How can I prevent an AMD GPU from downclocking and use max performance clocks?

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Unrul3r

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I've been trying to fix downclocking problems with my XFX 280X DD for a while now. The solution I ended up with was ClockBlocker so that I keep it always on max clocks while gaming. It usually runs fine or, if it doesn't, I unlock frame-rate and then cap it at a number which makes the GPU always use max clocks. Today, I bought Nioh and noticed that the game doesn't use the max clock profile (stable OC at 1185/1665). It instead always uses the UVD profile (850/1500). ClockBlocker doesn't even work with it. Now, you can see how that is a problem for the game's performance.

I've tried BIOS editing in the past but always followed specific instructions and some were successful but the first time I entered 3D profile, the drivers would crash\reset and the clocks would get stuck really low. Now, if anyone can help me, I'd wish to know what options I have to fix the Nioh situation and run the game at my max clocks 1185/1665.
 
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I managed to figure it out. I was also editing the voltages in BIOS but apparently my card doesn't like that. I only changed the UVD clocks (and not the voltages) to my OC values (1185/1665) and so now Nioh is running at max clocks.

Thank you both for the troubleshooting you provided!
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zebarjadi.raouf

zebarjadi.raouf

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Hi, first of all, check that it's not thermal throttling (85c+), Second of all, uninstall any auto overclocking software you might have; especially the ones that have performance/powersaving modes because they can be unstable

If that doesn't fix your problem, make sure that you have the newest bios (use GPU-Z), if you don't, flash the newest one. If you have, flash it again. Sometimes the bios is faulty.

use this site: https://techpowerup.com/vgabios/?manufacturer=XFX&model=R9+280X

This should be the newest one, https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/170262/xfx-r9280x-3..., you might wanna double check.
 
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bystander

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Another thing is to make sure to shutdown any software that has GPU acceleration. Your browser, if open, will use GPU acceleration clocks, which is usually a bit lower than your gaming clocks. If you have anything open that uses GPU acceleration, this will happen. That includes Logitech's gaming software (you can turn off the GPU acceleration).
 
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Unrul3r

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The temperatures are good. The GPU is around 60/70 ºC. I use afterburner, so it doesn't have any power saving options except for the option of disabling ULPS which I've tried before but it doesn't seem to work.

My GPU's memory are Elpida not Hynix which means the BIOS you've suggested might not work.

All other games run great at max clock using the correct profile. Its just this one that seems to evoke the UVD profile. It acts like its running a video instead of a 3D application. And since it's game specific, I'd rather get rid of the UVD clocks by making it the same as performance clocks. I've tried flashing an edited version of my BIOS (https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/168573/xfx-r9280x-3072-140730) but when the UVD kicks in (by playing a video for example) the GPU goes goes black and I have to reboot. Then I just flash back to my original BIOS.

The only solution I foresee working is having an edited BIOS actually work.
 
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Unrul3r

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I actually have the browser using my iGPU so that it doesn't interfer with the discrete GPU. The Logitech software doesn't seem to activate UVD clocks like web-videos would if I had them on my discrete GPU. Anyway, I exited everything on the off-chance that I might've missed something but the game still uses UVD clocks.

I think this problem is game-specific as all the other games run, as they should, on performance state. Unfortunately the only solution I foresee working is having an edited BIOS actually work but I don't have enough knowledge to understand what is making my edited BIOS not work (Read my reply to zebarjadi.raouf).


 
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Unrul3r

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Yes, I've tried that 1 or 2 years ago and again today (on the off-chance I made a mistake before) and when the UVD kicks in (by playing a video for example) the GPU goes goes black and I have to reboot. Then I just flash back to my original BIOS.
The thing is that I don't have enough knowledge to understand what is making my edited BIOS not work. That's why I've posted here, in hopes that someone with this kind of knowledge shows up. I'm also trying through the TechPowerUp forum and Overclocking.net.
 
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Unrul3r

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As I said before, the most recent BIOS says its for GPU with Hynix memory and my GPU's memory are Elpida not Hynix which I've read that it won't work. I can try it anyway.

Edit: Typos.
Edit: And I was thinking, even if that BIOS works, the game will probably still play on UVD clocks which are the same clocks as my BIOS.
 
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zebarjadi.raouf

zebarjadi.raouf

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I once played a game that crashed from time to time, fixed it by changing my codec packs as they were interfering with it, it could be why your UVD clocks are kicking in.
As for BIOS modding, I'm only knowledge about NVIDIA cards, so I apologize that I can't be of any help in that area. Right now Google should be your friend.
 
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Unrul3r

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I managed to figure it out. I was also editing the voltages in BIOS but apparently my card doesn't like that. I only changed the UVD clocks (and not the voltages) to my OC values (1185/1665) and so now Nioh is running at max clocks.

Thank you both for the troubleshooting you provided!
 
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