GTX 780TI GPU Load Fluctuating

[TishMcGrish]

Hello!

Recently when running benchmarks I see my GTX 780 TI Load bouncing back and forth. Usually when i do the benchmark the GPU load stays at about 82% consistent and never moves. Although recently its bouncing from 82 down to 74 and even sometimes to around 64%. I dont know what the problem is but it is impacting the Average frames per second during the benchmark. I know little about computers so please Lamens terms. Thanks!

PC Specs:
CPU: i7 4770k (stock speeds)
PSU: 750w
GPU: GTX 780TI
RAM: 16gb 1600
Mb: Gigabyte B85-HD3

 

[sanhuy]

first things first check its temps under load when running 3dmark 11, check if your score is average and your temps are under 80ish.

 

[TishMcGrish]

How should i check the temps while doing the benchmark? Should my fans be on auto? Should i have my overclock applied?

 

[TishMcGrish]

Ok. So i started the benchmark 3dmark 11 and ran it for a little while and then my GPU crashed. I rebooted my computer and tried the benchmark that i usually use and my GPU is how it normally is. This happened the other day as well. My GPU load was fluctuating and i decided to just leave it alone, then my GPU crashed during a game and then i rebooted. After the reboot the load wasnt fluctuating anymore. It seems when purposely make the gpu crash it carries the load its supposed to. Any thought on that?

 

[tiny voices]

What 750w PSU do you have? This could be a power issue if it is low quality.

 

[TishMcGrish]

Rosewill Capstone 750w 80+Gold

 

[tiny voices]

Alright, that is not the issue as that is a very decent unit.

I would remove ALL overclocks, and reinstall the newest WHQL drivers.

 

[TishMcGrish]

I reinstalled 340.52 yesterday as the same problem was happening. It worked fine for the night and now we are back to where we started. Should i try it again?

 

[tiny voices]

When it crashes, does it just crash to desktop? black screen? Blue screen? Computer shuts clean off?

 

[TishMcGrish]

It goes black and then returns to desktop.

 

[tiny voices]

Update your BIOS to the newest version before anything else.

This is often an issue with motherboards not fully supporting a GPU that was released AFTER the motherboard was.

Because your board is one of the oldest 1150 boards, you need yo update the BIOS.

 

[TishMcGrish]

I have absolutely no idea how to do that. Is there anyway you could walk me through that?

 

[tiny voices]

Download the BETA BIOS from here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4566#bios

And install it with these directions: http://www.gigabyte.com/webpage/20/HowToReflashBIOS.html Use @BIOS. It is VERY easy to use. I have used it before.

 

[TishMcGrish]

Stuff like that really worries me. When i read that system failure can occur, i immediately get worried. I feel like i will mess it up. Is there anyhing else can try before doing this?

 

[tiny voices]

You won't mess anything up. All you do is run a program. It does the work for you.

I guess you can try a reinstall of Windows, and a complete BIOS CMOS reset.

What are your GPU temps under load?

 

[TishMcGrish]

I usually have my fans at 100% all of the time because the noise doesnt bother me. Under load at 100% its around 60c

 

[tiny voices]

Case fans don't matter nearly as much as everyone thinks. As long as you have some blowing air through the case you are fine.

60c is VERY cool for that card at load. Like abnormally cool. Temps don't seem like the problem here.

 

[TishMcGrish]

If i were to update bios using @BIOS would i be using method 2 or 3? You sent me a link t o download the Bios for my mb.

 

[tiny voices]

Option 2, where it says using @BIOS. Like I described.

 

[TishMcGrish]

Would it be wiser to update to a better motherboard? Im going to have to do it eventually and my system is a pretty good one. Kind of ridiculous to have such a system with an old motherboard. Should i just upgrade?

 

[tiny voices]

Are you using windows 8 or 7? If 8, changing boards is easy, if 7, you will have to reinstall Windows.

 

[TishMcGrish]

8.1

 

[tiny voices]

In that case, you can change motherboards to another board from the same manufacturer more than likely and not reinstall windows. You will just have to reactivate it with an automated phone call. Takes less than 10 mins.