Low GPU usage. R9 390 nitro problems

[Dav47]

I just bought an R9 390 Sapphire nitro grapich card from AMD and installed on my pc. First when i tried to launch games there was very low framerate even if the games were absolutely under the specifics (Far cry 4 or Diablo 3 for example had no problems with my previous grapich card which was an other AMD). I found out that the CPU usage went to very high level and this simoultaneously caused spikes on the GPU usage so i changed the CPU from an fx 6300 to a more recent fx 8350. Now the cpu usage is normal but when i start every game which demands a bit more usage from GPU the afterburner shows that the graphic card isn't working at full level and the GPU usage drops from 100 to 5, then 50 to 20 and so. I tried every solutions on the net but nothing seems working: drivers are all updated ( to the latest crimson), cpu temperature is always regular on 50 degrees, i guess every possible problem resulting from bottlenecking have been solved but i can't assure that. If i run kombustor the R9 works normallly at levels which stay around 100 but the spikes start every time i launch a game after some minutes. i can't find any other solutions and i am really desperate because nothing seems to fix this problem. I really hope someone had the same problem and can help me or find out any solution

 

[technoholic]

First, install sapphire trixx software and monitor GPU usage and GPU fan percentages and heat during gaming for like 30 minutes or so ( you can run it at background and play your game then check it afterwards, it displays recent history of the things i mentioned). If your card is too hot it can overheat so it may indicate a problem with your new GPU.

My second guess (if GPU works normally) would be a faulty or weak PSU which can't feed enough power to your hardware. Because you said you upgraded both your CPU and GPU and that could mean your old PSU can't keep up with new hardware.

 

[Dav47]

I monitored all the performances with another program which isn't trixx and i found that everything is absolutely normal except for the gpu which is the only problem but if it is so the graphic card can't render properly images. My r9 390 use 375 w and my cpu 125 w and i have a 500 w power supply (i kept the old one i had before ). Do you think it could be the fact that the power which the psu gives isn't enough?

 

[maxalge]

I monitored all the performances with another program which isn't trixx and i found that everything is absolutely normal except for the gpu which is the only problem but if it is so the graphic card can't render properly images. My r9 390 use 375 w and my cpu 125 w and i have a 500 w power supply (i kept the old one i had before ). Do you think it could be the fact that the power which the psu gives isn't enough?

XD


You really need a good 650w


also not all "500w" are ACTUALLY 500w

what is the make and model of the psu you are using?


do you monitor cpu temps? always 50 degrees is that under load or while idle?


also turn off any power savings features in the bios, like cool n' quiet

 

[Dav47]

My psu model is a strider essential series 500 w by Silverstone (model no sst-st50f-es230). Cpu temperature is always in the standard because i take a New heatsink instead of the one they give you with cpu, any power savings were off since i took the psu. Shall i try a 650 w or maybe a 750 w to see w if the r9 hasn't enough energy?

 

[Alan Caldwell]

For a R9 390, you need a proper Tier 1 or 2 PSU with 650-750 wattage. That PSU you have is Tier 3.

PSU Tier list
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 

[Tollman]

I think the others are correct, your PSU isn't up to your upgrades. 650w is recommended for the 390: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm.

I believe some custom highly OC'd 390s recommend higher...Just looked up the R9 390 Sapphire nitro
http://www.sapphiretech.com/productdetial.asp?pid=FF539E23-7718-4BDE-9E02-CF174D2BFCC2&lang=eng

If you look under Specification it says: System Requirement 750 Watt Power Supply (Suggestion)
2 x 8-pin AUX Power Connector

A basic 390 is 1 x6 pin 1x 8 pin so I guess this card draws more power. I've read it doesn't actually need a 750W PSU but it improves efficiency or something. I suspect a high quality 650w would be fine but you could go up if you can afford it and want to make sure. (A high quality PSU should last for many many years and will likely be fine in any future builds so consider it an investment I guess )
Let us know if it fixes your problem.

 

[Dav47]

Ok really thank you guys it will take me a few days to get a new psu, then i'll let you know of the problem is fixed

 

[technoholic]

Ok really thank you guys it will take me a few days to get a new psu, then i'll let you know of the problem is fixed

wait man, try to not rush buying a new part, do you not want recommendation for a PSU?

 

[Dav47]

I ll try some psu which are tier 2 or 3 as suggested before buying a New one i think

 

[technoholic]

ok good luck and enjoy

 

[Alan Caldwell]

I ll try some psu which are tier 2 or 3 as suggested before buying a New one i think

Tier 1 or 2, skip 3.

 

[Dav47]

ok guys it takes me a few days to try a new psu but what is happening now is even more incredible. Actually i mount a 750 w psu by evga which perfectly works but the perfomances of my graphic card are again stupid. I tried the usual stress tests and as a result temperature of the gpu and cpu are perfectly on their standard and gpu usage is constantly around 100%. Again when i start a game the problem begins. I play Borderlands 2 for 40 minutes full ultra and it was everything ok but the gpu had frequent spikes (the frame keep regular anyway); then far cry 4 in 5 minutes start lagging and the fps were around 5, whit the gpu usage that went to 100 to 10 and so as in the past; even league of legends which is a low gou usage went around 15 fps after 10 minutes while fps were over 200 to 300. What is heppening is really annoying now because it doesn't seem to have a sense. If you have any other suggestions i would be really grateful

 

[maxalge]

ok guys it takes me a few days to try a new psu but what is happening now is even more incredible. Actually i mount a 750 w psu by evga which perfectly works but the perfomances of my graphic card are again stupid. I tried the usual stress tests and as a result temperature of the gpu and cpu are perfectly on their standard and gpu usage is constantly around 100%. Again when i start a game the problem begins. I play Borderlands 2 for 40 minutes full ultra and it was everything ok but the gpu had frequent spikes (the frame keep regular anyway); then far cry 4 in 5 minutes start lagging and the fps were around 5, whit the gpu usage that went to 100 to 10 and so as in the past; even league of legends which is a low gou usage went around 15 fps after 10 minutes while fps were over 200 to 300. What is heppening is really annoying now because it doesn't seem to have a sense. If you have any other suggestions i would be really grateful

it makes sense if your cpu is either thermal throttling or power savings mode is activating or your motherboard cant handle a 8350



also not updating the bios could cause this when you switched processors

 

[Dav47]

my mobo is compatible with with my hardware but has a 2.8 rating, do you think it could be the problem? I haven't done anything to bios or motherboard since i mounted it, how can i check update for the bios or upgrade?

 

[maxalge]

my mobo is compatible with with my hardware but has a 2.8 rating, do you think it could be the problem? I haven't done anything to bios or motherboard since i mounted it, how can i check update for the bios or upgrade?

go to the manufacturer's website and install the newest mobo bios for your model and version of windows

 

[Dav47]

bios are upgraded to the last version. Now as last try i'll borrow a recent mobo to see if it has been since the beginnig the responsible of the problem

 

[Tollman]

I agree with this:

it makes sense if your cpu is either thermal throttling or power savings mode is activating or your motherboard cant handle a 8350

Play for 45 minutes or until the problems appear. Note the CPU temps at the beginning and at the end of your session. In fact, do that same for the 390 as that could get hot too if you have bad air flow. Sounds more like the CPU though I think.