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    GTX680M - gpu core and memory clocks always at max?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by Ranga, Dec 26, 2012.

  1. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    Hi all,

    I have a P170EM and recently got Far Cry 3, updating to the latest 310.70 WHQL driver. However, a few days ago I noticed that my gpu core and memory clocks on my GTX680M were always running at max (719mhz and 1800mhz respectively), even at idle. As soon as I start up my computer and check MSI Afterburner, it would be showing those readings, with the GPU temp plateauing at about 50 degrees celsius after about a minute or so. I thought maybe Afterburner might be buggy for whatever reason, so I downloaded EVGA Precision. Installed and ran that and got the exact same readings. Previously my GPU would idle at about 30-35 degrees celsius, with the clocks at approx 135mhz/324mhz.

    I've tried re-installing the default drivers that came with my notebook, but it hasn't made a difference as far as I can see. Anybody have an idea as to what might be going on/experienced the same issue? Any help would be much appreciated.

    Thanks! :)
     
    Ranga, Dec 26, 2012
    #1
  2. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    welcome to nbr

    try nvidia inspector in my signature below. mine are showing 719hz and 1800mhz as well and as far as i know this is normal.
     
    MrDJ, Dec 26, 2012
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  3. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    50 degrees Celsius is not dangerous, but that's a bit high for idle. Did you do a clean uninstall of the driver before re-installing the latest WHQL?
     
    Prostar Computer, Dec 26, 2012
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  4. sirana

    sirana Notebook Deity

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    Do you happen to have Logitech Gaming Software 8.35.x installed? You need to go into its options and disabled "Activate advanced graphics", it caused high idle clocks for me too with 306.97 WHQL.
     
    sirana, Dec 26, 2012
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  5. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    If you go into the nvidia control panel, select the desktop tab there is an option to add a gpu indicator to the desktop, mouse over it and it will tell you what programs are using the GPU.

    Steam was set to use the nvidia card for some reason for me :/
     
    Meaker@Sager, Dec 27, 2012
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  6. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    Yup just did a clean install with the 306.97 driver, sometimes it will drop to 135/324, but then it will go back to max for whatever reason (outside gaming). Tried adding the Nvidia GPU indicator to desktop and even used ProcessExplorer to find out if anything was using the GPU, but nothing is showing up as using the gfx card and actual GPU usage is at 0%. And nope, don't have any Logitech software installed. So confusing! Temp seems to have dropped a bit since installing the 306.97 driver, idling around mid 40s now. While playing Far Cry 3 it will get up to about 70, which is pretty normal I think, so there doesn't seem to be anything actually wrong with the card/cooling, just some weird software issue/bug.

    When I check Nvidia inspector it tells me that my default clocks are at 719/1800...is that what it's meant to be reading? Or should the default clocks be the minimum?

    Thanks for all the help so far guys. I really do appreciate it.
     
    Ranga, Dec 28, 2012
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  7. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    as i said before mine sit at the same mhz but im guessing while doing menial things the card is actually switched off so those readings wont change until the card is kicked into action. then im not sure if the readings should stay the same or go down.
    im still running 310.54 and havnt bothered to update yet as far cry for me has run fine with no crashes or freeze ups.
     
    MrDJ, Dec 28, 2012
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  8. b0b1man

    b0b1man Notebook Deity

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    Yeah? You are "still" running 310.54?
    Im way ahead of you. Using stock 297.xx
     
    b0b1man, Dec 28, 2012
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  9. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    What sort of idle and gaming temps do you get?
     
    Ranga, Dec 30, 2012
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  10. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    this isafter 30 minutes of forum brousing.

    will post after gaming later
     

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    MrDJ, Dec 31, 2012
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  11. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    after 2 hours of far cry 3
     

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    MrDJ, Dec 31, 2012
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  12. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    Hmmm interesting, thanks! Any idea what GPU temps you get while actually playing Far Cry?
     
    Ranga, Jan 1, 2013
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  13. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    it shows 53c and that was literally seconds after i closed the game down. not sure the best way to get a reading while game is open in full screen.
     
    MrDJ, Jan 1, 2013
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  14. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    Do you have MSI Afterburner?
     
    Ranga, Jan 1, 2013
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  15. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Get a graphing program (MSI afterburner, Nvidia inspector) and run it while in the game and then have a look at your temperature history.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 1, 2013
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  16. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    40 minutes of gameplay
     

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    MrDJ, Jan 1, 2013
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  17. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Lovely and consistent graph there :) Most people want to see that.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 1, 2013
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  18. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    makes a change :D
    when i run intel extreme tuning it seemed to throttle down quite a bit but that was in the summer when it was warmer here (if you can call uk weather summer). temps were hitting mid to high 90s as well
     
    MrDJ, Jan 1, 2013
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  19. Ranga

    Ranga Newbie

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    Haha wow yeah that is a nice straight graph. Max of 78 which is pretty close to what I get as well. Awesome. Thanks for all the help :)
     
    Ranga, Jan 3, 2013
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  20. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    your welcome. if you have battlefield 3 then run that and see what you get. mine goes higher as its way more demanding than farcry.
     
    MrDJ, Jan 4, 2013
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  21. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Even with my modifications when overclocked it does make my graphics card cry a bit when run at 100% at 1100mhz ^-^
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 4, 2013
    #21