2nd 780m won't overclock.

Hi Guys,

I've noticed that after the installation of some new drivers my 2nd 780m in SLI doesn't want to overclock with the unlocked vBIOS. I'm not sure what the problem is as I haven't seen this since I flashed it a few months ago. Does anybody have any solutions to this problem? The first card overclocks just like normal but its almost as if the 2nd is locked?

Thanks,

T

 

Is GPU-Z showing SLI to be enabled? If so, did the box get unchecked by accident in Afterburner or Precision to sync the cards? If you are using NVIDIA Inspector, did you remember to manually change each card clock speeds?

 

Yup, cards are synced. I've monitored clocks of both cards on afterburner and the 2nd is stuck at stock. Should I reflash the both cards?

 

I'd roll back, and try again. something seems odd here, I'm betting human error.. but we'll help you incase we're wrong right ?

 

Maybe you can flash the BIOS of the cards again. It's very easy just need to use a bootable USB drive. You can actually flash in Windows, but I suggest flashing it in DOS, just to be safe.

 

If you have a happy 24/7 you can just flash those clocks.

 

Yeah, the vBIOS on the second card doesn't seem to unlock it. It's weird. The first card overclocks just fine but the second won't go past stock voltages or clocks. It drops to 135 at idle while the functioning unlocked card stays at whatever clock I have it set to. How do I create a vBIOS for specific clocks that I want?

 

Having a similar issue, though for me both aren't working. Just flashed my new Dell 780m's in my m18xr2. Flash went flawless, no issues.

Whenever I overclock, the clocks stay and are visible when I check in gpuz and nvidiainspector (program I'm using to OC) my problem is, that whenever I run 3dmark11, it reverts back to the original clock (850, 2500) which came with svl7s vbios mod.

I can confirm this, since I was logging temps and clocks while I was running the tests.

Running newest drivers, which makes me wonder if the drivers are locking me out? Lack of power? No idea

Any input would be great

P.S Sorry tcollinson for semi-hijacking your thread >.>

 

That's fine. I'm having the exact problem. Newest drivers may be the problem? I've only noticed this in the last few days and I updated to most recent drivers on the 23rd I believe. I'm going to try older drivers and see what happens.

 

Installed older drivers (327.23) and this solved the problem. Not sure what's up with the new drivers or if anybody else besides mikldav and myself are having the same problems but this seems to have solved it for now.

 

Awesome, let me know what you come up with. :thumbsup:

I've also been digging in the SLI section, and it seems rickdeckard had a similar issue, though it kinda got ignored.

Also tried using EVGA Precision, but to no avail...

 

This is really strange. I am using 331.58 on the M18xR2 and the 18, both with 780M SLI, both dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 and both work correctly in both operating systems. I don't understand why the latest drivers would cause this for your system but it does not cause it with either of mine under either OS.

 

Out of curiosity, what would you expect to get in 3dmark11 with a 120+ core and 300+ memory overclock? More than 13415?

Running a 940xm @ 4.3 Ghz with 16GB 2133 HyperX Ram and a RAID array of two vectors ssds.

Thanks!

 

It should be better than 13415. I'm not sure what kind of CPU score the 940XM will produce, but here is an example of what you mentioned. CPU should be over 11K and GPU over 18K with those settings. Have a look in the spoiler.

What system are you running that has 940XM and 780M SLI? M17xR2? Or, did you mean 3940XM? I don't think I have ever seen a 940XM that would run at 4.3GHz.

Spoiler

It's interesting to note that the above score with this minor GPU overclock is almost the same as 680M SLI with a much heavier overclock ( see example here).

 

Yes, sorry. I'm running the 3940xm. I don't get anywhere near that score... I reverted back to 327.23 drivers and still get a similar score as before. One thing I noticed though, is when I flashed the cards, I had to force the flash to go through; kept on saying ID mismatch or something. I had a similar incidence when I flashed my 680m's, though I never had an issue with them.

I just seems like the boost feature of these cards is still on somehow. I don't understand how that's possible, considering the bios has been rewritten...

Also, I can't go past 146% for power target, not sure if that's an issue. Have both Precision X and NVidia inspector.

Ill post some pics of my 3dmark11 score soon.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

So I did some more testing, logged all clocks and temps while doing the benchmark. Turns out that I can overclock, it just seems to throttle whenever it feels like it. I've only checked this out once, and it appears that the first test on 3dmark11, throttles back to its original clock (the one svl7 preset).

Any help would be very much appreciated. I'm clueless as to why this is happening.

 

3DMark11 Test 1 is a bugger. Set your GPU voltage back to stock. You don't need more than 1.00V for +120/+300. Using more than necessary can actually reduce performance. Move your Power and Temperature Target slider all the way to the right. If you want to use NVIDIA Inspector, remember to make the changes for both video cards. (While you have a little more control with NVIDIA Inspector whenever you need it for fine tuning, I prefer EVGA Precision for making quick changes because you can keep the cards clock speeds in sync without having to make changes one GPU at a time.)

Are you using ThrottleStop? If not, download ThrottleStop 6.00 and try again with the above changes.

 

Yes, I am using ThrottleStop 5.00 and always have, though I'll upgrade to 6.00. I just ran the test again as you suggested and got the following:

P13903 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M(2x) and Intel Core i7-3940XM

Graphics Score: 16146

Physics Score: 11125

Combined Score: 8340

Could my video cards just be lemons? I don't think temperature is an issue, according to the log report I got from HwInfo64. Think the highest it got to was around 65-ish degrees.

 

No, your cards are probably fine. Your system is working way too good for there to be a problem in my opinion. There is probably something odd causing it that just needs to be identified.

How do you have the NVIDIA Control Panel set up? (Never use "Let the 3D application decide" if you want good benchmark scores.) Maybe those settings are what is causing your scores to be lower than expected.

Download this tool: G eForce 3D Profile Manager

And then use it import this: View attachment NVIDIA Profiles 10.28.2013.zip

(Unzip the TXT file in the archive to import it... the tool imports TXT not zip. This is my customized driver profiles. :thumbsup

And be sure you are using this...

 

Here are my settings. I split the image so you can see the top and bottom portions.


One thing worth mentioning though, is that I use to use the Razor Game Booster when I had my 680m's. It helped remove stuttering in some games and made it appear smoother in others (placebo effect maybe?) Anyway, when I try using the power plan setting or the program in general with the 780m's, my computer freezes right after the first test. Mind you, this only happens when I move the power target setting past 100%, other wise I don't encounter any issues.

As of now, I don't use the program; due to said problem.

 

That Game Booster might be messing you up even if it is not running. I tried that before and had some problems with unexpected behavior using it. Plus, most of the settings it implemented I had already implemented on my own (as far as disabled services, etc.) for best performance.

I can see at least two problems already with your global profile in Control Panel settings. See my last post and import my profiles and you will likely see a big boost in 3DMark11 and numerous other benchmarks and games. I have things tweaked for best performance.

If you don't want to do that, at least change the global profile to match this:

 

I did all you requested, and I'll keep you posted with the results!

You've helped me before with my 680m's so I appreciate it a lot for all the help :thumbsup:

 

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-3940XM,Alienware M18xR2

Here are the results if you do not wish to visit the site.


P13987 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M(2x) and Intel Core i7-3940XM

Graphics Score: 16243

Physics Score: 11170

Combined Score: 8409

Also uninstalled Game Booster entirely and used the program you provided to adjust the profile settings.

 

Well, it's definitely moving in the right direction. Better than 93% of all results and your orange bar shows the results are where they are expected to be. Try bumping your GPU voltage to 1.025 and see how +135/+400 works with the Power Target slider maxed out.

 

Will do.

One thing I noticed on the 3dmark website, is that it doesn't seem to be detecting the correct amount of VRAM? it states I have 3,072 MB?

In GPU-z and any other gpu monitoring program says otherwise.

I'll keep you posted with the results.

 

I see that on your memory... not sure why it is doing that. It might be something goofy with the Futuremark System Information Scanner.

In addition to my other suggestions above, also try this...

Set a hotkey combo (e.g. Shift+Ctrl+Alt+1 for profile #1, Shift+Ctrl+Alt+2 for profile #2, etc.) for ThrottleStop and create a profile at 3.1GHz. Run your CPU at 3.1GHz until the screen for the Physics test first appears, then switch to your 4.3GHz profile immediately (before the status bar finishes loading) and leave it at 4.3GHz for the last two tests.

 

P13921 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M(2x) and Intel Core i7-3940XM



Graphics Score: 16205

Physics Score: 10978

Combined Score: 8413

This test was performed without the hotkey you recommended, since I did it before I read your last post.


P13953 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M(2x) and Intel Core i7-3940XM



Graphics Score: 16115

Physics Score: 11153

Combined Score: 8564

This test was performed with the hot key setup. One note, I wasn't able to lower the multiplier below 32. I used 32 throughout the tests until the physics test came about, which went back up to 43.


I am beyond stumped as to what the issue is

 

I don't know. I have had stuff like this happen before that I could never straighten out and a clean Windows install fixed it somehow. Something like a messed up Windows Update can cause problems like this, but the possibilities are endless and troubleshooting can be more of a pain than a fresh OS install.

On the off chance you haven't already checked and removed it, make sure that you do not have Windows Update KB2670838 installed. [WARNING!] KB2670838 - You don't want this Windows Update!

If that is not the problem, it might be time to start with a fresh install. Your performance is not horrible, but it's not as excellent as it should be. Your CPU is rocking very nicely.

 

Hello brother fox, it's mikldav, had to make a new account due to a few changes I had to make and that I couldn't seem to login to my previous account.

Anyway, here are the results.

SCORE P14242 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M(2x) and Intel Core i7-3940XM

Graphics Score: 16377

Physics Score: 11212

Combined Score: 9059

I always thought I had that microsoft update uninstalled, apparently I did not. Turns out that IE11 uses this update symbiotically, and cannot function without it. After uninstalling IE11 and using Chrome instead, I ran into the problem of not being able to login to NBR, thus making a new account.

Wonderful day of troubleshooting

Also, something I've noticed - that now has thankfully gone away - is that 3dmark11 kept on giving me the error Time measuring inaccurate

The score I got was using 120+/300+ @ 4.3Ghz

 

I have tried this, but with the 4930MX it either goes down to 2GHz, or it stays at max clock. You have any idea why is it so? Seems like it can't force it at multiplier that's anything higher than 20, it's either 20 or the CPU will stay at max multiplier.

 

You'll have to try it and see. I immediately flashed mine and never tested anything with a stock vBIOS, so I cannot answer your question with anything but guesses.

 

Hello Brother Fox,

Something I've noticed after running a few more benchmarks, is that whenever I increase the voltage, it's directly related to a decreased 3dmark 11 score.

Even if I increase the core/memory clocks to make use of the extra voltage, but to no avail.

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

After messing around with EVGA Precision, I've noticed that core clocks on both cards revert back to standard flashed clocks [850mhz] when performing some of the 3dmark11 tests

The graph in EVGA Precision clearly shows this.

The memory clock on the other hand stays solid throughout. Average score is around 14,200, though I got this feeling that it can definitely hit more. Not sure what's causing this.

 

No, I have not seen the behavior you are speaking of with an svl7 vBIOS and NVIDIA Control Panel with everything set to performance. Are you running everything cranked in your power profile, using High performance (not Balanced or Power saver) and a connection to AC power?

 

Yes I am. It's really strange. I even tried changing the core across all power states. Also tried using K-Boost from EVGA Precision, only to get a BSOD shortly thereafter... *sigh*

Just a random question, how were you able to get 200% power target for overclocking? Mines limited to 146%

 

Which vbios are you using and what is the power target set as?

 

vbios = 80.04.B3.00.10 (P2053-0001)
Power Target = 146%

 

Well there are two values for the power target.

There is the current target and the max available, if you have a power target of 100W and the max is 200W then you can add 100%, if the target is 150W then you can only add 33%.

 

Does NVIDIA Inspector allow you to set the Power Target more than 146% or not? NVIDIA Inspector allows me to go up to 222% even though EVGA Precision stops at 200% and so does MSI Afterburner.

On the Alienware 18 it is limited to 146% using EVGA Precision X and MSI Afterburner, but I haven't bothered trying to figure out why it is different on those 780M cards than those in my M18xR2. And, I haven't checked with NVIDIA Inspector on the Alienware 18 to find out yet.

 

146% is the limit on my cards.

The cards I got were designed for the new Alienware 18. I have a friend that works for dell, so he got me a pretty awesome deal on these cards.

Maybe it's a limitation via Dell on the PCB board or something? I've done a variety of comparisons o Futuremark, and the majority of people on average score around 14000 points with graphic score (with an alienware pc) . I score around 12000.

Seems like around 2000 points have vanished somehow.

 

Well, that could be. I see 146% as the limit on the 18, but not the M18xR2. My 780M cards in the M18xR2 are generic modules from a Clevo reseller. Have you looked in any of the Clevo threads to see if they have a 146% or 200% TDP limit with 780M? I have no idea why they would be different, as the Clevo and Dell 780M can use the same vBIOS. But, I can't provide an answer to the question about why the TDP limits are different. We also don't know that it would explain the difference in benchmark scores. I have never seen my TDP limit reach 146%, much less 200%, so it may not be the reason.

 

It could be on their vbios they have set the maximum power limit lower. Svet's vbios tool lets you analyse the values. If you post your vbios I can take a quick peek for you.

 

You promise? This is a backup stock ROM for the 780M.

View attachment 104511

 

But, using the same vBIOS flashed to Dell versus Clevo 780M cards should produce the same power limits unless there is something different with them at a hardware level. The same vBIOS will work on both Dell and generic Clevo 780M modules.

 

Here's my original vbios. Seems like mines a different size?

View attachment 780OEM.zip

**Edit**

Nevermind, zip was compressed differently. Same size.

 

Both those bios files read as 110W TDP, 110W MAX, software control disabled.

Sorry I was not quicker, have been crazy busy.

 

So does this suggest that somehow 'software control' needs to be enabled?

I'm a little curious now. I have the same Target Power Limit of 146%. I've noticed similar behavior to the OP but I haven't had enough time to fully experiment with these cards yet (or all of Mr Fox's NCC recommendations).. However off the bat I've experienced freezing upping the voltage to only 1.025 with higher clocks. I can do around 130/400 on standard volts. Trying higher clocks eg.150/420 1.025 gives me lock-ups. Interestingly my cards are also from Dell.