4870 2d underclocking, 40w less idle

[Xcel]

So my computer draws 179w from the wall idle with the 4870 running at 500/900. Here's the thing if I lower it to 100/200 with amd gpu clock tool the idle power draw is 139w (I don't dare go lower, I started getting artefacts at 150mhz memory clock).

Why are the stock 2d clocks so high? Most of the time it just sits there in windows with 0% activity anyway

Without any fan speed adjustments
500/900 = 79c idle
100/200 = 56c idle

VRMs down from 91c to 56c.

So why can't the default 2d clocks be lower in ccc and its stupid 500/800 minimum limit. 40w less is very noticeble...

EDIT/ took a while for the temps to settle

0% GPU fan yet 1000rpm

[snipper_cr]

I've wondered that too. I mean this things puts out a boat load of heat while simply idling at the desktop. Surely there must be some way to "idle" the card like processors do?

[xMrBunglex]

PowerPlay seems to be less aggressive in these cards than it was with the 3870's. it could be because they had so many problems with the GPU throttling while in games, but i don't know the official answer. i think they could make it more aggressive through driver updates if they wanted.

[chawks2]

Surely there must be some way to "idle" the card like processors do?

Wow 100/200. Never thought of underclocking.

Why not just change the mem clockz when you're ready to play??

[Xcel]

2 desktop shortcuts to amd gpu clock tool should do the trick.

I often leave my computer on 24/7, really nice to be able to decrease the idle power consumption.

[r4st4m4n]

2 desktop shortcuts to amd gpu clock tool should do the trick.

How do you that ? Can you pass arguments to the program ?

[Xcel]

How do you that ? Can you pass arguments to the program ?

Yes, shortcut target : "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\AMD GPU Clock Tool\AMDGPUClockTool.exe" -eng=100 -mem=200

This only sets the clocks it doesn't even leave the program open.
By the way I sometimes get artefacts in 2d if I switch directly from a high oc to 100/200, I created 3 shortcuts where I turn it down to stock first then underclock

[wanky]

just tried it but screen was artifacting bad and card was squeeling

[Xcel]

That is odd, I have Sapphire and no problems. Try it at your own risk I suppose or with less underclocking

[wanky]

i have sapphire too
editL oops i have 4850

[XS Janus]

This is a really cool and useful trick, thanks!

[r4st4m4n]

Yes, shortcut target : "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\AMD GPU Clock Tool\AMDGPUClockTool.exe" -eng=100 -mem=200

Thanks man

One of the problem I ha AMD GPU clock tool was it doesn't allow to create profiles, the 2nd being it doesn't switch back to 2D clocks ... Your trick solves both problems.

[Zehnsucht]

When ATI tool worked with my 8800GTX i had separate 2D/3D clocks, which changed automatically when 3D mode was detected. 2D mode temp was under 49 (sensor stuck at 49), 3D mode at 70 degrees. core/mem 250/500 @ 2D, 600/800 @ 3D.
Doesn't ATI tool work with the new 4800 series?

[Xcel]

Thanks man

One of the problem I ha AMD GPU clock tool was it doesn't allow to create profiles, the 2nd being it doesn't switch back to 2D clocks ... Your trick solves both problems.

Yep that's annoying running at max oc all the time when it isn't needed.

I didn't dare flashing the bios with new settings, I've done it before with mt 9800 and 1950 but now shortcuts are simple and good enough for me

Atitool doesn't support the 48xx series yet as far as I know

[stangracin2]

i have sapphire too
editL oops i have 4850

the lowest i can get my 4850 to go down to is 150/500 cause at 150/499it artifacts

[Mr.Guvernment]

weird why it would artifact at a lower clock.. i guess it has to do with how the internal pass data between parts, one part being much slower is screwing up the rest of the process?

[stangracin2]

when i set it there i get an instant 4C drop over stock 2d

[MomijiTMO]

Wow that is a nice saving there.

[AliG]

I simply flashed my 4850's bios, works better than CCC profile modding, but you can also change voltage through CCC, only downside with that is that CCC is disabled once you go over the clock limit and the extra voltage doesn't do you any good once you hit that clock limit anyways. That's why bios flashing and pencil/hard modding seems to be the way to go

[kiwi]

A bit old topic maybe but AMD still haven't made a bios for separate 2d/3d clocks/voltages.

There is a long thread about this here.. You can use either a modded bios or place shortcuts for 2d 3d modes like I did.


For example, I have 2D profile and clocks set with Ati tray tools (latest beta version) 200/300 in 2.bat shortcut:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Ray Adams\ATI Tray Tools\atitray.exe" /LDOV 2d /EXIT
RivaTuner.exe /wi1,70,17,2d

Volts set with rivatuner 1.01V

3d.bat shortcut for 3D clocks (1.2625V):

RivaTuner.exe /wi1,70,17,41
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Ray Adams\ATI Tray Tools\atitray.exe" /LDOV 3d /EXIT

If you want to add 2.bat to your startup you might need to use sleep.exe and wait like 5 seconds because somehow I have problems if loading without delay.


Temps and power usage is down in 2D mode