GTX 660 whines and causes lag

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mrmonkeybiz231

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Nov 11, 2013
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Hello,

I just for the first time built a desktop computer. I'm very happy with what I have, except I am having one issue. My Gigabyte GTX 660 has recently started making a whining sound, and now suddenly my games lag occasionally. I have been playing Crysis 2 at Ultra settings, and the first few days there was no lag and no whine. Now the card whines, and the game lags here and there. When the game lags, the whine changes pitch and makes a sort of "edgy" sound (similar to when a hard drive is giving up the ghost).

Also, I did a benchmark and found that the core clock was 549MHz and nVidia's website says it should be 980MHz. The memory clock came out at about 3000MHz and nVidia's website also says it should be roughly twice that. I'm not sure if this really means anything, but it seems very concerning.

My question is, what should I do? Should I see about doing an exchange for another? Any help would be super appreciated!
 
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iam2thecrowe
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mrmonkeybiz231

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Alright, that's what I was thinking I would have to do. I did some research on similar topics, and none of those fixes either applied (such as PSU, I have 835w) or worked. Perhaps I just got a defective card. I suppose worse things could happen when building a computer from scratch.
 
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vikilaba

vikilaba

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PSU? nVidia SAFE sentinel downvolting in and downclocking the graphics card. NVIDIA's SAFE sentinel is activated in case of a thermal issue, hardware stability issue (GPU issue is detected and recovered) or if the GPU load is not too high and it is safe to downclock (power saving). It's just a testament to how a driver power management work.
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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i used to have the exact same problem with my 660's, gigabyte oc versions. The only workaround was to get nvidia inspector, and create a batch file to force stable clock speed (no boost clock). When playing crysis 2, it would stutter for a bit (sometimes crash) and the clock speed would drop to half, and not come back up to proper speed until reboot. this is one of the reasons i recently sold my 660's. the problem also happened in crysis 3, lots of crashes, forcing stable clock fixed.
 
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mrmonkeybiz231

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Yeah I do have the GTX 660 Gigabyte OC version..... I tried replacing it and it didn't fix anything. I may have to try what iam2thecrowe said. I am suddenly having another issue, twice now my computer has shut off by itself and restarted. I am wondering if it is overheating, but seeing as this is the first time I have built my own computer, I am kind of lost and confused... Would it be worth trying a totally different card?
 
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srhnd

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549 Mhz is not a downclock. Benchmarks usually show it like that, check 3dmark search page for 660 and you will see all of them are actually rated as 549 Mhz.

But that sound issue and lag is enough of a reason to check on your PSU carefully and make sure it is not the problem. Since you actually replaced the card and have the same issue on the card I think it is your PSU. Make sure wires are all in place. I hope your other hardware don't get damaged or anything if this is a PSU issue. I got 2x660 running on a 700w and I have never had a whining issue at all or anything you have described like PC shutting down.
 
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mrmonkeybiz231

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I am starting to think it might be a PSU issue. The wiring is not an issue, so I am thinking of finding a replacement PSU. Can anyone recommend a good one for heavy GPU loads that is at least 650w? I am going to give this a shot, and if it doesn't work then I dunno what to do.
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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srhnd

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For your information. In Crysis 2 (not 3) I maxed out the game at all ultra + max aa but at 1600x900 and never seen FPS below 50-51, it sits usually around 55-60 vsync is also on. Never stuttered for me and I have not applied any nvidia inspector modifications, I don't think you need to do it if everything is working as it should be working. Try to put your PC under stress tests after you replace PSU.

Like:
Run Furmark and Prime95 together and a Memtest at the same time for like 2/3 of your RAM.
Let it run for 10-15 minutes. If nothing bad or weird happens your computer is fine and PSU is fully capable of driving your system since no game will ever stress it like that.
 
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vikilaba

vikilaba

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Dont run any PC stress test, only Prime95 for system stability you can do it. Furmark and similar are dangerous for hardware! From my experience as an electronic specialist. Each strain over the limit is harmful and causes permanent harm on electronic circuits. Good test is Crysis(1,2,3) for examine how it really stable computer in gaming(process of playing games). The only way I could see how it helped me new thermal grease from Cooler Master. 10 degrees celsius colder temperatures... on GPU!
 
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vikilaba

vikilaba

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Me with GTX 470 is extinguished computer Metro 2033 game when I used PSU CoolerMaster eXtreme Power RS-430-pcar, now I have Cooler Master 1000W Silent Pro Gold:lol:
 
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srhnd

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Furmark is NOT dangerous on a proper system. I have let Furmark run for an hour on my SLI setup without any issues. It is not a strain over the limit it is same as a game utilizing a lot of the capacity of the graphics card except the VRAM usage, which stays low in Furmark.

Unless you are overvolting the card Furmark is safe and hey I have even been there, volted my cards to both 1.212v from 1.15-1.62 regular voltage and to 1202Mhz core and 6600 Mhz memory, furmark for 30 minutes, no problem whatsoever.

@viki the fact that it caused something to your computer or to 2-3 guys' computers does not mean it will to anyone else's PC.This is like saying don't use airlines because it crashes and you die, yeah true it happens but come on.

Even in a 10 minute run of Furmark you will see a temperature that you will not see in any game at all, that is how you know it is all in good shape.

You can also use MSI Kombustor or OCCT for that matter. Used them too never had any problem.

Mind you my SLI setup is packed on a mini ATX motherboard where there is not even 1/5 cm between my cards, if I push top card a little forward its cooling fan's blades start hitting the back of the second GPU, lol. Still no problem with any Furmark runs or intense benches.

Furthermore, both Nvidia and AMD throttles the cards usage on programs like Furmark so you are more than safe. When you get new PSU use Furmark OR Kombustor at the same time with Prime95 for at least 10 minutes to see how it goes.

It is like saying Prime95 kills your card, it does not kill your card but your overvolting and heat can, since OP is not doing that it is safe.
 
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vikilaba

vikilaba

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Watch it and risking a traffic but with PC just playing games:ouch:
 
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srhnd

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There is no taking chances with Furmark here. Gtx 660 is not a 50 dollar graphics card to burn up in Furmark or anything. That was 3 years ago with less throttle systems on the cards or when people stupidly overvolt their cards with extreme overclocks that are most likely to fail. Furmark is a good tool to load up the power draw on your graphics card and has not caused any issues neither on my system nor on the systems of my friends who have been using it similarly.
 
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vikilaba

vikilaba

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If you have experience in soldering electronics better not to talk about overvoltages. This switching PSU can cause harmonic overvoltages that might ... estimate the peak values and durations of switching overvoltages. However, their application can lead to harmonic and transient problems.
 
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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you take chances with your life and a more expensive car than you do playing games on your pc? you have interesting priorities.....
 
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