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Making R9 290 Run at a lower temp? Underclock ?

jamso

jamso

jamso

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Joined
11 Apr 2014
Posts
34
Hi,

I have a R9 290, runs at around 67 -70c whilst gaming.
Some games I play don't require super high system specs, so I was wondering if there is a way to underclock my GPU slightly for these games so my graphics runs at a lower temperature (Below 65c would be nice, especially in the summer )
I know I can increase the fan speed, and that works, but it makes more noise obviously, so I was wondering if I can do something else with AMD Overdrive in catalyst control centre or a 3rd party program ?

Thanks.

P.s
On a side note.
I notice on screenshots people have a target gpu temp in overdrive.
I don't have this option. Why ? has it been removed?
 
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A Sapphire Tri-X 290 (i.e. good aftermarket cooler) can get to about 75 degrees while gaming, depending on the ambient temperature. That is a safe temperature for a graphics card.
Why would you want to underclock it, given you've spent so much on it already ?

You can try adding more fans/optimizing the airflow in your case first. What case do you have, and what fan configuration ?
 
There is nothing wrong with wanting to underclock your card, a clan member has underclocked his crossfire 290s to keep the temps down - he intends to go watercooling and they get hot!!

The 290 will easily hit high 80s' and would start thrittling at mid-high 90s'. Is there a reason apart from the temp that worries you? What case do you have & what are the fans you're using?

This will also make a difference to the temps, case fans which push more air (CFM) will yield better results. Depending on the RPM of my front intake fans, my HD 7970 will hit 84 with a 1500rpm limit or 77 with my fans at full whack.

Have you tried creating a custom fan profile?
 
ghost.florian said:
A Sapphire Tri-X 290 (i.e. good aftermarket cooler) can get to about 75 degrees while gaming, depending on the ambient temperature. That is a safe temperature for a graphics card.
Why would you want to underclock it, given you've spent so much on it already ?

You can try adding more fans/optimizing the airflow in your case first. What case do you have, and what fan configuration ?
Click to expand...

I guess mine is running good then since it runs at 67 -70c.
I know it's safe to run at that. It's more for comfort in the summer. The game I'm playing doesn't require the full force of a 290 so I just wondered if I could adjust anything like the clock speed, power control settings to lower the temperature?
Case is a corsair 300r, with the 2 fans that came with it + i7 heat sink

I don't want to purchase new hardware, so was hoping this can be done through software such as AMD overdrive
 
What case fans do you have at the front of the case? Do you have any in the top/back? If so, are they acting as intakes or exhausts?
 
jamso said:
Hi,

I have a R9 290, runs at around 67 -70c whilst gaming.
Some games I play don't require super high system specs, so I was wondering if there is a way to underclock my GPU slightly for these games so my graphics runs at a lower temperature (Below 65c would be nice, especially in the summer )
I know I can increase the fan speed, and that works, but it makes more noise obviously, so I was wondering if I can do something else with AMD Overdrive in catalyst control centre or a 3rd party program ?

Thanks.

P.s
On a side note.
I notice on screenshots people have a target gpu temp in overdrive.
I don't have this option. Why ? has it been removed?
Click to expand...

Your best bet would be to use Vsync in the games played, or use an fps limiter. You could use afterburner to limit the fps for the game in question using Rivatuner. You could also underclock your card and even undervolt it with afterburner.

Reference 290 cards have a gpu temp target in CCC, but for some reason this option is not available on AIB 290 cards. Seems strange to me as its actually quite a cool feature. I can set a target temp for my 290's, say 86C. Powertune/CCC will make the fan as aggressive as it needs to be (within reason - you have a target fan setting as well) to maintain the temp you set. I find it generally goes a little bit higher on the fan target. For example if you set a fan target of 55% max, i find it will go up to 60% sometimes to keep the gpu set at a specific temp, if needed. This would definitely be an excellent feature for non reference cards imo with their better coolers. I will ask AMD why its not available as it should be imo.
 
snips86x said:
There is nothing wrong with wanting to underclock your card, a clan member has underclocked his crossfire 290s to keep the temps down - he intends to go watercooling and they get hot!!

The 290 will easily hit high 80s' and would start thrittling at mid-high 90s'. Is there a reason apart from the temp that worries you? What case do you have & what are the fans you're using?

This will also make a difference to the temps, case fans which push more air (CFM) will yield better results. Depending on the RPM of my front intake fans, my HD 7970 will hit 84 with a 1500rpm limit or 77 with my fans at full whack.

Have you tried creating a custom fan profile?
Click to expand...

Thanks.
Nothing worrys me as such. I know the temperature I get are good, like say I'm hitting 70c max
It's more for comfort in the summer. Since my game doesn't require a full force 290 I thought I might be able to throttle it in some software to keep the temp a bit lower.

I just posted my case etc in above post to :)
 
Just downvolt it a bit. Find the minimum volts you can use whilst stable. It can make a big difference.
Though those temps are fine anyway.
 
thefogo said:
Just downvolt it a bit. Find the minimum volts you can use whilst stable. It can make a big difference.
Though those temps are fine anyway.
Click to expand...


How do I down vote it? What programme should I use.

I'll look at those other programmes you guys have mentioned to.
Not sure if my fans or exhaust? They are just the two that came attached to my corsair 300r case (One front and one at back)
 
Use MSI Afterburner. Drag the Core Volt slider to the left. Do it a little bit at a time and find your lowest stable value.
 
Not sure on this but you can reduce the power limit down, it is my thinking that games that are not that demanding like half life 2 then the gpu will run at something like 70% use and run cooler anyway, my temps look lower playing cs go and higher playing bf4 so that was my thinking but then i could be talking utter pifle
 
What if the core volt slider cant be moved in after burner? Wont let me adjust
Will the other settings help temp if I lower them?

Nevermind I found you have to enable it in the settings.
Are there any risks of lowering the voltage? And what is a good amount to reduce at one? 50 mv?
 
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It'll probly just freeze up if u aint got enough voltage running..

I have a profile set in MSI AB for when i log into Second Life (SL is all about the CPU).

I use 800 core clock with 1.0v and 1200 memory clock with 1.5v on my 7950 with -20 power limit. My temps average around 47c with this :) Stock speeds and settings used to give me temps in the mid 50's.

I tried to go really low on clock speeds but it froze up on me.

Just keep trying lower volts and power limit until u find a stable setting.. takes a bit of time but worth it in the end when u see how low ur temps get :D
 
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