GPU's clock peaking permanently

[Yaniv Eichler]

Hi everyone,
I recently got this problem with my Gainward GTX 970 Phantom Edition. I hope you can help me with it.

The problem:
My graphics card (Gainward GTX 970 Phantom Edition) is suddenly peaking at 1417mhz (Base: 1152mhz, Boost: 1304mhz), and Core usage rises to 98%.
All this data is taken from EXPERTool - Gainward's GPU monitoring software that came with the GPU.
This problem occurs mostly while gaming (no matter what game), but sometimes even when I didn't play, and stays this way permanently, even when idle.
This problem re-occurs even after fixed.
It causes unplayable frame rates on all games.
It first occurred 3 days ago. I did not install anything or did anything out of the ordinary before it happened.
I never tried to overclock my GPU.

What I Tried:
At first I tried updating the Graphics Driver (using Geforce Experience) to the latest version (368.81). It temporarily fixed it.
Then I've chatted with Nvidia Support. They advised me to use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) and then re-install the driver.
I did it, and this time used Windows Update to install the driver, it installed version 368.39. Everything was fine for a few hours of gaming.
Then again - the next day I launched a game (Loadout, which I play regularly, and it's not a demanding game) and it happened again after about 10 minutes.
I used the DDU one more time and manually installed the driver.
I also tried running "sfc /scannow" from cmd, and running CCleaner between installs/uninstalls.
None of the above solved the problem.

Re-installing the graphics driver solves the problem temporarily (usually until the next time I boot my pc - might have something to do with the startup?).

I figured I should ask the forums for help.


Someone has an idea for what's causing this, and how can I fix it ?
Thanks

 

[inerax]

temp of 70 on a GTX 970 is nothing to worry about. My 970 hits 83c every time I play Overwatch. If I was you I would download another tool just to make sure. I run HWmonitor when I play Overwatch sometimes. This will tell you the clock speeds and temp.

 

[Yaniv Eichler]

temp of 70 on a GTX 970 is nothing to worry about. My 970 hits 83c every time I play Overwatch. If I was you I would download another tool just to make sure. I run HWmonitor when I play Overwatch sometimes. This will tell you the clock speeds and temp.

Hi,
The temperature isn't a problem, it's a symptom. This card shouldn't be at 70deg when idle.
Besides the major problem is that the 98% usage and 1417mhz clock (when idle!) causes fps drops - I can't play anything because it gets buggy.
This isn't regular at all :/

 

[Eximo]

Might start checking for malware that is using your GPU to perform bitcoin mining or the like.

 

[Yaniv Eichler]

Might start checking for malware that is using your GPU to perform bitcoin mining or the like.

Good Idea. Will check for it

UPDATE:
Did a full scan with Malwarebytes. Found Nothing :/

 

[Yaniv Eichler]

OK solved it:
It was Expertool that made it happen. Weird because i've been using it about one and a half years without problems..
Anyway when I uninstalled it and then ran the DDU again it stopped happening. Been that way for about two weeks now without any problems. And now I'm using HWMonitor to monitor my clock speeds etc.

For anyone who might experience this rare proble, this might help.