[SOLVED] On GPU-Z log, seeing 1, 4 and 5 PerfCap codes what does that mean

[GrannySShifting]

After doing a stress test I see PerfCap Reasons 1, 4 and 5 (1&4) (Ryzen 5800/GTX3060)

When it sets 1 , % of TDP is 99+% so that means its just using all the power it can get, nothing to be improved here right?
When it sets 4 I notice GPU Voltage is 1.075-1.081 volts, is there anything to be done here, overclock it raise voltage somehow?

Power. Indicating perf is limited by total power limit. NV_GPU_PERF_POLICY_ID_SW_POWER = 1,
Thermal. Indicating perf is limited by temperature limit. NV_GPU_PERF_POLICY_ID_SW_THERMAL = 2,
Reliability. Indicating perf is limited by reliability voltage. NV_GPU_PERF_POLICY_ID_SW_RELIABILITY = 4,
Operating. Indicating perf is limited by max operating voltage NV_GPU_PERF_POLICY_ID_SW_OPERATING = 8,
Utilization. Indicating perf is limited by GPU utilization. NV_GPU_PERF_POLICY_ID_SW_UTILIZATION = 16,

 

[GrannySShifting]

I notice doing some benchmark stuff (overclocking GPU got it from 5200 score to 5480s, averaged 8% more FPS so seems like it helped) it shows power consumption at 170watts, I think thats the max (says 100%TDP) of this card

If able to turn voltage up a little, amp(watt) draw goes down correct? Just not sure if this Funky Dell Alienware mobo BIOS will actually let me do anything with it but Ill have to check out steps you said

 

[tennis2]

My bad. I was explaining CPU tuning.

Yes, there are limits to performance. Power, Voltage, Temp are the biggest ones.

I assume with RTX3060 you're using MSI afterburner.

• First thing I'd recommend is setting +130MHz frequency offset on MSI afterburner (to start with). That will essentially undervolt your GPU (for 1.0V, the frequency will now be 130Mhz higher than the stock, same for every other point along the frequency-voltage curve). You can visually see what's happening with this setting by hitting Ctrl+F which will open the frequency-voltage curve. There will be 2 curves, the greyed out one is the stock curve, and the white line is with the +130MHz offset. This will open up more headroom for higher frequencies before you hit the same power limits as before. In that same respect, it also allows more headroom before you hit voltage limits.
• Past that, Afterburner allows you to set >100% power limit if you want to. Of course, that's going to produce more heat and more fan noise.

 

[GrannySShifting]

Your talking about core frequency right? I had it at +130 to start all the way to +205 and it never let me set power limit to over 100% like I saw people setting it at 108-111 etc.

+130core/+800 memory ran at 1950mhz bouncing up and down. With it at +205 core frequency, and +500 on memory it ran at 2080 or so mhz core, 8000mhz on memory bouncing up and down and picked up the best frame rate and benchmark scores it seemed like that was happy place, mid 60s temp on GPU. It seems like it throttles itself there it always has the 1, 4 or both (5) set when running 99% GPU usage like it needs to be fed more power. 4 would show when GPU voltage was at its max of 1.0815v.. like it has a lid on it there, and it could do more if that was higher but dont know how or what would be safe (watch temps i guess) - my thinking from electrical stuff was more volts is less current draw, if Im up against max current draw of 170watts then voltage would be my friend. Ive seen other 3060 cards being ran at 2100-2150 core, 8500-8750 memory from results posted of same bench test Im using and they were showing a little more FPS than I am too

 

[tennis2]

I mean...Nvidia's GPUBoost3.0 is designed to pump frequency until frequency/voltage/power limits are hit, so that's absolutely normal operation.

Voltage is NOT your friend in PC hardware. More voltage = more power consumption.

Current is NOT measured in Watts.

Regarding the inability to increase Power Limit % beyond 100%, that might be a Dell thing. Their systems (PSUs) are spec'd to a specific power consumption to control costs and keep RMAs to a minimum, hence why most OEM machines don't allow much/any CPU overclocking. Perhaps they were able to put a DNE limit on power consumption that Afterburner can't override. In that case, you're only going to get as far as the +Frequency Offset will allow you.

I'd also encourage you to take a step back from chasing a benchmark score and look at the real world impact of this extra 75 MHz (+3% frequency, which doesn't linearly scale performance) you are keen on chasing. Fully aware that, because of your potential OEM power tuning restrictions, you may not be able to hit compared to a DIYer. It's fine to have fun tweaking things, and it's easy to find potential results on the web, but don't let it get to you too hard.