No voltage control MSI 280X

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:04

Just got a couple of these and I don't seem to have any voltage control in MSI afterburner. I've reinstalled the drivers and MSI itself and started again, but it's still not an option to move the slider. I was able to control it on the previous Powercolor 280X cards.

Spokwiththeears · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:09

I tried with mine and in the end the most I could do was change the memory voltage with MSI Afterburner. I've resorted to using Sapphire Trixx, which works without fault.

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:26

Thanks, will try it. Shame as I've used Afterburner for years and I like the software.

Drizmod · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:33

Tried making your own bios? I had similar issue with my powercolor 7950s. I could change it in ab but cards always ran at 1.25. So I made custom bios with voltage 1.1

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:33

No luck, doesn't seem to make a difference, it's still at 1.2v no matter what I set it to in Trixx.

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:34

Drizmod said:
Tried making your own bios? I had similar issue with my powercolor 7950s. I could change it in ab but cards always ran at 1.25. So I made custom bios with voltage 1.1

No idea where to start with this? And does it affect warranty at all?

Drizmod · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:46

MilanoChris said:
No idea where to start with this? And does it affect warranty at all?

Dont know about warranty. If my cards mess up I can just put bios switch into position 2 and flash back the original bios into position 1

I used this guide:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/vbe7-vbios-editor-for-radeon-hd-7000-series-cards.189089/

Not sure if it will work with a 280x

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:50

Not really keen on doing that, but thanks.

Another thing, the cards are these ones:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-225-MS

They should be 1050 core out of the box, but are 1020. And whenever I change the clock to 1050 they revert back to 1020.

Sin_Chase · 16 Dec 2013 at 19:58

Am I the only one thinking "WTH?" that MSI Afterburner does not expose options other pieces of software do on an MSI card?

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:17

Highly annoying!

Doesn't seem to want to come below 1.2, I want to run at 1.02 or so.

Orangey · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:26

Are you running the latest AB and have unlocked voltage control in options etc?

From a review:

Power is delivered via the CHiL CHL8228 controller, so voltage can be controlled via compatible software.

This controller has been in use for a while (Vapor-X 7970 had it) so it's strange that it wouldn't work...

But you're not alone, something is clearly up with these cards: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18562377

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:27

I'm using the latest stable release, and everything unlocked as it was with the previous cards. Trying the AB beta now.

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:38

No luck.

All the reviews say they are voltage unlocked. What's going on?

Orangey · 16 Dec 2013 at 21:56

I think I might know what's going on. From [H] review:

The MSI R9 280X GAMING can also utilize the new MSI Gaming App, which has three settings users can choose from. Silent mode, Gaming mode, and OC mode. Silent mode will lock the core speed at 1GHz. Gaming mode will lock the core speed to 1020MHz, and OC mode will lock the core to 1050MHz. Unfortunately the app doesn't immediately overclock the video card past 1050MHz, you will have to manually do this through MSI Afterburner.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/10/28/msi_r9_280x_gaming_video_card_review

Check out this Gaming App mate.

http://www.msi.com/service/download/utility-21524.html

http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9-280X-GAMING-3G.html#download

ChrisD. · 16 Dec 2013 at 22:08

Tells me to update VGA driver, from a Google it's because I'm on the beta driver. Trying 13.9 now.

ChrisD. · 17 Dec 2013 at 12:15

Tried another MSI BIOS. Now have control.

OcUK confirmed it wouldn't invalidate the warranty. Happy with that.

ChrisD. · 17 Dec 2013 at 18:53

Just to clarify.

I flashed using this BIOS:
http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/146769/msi-r9280x-3072-131009.html

And clocks now as they should. I can't control Voltage direct like the Powecolor's, but I can't do +/-100 mv, but that suits what I need.

kevinatron · 19 Dec 2013 at 09:33

hey had the same problem you had.. im wondering are you doing this to mine btc? do you mind telling me what voltage and cor/mem settings you used? i would really appreciate your help and your findings.

kevinatron · 19 Dec 2013 at 09:35

hey man i am in the same boat you were.. i have updated my bios. are you doing this to mine btc? do you mind sharing your findings? what did you set your voltage to? and your core/mem settings? would appreciate your help

ChrisD. · 19 Dec 2013 at 21:08

Hi mate, my settings are in this thread:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18560800
Along with loads of other settings and tips. Good luck.