Issue with XFX R9 390X reference edition

bodph77

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May 25, 2016
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built a new PC with R9 390x (reference edition). so very few software running (windows 10 x64)

my issue is that the card shuts down out of the blue.

1. I already removed the entire vcard driver (especially the one provided by windows update) via DDU in safe mode and install the driver again (AMD crimson 16.5.3)

2. when gaming, the vcard would shut down. upon further testing, I found out that the issue happened when I was using dual monitor setup and one monitor was running at 120hz/144hz and the other at 60hz

3. when both monitors were at 60hz, there were no issues encountered. when I used only one monitor at 120/144hz, there were no issues encountered as well. length of time played for all tests were more or less the same (around 15min)

4. earlier tests were done playing Red alert 2 (just wanted to try an old game so its not so taxing on the card). later tests were done playing MWO at very high settings. same results

5. I considered the possibility that it might be a heat issue but from the temps I was able to see, they were only hovering at around 80 (45% fan speed), and a max of 90. both of which are considered normal for the XFX R9 390x

6. I also considered that it might be a cable issue with one of the monitors but I used both HDMI and DVI cables on that monitor but still same results

anyone got some advice?
 
I'm extending the displays, using seasonic X850 PSU so I dont think the problem is the PSU. also the CPU is i5-6600k and the motherboard is gigabyte z170mx gaming 5

other specs
16GB DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
2 SSDs
1 Sata HDD
H100i cooler
3 fans (+2 on the h100i)

 


yes, already tried with a single monitor "when I used only one monitor at 120/144hz, there were no issues encountered as well"
 
theres been some improvement. I removed some software that had something to do with display settings and in some games I get no problems at 144hz (dual monitor setup, one at 144hz, the other at 60hz) anymore. But still in other games (i.e. MWO), I still get the issue. so I think its either a heat or power issue
 
ok finally narrowed it down. Its an issue with the motherboard. It seems like the board would shut down the GPU when temps reach 90, even if 90-95 is normal for the 390x. I figured it out by putting the fans at 100% and continuously watching the temps while playing, there was no shutdown. But when I put at only like 50% fan speed and temps reach 90 degrees, it shuts down.

any ideas how to adjust the failsafe temps for the mobo? I dont recall seeing that option in the BIOS
 
I'm already on the latest BIOS from gigabyte. I have also sent a support ticket to gigabyte asking them how I can tweak the settings but no response yet

UPDATE:
gigabyte support was useless, first reply basically said their board wouldn't shut down the card and then when I said I tried with another board and it was fine so it must be their board. the next reply was already about my CPU temps. i was like WTF, how did they get to CPU when I was asking about video cards and their board

so I'm now thinking of replacing the motherboard with some other brand maybe from Asus or MSI. you guys have any ideas on specific models?
 
my case limits my choices to MATX boards (which are few) so I decided to get the NZXT G10 instead and use my old H90. will arrive either today or tomorrow so hopefully everything will be okay next week

G10 arrived and ever since it was installed, haven't had problems anymore