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GTX 280 downclocking in games

Why the Scaremongering ?.

Its the way the Cores ramps up and down when needed in 2D (Powersaving).

It obv does not work right as its ramping down in Games (3D) so EVGA due to a few clever users have backed this up days ago and have told Nvidia who also admit its an issue as they are going to fix it.

Probably a new Driver needed but a Bios at the very most IMO.
 
Two different issues I think. The one I had was a terrible core. As little as 620MHz (615MHz default) core and it crapped out, grey blocks all over the place. At stock, easily reached 90C in Crysis with a 100% fan. And thats with an open case and 4x120mm fans blowing across it. And to top it off something in the bios makes it throttle back when overclocked if it went over 80ish, it didn't do that at stock.

There is a separate issue with light loads, like cut-scenes dropping the clocks as well.

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=115399&highlight=280
 
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It's not scaremongering.

I wanted to know if other users had this issue (throttling back in games) before I parted with my cash. Think I am entitled considering the price. And I have come across a fair few that have experienced high temps and throttling in game on at least 3 forums. While I accept these are probably teething issues and being worked on, I don't feel comfortable landing out 520 euro plus for something with such a fundamental problem. I'll wait till it's fixed or move on.
 
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@ Flanno, it was not towards you but overall, comments like "dodgy Cores etc" can get peeps worried.

It was on EVGA site days ago and Nvidia now know and will fix it, its all to do with trying to give you powersaving.
 
Something to do with this I suppose :
"Each of the new GeForce GTX 200 GPUs integrates utilization monitors ("digital watchdogs") that constantly check the amount of traffic occurring inside of the GPU. Based on the level of utilization reported by these monitors, the GPU driver can dynamically set the appropriate performance mode (i.e., a defined clock and voltage level) that minimizes the power draw of the graphics card-all fully transparent to the end user.
The GPU also has clock-gating circuitry, which effectively "shuts down" blocks of the GPU which are not being used at a particular time (where time is measured in milliseconds), further reducing power during periods of non-peak GPU utilization. "

http://www.dvhardware.net/article27811.html
 
Tom|Nbk said:
Oh dear. Not good at all. Driver related issues or something more serious?
Click to expand...

If it's core issues then Nvidia is going to lose a packet. There not cheap before people start RMA them.

Even if it's bios/driver related, the longer it goes on the more people know about it and decide to buy the "safer" option of 4870's in xfire.

Not good news either way unless they get it fixed very, very quickly.
 
helmutcheese said:
@ Flanno, it was not towards you but overall, comments like "dodgy Cores etc" can get peeps worried.

It was on EVGA site days ago and Nvidia now know and will fix it, its all to do with trying to give you powersaving.
Click to expand...

Sorry Helmut. Yeah I read it over there too. Just wanted to see if people had experienced it on thse forums as did not see any mention of downclocking here. Probalby shouldn't have mentioned "dodgy" cores :D I think like you that it's just got to do with the way the new type of powermanagement is setup and will be addressed in a driver or bios fix. Will wait till then to purchase I think as I couldn't stand it if I spent this much cash and had a gpu that was throttling down when it shoudln't be.
 
Everyone and his dog is going "GREEN" so companies need try save you power etc. ;)

I have no doubt it will be addressed but I am keeping my card and getting next round. ;)
 
Lads, am I nuts to consider the 280 when I have 2 gt's which anand shows are matching the 280 at high res with AA. Although I have read on hardocp and from users on these very forums that the 280 offers a smoother gaming experience and fps isn't everything (referring to running out of memory/bandwidth, microstuttering etc..). I have an NV 650i mobo by the way.
 
helmutcheese said:
@ Flanno, it was not towards you but overall, comments like "dodgy Cores etc" can get peeps worried.

It was on EVGA site days ago and Nvidia now know and will fix it, its all to do with trying to give you powersaving.
Click to expand...

Hang on though, Crysis is hitting 105 degrees! Sod that, it's going back!
 
I had the issue briefly when I first installed the card, ran Crysis and temp jumped to 105C and the fan went nuts, but after a restart everything was normal and load temps are now around 80C and it's been like this since.

I've had no crashes, but the 177.39 does give me artifacts in crysis, but fine with 177.33.
 
Need to clear up my Situ I think !

System running great now, no more mad heat or crashing. Case fans upped to medium, card fan set to 62% before going into games (using latest RivaTuner). Card not too hot to touch now (cold in 2D). Crysis great to play now, clearly better than my old 8800GTX (at 1600*1200 for me).

I think it's great that the card slows down if I jump out to the Crysis menu's, a great way to pause & save juice when distracted (cooling things down further too).

Yes noise levels are up, yet I do have the case side off !

Regards
 
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