May have the solution to GPU random Down Clocking.

Hey guys, everyones had this problem for a while now, especially those of us who OC with a passion. Honestly Ive been tearing the skin off my head for a while now too until I spoke with Dell tech support yesterday. He convinced me to do a BIOS edit and so far I think the DOWNCLOCK problem is gone for me.

So heres what you do:

1) Start BIOS on your computer: F2/F12 when starting

2) Since im using a xps m1530 I go to the Performance Tab of my bios, it may be different for other people and you might have to search for this.
Speed Step --> DISABLE

3) the description of that option goes something like: improve multicore function by increasing speed, blah blah blah, in actuality its just a overall system powermizer that effects CPU as well as GPU. If you turn it off, you'll have to redo your power settings, which leads to step

4) Starting Windows. You may notice that your power scheme has changed. So turn on high performance setting for A/C adapter and Balanced/Powersaving for batteries. And your done.

I have done about a day of testing so far, mainly with Mass Effect. And it looks like the GPU has stopped downclocking itself. Doesnt completely remove the instability issues when OCing too high though.

So please test this out as extensively as you can and come back to this thread to post your findings. Please note if this helped you with a particular game and if it failed, for which game also.

TY

 

Um, I don't think this is a good solution. You are turning off the function that downclocks your cpu based on usage. I.E. conserving battery/heat/etc.... I am fine with turning off a function to game. But to go into your bios every single time would be a PITA.

 

Not true, you can still use CPU utilities like Rightmark to manage your power consumption portfolio. Its a two click process, really easy.

 

Well I do already use RMclock. I guess I can try this out (doesn't hurt anything lol).

 

yeh, tell me how your testing goes. Ive been dying to know how it'll fair in other games.

 

I swear that Speedstep is Intel's trademark. It only applies to your CPU.

 

Could heat be the source of the problem?

 

Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology (EIST) = CPU

Nvidia Powermizer technology = GPU

OP Can you check your temperatures before and after?

 

Yeh,

B4 change OC 645/875

temperatures @ idle ~55
Temperature after 1 hour of gaming ~83

After change
@ idle ~45
after 1 hour of gaming~75

I think with most BIOS the downclock come when gpu surpass 80, this enable you to stay under that threshhold.

Also, theforunner told me that disabling speedstep allows your fan to operate at max frequency independent of CPU usage. Games that are not CPU intensive lowers the fan speed and so gives less gpu cooling as well.

However with dell computers, disabling Speedstep also lowers your CPU core speed to 1.2 ghz. But it seems that in most games performance will still increase.

 

If the issue with downclocking is due to the high temps, why not simply force the fans to high while you're gaming? Problem solved?

 

Also, you can *disable* powermizer completely with this registry key:

\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Video\{**unique to you for nvidia**}\0000\PerfLevelSrc

Change the value from 3333 to 2222.

 

I dont know any cpu fan utilities out there thats compatible with dell's 1530.

 

Have you tried I8kfanGUI?

 

No that app does not work to control the fans. Would be sweet tho.

And Wiley, I would very much suggest that you do not turn off speedstep in your bios. I remember when you first suggested that, it struck me as odd. Then I remembered that turning off speedstep on our M1530's locks the CPU to it's lowest multiplier. You said it was funny that RMClock said your CPU was at 1.2ghz. It said that, because it is LOCKED to that. RMClock/Windows will not increase the clocks. Go back into the bios and read what it says on the speedstep page.

 

Unless you're referring to XPS incompatibility with I8kfanGUI, both of my Vostro fans work with automatic temperature control and spin faster/slower depending on the temperatures I set.

 

Its locked to 1.2 but you can enable PST to a certain multiplier in Rightmark which enable you to set your core speed to a different minimum. Currently i have my throttle set to 1.4 instead of 1.2 now, and as soon as I get my lap top cooler i will turn it back up to 11x multiplier 100% throttle.

 

Ahhh I see what you are saying. But you are still losing the function for it to go down. Fine when plugged in, but would suck when unplugged.