260 GTX stuck in 3d mode

[kayomani]

I have tried all sorts to get my two gtx 260's to go into 2d mode with no luck. After a bit of searching on the interwebs I found two reasons why this may be happening:

1. Some cards just have it set in their bios to never switch to 2d mode.
2. In the release notes for an old forceware release there was a note saying that cards may be forced into 3d mode when running multiple displays.. I run 4 monitors, 2 on each.

I am thinking this might be solved by an upgrade, can anyone with multiple monitors confirm that 2d mode works on the 4xx or 5xx geforce range? If it does work for you does it also work when SLI is active?

 

[DELETED_83755]

Some GTX 260's such as my XFX GTX 260 don't downclock in 2d mode. While it stays at 3d clocks at idle, it doesn't affect the card negatively and shouldn't be used as the reason for a cheeky upgrade.

As for your second question. the newer cards such as the GTX 400 series, they all do downclock in 2d mode but may increase their clock speeds to drive more than one monitor.

 

[kayomani]

I have two PCs which are both i7s, the other one with no real graphics power runs a bit short of 200 watts idle however my main machine with the two 260's runs about 600 watts idle =/

Whilst it doesnt really affect the cards, I was trying to justify the upgrade through reduced electricity usage. Dropping 200 watts at 6 hours average a day with a rate of 11.9p/kwh is about £50 a year (I think!).

 

[Roksonixx]

I have two PCs which are both i7s, the other one with no real graphics power runs a bit short of 200 watts idle however my main machine with the two 260's runs about 600 watts idle =/

Whilst it doesnt really affect the cards, I was trying to justify the upgrade through reduced electricity usage. Dropping 200 watts at 6 hours average a day with a rate of 11.9p/kwh is about £50 a year (I think!).

1.2kwh per day =

438kwh a year
*11.9/100 = £52 per year

Cha ching =p

Edit: just a thought, you could always use profiles and set 2d/3d clocks using hotkeys?

 

[kayomani]

Edit: just a thought, you could always use profiles and set 2d/3d clocks using hotkeys?

I did try this, clocked everthing as low as it goes such as core 100, memory 150 shader 300ish. When doing that on both cards it knocks about 30 watts off, I think most of the energy is saved via dropping the voltage which I have no control over.

 

[DELETED_83755]

Kayomani, I have a power usage metre that I plug my rig (in my sig) as well as my monitor. At idle it is around 150-160 watts (inc. monitor) and when I play Crysis it hovers around 300 watts. You sure your rig is pulling 600 watts at idle?