GPU clocks down after a minute

(Kurushi) #1

Hi, I’ve got a weird problem where my GPU clock will drop to 1100 mhz down from 1278 mhz (boost freq) nearly a minute into the first map (any map) I launch. All games from then on will stick to the lower frequency. It doesn’t sound a lot but the frame rate difference is huge (with frame interval on), and makes the difference between me hitting a consistent 144hz.

I’ve tested some other UE3 games and with framerate smoothing on - same problem, with frame rate smooth off (like set in DB) - fine, full GPU frequency all of the time.

This problem has happened before, I thought I fixed it, but it’s returned around the time of the last patch. I can’t help but think it’s something as simple as a config command.

configs have been deleted,
game verified and reinstalled
CPU clock is maxed in windows power management (makes a huge difference for framerate as it is)
CPU and GPU temps are very low. No throttling down to temperatures
I’ve forced GPU clocks, set to performance power mode in nvidia control panel,
lots of things I can’t think off the top of my head.

Intel 5820k
nvidia 980 ti
16GB gskill DDR4 2666mhz
Asus x99-a motherboard
BenQ 144hz 1080p monitor

This could be something really simple, so any routes to explore are appreciated, thanks!

(Mustang) #2

GPU boost is just a power saving feature, personally I just disable it with a custom BIOS, I can’t advocate this due to the hopefully obvious associated risks, but if that’s something you’d like to know more about here is a decent place to start: http://www.overclock.net/t/1522651/disable-boost-and-bake-in-max-game-stable-clocks-for-maxwell

(Kurushi) #3

Thanks for the link but it’s not really the route I want to go when I think it should possible using traditional methods. I don’t have the problem with other UE3 games so it’s something DB isn’t doing properly, a line in the ini that needs changing, or a GPU settiing. It was working fine up until a week or two ago, so I know I should be able to get it to where it was one way or another, so any other suggestions appreciated, thanks

(Kurushi) #4

Apologies if my previous post sounded rude, it wasn’t meant to :stuck_out_tongue: I’ve been playing with a few other things, new drivers, maxing settings in the nvidia control panel, K-boost in evga precision, forcing clocks through nvidia inspector - it seems GPU clock isn’t making much difference to my FPS, its the GPU usage that takes the hit 60 seconds in even if the clocks are maxed. Would you mind answering if changing the BIOS is just a more convenient way of forcing it through software? Cheers

(Mustang) #5

Didn’t think it was rude, I just didn’t have any other suggestions.
If you’re not seeing the GPU ram up clock speed and it’s not being fully utilized then perhaps you’re not GPU limited.
Depends what you mean by convenient, it’s not more convenient if you’re going to be changing things all the time, but it is more convenient in that you don’t have to run an overclock utility all the time, which also tends to be more reliable and stable, it also allows you to change things beyond utility limits, extreme power targets, disable boost clocks, etc.

(Kurushi) #6

Convenience not having to use extra software :slight_smile: it’s a shame forcing clocks doesn’t seem to make a difference :frowning:

I should have said my CPU’s at 4.5ghz. Frames drop from the hundreds to barely refresh rate

I should also say I’m not pushing the card with high graphics settings. If I max everything out it will use more clock, but even with a fixed overclock at max settings GPU usage will go from 80-90% usage down to 40-50% usage 50-60 seconds in. Very strange :confused:

EDIT: after some more testing I can say this happens in other UE3 games but not other games, which imight be a good sign… Back to ini tweaking…

(Kurushi) #7

SOLVED: USB wifi sensor for a gamepad was causing it :expressionless: After all the troubleshooting I have to laugh. Thanks for your help

(Mustang) #8

Haha, are you serious, I can see absolutely no logic behind that, just wow!

(Kurushi) #9

Tell me about it… this could be affecting a lot of people without them knowing it. It’s not limited to just my pad by the looks of it. It only seemed to affect UE3, but they’re all working now, brill! Relieved. Thanks again!