ATI 3870 running in low-power-consumption mode while in EQ2

[XeroXs84]

Hello there.I was quite surprised after I got my new graphics card, a ATI for a change, that my FPS didnt increase very much from my old one which was a crappy 7600 GT.After doing some research I found out that the card is running in low power mode (300 Mhz instead of 775 Mhz) and even there only with 30% useage of the GPU. while running EQ2 in fullscreen.Is this intended? cannot really believe it is.(Just as comparison: Assasins Creed is using 96% GPU while using the whole 775 Mhz.. and is running ultrasmooth... so the card is working as intended, must be something about the game code?)

[Tebos]

<p>Make sure there is a power connection from the power supply to the card!</p>

[XeroXs84]

<cite> Tebos wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Make sure there is a power connection from the power supply to the card!</p></blockquote>Like already mentioned, the card is working like intended in other games... and ofc the card is connected to the power supply (wouldnt work at all otherwise) <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Troubor]

<p>Replying to the OP, one possible idea is downloading Rivatuner, and using it to manually set fan speed and lock in your GPU's top speed as the default speed.  I haven't seen this issue with regards to it being specific to EQ2, and this is more of a fix I've heard about for the 3870x2 cards, not a single gpu 3870HD, but this may help also.</p>

[Tebos]

<cite>Fizzie@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Tebos wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Make sure there is a power connection from the power supply to the card!</p></blockquote>Like already mentioned, the card is working like intended in other games... and ofc the card is connected to the power supply (wouldnt work at all otherwise) <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>Is the power cable going to the video card unfettered?  In other words, is it sharing power with another device?</p>

[Openedge]

There are 2 known issues for 3870 models1. The "Triplex" model has had known issues of ramping up and ramping down speeds while playing...causing massive problems...has been noted a bios update is needed...Does your card look like this?<a href="http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/products/ati/hd3870.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/p.../ati/hd3870.htm</a>(ignore nasty errors on page...junk website for that model)2. The 8.3 drivers have had some fan speed issues, and as such will power down the card due to over heating...And of course we will assume you have a hefty power supply...correct? It has been noted that 18 amps per rail is needed and 450 watt minimum...I know other games are running fine...but something else may be at fault...so lets try to troubleshoot those issues first...Good luck

[Openedge]

<cite>Openedge wrote:</cite><blockquote>There are 2 known issues for 3870 models1. The "Triplex" model has had known issues of ramping up and ramping down speeds while playing...causing massive problems...has been noted a bios update is needed...Does your card look like this?<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/products/ati/hd3870.htm" target="_blank">http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/p.../ati/hd3870.htm</a>(ignore nasty errors on page...junk website for that model)2. The 8.3 drivers have had some fan speed issues, and as such will power down the card due to over heating...And of course we will assume you have a hefty power supply...correct? It has been noted that 18 amps per rail is needed and 450 watt minimum...I know other games are running fine...but something else may be at fault...so lets try to troubleshoot those issues first...Good luck</blockquote>I wanted to follow up on this...I ordered a 3870 and installed it today.I have the same issue. All other games ramp up the GPU....EQ2 does not. I am now stuck between 20-40fps (but so much smoother than my 8800GT)All other games ramp up the clocks to 775mhz for GPU...EQ2 stays at 300Any help would be greatly appreciated on this matterThank you

[XeroXs84]

<cite>Openedge wrote:</cite><blockquote>There are 2 known issues for 3870 models1. The "Triplex" model has had known issues of ramping up and ramping down speeds while playing...causing massive problems...has been noted a bios update is needed...Does your card look like this?<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/products/ati/hd3870.htm" target="_blank">http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/p.../ati/hd3870.htm</a>(ignore nasty errors on page...junk website for that model)2. The 8.3 drivers have had some fan speed issues, and as such will power down the card due to over heating...And of course we will assume you have a hefty power supply...correct? It has been noted that 18 amps per rail is needed and 450 watt minimum...I know other games are running fine...but something else may be at fault...so lets try to troubleshoot those issues first...Good luck</blockquote>I am using a Saphire Card... I dont have any issues with speed in other games like already mentioned.. and yea the power supply is good enough and the card has its own cable just for video (which has to be anyway btw as its a whole different plug).Its just eq2, and it seems like I am not alone with that issue <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Openedge]

<cite>Fizzie@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Openedge wrote:</cite><blockquote>There are 2 known issues for 3870 models1. The "Triplex" model has had known issues of ramping up and ramping down speeds while playing...causing massive problems...has been noted a bios update is needed...Does your card look like this?<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/products/ati/hd3870.htm" target="_blank">http://www.triplex.com.tw/english/p.../ati/hd3870.htm</a>(ignore nasty errors on page...junk website for that model)2. The 8.3 drivers have had some fan speed issues, and as such will power down the card due to over heating...And of course we will assume you have a hefty power supply...correct? It has been noted that 18 amps per rail is needed and 450 watt minimum...I know other games are running fine...but something else may be at fault...so lets try to troubleshoot those issues first...Good luck</blockquote>I am using a Saphire Card... I dont have any issues with speed in other games like already mentioned.. and yea the power supply is good enough and the card has its own cable just for video (which has to be anyway btw as its a whole different plug).Its just eq2, and it seems like I am not alone with that issue <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>Ok...more news...I decided to go download ATI tool. I used the latest beta located here<a href="http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=45596" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.techpowerup.com/showt...ead.php?t=45596</a>I was able to force my GPU clock to a set speed...and it works..I also have the Sapphire card...and I just found the best setting (by the way...set it manually or you will have a nice hard crash...I did)...for me was 789GhzI gained FPS as well...and operation is quite smooth..I highly suggest you try this option...as it looks like we found another of the many bugs in EQ2....Thanks

[XeroXs84]

Nice workaround, really hope this can be looked into by SOE tho, cos u know theres a reason why they gave the card a low power mode... so putting it into "high power consumption mode" permanently, isnt exactly a good option <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[BobbyTheRobot]

<p>Trying to test this out with an ATI 3870X2 and an HD2900XT, i'm not sure how you're able to tell that the GPU is running @ "low power mode" . Also are you using some type of 3rd party program (ie: ati tool, rivatuner) to tell what GPU speed the card is running while in eq2?</p>

[Openedge]

<cite>BobbyTheRobot wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Trying to test this out with an ATI 3870X2 and an HD2900XT, i'm not sure how you're able to tell that the GPU is running @ "low power mode" . Also are you using some type of 3rd party program (ie: ati tool, rivatuner) to tell what GPU speed the card is running while in eq2?</p></blockquote>In the Catalyst Control Panel (must be installed) go to the section called ATI Overdrive. You will see the standard clock speeds. Keep this open. Now, start up EQ2 and go into windowed mode. Make it small enough so you can see the Overdrive panel. Note the clock speeds at the bottom. This is why you may be getting lower frames than normal.I cannot find this setting on the 2900pro...which had a driver upgrade to Catalyst version 8.3, but the control panel is 8.2...so, this most likely is either Version 8.3 specific or the 2900 does not have Dynamic Clocking..but, going to test this today.I will note, that performance is considerably worse in FPS on the 3870 than my older 8800GT, but smoother (less freeze up's for one). My worst fear is burning this card up in no time thanks to keeping the clock at full speed all the time. The only way to NOT run in full speed is to reboot (as the ATI tool does not clock down to 2D speeds), and I want to reboot every time after running EQ2...NOT!So, another thread I will keep alive as one of many bugs in my list of issues with EQ2

[XeroXs84]

any new infos about this? really not good <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[BobbyTheRobot]

<p>Alright, thanks for the info Openedge, I was able to reproduce the issue using a ATI 3870X2 card. I tried out the 3850, but the Overdrive option was not available in the CCC advanced options.</p><p>Just like the original poster said, the GPU clock settings are running much lower than what they should be. All I can do at this point, is report the issue and post back with any updates.</p>

[Openedge]

UpdateI moved the 3870 to my wifes systems, and plugged her 2900Pro into my computer.The "Overdrive" feature does not exist for the 2900 card...so probably does not for the 3850 as well...I keep the clock ramped up on my wifes 3870, and it is doing ok...temps are acceptable, and also a really cool feature of the ATI Tool is the ability to set fan speeds. I went in, adjusted the fans down a bit, so they do not whine up when it gets a little warm. I am at a respectable 50-60C (and this is the single slot cooler solution card...so, not too shabby)After forcing AF to 16x and AA to 8x, and using Catalyst AI, she gets a respectable 40-60FPS depending on zone...These cards work really well...but, too bad we need to force this clock ramp up. But, other forums mention many other games doing this as well...so EQ2 is not alone...and it is mostly older games...also, so far, these cards kinda suck frame rate wise in Vanguard though...lol...Good luck on this

[Killerbee3000]

yup, i am a evil thread necro...Amd / Ati has released a hotfix for the 38x0 series (supposed to help with the cards sometimes not switching between 2d and 3d mode correclty, not eq2 specific)... can't really test it since i went back to nvidia... those having trouble might want to give it a try. <a href="http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=33033" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>

[Openedge]

<cite>Killerbee3000 wrote:</cite><blockquote>yup, i am a evil thread necro...Amd / Ati has released a hotfix for the 38x0 series (supposed to help with the cards sometimes not switching between 2d and 3d mode correclty, not eq2 specific)... can't really test it since i went back to nvidia... those having trouble might want to give it a try. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=33033" target="_blank">link</a></blockquote>Can you show me where you read that this helps with 2D/3D clock speeds? This talks about stuttering...is there maybe a full article?Thanks

[BobbyTheRobot]

<p>Tested the hotfix out with the 3870X2, same problem with the clock speeds showing 300. I'm not sure if it gives a performance boost or not, not much time to test that out.</p>

[Killerbee3000]

<cite>Openedge wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Killerbee3000 wrote:</cite><blockquote>yup, i am a evil thread necro...Amd / Ati has released a hotfix for the 38x0 series (supposed to help with the cards sometimes not switching between 2d and 3d mode correclty, not eq2 specific)... can't really test it since i went back to nvidia... those having trouble might want to give it a try. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=33033" target="_blank">link</a></blockquote>Can you show me where you read that this helps with 2D/3D clock speeds? This talks about stuttering...is there maybe a full article?Thanks</blockquote>various people reporting that they had trouble with the 38x0 cards not going to 3d clocks before fix tbut doing so after <a href="http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181945" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>

[Openedge]

Ok...  This is odd. The game seem to be running ok, but when I went to go check the clocks they still had not changed..(when I switched to window mode)I went back to full screen...logged out, and my CC was still open...showing a higher clock speed...So, if it works, there is no way to tell now as it may just work in Fullscreen mode...Guess we have to assume it is working. And I will be tracking performance and see how it isThanks for the link though...awesome find

[seejester]

Got crossfire dual HD3870 OD from MCI and having the same prob... I'll try the fixes suggested here, but they REALLY need to fix this...

[seejester]

OK, more specifics:AMD Phenom 9600 quad-core CPU in an M3A32-MVP Asus motherboard.4-Gigs of RamCrossfired dual RX3870 OC video cards, each with 512mb ramDrivers are upto date, even the bios and chipset drivers.Vista 64 up to date and running smooth.As of April 16, ATI finally released working drivers for my dual cards. I can now play my games with sweet, sweet performance worthy of the pricetag.Except for EQ2. Whether balanced or max settings, I get 10-20 fps for light loads, in a major city or view drops to 4-11 fps, though I must say it never times out.Of the previous fixes mentioned in this thread, I cannot even try the drivers, as I said earlier no earlier drivers worked and I do not wish to sacrifice all my other games for this one.I tried the ATI tool, but still did not see any improvement. Any other suggestions?Edit: from an earlier suggestion, I saved a profile on Catalyst that maxes out everything such as anti-aliasing ect. I found this did improve my performance by about 5fps, after I maxed out everything in the game. My card doesn't read higher, still 300Mhz, but now GPU's upto 60%.Also, I noticed that I get an extra 2-4 fps when playing in windows mode, better than when I play full screen./sigh... when's AOC coming out again?

[Galeden]

I just found something that does effect this issue. I just added the line to enable anti-aliasing in the INI files, and set AA to 4x and suddenly my GPU is reaching the normal clock limit in EQ2. Not all the time, but it never moved at all before. Hope maybe this info helps.

[seejester]

<cite>Galeden wrote:</cite><blockquote>I just found something that does effect this issue. I just added the line to enable anti-aliasing in the INI files, and set AA to 4x and suddenly my GPU is reaching the normal clock limit in EQ2. Not all the time, but it never moved at all before. Hope maybe this info helps.</blockquote>Arrrrg, got so excited when I read this, set it up, but sadly had no effect.BTW, game does run 800 Mhz at character select, looks beautiful there =/

[Galeden]

Like I said it doesn't stay at full speed, it depends on what zone you are in and what settings you have.  The higher the settings and the more graphic intense the zone the more it will stay at full speed, at least for me.  I turned shadows on and that pretty much locked it as long as the sun is out lol.

[seejester]

<cite>Galeden wrote:</cite><blockquote>Like I said it doesn't stay at full speed, it depends on what zone you are in and what settings you have.  The higher the settings and the more graphic intense the zone the more it will stay at full speed, at least for me.  I turned shadows on and that pretty much locked it as long as the sun is out lol.</blockquote>Hehe I have everything maxed out, best shadows, water, all effects, and I've tweaked different settings in Catalyst including the one you mentioned... It does push my GPU upto 40-60%, but sadly Mhz stays at 300 =(

[alevi]

I would assume this issue is caused by EQ2 not reporting high priority status to the system. There are some (few) applications that have this same issue with the new intel cpu and speed step, often clocking the system at 300mhz (seems to be the average number for a power saving mode) Possible Work arounds included profile management in your system tray to change settings based on which application you were running. The same similar fix can be applied to this situation.Try making a profile in catalyst or ati tool, and macro it so when you load eq2, it will adjust the settings to cap the gpu usage.This should help until SoE finds a fix. I remember when dual cores came out eq2 was unplayable for months, lets hope it does not take that long to hammer out a fix for what is turning out to be the video card of choice for 2008.