ASUS R9 390x Strix freezes my system while trying to play BF3

Dragos_Botez

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Dec 1, 2015
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System: MB Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0
16 GB (2x8GB) DDR3 / 2400 MHz AMD Radeon Gamer Series (set to run at maximum supported frequency by the MB - at 2133 MHz)
SSD Samsung 240GB + HDD Seagate 2TB
ASUS Radeon R9 390x Strix DC3OC 8GB GDDR5 - Gaming
CPU AMD FX 8350
PSU Zephyr 1000W

I just purchased this graphics card and I've installed Radeon Software Crimson Edition v.15.11.1-Beta Driver from AMD website. I've tried to play BF3 with graphics at Ultra setting. I've managed to play for about 30 sec before my system completely froze! The screen was left frozen in game and the PC did not respond to any combination of keys I have tried: Ctrl+Alt+Del, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+X... nothing... I had to press the Reset button in order to re-start the system.
I heard many ppl complaining about ATI Radeon drivers while using the same R9 390 cards...
I've tried a "clean install" of the video driver, after uninstalling everything AMD/ATI from my computer. I still have the same issues.
Is there any solution to fix this problem? Any of you tried something and it worked?
As a note: my system has been working perfectly fine with my old graphics card Gigabyte AMD Radeon 270x 4GB GDDR5.
 

Dragos_Botez

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Dec 1, 2015
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Fixed it! Solution? I send the Radeon GPU back - apparently after trying lots of versions of Radeon drivers, that GPU was defective - and replaced it with nVidia GTX 980Ti FTW. My system works perfectly again - well... with better graphics this time. I know this is not the answer you were looking for, and if you have a 390x GPU which works for you, then good for you - I wish mine had worked too. In the same talking, you probably won't be reading this, if yours has been working so far. I hope it does. But I was reading more on the matter, and the reviews from the ones who had the luck to have a working 390x GPU, mention that those cards are running hot, even idling. Super hot while gaming.... almost impossible to OC. Oh, and most of them had full tower cases with great air flow - like I have...
My advice? I got burned once, and it wasn't too nice. 390x was soooooo promising with the hardware specs and the potential awesomeness that was destined for. I very much would have loved to actually enjoy that card. But too many ppl have been running into similar issues with those, therefore I would advice you to skip this ATI product for the moment and wait till the next gen of GPUs from Radeon. I have the strong feeling that this architecture is flawed. And drivers could not fix a problem like this, no matter who makes them. Better luck next time ATI! For the moment going strong with nVidia.
 

Dragos_Botez

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Dec 1, 2015
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I do love it! It's so refreshing to have my system up and running again! Too bad the ASUS Radeon 390x Strix had issues... I'm a ATI/Radeon fan, but I have to admit nVidia does a better job lately.... and not only. Costly, but rewarding!
 

Dragos_Botez

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Dec 1, 2015
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I got myself the EVGA GTX 980Ti FTW Gaming. I was aiming for the Classified one for the bigger radiator, but it would've barely fit - or I would've had a really hard time to install it. I do have a full tower Cooler Master Cosmos case, but it's a 3 y.o. case. It is roomy, but the frame would have been in the way of installing the 2 fixing screws at the top end of the card. So.... I went for the more compact version :). It still kicks ass! And it stays relatively cool under load with stock clocks (65 C).
Don't get me wrong, I like ASUS, but, when it comes to GPUs, I believe EVGA it's the better choice. I have an ASUS MB, and also my monitor is an ASUS VG248 at 144Hz. I'm very content with both.