R9 280 Underclocking Issue

[Gas_Mask_]

I bought a 280 from a friend about a week ago now. I've been playing around with it, but have seem to run into an unfixable problem...

 

When trying to overclock it, or at this point even running stock, it will throttle down, as show in the attached images.

 

I've tried:

 

• Changing power limits and adjusting clockspeeds, no luck
• Flashing updated VBIOS, I did the wrong one then spent a day fixing it
• Updating drivers, I had the drivers for my old card still, uninstalled/updated and it worked until I restarted
• Using advanced Afterburner settings, couldn't even get most to work

 

I doubt this is a power issue, as I have a HX 850W, but I did get it second-hand on ebay, and it did start making new noises with this card

 

Does anybody have any idea what the issue is? The card dosen't have an issue running however I set it, for it runs fine when it decides to, It really just seems like something is preventing it, or intentionally downclocking it.

 

Has anyone dealt with this issue here? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[aezakmi]

Quote

and it did start making new noises with this card

what kind of noises? was the warranty label damaged when you got the PSU? from what I know some scammers might replace the board inside the PSU and keep the original for themselves

[Jurrunio]

check the GPU temperature

[xAcid9]

Dual BIOS? Try flip the switch and use another BIOS.

[Gas_Mask_]

19 hours ago, aezakmi said:

what kind of noises? was the warranty label damaged when you got the PSU? from what I know some scammers might replace the board inside the PSU and keep the original for themselves

Clicking, and high-pitched whining noises. No label was broken when I got it, but it had some plastic from a connector broken in shipping in it, so I went ahead and voided it to get it out. It was used anyway *shrug*

 

It looked legit inside, so I wasn't worried about that.

19 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

check the GPU temperature

Temps are fine on stock fan curve, never above 81C in OCCT

9 hours ago, xAcid9 said:

Dual BIOS? Try flip the switch and use another BIOS.

Like I said, they both got messed up by me I do currently have two different versions flashed that I got working, but both still have the same issue...

 

Any Ideas?

[-rascal-]

@Gas_Mask_

Which brand and model R9-280 did you get?  -- Example, Sapphire Dual-X R9-280 OC 3GB

Do you noticed any artifacts when the GPU is under load/stress?

 

Even though the GPU is coming up at 81*C, the VRM's could be higher -- possibly into the 85 ~ 90*C range.

GPU-Z's 'Sensor' tab should tell you the reason why it is throttling, under 'PerfCap Reason.'

It could be old thermal paste and/or thermal pads that needs replacing.

 

You might need to enable voltage control in MSi Afterburner (or use another overclocking software).

If memory serves the Tahiti GPUs (Used to own two HD 7970's and a 7950) needed 1.15V ~ 1.2V once you start to go beyond 1100 MHz on the Core.

At least with my Vapor-X and Dual-X 7970's, I was using 1.175V for 1150 MHz (? need to check my old logs / screenshots to confirm).

...I don't know what the Vapor-X HD 7950 that I still have is running at..will need to check when I get home...

 

If you aren't aware

HD 7970 GHz Edition (in most cases) = R9-280X

HD 7970 Boost = R9-280

[Gas_Mask_]

5 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

-snip-

Thank you for the detailed response

 

I have a Gigabyte Windforce 3 R9 280 3gb OC, with no artifacting (except in GTA V with some settings, but that's a documented issue).

 

Temps all look fine, and it isn't "throttling" persay, more just underclocking. When the core is above 93-98% it wont clock up all the way, if it drops to like 65-68% it'll shoot straight up until the usage climbs again.

 

I've tried everything in Afterburner to get voltage control working, except editing config files and registry keys, partly cause I thought I had resolved the issue myself, and partly cause I'm lazy... lol

 

And yes, I was aware but I appreciate the hint nonetheless, forums need more people like you

[-rascal-]

14 minutes ago, Gas_Mask_ said:

Thank you for the detailed response

 

I have a Gigabyte Windforce 3 R9 280 3gb OC, with no artifacting (except in GTA V with some settings, but that's a documented issue).

 

Temps all look fine, and it isn't "throttling" persay, more just underclocking. When the core is above 93-98% it wont clock up all the way, if it drops to like 65-68% it'll shoot straight up until the usage climbs again.

 

I've tried everything in Afterburner to get voltage control working, except editing config files and registry keys, partly cause I thought I had resolved the issue myself, and partly cause I'm lazy... lol

 

And yes, I was aware but I appreciate the hint nonetheless, forums need more people like you

 

Ahhh..I think Gigabyte sets the thermal limit to be a bit lower...I think it was 75*C or something.

Are you using a Gigabyte vBIOS on your card?

For testing purposes, crank the fan up to a fixed value....50% or something, so the temperature is under 70*C, and see if it is still underclocking itself.

 

There is a checkbox in the MSiAfterburner settings > 'General' tab to enable voltage control.

Also, you can also change a variable in the Afterburner config file to enable unofficial overclocking + voltage control.

Little hidden thing within MSi Afterburner:

https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/how-to-enable-unofficial-overclocking-mode-in-msi-afterburner.338906/

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=18102.0

 

If MSi Afterburner doesn't work, you can always try Gigabyte's own GPU overclocking tool.

OC GURU II  (or something along those lines).

 

[Gas_Mask_]

24 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

Ahhh..I think Gigabyte sets the thermal limit to be a bit lower...I think it was 75*C or something.

Are you using a Gigabyte vBIOS on your card?

For testing purposes, crank the fan up to a fixed value....50% or something, so the temperature is under 70*C, and see if it is still underclocking itself.

 

There is a checkbox in the MSiAfterburner settings > 'General' tab to enable voltage control.

Also, you can also change a variable in the Afterburner config file to enable unofficial overclocking + voltage control.

Little hidden thing within MSi Afterburner:

https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/how-to-enable-unofficial-overclocking-mode-in-msi-afterburner.338906/

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=18102.0

 

If MSi Afterburner doesn't work, you can always try Gigabyte's own GPU overclocking tool.

OC GURU II  (or something along those lines).

 

You know, I think you may be right. When running OCCT with error checking enabled, I always started to get some around 74-75C on the dot (when overclocking, on stock it was fine).

 

I've tried both the voltage control enable, and unoffical OC settings with no success. Like I said, haven't gotten around to config file or registry mess.

 

I'll try your suggestions when I get the chance, Cheers