XFX R9 270x crashes unless underclocked.. options?

Eagle923

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
134
My PC was crashing to randomly striped screens (or sometimes just straight black screen) during intense games. I tried all the normal steps of using DDU to uninstall the drivers and install new ones, refreshed Windows 10, reinstalled Windows 10 completely, checked SSDs for errors, ran MEMTEST (no errors), ran PRIME95 (no errors) and even replaced the EVGA 600W PSU with a Corsair 750MX to ensure I wasn't having a power issue.

So after weeks of trying to track down my PC crashing during games (I originally tried to allow the GPU to have more power in the "Radeon Overdrive" as suggested by XFX support), I finally solved the crashing by underclocking the GPU by about 15-20%. Anything up to about 10% less than stock and it starts crashing. Even at "stock" speeds the GPU temps only get to about 72-76*C, so I wasn't suspecting overheating issues from the GPU. Increasing the allowed voltage by 20% doesn't stop the crashing.

I contacted XFX for an RMA and the 2 year warranty ran out in Jan... DOH!

Sooo... what is my best option [H] gurus?

1) Could sell this with an honest description of the problem for cheap or is it not worth anything to anyone? It performs OK for older games like WoW, FarCry 4 and things on my 1080p 24" monitor with the underclock, but starts to struggle with newer games like Dishonored 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands...etc.

2) Should I just chuck it to the curb and move to a different card? If so, which card is a reasonable upgrade (< $250-ISH)... I have no nVidia/ATI preference.

3) Stick with this card underclocked until a major upgrade?

4) Option I didn't think of??



My PC specs are:

i5-4690k
8gb Crucial Ballistix 1600
Intel M4 SSD
ASROCK Z97 Anniversary mobo
Corsair 750MX PSU
2tb WD drive for storage/games
 
Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't even know there was an XFX rep here! Hopefully I can get it taken care of (and yes, I'd love to move up to a different card).
 
I PM'd the rep. If he can't/won't do anything or doesn't reply then yes, that was my plan Crosshairs. Onto the second question... next card?

I see the RX570 mentioned, what is the equivalent nVidia generation... the 1060?
 
Yeah someone will buy it with the honest description in place. An RX 480 would be a nice upgrade for you anyhow and prices are cheap enough. If going Nvidia, 1060's are always on sale. The FS forum here is pretty good too.

I've mined a lot over the years and had quite a few cards get to this level, and while at first glance you think it's the GPU, it's usual something failing in power circuitry on the card and the lower frequency alleviates the problem temporarily. But a card of this gen isn't worth fixing unless you can troubleshoot it yourself and find a decent boardview and schematic, which can be tough.
 
I should haven't marks email if he hadn't check in here today.
 
Simplyfun called it correct. Even underclocked it started to have a strange coil whine yesterday and now it crashes consistently. I'm chucking it and going with a 1070 or a RX570ish card when I see a good sale.

Unfortunately I just bought a new lawn mower, clothes washer and dryer... so it'll have to be a good sale!
 
Back
Top