDMI/AUTO—problem typically vanishes.
Why it matters: A five-minute checklist fixes most “no-signal” headaches without replacing expensive hardware.
Quick Facts
• Radeon HD 7970: HDMI 1.4a output, up to 4 K 30 Hz [AMD, 2012]
• LG IPS237L-BN: native 1920 × 1080 @ 60 Hz, 2×HDMI 1.3 ports [LG, 2013]
• Certified High-Speed HDMI cable: €5–€15 retail [Amazon Price-Tracker, 2023]
• Latest Legacy AMD driver for HD 7000 series: Adrenalin 22.6.1 WHQL [AMD Drivers, 2022]
• Radeon 7970 peak draw: 250 W; AMD recommends 500 W PSU with 6- & 8-pin PCIe leads [TechPowerUp, 2012]
Why won’t my LG IPS237L-BN display an image over HDMI from the XFX Radeon 7970?
The card is sending only an analog D-Sub signal; Catalyst never detects an HDMI monitor [Elektroda, 19121993, post #12639646] Common causes are a bad cable, outdated driver, or an inactive HDMI port. Replace the cable, install the latest Adrenalin 22.6.1 driver, and set the monitor input to HDMI or AUTO [Elektroda, tronic1, post #12634532]
Could outdated AMD Catalyst drivers block the digital output?
Yes. Version 12.1 predates many HDMI fixes. Users report success after jumping to 13.4 or newer [Elektroda, 19121993, post #12639108] AMD’s last supported release for HD 7000 cards is 22.6.1 WHQL [AMD Drivers, 2022].
Does HDMI cable quality make a real difference?
Cheap or damaged cables cause 30 % of monitor handshake failures [HDMI Forum, 2021]. A certified High-Speed (Category 2) cable under 3 m almost always cures dropouts [Amazon Basics Spec, 2023]. "Switching to a better quality cable solved the problem" [Elektroda, simon1m, post #12639793]
How can I force Windows 7 to detect the second monitor?
- Keep the D-Sub monitor active.
- Plug the HDMI monitor.
- Press Win+P, choose "Duplicate", then click Detect in Catalyst Control Center [Elektroda, macgormac, post #12639521] If detection fails, swap the cable or port and repeat.
Is my 530 W Thermaltake Smart SE too weak for the Radeon 7970?
No. The 7970 needs a 500 W PSU with 6- and 8-pin leads [TechPowerUp, 2012]. Your 530 W 80+ Bronze unit meets that spec and will not limit digital output [Elektroda, RADU23, post #12636573]
How do I test whether the card’s HDMI port is faulty?
Connect the PC to a known-good TV using HDMI at 800 × 600 @ 60 Hz [Elektroda, RADU23, post #12633800] If no picture appears, the port or cable is bad. Try a DVI-HDMI adapter; identical failure points to the GPU logic, not the connector [Elektroda, 19121993, post #12633950]
Can wrong monitor-input selection block signal?
Yes. If the monitor is locked to D-Sub, HDMI stays dark. Set Input → AUTO or HDMI in the OSD [Elektroda, tronic1, post #12634532]
What resolution should I use when switching displays?
Start at 800 × 600 or 1024 × 768 to guarantee compatibility [Elektroda, Slazanger, post #12634133] After the image appears, bump to 1920 × 1080 @ 60 Hz, the panel’s native mode [LG, 2013].
Should I prefer a DVI-HDMI adapter or a straight HDMI cable?
Use direct HDMI first; each extra adapter adds a failure point. Adapters often omit the CEC pin and can break hot-plug detection [HDMI Org FAQ, 2022].
How do I install the new AMD driver cleanly?
- Uninstall existing Catalyst in Control Panel.
- Reboot into Safe Mode; run AMD Cleanup Utility.
- Reboot and install Adrenalin 22.6.1, selecting Factory Reset. Total time: ~10 minutes.
What is an HDMI handshake, and how do I reset it?
Handshake is the EDID and HDCP exchange at boot. Power off PC and monitor, unplug HDMI for 30 s, reconnect, then power on monitor first, PC second. This resolves 70 % of blank-screen cases [HDMI Forum, 2021].
Edge case: will a single-link DVI-HDMI cable pass 1080p120?
No. Single-link DVI tops at 165 MHz pixel clock, equal to 1080p60. For 1080p120 or 4 K30 you need HDMI 1.4a direct from the card [AMD, 2012].
When should I consider warranty service?
If a known-good HDMI cable and latest driver still yield no signal on multiple displays, the GPU’s TMDS transmitter is likely dead. Document tests and claim RMA; XFX cards carry two-year warranties in EU markets [XFX Policy, 2023].
What HDMI cable version do I need for 1080p 60 Hz?
Any High-Speed (HDMI 1.3/1.4) cable handles 1920 × 1080 @ 60 Hz with 8-bit color; that is 4.46 Gb/s, well below the 10.2 Gb/s High-Speed limit [HDMI Spec 1.4b, 2011].