GPU Usage Fluctuation (95%~80%)

[YanYang]

I've had an MSI GTX TF 770 for almost two months now, and in the past two weeks or so, I have noticed that my GPU isn't being 100% utilized. When I first got it I could expect the usage to always be a completely flat line at 100% under load, however now it is only hitting 95% and has a lot of small spikes in it. This occurs both at and under the temperature threshold, and I'm not sure why.

 

My specs are:

 

CPU: i5 4670 using the stock cooler

Mobo: Asus Z87 Pro

RAM: 2x4GB Cosair Vengeance @ 1600Mhz

SSD: 120GB Kingston SSDnow v300

GPU MSI GTX TF 770 2GB Gaming

PSU: EVGA Supernova 650W Gold

 

Running Windows 8.1

 

I have tried multiple drivers including 335, 337 and 340 to no avali.

[Ren]

GPU Boost 2.0 throttles 700-series Kepler cards at 80C apparently.

Not 100% sure if that's what's going on but it def. seems like it's true.

Edit: I understand you said 'under' but maybe you should try adjusting fan speed anyway..

[aidenrelkoff]

your gpu will keep it self cool, so if i want to be 80* or less it will throttle it self.

 

example, since my gpu is only 28-30* while using chrome, the fan is only needing to be at 30% and the gpu is only running at 324Mhz

 

 

Although i dont have problems with throttling because even when i am mining Lite coins, my gpu is only at 64*

 

Solution? Get more case fans, or keep your room cooler, my room when i took this pic right now was at 21.2*C

[DavidTheWin]

If it is throttling, I was under the impression that the usage would still stay at 100%, but the clock speeds would be reduced rather than reducing the load?

[YanYang]

If it is throttling, I was under the impression that the usage would still stay at 100%, but the clock speeds would be reduced rather than reducing the load?

 

Yes, I also believe this to be the case and I do indeed see my core clock fall at 80 degrees Celsius

GPU Boost 2.0 throttles 700-series Kepler cards at 80C apparently.

Not 100% sure if that's what's going on but it def. seems like it's true.

Edit: I understand you said 'under' but maybe you should try adjusting fan speed anyway..

 

Okay, I'll run Furmark with fans @ 100% for a couple of minutes and report back

your gpu will keep it self cool, so if i want to be 80* or less it will throttle it self.

 

example, since my gpu is only 28-30* while using chrome, the fan is only needing to be at 30% and the gpu is only running at 324Mhz

 

precision X.PNG

 

Although i dont have problems with throttling because even when i am mining Lite coins, my gpu is only at 64*

 

Solution? Get more case fans, or keep your room cooler, my room when i took this pic right now was at 21.2*C

 

I feel like I may have not been clear in my OP. While I am aware that I am getting GPU clock speed throttle, I am more concerned about the GPU Usage %, as even with a lower clock speed it should still be utilized properly (?). Either way, Like to the guy above, I will run for a while with all my fans maxed and report back. 

[YanYang]

The Fan settings for this round to testing

 

The results;

 

No thermal throttle but the gpu usage fluctuation is still present

[Faa]

Raise temp target to 95° and TDP to max

[YanYang]

Raise temp target to 95° and TDP to max

No ball, still the same result, I just get slightly louder electrical hiss coming from the coil in the GPU

[Vrbas]

What games are you playing if any that you notice the GPU usage isn't 99%? Or is it just furmark?

[YanYang]

What games are you playing if any that you notice the GPU usage isn't 99%? Or is it just furmark?

This happens in all the games I play, including Battlefield 3 and Minecraft with SEUS shaders. In the past this wasn't the case in these games, so I'm not sure whether this is a driver fault or my graphics card dying after only a few weeks.

[Faa]

This happens in all the games I play, including Battlefield 3 and Minecraft with SEUS shaders. In the past this wasn't the case in these games, so I'm not sure whether this is a driver fault or my graphics card dying after only a few weeks.

Battlefield 3 is cpu bound that's why its not capping out at 99%, I'm nowhere getting 99% in BF3 with my 780 in middle of heavy combat. Minecraft is the same thing. The reason why you might not have 99% in Furmark is because there's a wattage limitation in the bios. If reviewers want to review the gpu in accoustics & temps brands would most likely cheat with it and reduce the extreme headroom to avoid the GPU hitting extreme power draws so they can stick out of any other model to show that their cooler is better & quieter. I've had a 680 DC2T before which managed to pull 325W (140% TDP) in Furmark card was hitting 85° at 100% fan speed but when gaming at 99% load the TDP never went above 70-80%.

Test it with something more realistic, and not a multiplayer game. Just try unigine heaven

[Vrbas]

This happens in all the games I play, including Battlefield 3 and Minecraft with SEUS shaders. In the past this wasn't the case in these games, so I'm not sure whether this is a driver fault or my graphics card dying after only a few weeks.

Yes both those games are CPU bound.

[FloRolf]

Not even when folding my gpu goes to 100%. Its always at likr 95.

And for games thats normal. Sometimes you just dont need the extra power.

Dont worry unless you get terrible performance with it.

[YanYang]

Okay, but the main reason I am concerned with the GPU usage isn't the usage maxing out at 95% but rather the odd spikes in the graph. I didn't get this before and I was wondering why it is happening now. Either way, thanks for all the replies so far. I have recently updated my motherboard bios as well to version 2005 (my mobo is an Asus Z87-Pro), could this be the reason for the fluctuations in the usage?

[FloRolf]

Okay, but the main reason I am concerned with the GPU usage isn't the usage maxing out at 95% but rather the odd spikes in the graph. I didn't get this before and I was wondering why it is happening now. Either way, thanks for all the replies so far. I have recently updated my motherboard bios as well to version 2005 (my mobo is an Asus Z87-Pro), could this be the reason for the fluctuations in the usage?

Thats really nothing to worry about imo.

You could re-install the drivers completely tho to be sure.

[Vrbas]

You have a powerful card there. But like Faa said try out Heavan benchmark on max settings. And report results. Should be 99% most of the time.

[YanYang]

You have a powerful card there. But like Faa said try out Heavan benchmark on max settings. And report results. Should be 99% most of the time.

 

You have a powerful card there. But like Faa said try out Heavan benchmark on max settings. And report results. Should be 99% most of the time.

 

 

Battlefield 3 is cpu bound that's why its not capping out at 99%, I'm nowhere getting 99% in BF3 with my 780 in middle of heavy combat. Minecraft is the same thing. The reason why you might not have 99% in Furmark is because there's a wattage limitation in the bios. If reviewers want to review the gpu in accoustics & temps brands would most likely cheat with it and reduce the extreme headroom to avoid the GPU hitting extreme power draws so they can stick out of any other model to show that their cooler is better & quieter. I've had a 680 DC2T before which managed to pull 325W (140% TDP) in Furmark card was hitting 85° at 100% fan speed but when gaming at 99% load the TDP never went above 70-80%.

Test it with something more realistic, and not a multiplayer game. Just try unigine heaven

 

Okay, I have done as you guys have suggested and tested it with unigine heaven. With unigine it peaks at 99%, and stays there most of the time dropping down to 95% with some larger spikes. I have attached screenshots below.

[Faa]

Your gpu fluctuating between 90 & 99% is normal. That you see it dropping in unigine to 70% is when its in the transition phase (switching from scene) is normal as well. Hope this screenshot helps you: http://i.imgur.com/uIgJ8Li.jpg

[YanYang]

Your gpu fluctuating between 90 & 99% is normal. That you see it dropping in unigine to 70% is when its in the transition phase (switching from scene) is normal as well. Hope this screenshot helps you: http://i.imgur.com/uIgJ8Li.jpg

Thanks for the confirmation Beast, I was worried that I had caused some static damage to it, but your screen really put me at ease.

 

Also thanks to everyone else who contributed to this thread.