Powerplay slipping into 2d while gaming...

[dnihilist]

Daidolos, did you say CCC works with your bioses?

[ghost101]

Why waste electricity by removing 2d clocks. Just use rivatuner to make a profile for gaming.

[narciso]

Visiontek released a new bios for BBA cards, it's version 0.79. Check this link: http://www.visiontek.com/forum/viewt...fd838fdffefbde

[Mungri]

This is whats happening on my 3870!

Even when I overclock in rivatuner my frame rate still drops like crazy in games and benchmarks.

Can i fix this with modified drivers?

[narciso]

There's modded bios floating around that fix the clock fluctuation, but visiontek released an official one that works with all bba cards.

[Waymon3X6]

So the one released by visiontek uses all 3dclocks? Or does it just not revert to 2d clocks in games anymore?

[Mungri]

If you read the replies on that Visiontek thread, you will see that the bios isnt working as intended as it has a Performance 1 speed of 300/1126.

So I'm not trying that, and also there is no green sticker like that one on my little Triplex 3870.

[Jungle+=]

Oooooh Lovely....

Winflash2.0.2 won't load your bios with a "SubsystemID's mismatch" error ... and ATIflash returns this error in command prompt :
" This version of atiflash.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need a x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher." (Vista Ultimate x64)

Now what ?

[Mungri]

Everyone with this problem please submit a ticket to ATI so they bother to do something about it.

Dont forget that they will send you an automated response first, and if you dont reply saying that it didnt help within 7 days, your case will be closed and no one at ATI support will have read it.

[Steppenwolf]

Hi guys, done the whole thing, enjoyed about 30 fps with very high settings for a couple of days and then suddenly my pc does not recognise XF. not even in 3dmark06. I have checked my cards and they both work perfectly when individually tested but XF is gone.

Anyone with the same problem?

[purecain]

redo your bios flashes... let the system redetect both cards and reinstall your drivers... if that doesnt solve your problem its rma time....

[kickerman65]

i know this is a little off topic but i was wondering if anybody might be able to make some suggestions as of a possible cause for some nvidia video driver problems i been havin

[xMrBunglex]

i know this is a little off topic but i was wondering if anybody might be able to make some suggestions as of a possible cause for some nvidia video driver problems i been havin

make your own thread. that has no business in this thread. and don't post the same thing multiple times. you wrote the same thing in another thread that i saw.

[Waymon3X6]

^What a pleasant way to get banned...

Anyways, I am confused on which BIOS to flash my 3870s to. Which is the most recent that has the 2D and 3D clocks the same?

Thanks a lot!

[xMrBunglex]

i think these are the ones you'll want to look through. he's done a lot of work to make these things just right.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...2&postcount=83

[Waymon3X6]

Ok, thank you very much MrBunglex!

One last question - then I'll leave you alone. Ok, in Crysis, I am having the preoblem where if I turn around fast, the game goes to about 8fps from the 25 or 30 for a short second, then back up. This is obvously because of the card powering down to 2D clocks;

So how will a BIOS with lower 2D clocks stop this from happening? In other words, with the link you provided, the 2D clocks are 300/1125 - so wont the card show the same symptoms of lag and powering down?

I will try them tonight.

[xMrBunglex]

those BIOS' have the same 2D clocks as stock, iirc. what was changed were the Low Power 3D clocks, which are different. he set low power 3D clocks to be the same as regular 3D clocks, so power play should never be an issue again.

also, it's possible that motion blur is what is causing your framerate to dip when you move around fast. you can edit the game's config and add a line that says [r_motionblur "0"] or something like that. it might need an = sign in it. i forget exactly how console commands go for that game.

and thanks to whichever admin deleted the flame post.

[RealyPssd]

Alright, so I was having the PP problem.

While playing Guitar Hero 3 for PC, every now and then my 3870 would dip down to 300MHz core speed.

I flashed to the "DaidalosBiosPack71v1 (low temps)" BIOS with 777/1125 clocks. After flashing I stil had the same problem, clocks going down to 300MHz for no reason.

So I then edited the 3870fanfix BIOS I was originally using to be 777/1125 and 1.327v for 2D, low 3D, and high 3D.

Flashed to it and I still get the same ***ing problem, except that the card is only dropping to 777 core, but there's still a brief freeze and disruption of my game.

The bottom line is I guess that the next video card I buy will not be an ATI/AMD one, this is horse****.

Had: Radeon 64MB DDR VIVO, 8500 64MB, 9800Pro 128MB, X800GTO 256MB @ 16 pipes @ 850XT speeds, and now this POS, I mean HIS 3870.

[Waymon3X6]

^Of all the threads I have seen on the AMD gaming forums and other site about this, I bet that ATi has noticed about this and is [hopefully] working on a solution.

I flashed my cards with his custom 777Mhz core bios as well, and so far so good (in Crysis, as that is the only game I have the problem in). I had to restart the game though, and normally I would be getting around 25fps on very high but since the beginning isn't as intense, I get about 35-40. That could be why I am not seeing this problem anymore.

[purecain]

i think this is something ati should be able to solve... its just a matter of time with their mid to high range all being based on the same core.... i'd be worried if they had a new architecture out....

[Waymon3X6]

...Submitted another ticked to ATi today, hoping they will fix this soon.

purecain, do you know of any way to disable the powerplay feature?

[RealyPssd]

Even with the 2D, 3D low, 3D high all at 777/1125 @ 1.327v and NO overdrive o/c or any other o/c, the game still freezes up for a second or two and then fast forwards to catch up with the song as if the 3870's speed was changing, which it wasn't.

Now that doesn't make any sense.

[xMrBunglex]

Even with the 2D, 3D low, 3D high all at 777/1125 @ 1.327v and NO overdrive o/c or any other o/c, the game still freezes up for a second or two and then fast forwards to catch up with the song as if the 3870's speed was changing, which it wasn't.

Now that doesn't make any sense.

i've played Guitar Hero at my friends' houses and i'm not sure how the game's graphics could possibly pose a problem for a 3870. something is wrong on your end. my friend has (dual) 3870's and plays at 1920x1080 on his TV. no problems on his end. it isn't a graphically demanding game.

[Waymon3X6]

Maybe it only happens with certain games. I only have the problem with Crysis - not WiC, Supreme Commander, BF2 or any other game I own.

Edit:heres the ticket response I got back:

Knowledge Base
AMD Customer Care Site Map > Radeon Support - PC > Radeon X1950 series > Knowledgebase > Gaming >
737-28023: General Lock ups and Hangs

Based on our experience, lockups and hangs issues are usually due to improper system configuration, driver issues, faulty hardware, or a known issue between a given application, driver and hardware in use.

There are several things you can check:

Please keep in mind that you may have already done some of the following suggestions and you DO NOT need to try each one.
1. Please check with your motherboard or PC manufacturer to ensure that you have the latest Chipset driver.
2. Please check with your motherboard or PC manufacturer to ensure that you have the latest Bios flash.
3. Ensure that you have installed any patches or updates for the game or application. You will find these on the developer’s website.

4. Ensure that the latest DirectX version is correctly installed and functioning. For Microsoft’s instructions visit: www.microsoft.com/directx . To access the DirectX Diagnostic Utility do the following: Click Start > Choose Run > type “dxdiag” (without quotes) > Press OK

* Ensure all three (3) DirectX features are enabled:
1. From the Display tab, under DirectX Features, ensure that each feature (DirectDraw Acceleration, Direct3D Acceleration, and AGP Acceleration) are enabled.
2. Ensure that under Notes it states, “No Problem(s) Detected”.
* Verify that all DirectX files are installed:

* From the DirectX Files tab.
* Ensure that under Notes it states, “No Problem(s) Detected”.
* Try to force a different refresh rate:
1. From the More Help tab, click Override.
2. Enter an override value that is compatible with both your video card and your monitor.
3. Click OK, and then Exit.

5. Ensure your power supply has the required wattage output for the video card.
6. For AGP ( Accelerated Graphics Port) cards ensure:

* Ensure that Fastwrite is disabled in BIOS, and in the SMARTGART section of ATI’s Catalyst Control Center
* Try adjusting the AGP speed from (8X to 4X) (4X to 2X) or vise versa.
* Increase the AGP Aperture in the BIOS. We recommend a 128MB minimum.
* Disable any Shadowing settings in the BIOS.
* Disable any Cache Video BIOS settings in the BIOS.

7. Ensure that hardware acceleration set to full under the Troubleshoot tab in Display Properties, under advanced
8. Try turning off write combining in the display properties under advanced then the ATI Troubleshoot tab
9. Ensure that you have adequate Power

* 300 watts for 9700, 9800, X300, X600 and X700.
* 350 watts for X800, X850, X1300, and X1600.
* Radeon HD 2900 requires 550 Watt (750 for Crossfire™) or greater power supply with two 2x3-pin PCIe® power connectors is required .
* RADEON X1800/ X1900/ X1950 require special power supply:
o 450 Watt capacity with 30A on a +/- 12 volt rail (connection) for single graphics configuration.
o 550 Watt capacity with 38A on a +/- 12 volt rail (connection) for dual graphics configuration for Crossfire (for a list of certified power supplies click here ).

10. Ensure that your computer case has good air circulation.
11. Check the system memory (RAM) for errors. A link from Microsoft will help you test your memory: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp 12. If you have multiple memory sticks in your computer, swap the memory sticks or try one at a time 13. Empty the Windows temporary folder, follow these steps:

* Click Start, click Run, type %temp% in the Open box, and then click OK.
* On the Edit menu, click Select All.
* On the File menu, click Delete.
* Click Yes when you receive the following message: Are you sure you want to send these items to the Recycle Bin?

14. Restart your computer by using a clean boot procedure:

Note: You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may result in the return of the original error message or behavior.

* Click Start, and then click Run.
* Type “Msconfig” (without Quotes)
* Click OK On the General tab.
* Click Selective Startup.
* Under Startup tab, click to clear "Load Startup Items"
* On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
* Click OK, and then click Restart. Test the computer

15. Disable a file or service using the System Configuration Utility

* Click Start, and then click Run.
* Type “Msconfig” (without Quotes), Click OK.
* Click Selective Startup and clear the Load System Services check box.
* Click OK.
* Restart your computer, and see if the problem persists.

16. Adjust graphics hardware acceleration:

* Click Start, point to Settings.
* Click Control Panel.
* Double-click Display.
* On the Settings tab, click Advanced.
* Click the Troubleshoot tab.
* Move the Hardware Acceleration slider two notches to the left of Full (the Disable all cursor and advanced drawing accelerations setting).
* Click OK, and then click OK again.
* Test the computer

17. Try the video card in another computer or another video card in your Computer.

* If your video card works in another Computer, then the video card is good and you should check your computer for the cause of the issue.
* If another video card exhibits the same behavior then the video card is good and you should check your computer for the cause of the issue.
* If your video card exhibits the same behavior in another computer then the card is defective.
* If the other video card works fine in your computer, then your video card is defective

If the card is proven to be defective then the issue that you are facing can only be resolved by a repairing your video card. Please apply for an RMA for your video card so that you can get a replacement for it.

Please note for an RMA authorization you need to have a “ Built by ATI” product bought in a Shrink-wrapped box and your product must be under warranty. If you have a “Graphics by ATI” or “Powered by ATI” product, please contact the respective manufacturer of your video card. If your video card came with your computer system please contact your respective computer manufacturer in order to get your video card replaced.

If the card is a "Built by ATI" product you can apply for an RMA as follow:

Visit www.ati.com/rma .

* Read the terms and conditions
* Scroll to the end of the page, and click on "Online Returns Materials Authorization (RMA) Form".
* Fill out the form and submit it.
* Please wait for a reply containing details to the RMA and the shipping instructions.
* The response may take up to 48 hours.

Thank you for choosing AMD!

[xMrBunglex]

what a useless response. that is why i use the Catalyst Crew Feedback. i never get a response from them, but i don't want one. i just use it to notify them of any problems i might be having with my drivers.