290 tri-x clock and usage up and down

[los]

I have recently swapped from a 970 to a 290 tri-x and when I check the usage in GPU-z while gaming the usage keeps going between 100 and 0% and also the core clock is up and down all the time. I occasionally get a bit of stuttering but generally seems ok.
However in Heaven 4 they both stay maxed and my score seems about right.
So is this just one of those things to ignore or is there any way to sort it?

 

[LtMatt]

I have recently swapped from a 970 to a 290 tri-x and when I check the usage in GPU-z while gaming the usage keeps going between 100 and 0% and also the core clock is up and down all the time. I occasionally get a bit of stuttering but generally seems ok.
However in Heaven 4 they both stay maxed and my score seems about right.
So is this just one of those things to ignore or is there any way to sort it?

Yes, with MSI Afterburner enable the option called 'Unified Gpu Usage Monitoring' as this will give you a more reliable gpu usage reading.

 

[los]

Ah, I have trixx installed, am I better off installing afterburner instead then?

 

[LtMatt]

Ah, I have trixx installed, am I better off installing afterburner instead then?

In my opinion, yes. However you can set this option in afterburner then shut it down and use trixx if you prefer.

You won't need to apply it again until you change drivers, i think.

 

[los]

Ok, I will change to afterburner, I wont need 200mV till I get a waterblock anyway
Thanks for the help

 

[LtMatt]

Ok, I will change to afterburner, I wont need 200mV till I get a waterblock anyway
Thanks for the help

No problem, if you need anything else just shout.

 

[los]

I have now done that, the usage is still the same in GPUz but it is OK in AB, so I'm guessing all is ok.
The core clock speed is still varying between 1020 and 1050, but no where near as much as it was.

 

[LtMatt]

I have now done that, the usage is still the same in GPUz but it is OK in AB, so I'm guessing all is ok.
The core clock speed is still varying between 1020 and 1050, but no where near as much as it was.

Stop using Gpu-Z, it degrades performance and causes hitching sometimes with Hawaii.

 

[james.miller]

It causes hitching with most cards tbh

 

[LtMatt]

It causes hitching with most cards tbh

Didn't know that, but noted thanks James.

 

[los]

Stop using Gpu-Z, it degrades performance and causes hitching sometimes with Hawaii.

Oh right, well I've now un-installed it
The core clock varies in AB as well, but games seem ok, so think I will just ignore it lol
Cheers for the help

 

[LtMatt]

Oh right, well I've now un-installed it
The core clock varies in AB as well, but games seem ok, so think I will just ignore it lol
Cheers for the help

It can vary sometimes if the gpu is not under strenuous load and it thinks it can provide enough 'oomph' without running at full clock speed. Usually this behaviour will only occur if you have vsync and or an fps cap enabled.

I assume you have the power limit at +50%?

 

[PrinceNelson]

Download RadeonPro and tick the 'always use highest clocks when gaming' option in the Overdrive tab. It recognizes your overclocks automatically so it's all good.

RadeonPro is pretty much essential as an AMD user.

Edit: I had the same problems with a few games such as Dark Souls and GTA IV.

 

[los]

It can vary sometimes if the gpu is not under strenuous load and it thinks it can provide enough 'oomph' without running at full clock speed. Usually this behaviour will only occur if you have vsync and or an fps cap enabled.

I assume you have the power limit at +50%?

I do indeed have it limitted to 64fps, so that would explain it.
Of course its set to +50%

I will try the radeon pro as well thanks

 

[LtMatt]

I do indeed have it limitted to 64fps, so that would explain it.
Of course its set to +50%

I will try the radeon pro as well thanks

Cool. If you increase that fps cap los it may cure the problem. Or you can try this below.

Try this for a fix for the clock dropping. No need to use unofficial overclocking method either so clocks will drop to 2d levels as normal.

1. Download RadeoPro - http://www.radeonpro.info/2013/11/new-build-with-support-for-amd-radeon-r-series/

2. Create a profile using the game exe.

3. Click the profile tab, then the overdrive tab. Click the padlock to unlock overdrive, click enable graphics overdrive, then click 'always use highest performance clocks while gaming'. Don't forget to set +50% power tune in RP. Now right click the game profile shortcut on the left and select apply then launch the game.

 

[los]

Ok cheers, I'll give it a go, I'm not too fussed though now I know its meant to downclock.

Thanks again for the help

 

[LtMatt]

Ok cheers, I'll give it a go, I'm not too fussed though now I know its meant to downclock.

Thanks again for the help

No problem at all.