Sapphire Tri-X 290 Overclock Data

[BallaTheFeared]

How accurate is MSI afterburner's onscreen display in reporting GPU voltage? I'm watching the GPU voltage during valley runs and the card is rarely ever jumping over 1.3v even though I have VDDC offset set to +200 and "force constant voltage" selected. Hey, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.The VRM temps seem pretty good, VRM1 @ 75C and VRM2 @ 48C under load at these clocks. If I lower the card to something like +175mv I start to see some artifacts after 5-10 mins of testing/gaming at 1225, though I haven't tried lower clock rates (like 1200) yet. FastX when I get some time I'll try those clock rates out and report back. Did you want me to try a specific fan speed? Also did you have a specific memory speed in mind?

Vdroop, pretty large amount.

 

[Fastx]

How accurate is MSI afterburner's onscreen display in reporting GPU voltage? I'm watching the GPU voltage during valley runs and the card is rarely ever jumping over 1.3v even though I have VDDC offset set to +200 and "force constant voltage" selected. Hey, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.The VRM temps seem pretty good, VRM1 @ 75C and VRM2 @ 48C under load at these clocks. If I lower the card to something like +175mv I start to see some artifacts after 5-10 mins of testing/gaming at 1225, though I haven't tried lower clock rates (like 1200) yet. FastX when I get some time I'll try those clock rates out and report back. Did you want me to try a specific fan speed? Also did you have a specific memory speed in mind?

Btw I mainly have only used Trixx for overclocking and recently P-X for the 770. I have used AB mostly just for OSD but only for GPU usage/temps/clocks/FPS/CPU usage so can't answer your question on OSD for voltage and how accurate it is. On the artifacts (suggestion to try)not sure if this will help or work, if you want lower voltage (1225?) try lowering the memory overclock to stock, then lower the voltage and see how that works. If no artifacts then try raising the memory clocks a little at time and test with the your lower voltage setting. Also I never used force voltage in Trixx when overclocking and I believe its better to leave it disabled but hopefully someone else can comment on that for you.

 

[SimianR]

No hurry, 70% fan would be good, 1125 GPU clock, for now keep the memory at stock settings, the voltage I am unsure of but hoping it can go 1125 somewhere between 1.2 and 1.3 max.

Thanks
+rep

So after playing Crysis 3 for 45 minutes I logged the readings to a notepad file from GPU-Z. With clockspeeds at 1125/1300 (core OC/ram stock) with +50mv core voltage (obviously I dropped the voltage huge from the +200mv I had at 1225) and a fixed fan of 70% the highest GPU temperature recorded was 66C, highest VRM1 temp was 65C and highest VRM2 temp was 45C. Looking at the voltage readings, the highest core voltage recorded was 1.234v

Haven't experienced any instability/artifacts with these settings. I'll play some BF4 and report back tomorrow.

I guess it really depends on the silicon lottery but so far it seems that this card can do 1100-1150 pretty easily with very little voltage needed. I'll try dropping the voltage a bit more as well. I have the card in a closed case but have fairly good airflow so that's something to keep in mind.

 

[Fastx]

So after playing Crysis 3 for 45 minutes I logged the readings to a notepad file from GPU-Z. With clockspeeds at 1125/1300 (core OC/ram stock) with +50mv core voltage (obviously I dropped the voltage huge from the +200mv I had at 1225) and a fixed fan of 70% the highest GPU temperature recorded was 66C, highest VRM1 temp was 65C and highest VRM2 temp was 45C. Looking at the voltage readings, the highest core voltage recorded was 1.234v

Haven't experienced any instability/artifacts with these settings. I'll play some BF4 and report back tomorrow.

I guess it really depends on the silicon lottery but so far it seems that this card can do 1100-1150 pretty easily with very little voltage needed. I'll try dropping the voltage a bit more as well. I have the card in a closed case but have fairly good airflow so that's something to keep in mind.

I thought you meant like a day or two wasn't expecting it this quick! Everything looks excellent for me, on volts, GPU temps VRM's temps etc! Yea I know the silicon lottery but this is looking good for what I want out of a 290 and past the Crysis 3 test so far This is all better than I was expecting at 1125, I really appreciate this thanks! Any other testing you do post it here or pm me on it if you don't mind I am all ears. I also have decent airflow in my case , front intake, side and rear with all 120mm fans so no problem there. Looks like you have a very nice card and per silicon lottery, grats.

 

[wand3r3r]

How accurate is MSI afterburner's onscreen display in reporting GPU voltage? I'm watching the GPU voltage during valley runs and the card is rarely ever jumping over 1.3v even though I have VDDC offset set to +200 and "force constant voltage" selected. Hey, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.The VRM temps seem pretty good, VRM1 @ 75C and VRM2 @ 48C under load at these clocks. If I lower the card to something like +175mv I start to see some artifacts after 5-10 mins of testing/gaming at 1225, though I haven't tried lower clock rates (like 1200) yet. FastX when I get some time I'll try those clock rates out and report back. Did you want me to try a specific fan speed? Also did you have a specific memory speed in mind?

Does it even listen to the set voltage? With my cards I haven't tried anything other than checking if mining is affected by core voltage but regardless of what I set it picks the voltage itself. I guess it just has the "headroom" if it sees fit to use it. I haven't tried the force constant voltage though.

 

[Fastx]

I know there is not many Sapphire 290 TRI-X owners on AT right now but would be interested in the following info (or when you get your card) on your gaming overclock of around 30+/- minutes if your interested in posting whatever info you can regarding the below. Not really looking for the highest overclock, but 1100 -1200 would be a good range to see some real world data per below on your stable overclocks for gaming. Also if you own any other brand AIB custom 290 would be good see the data from those cards too.

Overclock?
Memory clock?
Memory type/brand?
Voltage?
Fan stock profile /custom% or fixed%?
GPU temp avg./highest?
Vrm 1 temp avg./highest?
Vrm 2 temp avg./highest?
Game and game minutes played per above data?

__________________________________________________________________________

Optional BM data if you just want to run the BM for two loops or a 10 minute run would be good.

Heaven 4.0
1920/1080 / Full Screen / Extreme / Ultra Quality / AA 8x / Extreme Tessellation.

Overclock?
Memory clock?
Memory type/brand?
Voltage?
Fan stock profile /custom or fixed %?
GPU Temp?
Vrm 1 temp avg./highest
Vrm 2 temp avg./highest
Artifacts?

 

[a4nic8er]

Somewhat of a necro, I know, but this thread was helpful so I registered to add some of the info Fastx expressed interest in. I'll use pictures. Card is (single) SAPPHIRE TRI-X R9 290 4GB GDDR5 OC(UEFI) connected to a BenQ XL2411T (running 1920x1080 @144 Hz)

Pro: Fans never run at 100% - it's very quiet.
Cons: Get artifacts and glitches if GPU pushed above 1160 MHz

I always use the above "Custom" Fan Control setting. I have Power Limit set to 20.

Default (Stock) clock settings as reference.

Small step to start with: No problems with any games (nor any noticeable improvement).

Some improvement noticed here.

Stable playing several hours of Team Fortress 2 & about 40 minutes of Skyrim (heavily modded). VRM Temp 1 Max. up to 74 degrees.

Pushed the memory to 1500 MHz and the VRM Temp 1 Max. went up 1 degree to 75. Haven't game tested this yet, may tweak VDDC Offset a bit higher.


Any specific tips or advice appreciated.

 

[spinejam]

My Tri-X needs +150mV to stabilize the 1200 core o/c. Anything less will show occasional glitches in BF3 / benches.

This is ~3 hours of BF3 gameplay:

 

[Fastx]

I received my Tri-X 290 OC card Thursday so just posting some quick info on it . I was going to try and wait for Maxwell ( to c perf. & prices) but found this card on NG for $354.99 ar shipped, so I had to pull the trigger at that price imo. Hopefully sell my MSI GTX 770 for around $285.00 on e-bay, which after selling the games I am into for $245.00. So far (4 days) zero problems with this card and I am happy with the card and per oc's, temps and fan noise.




Valley
1225/1550 no artifacts/clean run, I starting getting a few small artifacts in scene 16 & 17 at 1250/1600 at times, so I backed it down to 1225/1550 and no artifacts.
+200 mv
PL +25%

Pic of my MSI GTX 770 next to my Sapphire Tri-X 290 oc per size difference.

 

[Shmee]

Nice OCs! Anyone get to try the vapor X yet? I am looking at getting one of those or a tri x.

 

[spinejam]

What % fan speed are you running Fastx?

 

[Fastx]

What % fan speed are you running Fastx?

For the max oc BM'ing I set the fans to 100% and for gaming I use my custom fan curve below.

Gaming clocks and temps after about 1-1/2 hours of BF4.
1175/1500
+125mv
PL +20
GPU Temp max 73
Fan speed per curve max 81%
VRM1 87c
VRM 2 52c

 

[Fastx]

Just an update.

Looks like I spoke too soon on no problems, I just got my first black screen! Not the hard lock one from gaming, booting, but the one coming out of sleep mode. So I had to hit my reset button for a restart. I had 1213 drivers on and had plan to wait a couple of weeks before going to 14.6 w/mantle, but it was running so good for the first 3 days (no BLK screens) I thought I (my computer) was immune from the black screen problem. I am going to try a few things I posted in the 14.6 thread to see if it helps. If not I will be going right back to 1312's to see if it happens on those drivers and if it does this card will be going back to NG for an exchange. This card was sold from NG with exchange card only so no refund return.

 

[24601]

Use the ASUS locked clock/voltage 290x bios.

Exchanging won't help anything, the problem is with AMD/ATi's hardware/software design mesh.

They fail at dynamic clocks so hard its not even funny.

Oh yeah, and don't use any driver other than 13.12.

The newer drivers are 100% buggy as shit.

 

[Fastx]

Use the ASUS locked clock/voltage 290x bios.

Exchanging won't help anything, the problem is with AMD/ATi's hardware/software design mesh.

They fail at dynamic clocks so hard its not even funny.

Oh yeah, and don't use any driver other than 13.12.

The newer drivers are 100% buggy as shit.

I believe it is/could be a BIOS issue from what I been reading, but can't believe how long this has been going on still for some guy's/cards having this problem. But then a again it seems this is not a wide spread issue only effecting a certain amount of cards. I was considering a PCS+ 290x on sale but they were having some issues on some 290x cards under performing to 290 levels along with some black screens. But this guy Raymond from PCS+ has been very active sending out custom BIOS's to customers to resolve these affected cards. But it is not a one BIOS fixes all cards according to Raymond, it is dependent on your card serial number according to Raymond to which BIOS they send you and is why they don't just post a BIOS update for this.

I have read recently guys are claiming by upping the voltage to +25 or +50mv and/or along with a +25% PL is resolving this issue. So I have mine set (per above) to that and to load on windows when booting up. I don't know how true this is, but I have it set so will be testing it out. You might be right on exchanging it and I could get a card with the same problem again. I only had it happen once so far so also want to see if it happens again and with the above settings now.

If you happen have a link for discussing about Asus BIOS fix for other card's that black screen could you post a link?

I do remember reading a little about it awhile back but can't remember where now.

TIA

 

[24601]

I believe it is/could be a BIOS issue from what I been reading, but can't believe how long this has been going on still for some guy's/cards having this problem. But then a again it seems this is not a wide spread issue only effecting a certain amount of cards. I was considering a PCS+ 290x on sale but they were having some issues on some 290x cards under performing to 290 levels along with some black screens. But this guy Raymond from PCS+ has been very active on another forum sending out custom BIOS's to customers to solve these affected cards. But it is not a one BIOS fixes all cards according to Raymond, it is dependent on your card serial number according to Raymond to which BIOS they send you and is why they don't just post a BIOS update for this.

I have read recently guys are claiming by upping the voltage to +25 or +50mv and/or along with a +25% PL is resolving this issue. So I have mine set (per above) to that and to load on windows when booting up. I don't know how true this is, but I have it set so will be testing it out. You might be right on exchanging it and I could get a card with the same problem again. I only had it happen once so far so also want to see if it happens again and with the above settings now.

If you happen have a link for discussing about Asus BIOS fix for other card's that black screen could you post a link?

I do remember reading a little about it awhile back but can't remember where now.

TIA

The black screen issue etc. is caused by voltage too low for the clock in response to the horribly buggy dynamic clocking system AMD/ATi implemented.

The ASUS PT1 bios sets the base (and only) clock speed state at 1000mhz and sets the base (and only) voltage state at 1.25v.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1443242/the-r9-290-290x-unlock-thread/0_30

When you ramp up clock speed dynamically you need to increase voltage before you ramp the clock speed itself unless you have huge massively over-capacity capacitors on the package.

AMD/ATi dgaf and just ramp clock speed and voltages simultaneously without sufficient capacitors to properly compensate for the ramp up/ramp down.


This is the whole reason why Haswell went to a FIVR to allow for ultra-fast wild clock speed (with commensurate ultra-fast wild voltage) deviations. This is one of the reasons why Devil's Canyon is able to clock higher while still staying on dynamic voltage (it's got a crapload more capacitors on package).

BTW, don't use any driver other than 13.12 with the ASUS PT1 bios.

Every single newer driver hard overrides all bios settings when it feels like it and there's nothing you can do about it.
That's how I lost one of my cards.

 

[Fastx]

Communism thanks for pointing me in the possible correct direction on a 290x BIOS fix for this problem if it occurs again on my card.

Looks like also a Tri X 290X BIOS on this guys Sapphire 290 worked for his black screen problem. So if I get another black screen on my card with +50mv setting I have it set now, I think I am just going to flash the BIOS to the TRi-X 290x BIOS (vers. RMA) which will also keep will keep the same clocks as my card shipped with.

And good news for me, I just flashed my card to the Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X bios, and it has the slight v-core voltage bump my card needs to fix my Black screens. And the clock speeds are a default 1000mhz core / 1300mhz memory which my Elpida ram and reference cooler can do just fine.
So I'm happy Ive got that problem solved......I still wish I had your Vapor-X though...LOL

http://www.overclock.net/t/1441349/290-290x-black-screen-poll/950#post_22357933

 

[Fastx]

Update#2

I just got my second black screen with trying the +50mv and had to perform a hard reset. I never had this problem with 7950CF or the GTX 770 on this same system.

So back to 1312's to see if it happens with those drivers. I ran 3 days using the computer and no black screens with 1312's before I went to 14.6's on Sunday night. I think if it happens with 13.12's I am going to give NG a call and explain the issue very nicely to them and see if I can get a refund first, then if not ask if they will give me credit for a future purchase. If all that fails then I will get in contact with Sapphire and if no help from Sapphire on possible cause and fix from them, then last resort try the Tri X 290x and Asus 290x BIOS and hope one of them work.

Yes I knew before purchasing this card this was a possible problem but took a gamble and hoped I wouldn't have this problem.

 

[Kenmitch]

Fastx,

Do you get the black screen issue at stock speeds?

Tried flipping the bios switch on the card yet? There are two versions on the card according to gpu-z as the version #'s are slightly different. I think 1 is uefi and the other isn't.

 

[Fastx]

Ken yes this was at stock clock speeds when it black screens. I not getting a black screen from boot up, gaming, surfing the net/YT, performing any task on the computer, playing vid's etc. The only time I get the black screen is my monitor goes into sleep mode and I try to wake it, the screen stays black no matter what I try to do. I even try to hit the window key, right arrow, enter and computer won't respond to a restart. I have to perform a hard reset.

On the BIOS switch I left it on the position as shipped and see HC's below quote. Ken what position do you have your Tri -X BIOS on and do you the Tri-X 290 or Tri X 290x I can't remember?

I am back on the 12.13 drivers now and if it black screens on these I will set the BIOS switch to the other position even though it's suppose to be the same BIOS if correct per below.


Tri X 290 BIOS switch.

Sapphire’s inclusion of a dual BIOS switch represents a bit of window dressing since both locations are populated by the same BIOS file. On the positive side, this gives you a blank slate to work with should you choose to upload a modified one.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...5172-sapphire-r9-290-4gb-tri-x-oc-review.html

 

[Kenmitch]

mITX build so I'll have to pop the top cover off and look.

r9 290 TriX is what I have. 81.6 ASIC

I'll screenshot both of them....I'll be back

 

[Fastx]

Ken, also what drivers are you running?

 

[Kenmitch]

See my avatar? Latest beta drivers 14.6's

Left image is with the switch flipped towards hdmi/dvi connectors. If you look at the versions in the ( ) you'll see one is U002 and the other X002.

I was running the X002 one. The switch flipped towards pci-e power connectors.

I read somewhere a while ago one was for uEFI the other was a regular bios. Not sure if true but if they are the same then shouldn't the numbers match?

I have never had a black screen due to sleep. Only a couple due to crazy overclock attemps due to forgetting to up the voltage enough. I've also had a couple when I was into mining. Not sure why but if I was to open gpu-z to check my temps it would sometimes black screen on exit of gpu-z.

Shuts down, flips switch back just in case

 

[Fastx]

See my avatar? Latest beta drivers 14.6's

Left image is with the switch flipped towards hdmi/dvi connectors. If you look at the versions in the ( ) you'll see one is U002 and the other X002.

I was running the X002 one. The switch flipped towards pci-e power connectors.

I read somewhere a while ago one was for uEFI the other was a regular bios. Not sure if true but if they are the same then shouldn't the numbers match?

I have never had a black screen due to sleep. Only a couple due to crazy overclock attemps due to forgetting to up the voltage enough. I've also had a couple when I was into mining. Not sure why but if I was to open gpu-z to check my temps it would sometimes black screen on exit of gpu-z.

Shuts down, flips switch back just in case

Shuts down, flips switch back just in case

:biggrin:




Ken, look at my post #34 2nd screen shot (w/the eye candy) I am also on X002 same as what you are running. If I get a black screen with 13.12's I will move the BIOS switch to U002 position to give it a try and tie up that lose end.

Thanks for the info/screen shots.

 

[Kenmitch]

:biggrin:




Ken, look at my post #34 2nd screen shot (w/the eye candy) I am also on X002 same as what you are running. If I get a black screen with 13.12's I will move the BIOS switch to U002 position to give it a try and tie up that lose end.

Thanks for the info/screen shots.

Good luck

Found this info on the switch.

The Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X offers UEFI compatibility via this BIOS switch.

From this review here. http://www.kitguru.net/components/g...e-r9-290-tri-x-oc-review-1600p-ultra-hd-4k/2/

I also remember reading something about the MB's uEFI needed to be a minimum of ??? version number. If I find it I'll update the post.