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5900SE core running slow...

E

Elendil

Junior Member
My new eVGA 5900SE runs at core clock of 376mhz under 3D settings and will not budge an inch using either Coolbits or Rivatuner. The advertised spec is 400mhz. The memory, however, does easily bump-up to 780mhz.

Might lack of power through my Enlight 300 Watt PSU be causing the card to govern itself? I experience no lock-ups, artifacts, system warnings, etc. and hate to buy a new PSU when this may not be the problem... (even though I probably need one anyway). Is it more likely that this indicates a manufacturing flaw?

Thanks!

 
that's weird, 400 should be the default. what do u mean by "won't go through 376" ? is it lockup, artifact, weirdness ? also some system spec might help.
 
Are you absolutely sure you've chosen "3D" in the drop down menu above the clock settings on the coolbits panel before setting the core clock?

Because the core will not OC well when in "2D" mode.
 
Yes, I'm sure I'm on the 3D setting... The 2D is set right at stock.

In Riva, I slide up the clock for both the core and RAM in small increments, test the setting, the test status bar goes all the way, and then I hit apply. The hardware monitor will then show my RAM bump-up to the overclock lelvel but the core stays at 376.6mhz. No artifacts, nothing else wrong...

In Coolbits all tests fail, even if I run one at the stock setting (400/700) - probably because my core is only running at 376.6mhz.

Is this a bad card or could it be due to an underpowered PSU?

Thanks.
 
I have the same exact card and am having the same exact issue. Coolbits fails the test if you move anything. Rivatuner allows you to crank everything up (I had mine set to 447/817) but after running 3DMark03 the post settings read as 376.6/819. Another test I ran with the core at 440 did the same thing (post test = core 376.6).

I dunno man...

I'll probably just leave mine at stock for now.
 
I'm running a 300 watt psu too but I don't think I'm underpowered, I've only got a slower WD 60 GB HD, standard floppy, standard CD/RW in there.

This is kinda annoying since the firingsquad review of this card ran a few games with the card oc'd to 456/820.
 
I thought that 380 was the default core for the SE cards. 475 for the 5950, 450 for the ultra, 400 for the non ultra and 380 for the SE. your 376 is about what its supposed to be. How hot is it getting? are you sure its not throttling?
 
No, 5900SE is supposed to have 400mHZ core for 3D:

From eVGA site:
General Specifications and Features:
RAMDAC Clock Speed: 400

From NewEgg:
Clock Speed 400MHz
Memory speed 700MHz

Card temperature is fine according to my monitor, never above 54C.

Strangely, I did once see the core blip up to 382mHZ for a few seconds, but then it dropped back to 376.6.

Thanks for sharing, JJN. Misery loves company! =) Can you plug the card into a box with a better PSU? I don't have access to one... the card is fine, but I'm not happy about 20% underperformance.

 
Well the specs on the card say 400/700.

Sorry- I'm new to oc'ing and don't know what throttling is or how hot it is getting. By throttling do you mean that it is "throttling down"... maybe cuz its hot? What is the best way to check temp? Run it hard for a bit then check it? Using what?

thanks in advance for the help.
 
I really doubt the PSU is the problem. The cards aren't smart enough to run slower to match your PSU's output. I have read about a few other people that had cards stuck at some weird setting but they were overclocked when they got them and they couldn't set them back to stock.

I'd send it back
 
From eVGA site:
General Specifications and Features:
RAMDAC Clock Speed: 400 Q]

The ramdac is nothing to do with the GPU Core speed. iirc their was problems with the newegg advert being wrong.
Click to expand...
 
First - Mingon - I don't understand- could you explain how that works please?

Second - I'm not sending mine back, I love it. Plus with Call of Duty factored in I got it for $139. What am I going to buy that is better for the same price?

Third - I'm upgrading my power. I have a no name brand 300W power supply and just ordered an Antec "True 480" from new egg. If that doesn't work... then fine. I'm ok with not oc'ing.

Read this: Text

p.s. 400 - 376.6 is only a 5% difference, not a 20.
 
Pulled from eVGA home page - core is advertised at 400

http://www.evga.com/5900/default.asp

Spec GeForce FX 5900SE
Core Clock Speed 400 MHz
Memory Clock Speed 700 MHz
Shader Engine CineFX 2.0
AA Technology Intellisample HCT
Memory Type DDR
Memory Interface 256 Bit
Multi-Display Technology nView
Shadow Engine UltraShadow

Yes, 6% deficit to advertised core - I was being overly dramatic. Good luck with your new PSU.



 
The cards aren't smart enough to run slower to match your PSU's output.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about that. Not saying that it is the issue, but the FX parts are set to clock throttle for so many different things it wouldn't shock me if not enough volts was a culprit. Also, both people having the issue have a low end power supply.

Do you guys running the 300W PSU have a volt monitor installed? Tell us what kind of numbers you are getting on your rails in and out of 3D mode(run something windowed in 3D to keep an eye on the numbers).
 
Well, I physically reinstalled the card and let it burn-in all day long without running any 3D apps. I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden Coolbits decided to cooperate.

I'm now running at 451/801 and cool as a cucumber. 3Dmark looks a little better now! =D Hopefully it sustains...

Thanks.

 
WTF @@!

congrats... at one point earlier today when I was messing with mine coolbits autodected to 483/869 but when I ran 3dMark03 I was getting alot of fragments so I backed it back to stock. I've been playing Call of Duty most of the day on stock settings and its running nicely. Maybe I'll mess with coolbits again tonight before I go to bed.

edit #1 Are you using the stock cooling? it seems like a nice setup.

edit #2 Did you check the details in 3DMark03 to see if your GPU speeds tested the same that they were set?
 
I have had a similar issue with my eVGA 5900SE. If I do autodetect under Coolbits, it tells me a memory clock speed of 686 and a core clock of 392. Nor will it overclock even the slightest. However, Powerstrip says 400/700 under its Performance tab, and it lets me overclock (I only tried very, very modest OC's.) Which one of these is correct--Coolbits or Powerstrip? Temperatures are good and I don't have any problem with any games.

Should I consider returning this card? I am a little peeved at it being consistently underclocked what was promised.
 
Yeah, the power was plugged in... I checked that several times.

I really think the card just needed to burn-in as 'time in system' was the only real change. My only guess...

I took it to 465/829 tonight without any problems, but have backed-off to 450/800 as a nice, happy place to be for $185+ free Call of Duty.

Hope it works out for you JJN.
 
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