GPU Usage Dropping to 0% on XFX R9 290 Graphics Card

[MissFangs]

Hi there,

 

I'm having performance issues with my XFX R9 290. Particularly massive drops in GFX usage (to 0%), resulting in freezing and atrocious frame drops. 

 

 

My first thought was the possibility of thermal throttling, but the temperature of my card never surpasses 70c, averaging around 65c when under load. I've read that the maximum recommended temperature is 95c, so I'm pretty confident that this is not a heat issue.

 

My CPU is nowhere close to thermal throttling, bringing in a max temperature of only 33c (using the Kraken X61 Water Cooler). 

 

The memory clock also drops down significantly at the same time the usage drops occur. (I'm using MSI Afterburner to monitor my computer while gaming). 

 

These issues usually occurs after 5-10 minutes of gaming. If I close the game, then start playing again, I experience no issues until this 5-10 minute mark. These FPS drops make games like Battlefield 4 and Dirt Rally unplayable, as mere seconds make a difference between victory and defeat. 

 

I'm hoping I can remedy this problem, rather than replace the card. 

 

I'm currently using the 15.11 Beta drivers.

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

[The Official Czex]

Did you have this issue before using the beta drivers?

[jimakos234]

what cpu/psu?

[GateToTheFuture]

I say the GPU might be on the verge of dying. Can't tell only from graph. Try going to non beta drivers. Had a similar problem with a client a month or two ago.

[MissFangs]

what cpu/psu?

 

Sorry, forgot to include my specs.

 

CPU: AMD FX-6350 w/ Kraken X61 Cooler

MB: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB

GFX: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

[MissFangs]

Did you have this issue before using the beta drivers?

 

Not that I recall...

 

How do I uninstall my current driver and reinstall the correct one?

[The Official Czex]

Not that I recall...

 

How do I uninstall my current driver and reinstall the correct one?

 

Uninstall then reinstall an older version of Catalyst. 

[jimakos234]

Sorry, forgot to include my specs.

 

CPU: AMD FX-6350 w/ Kraken X61 Cooler

MB: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB

GFX: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation

PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

it looks like the fx is keeping your gpu back, since the 380/960 is the maximum recommended card for that cpu. the psu is ok.

try overclocking the cpu and see if there will any differences

[MissFangs]

it looks like the fx is keeping your gpu back, since the 380/960 is the maximum recommended card for that cpu. the psu is ok.

try overclocking the cpu and see if there will any differences

 

I did overclock the CPU to 4.2Ghz, if I remember correctly. There was no difference, and according to MSI Afterburner the CPU never reaches 100% usage, so I doubt there's a bottleneck there.

[MissFangs]

Uninstall then reinstall an older version of Catalyst. 

I just reinstalled the non beta version of Catalyst and the GPU Usage isn't dropping! Thanks for the help!

 

I'll post more info here if the problem comes back for those of you having this issue...