Is my graphics card thermal throttling?

[LemonPledge22]

So I have noticed that my MSI R9 390 has been dropping in frames every 20-25 seconds while in games like Rocket League and The Witcher. So I opened MSI afterburner and ran furmark. And I noticed that my temp got to 94C, and that my gpu usage, as well as my core clock was fluctuating fairly drastically. Is this a hardware problem, and if so should I RMA it while still under warranty, or should I just try reapply new thermal paste and see if that helps?

 

[TJ Hooker]

Don't use furmark, it causes unrealistic temps. Try something like Unigine Valley. Or just leave a monitoring tool running while you play a game, and then after look to see what the max temp was.

 

[unksol]

Under no circumstances should you mess with the heatsink/thermal paste. This will void your warranty.

I'd your temps are that high your fans don't work. Your case cooling is a mess. Or you have a defective card.

 

[LemonPledge22]

Don't use furmark, it causes unrealistic temps. Try something like Unigine Valley. Or just leave a monitoring tool running while you play a game, and then after look to see what the max temp was.

I did just that with The Witcher and got the same results.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Mmk, yeah that's no good, card is probably throttling. unksol is right, what kind of case/how many fans do you have? Also, try monitoring fan speed and make sure it is getting up to 100% when it gets that hot.

You may have to RMA the card.

 

[LemonPledge22]

Mmk, yeah that's no good, card is probably throttling. unksol is right, what kind of case/how many fans do you have? Also, try monitoring fan speed and make sure it is getting up to 100% when it gets that hot.

You may have to RMA the card.

My case is a NZXT H440, with very good cable management, and 3 fans in the front. My card's fans do get up to 100% while under load, so I think I may just have to RMA the card.