R9 280x problems

[Spongy141]

Simple question, why does the R9 280x only use 40-60% GPU usage in games (Valley and Heaven are the only things I seen actually use 90%+ GPU usage). I looked online, so far no useful information, just a ton of people saying they also have the problem.

[ArrayGamer]

Simple question, why does the R9 280x only use 40-60% GPU usage in games (Valley and Heaven are the only things I seen actually use 90%+ GPU usage). I looked online, so far no useful information, just a ton of people saying they also have the problem.

what cpu?

[Tea1337]

It doesn't need to use its full power to run the game, no need to be at 100% and waste power giving no better performance.

[ArrayGamer]

Simple question, why does the R9 280x only use 40-60% GPU usage in games (Valley and Heaven are the only things I seen actually use 90%+ GPU usage). I looked online, so far no useful information, just a ton of people saying they also have the problem.

do you run vsync and at 60fps? there also might be a cap at a certain fps on something like evga percision x for ex. 

[Spongy141]

It doesn't need to use its full power to run the game, no need to be at 100% and waste power giving no better performance.

Okay so the fact that my R9 270x ( 98% GPU usage) can beat my (Yes I have both don't ask) R9 280x is okay?

[Tea1337]

Okay so the fact that my R9 270x ( 98% GPU usage) can beat my (Yes I have both don't ask) R9 280x is okay?

So when using your R9-279x, it yields better performance under the same circumstances than your R9-280x?

[Spongy141]

So when using your R9-279x, it yields better performance under the same circumstances than your R9-280x?

About a 5-10 FPS difference, BUT the 270x does not get HUGE fps drops like the 280x does.

[Tea1337]

About a 5-10 FPS difference, BUT the 270x does not get HUGE fps drops like the 280x does.

Are you swapping out the cards on the same system? It may have to do with drives, but it may not be. What are your specs?

[Spongy141]

Are you swapping out the cards on the same system? It may have to do with drives, but it may not be. What are your specs?

A8-5600k @ 4.3 Ghz(Mantle enabled, so no bottleneck)                                                        A10-7850k @ 4.4 Ghz (Same thing, and I tried to convince the owner [someone in my household] to get a i5 instead...)

R9 270x (15% OC)                                                                                                                  R9 280x

MSI A88x-G43                                                                                                                         Asus A88x-PRO

Both systems have 16 GB 1866 RAM

[Tea1337]

Is the system with the 7850k running mantle? That may be why the a8 system is getting better FPS.

 

A8-5600k @ 4.3 Ghz(Mantle enabled, so no bottleneck)                                                        A10-7850k @ 4.4 Ghz (Same thing, and I tried to convince the owner [someone in my household] to get a i5 instead...)

R9 270x (15% OC)                                                                                                                  R9 280x

MSI A88x-G43                                                                                                                         Asus A88x-PRO
Both systems have 16 GB 1866 RAM

[Spongy141]

Is the system with the 7850k running mantle? That may be why the a8 system is getting better FPS.

Both are running mantle, also I tried DX11 on the A10 system (Same GPU usage, AND about 1-10 FPS lower)

[-rascal-]

That is odd...

What is the results for Unigine heaven? (FPS, Score, Minimum FPS, Maximum FPS)

What game(s) are having this issue?

 

I've got a HD 7970 [aka R9-280X] (or two for that matter) to test on hand, so we could possibly compare some numbers.

[Spongy141]

That is odd...

What is the results for Unigine heaven? (FPS, Score, Minimum FPS, Maximum FPS)

What game(s) are having this issue?

 

I've got a HD 7970 [aka R9-280X] (or two for that matter) to test on hand, so we could possibly compare some numbers.

Heaven (Everything max @ 1080p) got a score of 920, both Heaven and Valley are the only 3D app that uses 90%+ GPU usage.  Games wise I really only tested BF4 and Planetside 2, but since they are the most common games I play and I barely have any other games.

[-rascal-]

Heaven (Everything max @ 1080p) got a score of 920, both Heaven and Valley are the only 3D app that uses 90%+ GPU usage.  Games wise I really only tested BF4 and Planetside 2, but since they are the most common games I play and I barely have any other games.

 

Okay, I've just test Unigine Heaven, and with settings on Ultra, 8xMSAA, 1080p, I get something in the low 900's with one HD 7970.

I'll run some tests with BF4...

 

The CPU could be holding the system back...as multiplayer BF4 does require more CPU. Are the games being ran on Ultra / High settings, or toned down?

Also, make sure you are running the games on Full-Screen. Not Window-Mode.

[Spongy141]

Okay, I've just test Unigine Heaven, and with settings on Ultra, 8xMSAA, 1080p, I get something in the low 900's with one HD 7970.

I'll run some tests with BF4...

 

The CPU could be holding the system back...as multiplayer BF4 does require more CPU. Are the games being ran on Ultra / High settings, or toned down?

Also, make sure you are running the games on Full-Screen. Not Window-Mode.

Tweaked Ultra (AA turned down a lot, BTW the res is 1980x1200) And with mantle enabled

EDIT: I tested BF4, mantle ONLY; when I give the 280x a +20% power limit the usage jumps to the 80-90%, BUT in DX11 mode this is not the case... So the problem is still semi here

[-rascal-]

Tweaked Ultra (AA turned down a lot, BTW the res is 1980x1200) And with mantle enabled

EDIT: I tested BF4, mantle ONLY; when I give the 280x a +20% power limit the usage jumps to the 80-90%, BUT in DX11 mode this is not the case... So the problem is still semi here

 

1980 x 1200?

That resolution doesn't exist....

 

+20% power limit hmm...what is the particular BRAND and MODEL of the R9-280X??

We may have found the issue here...

[Spongy141]

1980 x 1200?

That resolution doesn't exist....

 

+20% power limit hmm...what is the particular BRAND and MODEL of the R9-280X??

We may have found the issue here...

1920*x1200      60 pixels off...

 

it's the XFX Double D black edition

 

[-rascal-]

1920*x1200      60 pixels off...

 

it's the XFX Double D black edition

 

 

Ah, XFX R9-280X with the "Ghost Thermal Technology" cooling.

 

Download GPU-Z and fire it up. Run a game. Check the GPU temperature, VDDC (voltage), and VRM Temperatures, and report back.

Ever since XFX switched their "Ghost" cooling solution with the HD 7000 series, it's been downhill.

 

The graphics card may be also factory overclocked too high...or not enough voltage/power to maintain the speeds.

If my info is right, the Double-D Black Edition comes clocked at 1080MHz on the Core and 1550MHz (6004MHz effective) on the memory. It's not super high, but if XFX set default voltage to be no enough, then it could be a problem.

 

There were quite of bit of these issues with a few of the R9-200 series (i.e. 280(X), 290(X), etc).

 

Even though it may be benchmark stable, it may not be game stable (for an example, my Dual-X HD 7970).

[Spongy141]

Ah, XFX R9-280X with the "Ghost Thermal Technology" cooling.

 

Download GPU-Z and fire it up. Run a game. Check the GPU temperature, VDDC (voltage), and VRM Temperatures, and report back.

Ever since XFX switched their "Ghost" cooling solution with the HD 7000 series, it's been downhill.

 

The graphics card may be also factory overclocked too high...or not enough voltage/power to maintain the speeds.

If my info is right, the Double-D Black Edition comes clocked at 1080MHz on the Core and 1550MHz (6004MHz effective) on the memory. It's not super high...but if they set default voltage / etc to be no enough, then it could be a problem.

 

There were quite of bit of these issues with a few of the R9-200 series (i.e. 280(X), 290(X), etc).

 

Even though it may be benchmark stable, it may not be game stable (for an example, my Dual-X HD 7970).

I will have to do that tomorrow, very tired and it has been a long day.

[-rascal-]

I will have to do that tomorrow, very tired and it has been a long day.

 

It's all up to you. We're always here to help.

 

Under all the R9 name, the 280X is still a HD 7970 "Tahiti" chip under the hood. The original reference stock speed for the 7970/280X was 925MHz on the Core and 1375MHz on the Memory.

[michalj82]

Using R9 280X with APU ? LOL

[Spongy141]

Using R9 280X with APU ? LOL

Believe me, I tried convincing the owner (Someone in my house) to get a i5 4670k instead.