Mr. K6's 6950 -> 7970 Overclocking Review

[MrK6]

You're also pushing a huge overclock on that 2500k, which must require some serious volts. That being said, even HardOCP's huge 1.25Ghz overclock on their 7970 only increased power draw by 100w, pulling a total of 462w on a 2600k@4.8: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/01/09/amd_radeon_hd_7970_overclocking_performance_review/6. Your stock power draw is about 40w higher, though.

Well, my i5-2500K is only taking 1.404V under load, which isn't crazy by Sandy standards. I think the stock power might be higher due to the application we use to test. If you look over my own testing, you can see the huge range of peak power consumptions each application uses, despite being at "full load."

Figuring you hit around the same OC on your 7970, you'd be at 412w x 0.8 + 100w = 430w load on the PSU, which is still only 70% of your rated capacity. I'm not an expert on split-rail PSUs, but that's where you might run into trouble. You have three 12v rails with 18a each: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139002

Thanks for the number crunching :thumbsup:. The 620HX is actually a single rail, which JohnnyGuru discovered in his testing. I'll see how high I can push it.

Right now the problem I see is voltage not being applied properly to the card. I'm going to completely wipe out MSI AB and reinstall, but it's still only giving 1.17V at load. On the good news, I'm hitting 1.2GHz before it bites the dust at stock volts , although it'll start artifacting at 1.175GHz. :twisted:

 

[Elfear]

MrK6 - Which XFX card did you get?

I picked up an XFX from NCIX yesterday as well but it's just the DD version not the binned Black Edition.

 

[MrK6]

MrK6 - Which XFX card did you get?

I picked up an XFX from NCIX yesterday as well but it's just the DD version not the binned Black Edition.

DD Version, stock blower and all - http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=671...anufacture=XFX

Found a solution to the Vdroop as well: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...Results-Thread-Torture-Your-Card-Post-It-Here!

If you read through the thread, others were having the same problems. Looks like I'll be running an "ASUS" 7970 for now .

 

[MrK6]

No such luck, after flashing the BIOS and using GPU Tweak I'm still getting the same Vdroop. Something is always lowering the voltage back down to 1.17V, no matter what these programs set it at. Others are getting results with MSI AB though: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?p=13972259 , so something is wrong with my setup. I'm guessing there's something awry in my system, maybe part of the driver still reading my 6950 (sometimes it boots up at 1.112V). I'm going to flash back, uninstall the drivers,run driver cleaner, and reinstall, and see if that fixes it. :thumbsup:

 

[blackened23]

No such luck, after flashing the BIOS and using GPU Tweak I'm still getting the same Vdroop. Something is always lowering the voltage back down to 1.17V, no matter what these programs set it at. Others are getting results with MSI AB though: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?p=13972259 , so something is wrong with my setup. I'm guessing there's something awry in my system, maybe part of the driver still reading my 6950 (sometimes it boots up at 1.112V). I'm going to flash back, uninstall the drivers,run driver cleaner, and reinstall, and see if that fixes it. :thumbsup:

Have you tried sapphire trixx? I did not have any luck with afterburner.

edit: I haven't tried fiddling with voltage. Trixx just let get past 1125..oops. Trixx does have a thingy in there to change voltage though, its worth a shot.

 

[MrK6]

Have you tried sapphire trixx? I did not have any luck with afterburner.

edit: I haven't tried fiddling with voltage. Trixx just let get past 1125..oops. Trixx does have a thingy in there to change voltage though, its worth a shot.

Thanks, and I should have mentioned that: I tried the newest version of Trixx available on their website and had no luck their either. But as that screenshot showed, people are overvolting fine with MSI AB 2.2 beta 10, and [H] used Trixx in their 7970 overclocking review, so I think there's something awry in my system. I'm in the process of cleaning everything, already flashed back. Btw, as a side note, AMD deserves a gold medal for introducing dual BIOS switches on graphics cards. I don't think I'll ever by a card without one :thumbsup:.

 

[Bobisuruncle54]

From what I've read around forums, it seems there is no specific set voltage for these cards?

Is that normal or is it a quirk of having the first card out on a new process?

 

[MrK6]

From what I've read around forums, it seems there is no specific set voltage for these cards?

Is that normal or is it a quirk of having the first card out on a new process?

All the cards should be running at 1.17V by default. I haven't read or seen any other stock voltages mentioned. As I mentioned, I think the reason mine sometimes shows up at 1.112V is that was the stock voltage on my 6950, and their might be some install issues. We'll find out soon enough, cleaning up as I type this on my laptop.

 

[Bobisuruncle54]

All the cards should be running at 1.17V by default. I haven't read or seen any other stock voltages mentioned. As I mentioned, I think the reason mine sometimes shows up at 1.112V is that was the stock voltage on my 6950, and their might be some install issues. We'll find out soon enough, cleaning up as I type this on my laptop.

Another user on a different forum (OCUK) is reporting the same voltage (1.112v), he also had a 6950 installed in his system.

 

[MrK6]

Another user on a different forum (OCUK) is reporting the same voltage (1.112v), he also had a 6950 installed in his system.

Good find, definitely points to something. Got the link?

I've tested a lot to no avail. Basically, applying voltage settings in any program definitely draws more power, about +100W, but it's not showing any results (i.e. I can't overclock any further). If I take the ratio of what's being displayed, 1.12 out of 1.17 is the same as 1.17/1.25 (1.25V was supposed to be the maximum for these cards), which is curious. However, it seems to be more than a sensor reading issue since my card isn't budging one bit. Anywho, I'm going to keep reading, and I appreciate any help or info others find :thumbsup:.

 

[Bobisuruncle54]

Good find, definitely points to something. Got the link?

I've tested a lot to no avail. Basically, applying voltage settings in any program definitely draws more power, about +100W, but it's not showing any results (i.e. I can't overclock any further). If I take the ratio of what's being displayed, 1.12 out of 1.17 is the same as 1.17/1.25 (1.25V was supposed to be the maximum for these cards), which is curious. However, it seems to be more than a sensor reading issue since my card isn't budging one bit. Anywho, I'm going to keep reading, and I appreciate any help or info others find :thumbsup:.

The link to the thread is here, and here's the link to the specific post regarding the voltage (and also how it fluctuates).

Have you tried removing every reference to the previous drivers, including registry entries? I had to do this when I moved from a 5870 to two 6950s and never had a problem since. Obviously I wasn't experiencing the problems you're having but it could make a difference. I used this guide.

The plot thickens it seems, but I guess bugs like this are to be expected? New process, new architecture, brand new drivers, beta overclocking software. Something's bound to go awry somewhere in some cases.

 

[d4a2n0k]

FWIW I also swapped my 6950 for a Sapphire 7970. Afterburner is reporting 1.168 for me.

 

[Grooveriding]

I know this is likely not your problem, but you're not running any sort of monitoring software ? Aida64 or something like that ? That can interfere with Afterburner.

If all else fails I'm sure a total re-install will fix it :ninja: I had to do a reinstall going from 5870s to 480s, because I couldn't run anything that used D3D. I tried everything even doing a sysprep. Nothing worked for me.

 

[Concillian]

All the cards should be running at 1.17V by default. I haven't read or seen any other stock voltages mentioned. As I mentioned, I think the reason mine sometimes shows up at 1.112V is that was the stock voltage on my 6950, and their might be some install issues. We'll find out soon enough, cleaning up as I type this on my laptop.

FYI, I changed MONITORS (from dual 1280x1024 to one 1920x1200) on my 5770 and drivers were crashing (yes from a monitor change)

Updating drivers did nothing.

Uninstalling, driver cleaner, re-install didn't change anything either, no crashes with no driver installed, but as soon as I installed the ATi drivers, it would crash within seconds of login.

I had to re-install windows in order to use the ATi drivers.

I know it's not a 7950, but it's apparent to me that there's something with the drivers that stays when uninstalled / driver cleanered. There's no easy way to remove everything.

 

[MrK6]

FWIW I also swapped my 6950 for a Sapphire 7970. Afterburner is reporting 1.168 for me.

You might be a lucky one , hopefully you don't suffer the same problems.

I know this is likely not your problem, but you're not running any sort of monitoring software ? Aida64 or something like that ? That can interfere with Afterburner.

If all else fails I'm sure a total re-install will fix it :ninja: I had to do a reinstall going from 5870s to 480s, because I couldn't run anything that used D3D. I tried everything even doing a sysprep. Nothing worked for me.

I think that's what I'm going to do. I'm running out right now but I'll be back later tonight. I can honestly reinstall Windows in an hour and get the benches reinstalled in another hour, so it's just not worth my time to keep monkeying around with this. I'm just surprised this is an issue, I have no idea what AMD's driver team is doing.

FYI, I changed MONITORS (from dual 1280x1024 to one 1920x1200) on my 5770 and drivers were crashing (yes from a monitor change)

Updating drivers did nothing.

Uninstalling, driver cleaner, re-install didn't change anything either, no crashes with no driver installed, but as soon as I installed the ATi drivers, it would crash within seconds of login.

I had to re-install windows in order to use the ATi drivers.

I know it's not a 7950, but it's apparent to me that there's something with the drivers that stays when uninstalled / driver cleanered. There's no easy way to remove everything.

Seems like it. I followed Bobisuruncle54's linked guide to a T and it still did nothing. Like I said, it's easier just to axe the whole system than keep tinkering with it. I'll report back later tonight after I reinstall :thumbsup:.

 

[chimaxi83]

When I first started using AB, I had an issue as well where it seemed like my voltage was capped regardless of what I set it to or GPU activity.

What I changed was under General tab in settings menu, "Graphics processor type" was at 1100mV. Changed it to 1150mV and I can up voltage as high as 1.35. You had your 6950's working fine before, so I'm assuming this was already set up properly, just something to check though.

 

[MrK6]

Alright, back, so I'm going to reinstall Windows. On a plus note, I just did some last minute testing to make sure, and yes, it's still screwed. However, even at 1.1V, this card still overclocked to 1075MHz. That's right kids, you can overclock it +150MHz while undervolting it by 0.07V . Why AMD didn't release these at 1GHz even or undervolt them more is beyond me.

EDIT:

When I first started using AB, I had an issue as well where it seemed like my voltage was capped regardless of what I set it to or GPU activity.

What I changed was under General tab in settings menu, "Graphics processor type" was at 1100mV. Changed it to 1150mV and I can up voltage as high as 1.35. You had your 6950's working fine before, so I'm assuming this was already set up properly, just something to check though.

Thanks for the reply! I saw that in my research but it's not an option I have in my General Tab, or anywhere in the settings menu.

 

[Termie]

Alright, back, so I'm going to reinstall Windows. On a plus note, I just did some last minute testing to make sure, and yes, it's still screwed. However, even at 1.1V, this card still overclocked to 1075MHz. That's right kids, you can overclock it +150MHz while undervolting it by 0.07V . Why AMD didn't release these at 1GHz even or undervolt them more is beyond me.

EDIT:

Thanks for the reply! I saw that in my research but it's not an option I have in my General Tab, or anywhere in the settings menu.

Ugh, what a pain. Well, good luck with the reinstall.

 

[MrK6]

Ugh, what a pain. Well, good luck with the reinstall.

Thanks, did nothing though . I tried both a quick reformat and reinstall and a secure erase and then a reinstall, no change either way. I can't find any other information about this on the net either. I can't believe I'm the only one with this issue, and it certainly isn't doing anything to improve my already low opinon of XFX. I already posted on Guru3D forums in the hope that it'll get me closer to the source for an answer. Otherwise I'll just keep checking around on the net.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Could it be possible that xfx under volted their cards in the bios that use their heatsink to make them seem like they perform better at cooling?

You'd hate to think a company would do that, but it wouldn't surprise me. Of course if that's the case they would have to be insane if they thought no one would notice.

 

[MrK6]

Could it be possible that xfx under volted their cards in the bios that use their heatsink to make them seem like they perform better at cooling?

You'd hate to think a company would do that, but it wouldn't surprise me. Of course if that's the case they would have to be insane if they thought no one would notice.

Anything is possible and XFX has done some pretty shady things in the past, but I would be outright shocked if that were the case. Simply put, that's suicide within the tech community, and once word got out, who would buy their cards? I think this is more of a case of either these programs being immature or XFX not using reference parts somewhere. I'm going to pull the card apart tomorrow anyway to put it on water, so I'll take a look and some nice photos, and then compare them online. The card did run fine with an ASUS BIOS on it, so I'm not sure how different from reference it can be. We shall see though.

Also, I tried another driver (the one on the XFX CD) and the same result, so I don't think this is a driver issue after all my testing.

 

[Quantos]

Over at Guru3d, I saw that Unwinder posted something along those lines a couple of times (he seems tired of repeating himself :biggrin:

"7970 VRM are equipped with true voltage sensors, allowing to measure actual voltages on GPU instead of just shouwing you target values like the majority of graphics cards, Afterburner shows readings from voltage SENSOR, currently available GPU-Z is showing target volgtage only."

That could be the issue?

 

[railven]

Hey Mrk6, I'm sure you covered this already (I recall you said silent @ 20% Fan speed or something of the sort), but for someone who is now experiencing that dread fan noise on the HD 5870 - how much more improved is the reference fan? Just curious.

What were your temps on air and how loud would you say that the fan got? I'm just debating going with another reference cooler or holding out for more options in the custom cooler department. My intentions are run it OC'ed. Thanks in advance.

 

[Termie]

Over at Guru3d, I saw that Unwinder posted something along those lines a couple of times (he seems tired of repeating himself :biggrin:

"7970 VRM are equipped with true voltage sensors, allowing to measure actual voltages on GPU instead of just shouwing you target values like the majority of graphics cards, Afterburner shows readings from voltage SENSOR, currently available GPU-Z is showing target volgtage only."

That could be the issue?

This makes a lot of sense. Afterburner may simply be incompatible with some aspect of the XFX card at this point. Since it's not a widespread problem, it could be something specific. It might be worth shooting an e-mail to the author of Afterburner - I've actually had an e-mail exchange with him before when I found a conflict between Afterburner and HW Monitor regarding voltage monitoring and control - I was getting huge spikes (to 1.6v) when both programs were polling information simultaneously (ironic that it's a similar issue, huh?).

I'll PM his contact info.

 

[Elfear]

Dumb question but have you checked to make sure Powertune is at +20%?