Hi everyone!

I'm getting a weird issue with a GTX285 card with the GPUGrid project. A few minutes after the machine arrives under Windows (BOINC is launched at Windows startup), the GPU changes its frequencies to the 2D ones (400/800/300). The calculation is then slower than it should be...
Moreover, when I launch a game, I keep the 2D frequencies! This issue happens only if BOINC is working on GPUGrid...

Thanks a lot for your help! :)


PS : I'm having the real time frequencies with GPU-Z, Cuda-Z, RivaTuner...

Hi Ayor,

I ran into a similar problem with an earlier version of the 6.6.x BOINC client. The problem crept in around 6.6.12 and was fixed a few releases later. I noticed this on both single GPU and multiple-GPU systems.

I read through the release notes and found an entry that said something related to sending commands to the graphics card had been broken and then reinstated / fixed again. I do not have this problem when running BOINC client 6.6.17. If I can find the specific releases in question or a link to the information I'll post it. So if this has started occurring and you are running a back level beta client, I would suggest considering upgrading to 6.6.17.

My two cents for a possible cause.

Neil

---

Crunching for the benefit of humanity and in memory of my dad and other family members.

Hi Neil A,

Thanks a lot for your answere.
I followed your advice and tried the last beta (6.6.17), but unfortunately, I still have the same issue...
Would you have any other idea? :)

See if something like nHancer will allow you to specify settings to make the system go into 3D clock speed.

Rob

Is there a setting for the "power mixer" in the NV-control panel? I don't know, never had an NV card whith separate 2D clocks..

MrS

---

Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002

See if something like nHancer will allow you to specify settings to make the system go into 3D clock speed.

Rob

Is there a setting for the "power mixer" in the NV-control panel? I don't know, never had an NV card whith separate 2D clocks..

MrS

Thank you for your answers.

Nothing in nHancer to force the 3D frequencies. Same thing in the drivers. Anyway, I would prefere to leave the switching frequencies. I think the problem comes from BOINC.

By the way, I didn't mention that after a while, the frequencies are back to the 3D ones without any action from me...

No more ideas? :(

It may be a driver issue or even a defective card. See here.

Some other sites seem to note this as a problem with GTX285's (especially some of the EVGA models), but more frequently report being stuck in 3D rather than in 2D.

Couldn't you just fix the clocks to 3D values by using a normal overclocking tool, e.g. RivaTuner? You could also define your own 2D profile and switch manually if you want to disable GPU-Grid for a movie (or whatever). In RivaTuner you could also set up automatic profile switching based on certain events, but this is more advanced stuff. (if I remember correctly)

MrS

---

Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002

It may be a driver issue or even a defective card. See here.

Some other sites seem to note this as a problem with GTX285's (especially some of the EVGA models), but more frequently report being stuck in 3D rather than in 2D.

I have the same problem too. But my card is a Gainward. New drivers are out, I'm going to try them.

Couldn't you just fix the clocks to 3D values by using a normal overclocking tool, e.g. RivaTuner? You could also define your own 2D profile and switch manually if you want to disable GPU-Grid for a movie (or whatever). In RivaTuner you could also set up automatic profile switching based on certain events, but this is more advanced stuff. (if I remember correctly)

MrS

I though about that, but I would prefere, if possible, to keep a real 2D mode when I do not use GPUgrid. It is true I could make multiple 2D modes and switch manually, but there is one thing I love, it is when the hardware I buy work fine by its own! Unfortunately it is not always the case! :P

What OS and what version of Forceware are you using?

Here is a good link to prevent downclocking. My 260 was going to 2D mode until I found this information.
I left my hardware moniter graph in RivaTuner open and walked away a few minutes and it was downclocking. This has solved my problems.

http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/423880-howto-prevent-gtx-200-series-downclocking.html

What OS and what version of Forceware are you using?

I'm using XP with the latest Forceware, the 182.50.

Here is a good link to prevent downclocking. My 260 was going to 2D mode until I found this information.
I left my hardware moniter graph in RivaTuner open and walked away a few minutes and it was downclocking. This has solved my problems.

http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/423880-howto-prevent-gtx-200-series-downclocking.html

I forced the 3D settings and it solved the problem. It is sad to use this kind of methods to have my hardware working properly... Anyway thanks for the link. :)

Thanks a lot to everybody who took the time to answer me. :)

Yould also try the new 185 beta driver. It works with GPU-Grid, is a little faster, contains a possibly neat feature for games (not that this would really matter here ;) and may contain other bug fixes.

MrS

---

Scanning for our furry friends since Jan 2002