High Temps and Stuttering on R9 290

[Xman31]

In some of the games I play I get stuttering issues, with frame rates smooth at 60fps, every once in a while my game stutters. I tried to fix this with V-sync, it worked for a small bit before going back again. I have turned off and on freesync too, but nothing seems to work.

I have multiple theories as to why it's doing this but I can't seem to tell.

1. My GPU is thermal throttling. It's strange that my Windforce (3 fans!) R9 290 gets to 94˚C when playing games, maybe it's underclocking itself for split seconds?

2. I'm underpowering my system. I originally planned for a 1060, so I had bought a 550w PSU. However, when I got my R9 290, PcPartPicker told me I was needing 470w. Which was generally annoying.

I have tried to cap my FPS at 60 to make sure it's not stressing itself but it doesn't seem to be doing much either. Any help is appreciated.

 

[constantine_99]

most likely it's a thermal throttle, and when GPU underclock itself, it'll maintain it as long as the temps are high, not just for split seconds

if it's a used GPU, it might be the thermal paste, since even with beefy cooler, if the thermal conductor is bad, then the heatsink can't dissipate the heat efficiently

if it's new, then u should still have the warranty, so u can just return it and ask for replacement

u can try:
1. underclocking the GPU through software like MSI Afterburner and such
2. opening the GPU up and replacing the thermal paste
3. RMA it