Radeon HD 7950 Owner's Thread

[Fire&Blood]

Idling in the 50's won't harm the card, it's considered bad because it usually means high load temps as well. You having a multi monitor setup explains your idling temps. Don't worry about it as long a load temps don't go over 80C.

There isn't much you can do about your idling temp, short of applying custom cooling. Even if you are willing to endure noise, opening the side panel and having a fan directed at the GPU will net in a very small gain, kinda defeats the purpose.

If you absolutely insist on lower temps yet without modifying the card/case, Iceqube supposedly makes small and quiet AC units, advertised as "world's smallest air conditioner" but IMO, it's even less practical than the method above.

 

[3DVagabond]

So I did some runs of the Metro 2033 bench at Very High, 4XMSAA, 16XAF, and DOF and PhysX disabled. 5 runs at each setting and the fps is the average that the benchmark results reported. Side panel was off to help with temps until I get some more fans tomorrow.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Atpt9vZWXf9HdGZMZmp6LVhLVGtKcGlmUVpKZkwxSVE

What I ended up finding from this is that increasing just the core clock by 18% gave me a 12% increase in fps @1920x1200 and an 11% increase in fps @2304x1440. Increasing the memory clock by 36% gave me a 7% increase in fps at both resolutions.

With both the core and memory overclocked, I got a 21% increase in fps @1920x1200 and a 22% increase @2304x1440. I kind of expected the increased memory bandwidth to have more of an effect at the higher resolution than the lower, but that doesn't seem to be the case in this benchmark.

These aren't the highest temps I recorded though-with the overclock, Trine 2 peaked at 77C and the VRMs at 100C (!). I've seen people say they're fine at even 120C, not sure how true that is.


Yeah, latest drivers have been excellent compared to the earlier ones on my 7870, both in terms of performance and stability. I still get occasional flashes on the desktop that I think has something to do with the memory switching from idle to load. Does anyone else get these? I had it on my unoverclocked 7870 too, but not my 6870 using the same drivers.

Typically you increase core clocks until it's not stable. Then you increase memory clocks until it's not stable or performance flattens out. The 2nd is typically what happens first with the ecc the vram has.

Sometimes in order to get the highest stable core clock you have to run the vram at slightly lower clocks than their max.

Edit: 100c is nothing to worry about with the VRM's. I've seen stock cards run that high.

The XFX 7970 DD, for example.

 

[joe_H]

Idling in the 50's won't harm the card, it's considered bad because it usually means high load temps as well. You having a multi monitor setup explains your idling temps. Don't worry about it as long a load temps don't go over 80C.

There isn't much you can do about your idling temp, short of applying custom cooling. Even if you are willing to endure noise, opening the side panel and having a fan directed at the GPU will net in a very small gain, kinda defeats the purpose.

If you absolutely insist on lower temps yet without modifying the card/case, Iceqube supposedly makes small and quiet AC units, advertised as "world's smallest air conditioner" but IMO, it's even less practical than the method above.

Thanks. I personally don't have any issue with the idling temps as long as it's safe for the card. I want to make sure that it's still around in 2 years or so.

 

[Rvenger]

It will only just dump more heat in your case. Make sure you have a decent exhaust fan.

 

[joe_H]

It will only just dump more heat in your case. Make sure you have a decent exhaust fan.

Well, the Antec1200 has 3 120mm front intakes, 2 rear 120mm exhaust, and a 200mm blowhole up top. Yesterday, I added a side 120mm exhaust fan. I'm thinking that should be enough?

 

[Rvenger]

Its a big case, thats for sure. You should be ok. Just make sure your rear exhaust 120mm fans have good CFM.

 

[Attic]

Just picked up two of the these. I'm running one until I get a feel for it and can ensure it places where I expect before I add in the second card for xfire.

No OC at 880/1250 1082mv (from MSI AFterburner) the card gets to 80C in a hurry during bitcoin mining and heaven bench within 1-2 minutes. The fan shifts to 77%. Both these get the GPU to 98-99% load.

It's running quite a bit hotter and louder than I expected. My GTX460SLI upper card hit 86C and lower 75C with both cards clocked to 800mhz with 100% load on both cards. They weren't nearly as loud as my single 7950.

I'll try the second card tonight to compare, but from what i've read about this card it should run cooler. I've got 140mm blowin perpendicluar to the front of the card and there are no expansion cards below the 7950.

 

[Rvenger]

@ 1100 mhz mine never made it past 72c. Sounds like the cooler needs remounted and seems to be a common issue with these.

 

[Silverforce11]

Just picked up two of the these. I'm running one until I get a feel for it and can ensure it places where I expect before I add in the second card for xfire.

No OC at 880/1250 1082mv (from MSI AFterburner) the card gets to 80C in a hurry during bitcoin mining and heaven bench within 1-2 minutes. The fan shifts to 77%. Both these get the GPU to 98-99% load.

It's running quite a bit hotter and louder than I expected. My GTX460SLI upper card hit 86C and lower 75C with both cards clocked to 800mhz with 100% load on both cards. They weren't nearly as loud as my single 7950.

I'll try the second card tonight to compare, but from what i've read about this card it should run cooler. I've got 140mm blowin perpendicluar to the front of the card and there are no expansion cards below the 7950.

Reapply your TIM with good quality ones. It's just not normal to have TF3 getting that hot at stock. ps. You don't live with 40C ambient, right??

 

[thujone]

yeah this is about how mine was before i took the HSF off and reapplied TIM. i used AS5 just because i still have it around and it works fairly well.


i've got mine oc'd to 1100 right now and it idles around 37C or so. load is still around 77-80C though. doesn't ever go past 80 though.


also it might help to make a custom fan profile. since i'm shooting for the low 80's for my absolute max temp... i set it to hit 100% fan usage at 80C. I do most of my gaming with headphones on though... so it's up to your personal preference as far as what is too loud.

 

[Binky]

Just picked up two of the these. I'm running one until I get a feel for it and can ensure it places where I expect before I add in the second card for xfire.

No OC at 880/1250 1082mv (from MSI AFterburner) the card gets to 80C in a hurry during bitcoin mining and heaven bench within 1-2 minutes. The fan shifts to 77%. Both these get the GPU to 98-99% load.

Mine is running at 1100/625 when BTC mining and it rarely goes over 75C in an 80F room (open case). My voltage is at default of 1.031.

 

[Fire&Blood]

I'm 99% sure my card either won't fit, will be DOA or will run extremely hot out of the box. It's like it wasn't meant to be. I placed orders and paid a total of 3 times (got refunded twice)

My final purchase attempt (via Amazon) has resulted in happy news this morning (out for delivery since 9:14 AM) however I have still not received the card as of 6:58 PM central time. No attempt to deliver the card has even been made. I had to spend an hour on the phone and start two tickets with both Fedex and USPS (got rickrolled by Fedex since they aren't actually delivering it, it's Fedex "Smartpost" BS where they get the package to destination proximity then pass it off to USPS for the final step). After two rounds of phone calls (each blaming the other) I am sitting here with my5770 idling at 56C while my mailman is probably cruising through latest titles with rock solid FPS.

As icing on the cake and proof for discussion from the previous pages, here is screenie from by bank account of NCIX charging me a foreign fee an a (failed) attempt to buy the card. I also had to go through the embarrassment of being pulled out of the line at the bank (employer is small business, no direct deposit) because this ncix attempt got my card flagged for fraud protection and got my card shredded and have to wait to get a new one in the mail...

 

[Itchrelief]

As icing on the cake and proof for discussion from the previous pages, here is screenie from by bank account of NCIX charging me a foreign fee an a (failed) attempt to buy the card. I also had to go through the embarrassment of being pulled out of the line at the bank (employer is small business, no direct deposit) because this ncix attempt got my card flagged for fraud protection and got my card shredded and have to wait to get a new one in the mail...

Unfortunately this is a known issue with most credit/debit cards used at NCIX.

NCIX uses some sort of foreign bank (Canadian?). Your BANK/CREDIT CARD COMPANY charges you the foreign transaction fee, not NCIX. You have to specifically check for this before you purchase at NCIX as a USian. (edit: Their website has some sort of disclaimer about this problem, but I do not remember how prominent it is displayed, or where it is)

I believe many Capital One credit cards do not charge this foreign transaction fee. Others, I do not know.

 

[joe_H]

So it looks like my HD7950 won't downclock the memory while running dual monitors by design. However, I've read numerous posts stating that the gpu WILL downclock the memory if you're running two identical monitors.

Can anyone explain why my card still can't downclock even though I'm running identical Shimians at 2560x1440?

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Need some help with temps. Decided that I wanted to upgrade my monitors to the Achieva Shimians. Figured my old Sapphire 5850 wasn't going to cut 1440p, so I picked this card up.

Hooked everything up, loaded 12.7 beta drivers. Was a little surprised to see that my card was idling at approx 52C. Did some searching and found that apparently multi-monitor setups cause the video card to idle higher. Disconnected one of the Shimians, and the idle temp dropped to around 39C. Much better. Whether I run single or dual monitor, the load temps get around 71C. Ambient is approximately 79F.

I've seen a few posts which state idling in the 50C range is bad for the card. My case is an Antec1200, so I added a side 120mm fan to see if temps changed. Made almost no effect. Tried the fan both directions, and actually have 1-2C lower temps sucking hot air out, rather than blowing air in.

I did try a brief stint at overclocking. Upped the stock 880/1250 to 1000/1400 on stock voltage, and raised the fans to 70%. Load temps were around the same, low 70s.

I guess my question is there anyway to lower the idle temps, or should I even bother? Will idling in the 50s harm the card?

As long as you're not doing multi-monitor gaming (eyefinity or whatever they call it), you can connect one of your screens to your onboard video.

 

[BuckNaked]

I'm 99% sure my card either won't fit, will be DOA or will run extremely hot out of the box. It's like it wasn't meant to be. I placed orders and paid a total of 3 times (got refunded twice)

My final purchase attempt (via Amazon) has resulted in happy news this morning (out for delivery since 9:14 AM) however I have still not received the card as of 6:58 PM central time. No attempt to deliver the card has even been made. I had to spend an hour on the phone and start two tickets with both Fedex and USPS (got rickrolled by Fedex since they aren't actually delivering it, it's Fedex "Smartpost" BS where they get the package to destination proximity then pass it off to USPS for the final step). After two rounds of phone calls (each blaming the other) I am sitting here with my5770 idling at 56C while my mailman is probably cruising through latest titles with rock solid FPS.

As icing on the cake and proof for discussion from the previous pages, here is screenie from by bank account of NCIX charging me a foreign fee an a (failed) attempt to buy the card. I also had to go through the embarrassment of being pulled out of the line at the bank (employer is small business, no direct deposit) because this ncix attempt got my card flagged for fraud protection and got my card shredded and have to wait to get a new one in the mail...

Next time go to ncixus.com instead of ncix.com, or if you go to the ncix website, select the US option. The ncix.com website seems to defaults to the Canadian version... I believe they are based in Canada but have a US presence as well...

 

[joe_H]

As long as you're not doing multi-monitor gaming (eyefinity or whatever they call it), you can connect one of your screens to your onboard video.

No onboard video available. P67 board.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Even if he did have onboard video available AFAIK most of those if not all are only single link DVI not capable of driving catleap's.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

No onboard video available. P67 board.

That's too bad.

I have a GTX 670, which actually doesn't clock up when running two displays. Unfortunately, perhaps because of this, 2D performance is bad when I've got both monitors conntect to the card. I just recently swtiched from P67 to Z77 and have been enjoying my system more with the displays hooked up to the different video sources.

 

[joe_H]

That's too bad.

I have a GTX 670, which actually doesn't clock up when running two displays. Unfortunately, perhaps because of this, 2D performance is bad when I've got both monitors conntect to the card. I just recently swtiched from P67 to Z77 and have been enjoying my system more with the displays hooked up to the different video sources.

What about getting an el-cheapo card to run the secondary display while I game on the primary? Newegg has a HD 5450 which runs fanless, apparently supports up to 2560x1600, and has a DVI-D connection for the Shimian.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131339

 

[birthdaymonkey]

What about getting an el-cheapo card to run the secondary display while I game on the primary? Newegg has a HD 5450 which runs fanless, apparently supports up to 2560x1600, and has a DVI-D connection for the Shimian.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131339

Can't see why that wouldn't work.

 

[Attic]

Reapply your TIM with good quality ones. It's just not normal to have TF3 getting that hot at stock. ps. You don't live with 40C ambient, right??

K, yea from here i'm seeing that something is not normal. My card is built on 7970 PCB w/ 6+8pin and i've come across some users who indicate this may be related to higher temps compared to the TwinFrozrIII built on 7950PCB w/ 6+6 pin. But i've also read indications there might some issue with QA from these cards based on numerous topics related to this card unexpected temps. I need a quiet card to be happy with the purchase and if I cant get it quiet alone i'm in trouble.

Ambient temp is 26C (room) system is 34C, card idles at 47-48C, but jumps to 60C on 500c/1250m clocks (youtube and windows media center cause those clocks to set in) and typically cause a 30% load. That temp given the task is quite unexpected. I'll need to evalute here with my side panel to see if that improves temps dramatically and be sure if it's card or case issue.


I'm going to toss in my second card soon and see what gives prior to reapplying TIM on the first card. Warranty considerations for reaplying TIM are holding me back at the moment.

Currently i'm a bit frustrated, dealing with BSOD on another AMD card after updating drivers on a dual screen setup.

 

[joe_H]

K, yea from here i'm seeing that something is not normal. My card is built on 7970 PCB w/ 6+8pin and i've come across some users who indicate this may be related to higher temps compared to the TwinFrozrIII built on 7950PCB w/ 6+6 pin. But i've also read indications there might some issue with QA from these cards based on numerous topics related to this card unexpected temps. I need a quiet card to be happy with the purchase and if I cant get it quiet alone i'm in trouble.

Ambient temp is 26C (room) system is 34C, card idles at 47-48C, but jumps to 60C on 500c/1250m clocks (youtube and windows media center cause those clocks to set in) and typically cause a 30% load. That temp given the task is quite unexpected. I'll need to evalute here with my side panel to see if that improves temps dramatically and be sure if it's card or case issue.


I'm going to toss in my second card soon and see what gives prior to reapplying TIM on the first card. Warranty considerations for reaplying TIM are holding me back at the moment.

Currently i'm a bit frustrated, dealing with BSOD on another AMD card after updating drivers on a dual screen setup.

Didn't see if you stated you were running dual-screens or not. We're having roughly the same temps. 25.5C ambient, 54C idle (500/1250 clocks), and up to 77C on load...however...if I disable one of my two monitors, the card drops down to 40C idle (150/350 clocks), and only 71C under full load.

 

[lehtv]

Yep, using a second monitor forces the card to run at load voltage and clocks all the time. The effect is the same with a 120hz monitor, same as 2x 60hz.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Yep, using a second monitor forces the card to run at load voltage and clocks all the time. The effect is the same with a 120hz monitor, same as 2x 60hz.

I never realized that 120Hz caused cards to clock higher too. Certainly an annoyance for people who like quiet computing.