Low Clock-speeds on RTX 2060 Super

[Computernaut]

I've discovered a strange issue with my 2060S. For no apparent reason, it has trouble running faster than about 1,500 MHz. As I understand it, my card should be able to hit ~1,750 MHz or more quite easily. I first noticed this when I decided today to try and under-volt it, though I expect it's always been like this and I merely didn't notice (I noticed the issue before changing any settings). This is an MSI Afterburner screenshot I took while running Furmark and using the default fan curve:

As you can see, the clock hovers around ~1,400 MHz, but the card is still hitting its ~175W TDP. According to TechPowerUp, even a founders card (I have a dual-fan Gigabyte Windforce) should hit 1650 MHz or so. If it wasn't running at TDP, I'd guess it was a temps problem, but the card not clock higher before heating up.

I re-installed ("Game-Ready") drivers before taking the screenshot, so that shouldn't be the issue either.

[Skiiwee29]

You're card appears to be thermal throttling since its sitting at 85c even with 100% fan speed. This is likely why you aren't hitting higher boost clocks.

[Godlygamer23]

Increase your temperature limit.

Also run an actual game or proper benchmark. FurMark is set to have lower clocks and power draw in drivers due to it being a power virus.

 

@Computernaut

Also I noticed the GPU hit a max of 1785MHz overall. Not sure if MSI Afterburner was running since the machine was turned on(and maybe you played a game earlier), but it was able to hit 1785MHz. 

Edited January 15, 2023 by Godlygamer23

[Computernaut]

1 hour ago, Skiiwee29 said:

You're card appears to be thermal throttling since its sitting at 85c even with 100% fan speed. This is likely why you aren't hitting higher boost clocks.

I thought of that, but it doesn't totally make sense. You can see in the graphs that the clocks were low even before the card got hot. It's also still running at its full TDP, if it was throttling, it would be lower, no?

[Skiiwee29]

Just now, Computernaut said:

I thought of that, but it doesn't totally make sense. You can see in the graphs that the clocks were low even before the card got hot. It's also still running at its full TDP, if it was throttling, it would be lower, no?

As @Godlygamer23 pointed out and I missed, Furmark does not push the GPU clocks as its not an FPS stress test. All Furmark is is a power virus, basically it forces maximum voltage through the card. If you want to test clocks and thermals in a proper FPS/Gaming type scenario, then use Port Royal or TimeSpy.

[Computernaut]

1 hour ago, Godlygamer23 said:

Increase your temperature limit.

Also run an actual game or proper benchmark. FurMark is set to have lower clocks and power draw in drivers due to it being a power virus.

Thanks! I tried an actual game and yup, it went right up to around 1,800 MHz. I had no idea Furmark did that (glad I mentioned it too so you could let me know).

[Godlygamer23]

1 minute ago, Computernaut said:

Thanks! I tried an actual game and yup, it went right up to around 1,800 MHz. I had no idea Furmark did that (glad I mentioned it too so you could let me know).

Good, I'm glad that fixed your issue. At this point, I wouldn't even worry about increasing your temperature limits since you're now getting the expected speeds.