GTX 260/280 Clock Throttling While in 3D Apps. An Explanation.

[ChrisRay]

This thread being an example.

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=121574&page=4

I have noticed that there has been some concern regarding the GTX 260/280 and clock throttling in 2D/3D applications with the 180.4x drivers. This is normal. Earlier drivers had "Stuttering" problems due to the implementation not being bug free yet. So the feature was disabled in the 17x.xx drivers. It has however been reimplemented in the 180.4x drivers.

However the the clocks/voltages of your card will throttle up and down dependent on how the GPU is loaded. This is a GT200 card feature. Not a bug. It is entirely dependent on how loaded your GPU is. If your in a CPU limited enviroment the card will throttle down for better power/noise levels. If users are noticing stuttering with these drivers. Please post here and let me know. With software and settings.

Chris

[rap1d^]

Thanks for that, noticed it in Fallout 3 where the cards would clock down during start of the game (in the vault). Its all nice and smooth I am glad to report :cool:

[ginfest]

I see the same behavior in different games, the card will revert to 400 in the menus/loading screens but run the game at my OC of 650. The transition is not noticeable, other than the numbers on my G15 LCD showing the change.

[Tyr-Sog]

When I tried the 180.43 drivers I noticed this was doing it and did cause stutters in games(well WOW anyways) when it did revert back to 2d clocks. I went back to the 170.xx drivers and no issues. I was using evga tool to monitor what was going on.

[ChrisRay]

World of Warcraft doesnt stutter for me. What are your current settings?

[hell_of_doom227]

I think this feature is really stupid and pointless. What's the point of changing a clock? Like it's gonna save some power? It really doesn't matter cause we are not running freaking laptops but desktops powered by 700W+ power supplies I think we should have petition and send it to Nvidia to remove this feature from drivers.

[ChrisRay]

GPU longetivity, Fan noise, Heat outputted into room. I can think of alot of reasons why I'd want my GPU powered down if its not doing anything important. The more cards you have. ((SLI, triple SLI ect the more this feature becomes more useful)) As far as removing it goes. Unlikely. But further tweaks to improve it will likely occur. The entire idea is for it to be transparent. If it's not affecting your gameplay it should be beneficial. If it is. Tell me how and what games so I can report it back to Nvidia.

Chris

[Eliminator]

i also dont like this "feature"... i think the best idea would be to include it as an option in the control panel so that we may turn it off if we choose to... i like to have my stuff at full clocks all the time so i dont have to worry if the proper clocks are being applied or if throttling is going on

[Tyr-Sog]

Yes, choice would be good. I'd keep mine full throttle!

[ChrisRay]

Your GPU is at full throttle anytime its loaded though. Seriously this should be completely transparent to the end user. If it's not. Please list examples and problem games. If there are problems with it. I need to know the software your using and settings so Nvidia can take a look at it.

Chris

[BCKator]

I do this via RT on my 8800gtx and its a great idea. It does $ave power, reduce heat output, and my PC runs quieter (can't hear it) when not gaming because all of my fans are under temperature-based control. Not doing this and running your card at full OC 24/7 is, well, stupid and pointless.

[Llamalama]

This works for the 8800GTX?

[ChrisRay]

No GT200 specific right now as it as the advanced power functions.

[intercede007]

As a resident of the state of Florida, where AC units don't turn off during the summer, I'd like to thank nVidia for doing it's best to reduce the nature of the heat-pump I call a PC :D

[aceflier]

Your GPU is at full throttle anytime its loaded though. Seriously this should be completely transparent to the end user. If it's not. Please list examples and problem games. If there are problems with it. I need to know the software your using and settings so Nvidia can take a look at it.

Chris

How about the fan if i leave my fan set to auto the darn thing never moves past 30%? NOT acceptable with my overclock ;)

[Kowan]

I fold 24/7, so anytime my 280s are sitting idle waiting for a WU is good news for me if they are using less power/producing less heat. :)

[winton]

My gtx260 stays at 2d speeds when playing Max Payne 2 if I recall correctly. But it plays plenty fast enough so that's not an issue.

[john19055]

I don't mind it as long as it kicks in high gear when I play any of my games.I have not tried maxpayne 2 but I would like for it to be running at full speed even if two-D is plenty fast enough.

[Sycario]

I run WoW at 8xAA 16xAF and the card downclocks. The framerate drops to around 40 and I get tons of texture flashing. This seems more like a bug to me. If it is a feature I want to be able to disable it. I also had the card downclock while playing FEAR and the framerate dropped into the 20s.

[Blacklash]

So this feature varies the 3d clocks in 3d games, or only draws distinctions between loaded or unloaded? If it varies the clock while I'm gaming, I hate the idea. If it's a simple loaded/unloaded switch, I like the idea.

EDIT:

I tried 180.43 in AoC of Conan. I was getting 19FPS where I normally get 36-40FPS with 178.24. These need work.

[WeReWoLf]

Not a real fan of throttling now that i've played with it. I'd much rather have an option to disable it.

[ChrisRay]

Thanks for the feedback. For those having problems. Could you provide screenshot of where your clocks are throttling in the game? Just some examples. I'm giving feedback regarding this directly to Nvidia so please help me help you.

Chris

[Blacklash]

Thanks for the feedback. For those having problems. Could you provide screenshot of where your clocks are throttling in the game? Just some examples. I'm giving feedback regarding this directly to Nvidia so please help me help you.

Chris

I no longer have 180.43 on my computer. Would be it acceptable to SS the areas in Khemi with 178.24? The FPS won't show as jacked however it will give them an idea. When I was getting very low FPS with 180.43 at the Khemi docks and by the traders I pulled 180.43.

[ChrisRay]

I no longer have 180.43 on my computer. Would be it acceptable to SS the areas in Khemi with 178.24? The FPS won't show as jacked however it will give them an idea. When I was getting very low FPS with 180.43 at the Khemi docks and by the traders I pulled 180.43.


A screenshot demonstrating the affected spot with the new driver and another with it working with the old would be most helpful.

Chris

[winton]

Actually the only reason I don't use 180.43's is because it has issues with the shadows in LOTRO (shadows are artifacting ). If you really want I'll post a screen of the EVGA precision utility after play Max Payne for a bit.