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hd7870 myst under performing?

C

Cool69rtcharger

n00b
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
23
I just bought a powercolor hd7870 myst and so far I have not been impressed from the move from my intel hd4000 integrated graphics I had before. I have a feeling that my card is not living up to what it should but it seems like the card may work find but doesn't give games its full power.

Ok so the problem that i am having is that when playing games regardless of settings it seems that my fps rand does not really change. This wouldn't be a bad thing if it was higher for the games i am playing but on games like tf2 and killingfloor my fps is in a range of 300-60 and its not just quick drops to 60 it stays down there when ever anything is going on in the games. I get about the same results with 600x400 with lowest settings as 1080p on highest settings.

The reason i don't think the card is giving games its full power is when i run gpu-z the only spikes to 80% load at times but is normally in the 30% load rang. But the card seems to be stable to run a stress test in furmark or gpu-z and will show 99% load.

Im running catalyst 13.4 i have tried 13.6 and the stock drivers that came with the card as well as the updated 13.4 drivers from powercolors own site and have seen little change. I have also reinstalled games and have tried a windows 8 install as well as a windows 7 install and saw little difference in behavior of the card.

i don't think my problem is gpu bound as when showing 30% load on the gpu im also only showing about 30% on the cpu

here is a link to my system build. www.pcpartpicker.com/p/11tlE

o and I'm not sure but i think my card is running the .32 bios that has been talked about on the forum as catalyst says the bios version is 015.032.000.000
 
Is your cpu overclocked?
Try setting your power tune to +20% so there is no throttling and check your temps to see if your card is overheating. you might need to set a more aggresive fan curve.
 
My cpu isnt over clocked and when i have set power to +20 in catalyst and msi afterburn and radeonpro my cards clock speeds still change i have even tried the unofficial overclock without powerplay in msi afterburn and as far as i can tell my card still drops its speed.

Its only getting to low. 80° when stress tested in furmark
 
Hmm, what games are you playing? 1080p I assume? That's a very powerful gaming system and you should be able to handily max out nearly every game without AA (maybe dialing back the settings small bit in games like Crysis 3).

I dunno why you're comparing it to the HD4000, something which can't even run most games at 1080p, surely your performance isn't that bad? The 7870XT is orders of magnitude better than the IGPU.

Make sure you're not being throttled first anyways. Do a runthrough of the Valley benhcmark @ Extreme preset and post your results.
 
Sadly in not seeing much of a jump from the hd4000 thats what has been pissing me off. At 1024x768 with the same settings as i played with the hd4000 i can get higher fps but it still drops down into the 60fps range in tf2, killing floor, left4dead2, cs.1.6 , cs:go and portal2 still drop below 100 fps i have reinsta
lled the games and tried any res and settings i could and it does the same in 1080p on highest settings as 600x400 on lowest settings

i will download the valley benchmark i have never used it do i will report back once i have downloaded it and ran it
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
Sadly in not seeing much of a jump from the hd4000 thats what has been pissing me off. At 1024x768 with the same settings as i played with the hd4000 i can get higher fps but it still drops down into the 60fps range in tf2, killing floor, left4dead2, cs.1.6 , cs:go and portal2 still drop below 100 fps i have reinsta
lled the games and tried any res and settings i could and it does the same in 1080p on highest settings as 600x400 on lowest settings
Click to expand...

Unless you have a 120hz monitor you won't notice the difference between 100 and 60 FPS. Even then, some people can't tell the difference when the FPS go above 60, no matter the refresh rate.
 
Have you done a complete driver sweep, and then reloaded the drivers? Something is making your card throttle down. The first thing that comes to my mind is heat, although your Furmark temp tells a different story, although I think 80 C is pretty high. Do you have your Intel video driver turned off in your BIOS? That will possibly create issues. What does your Device Manager show? Does it show both video cards (7870/Intel 4000)?
 
i have used amds driver uninstaller and have disabled the intel video in windows and uninstalled the drivers but i haven't found a way to disable it in the bios yet. may need another case fan to bring down the temp

Gumbi10 said:
Unless you have a 120hz monitor you won't notice the difference between 100 and 60 FPS. Even then, some people can't tell the difference when the FPS go above 60, no matter the refresh rate.
Click to expand...
although this is true, in some games that i play the fps changes how the game reacts but the main thing is I,m getting low fps when i know i shouldn't and getting to the point at times that games are showing low fps indicator in the fps meter which is telling me that this card i just spent 250 on was only a little better then the integrated that i had. that's my problem i would test the bioshock infinite that came with the card that may really test it but i dont want to use that untill i know that im not going to return it to newegg
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
i have used amds driver uninstaller and have disabled the intel video in windows and uninstalled the drivers but i haven't found a way to disable it in the bios yet. may need another case fan to bring down the temp
Click to expand...

Run a Valley benchmark. It's a fairer gaming benchmark. I think I've heard of 7870 going above 80 degrees, and Furmark rapes the graphics card; it's an unrealistic load. There are better cooled XTs out there, though. But 80 degrees in Furmark sounds OK for now.
 
here is what valley gave me after drinking and eating cookies with it running for 25 minutes before realizing i wasn't running the benchmark just watching it. it got up to 80c but that is all with the stock fan settings that i have not seen the fan go above 50% power even in furmark

FPS:
41.0
Score:
1717
Min FPS:
15.0
Max FPS:
75.3
System

Platform:
Windows 8 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (3399MHz) x4
GPU model:
AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 12.104.0.0/Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 9.17.10.2932 (3072MB) x1
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1280x1024 8xAA fullscreen
Preset
Custom
Quality
Ultra
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
here is what valley gave me after drinking and eating cookies with it running for 25 minutes before realizing i wasn't running the benchmark just watching it. it got up to 80c but that is all with the stock fan settings that i have not seen the fan go above 50% power even in furmark

FPS:
41.0
Score:
1717
Min FPS:
15.0
Max FPS:
75.3
System

Platform:
Windows 8 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (3399MHz) x4
GPU model:
AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 12.104.0.0/Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 9.17.10.2932 (3072MB) x1
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1280x1024 8xAA fullscreen
Preset
Custom
Quality
Ultra
Click to expand...

Is that your max resolution? I was going to compare it to scores on my card @ 1080p, I don't know what I'd get at that res :/
 
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0

FPS:
30.6
Score:
1280
Min FPS:
13.3
Max FPS:
57.0
System

Platform:
Windows 8 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (3399MHz) x4
GPU model:
AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 12.104.0.0/Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 9.17.10.2932 (3072MB) x1
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1920x1080 8xAA fullscreen
Preset
Extreme HD
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0

FPS:
30.6
Score:
1280
Min FPS:
13.3
Max FPS:
57.0
System

Platform:
Windows 8 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (3399MHz) x4
GPU model:
AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 12.104.0.0/Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 9.17.10.2932 (3072MB) x1
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1920x1080 8xAA fullscreen
Preset
Extreme HD
Click to expand...

From some of the other sites benchies with the uniengine demo, that looks pretty much dead on for fps.
 
dissable the iGPU on bios.. i've seen this kind of problems in a friend 7950 when still the iGPU was active on bios..
 
Araxie said:
dissable the iGPU on bios.. i've seen this kind of problems in a friend 7950 when still the iGPU was active on bios..
Click to expand...

Isn't the iGPU supposed to automatically select the discrete graphics when under load from a graphically intense session? I think the only option in the bios is to set on auto or the other (I forget right now). Dunno if that will force it or not though.
 
I think i now have igpu disabled not sure really it was like igpu multi monitor or something. Intell hd isnt showing in device manager but didnt change anything. I will try doing a uninstall and reinstall of the catalyst drivers to see if that changes anything
 
All of the games that you listed aren't GPU bound.. they're CPU bound as they're rather old games that will perform at 100+ FPS even on old hardware. Heck, L4D2 will break 100FPS with 2x 5870s at 5760x1200....

Since the card should have come with the Never Settle bundle, I'd suggest giving those games a spin. For example, try the intro level of Tomb Raider with everything maxed and TressFX on at 1920x1080... you should see a bit more of a difference between your new card and the IGP...

Ninja Edit - Also, at your low resolution, you're not going to see much of a difference in just about any game...
 
I have been trying to avoid the games that came with it as newegg will take 100$ off if they try to refund me rather then replace if its a hardware rma. Would bioshock 2 be a better test?
 
it might be more cpu bound but even one core of a 3570 at stock speed should be staying well above 60fps in TF2.
 
i had tried to test cpu load at one point by playing with 2 monitors on and gpu-z and task manager open to monitor gpu load and cpu load and i wasn't going over 30 on either when still dropping fps below 60. also didn't notice an fps change by having the second monitor running.
 
in general cpu usage tells you very little. most games dont use all cores or all aspects of the cpu so it does not tell you everything thats going on. you can be completely cpu limited in some games and not even using 50% of your quad core. now of course if you were at 99% than it would be clear that the cpu is the limiting factor but again thats not whats needed to be cpu limited in most cases.
 
so do you guys think i should try and return this card for a replacement of return it and get a 7950? at this point i feel that if i try to return it i really dont want the same model card back because i dont want to end up in the same place i am now.

keep the ideas coming as im not sure what im doing at this point
 
Well, it does seem there is some kind of throttling issue, although the uniengine test at 1080p showed close to normal. If you aren't happy with whats going on, perhaps an exchange or an upgrade is in order. There is a substantial difference between a Tahiti based card and an Intel HD4000.

Just remember, with an iGPU, there isn't really anyway to disable it, as the software is supposed to know when to use a discrete GPU (I just found this out last night when doing research for your problem). The HD3000, however, could be fully disabled in the BIOS. So, if the games you are playing aren't stressing the CPU/iGPU at all, they aren't going to rely on the discrete GPU much, if at all. I know on laptops, you can specifiy the power mode on the cards by choosing a Performance or a conserving option for your battery life, which will help push a discrete GPU one way or another.
 
Ya that's what has me confused the card stress tests and benchmarks like it works fine but i cant seem to run a game and have it run a full speed. Its seems like the valley benchmark is more likely to be cpu stressing then the games i have been trying. I would try a more stressing game but i don't seem to have any. Portal2 and csgo do a little better but still not using the full gpu power at any point when dropping fps so I'm kind of lost at this point at what to even try.

I have tried different drivers and even a few ways to try to force the card to stop throttling with no effect. I have tried the other pcie slow on my motherboard. I have tried windows 8 and 7 as well as reinstalling games and installing games i have never ran on this computer. I have tried 600x400 at lowest settings and 1080p at highest settings and not noticed a change in the fps range. Although my fps can go higher when the game gets more gpu intensive it dorps to only a few fps above one my intel hd4000 was doing before i got this card.

i just don't know what else to even try other then bios but i think my card has the updated bios that have been floating around. I have never had good luck with ati cards since 2003 and this just keeps with that trend.
 
Well, the uniengine demo you ran proves the card does work. Download the Heaven test and see what it shows. Try the games in the Never Settle bundle. Go on Steam and get Crysis for dirt cheap and max it out at 1080p.
 
I dont want to mess with the game bundle as newegg with take 100$ off what i paid for the card if they refund me for it without the games
Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0

FPS:
26.2
Score:
660
Min FPS:
7.5
Max FPS:
60.6
System

Platform:
Windows NT 6.2 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (3400MHz) x4
GPU model:
AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series 12.104.0.0/Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 9.17.10.2932 (3072MB) x1
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1920x1080 8xAA fullscreen
Preset
Custom
Quality
Ultra
Tessellation:
Extreme
Powered by UNIGINE Engine
Unigine Corp. © 2005-2013
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
so do you guys think i should try and return this card for a replacement of return it and get a 7950? at this point i feel that if i try to return it i really dont want the same model card back because i dont want to end up in the same place i am now.

keep the ideas coming as im not sure what im doing at this point
Click to expand...

Your answer has already been presented to you. The problem is the games and NOT your new graphics card. If you plug in a 7950 or a Titan to do what you're trying to do, you will get the same results as this card.

Also, I'm not sure how Newegg does the keys, but if they've already emailed them to you then you probably won't be able to claim that you haven't used them and they'll take the money off anyway if you do return it.
 
I have not tried to active the game keys or scratcked off the things to try to redeam the games. Also thats bs that i will get the same result with a better card becuase everyone i have talked to with cards that arnt even as good as the hd7870 get a constant fps that is higher then what im dropping down to.
 
Cool69rtcharger said:
so do you guys think i should try and return this card for a replacement of return it and get a 7950? at this point i feel that if i try to return it i really dont want the same model card back because i dont want to end up in the same place i am now.

keep the ideas coming as im not sure what im doing at this point
Click to expand...

No. The card is performing as expected. You even got a post from the [H] video card editor telling you that the games are limited by the cpu. For which, we also see that your cpu is running at stock clocks. Buy a decent $35 cpu heatsink and overclock your 3570k up to 4.4Ghz and you should see a huge jump in FPS. That will make your "constant" fps much higher and in line with "everyone you talk to".

I have one of those cards and it works great in Tomb Raider. I even had it running at 2560x1440. The card is a beast for the price.

You've gotten some great advice so far.
Refuting advice from the [H] video card editor means you must be pretty dang smart about video cards. :rolleyes:
 
If you say overclocking is what i need to do i will do it as that's not a problem. i find it hard to believe that a game that came out 14 years ago and has only been updated along the way cant even get a constant fps over 100 with a stock $1000 computer on a res of 1024x768 on not even high settings
 
I would have to agree with the others, Cool69.. your card is actually performing correctly, especially given the Heaven Demo you ran. It is right on the money. The issue is, is that your computer is set up to run the HD4000 whenever the system is not being stressed. Understand the HD4000 does have some GPU pushing capability (ableit, not alot though!). So, if the system is fine with using the HD4000, it will. Period. It doesn't matter if you get a 7970 GHZ edition in there, it will do the same thing.

That is why you need to run games that will actually stress the system, thus forcing the usage of your 7870 LE. That is why I suggested you try your new games out. Seems like to me, you are ready to give up on your new card because you really want something more powerful, even though that 7870 is acting normally. Just be honest with yourself on your needs/wants.
 
No I'm not giving up on this card because i want something more powerful the problem I'm having with it is I'm getting lower fps then other people with a cheaper video card and processor. I don't understand that maybe its just i started working on computers when fps was something that really mattered so i tend to still stress that and if i knew the card would run as 60 solid in some games i would have no problem turning on vsync. Yet I'm dropping to the point that my hd4000 video card would run these games at and that is under 60 fps. For the games I normally play the 7870 should be more then powerful from my point of view but it doesn't seem to really throttle up to full speeds in games even when my fps is rather low for these games.

First thing i did when i got the card was run a stress test and thought everything must be good then played a game and went wtf at 1024x768 on lower settings i was dropping below 60 fps in most of my games that are all older games nothing that should be stressing the gpu or cpu.
 
So why did you buy a $250 video card if you're only going to run 1280x1024?
(also, if you did really spend $250 on it, that's sad, because that card frequently goes on sale for $210 after a $20 rebate. That's what I paid 3 months ago.)

Are you planning on buying a new LCD with 1080p to utilize the horsepower of the new video card?
 
Man, it sounds you're heavily disillusioned about what others are getting performance-wise. We've already established that your card is performing as expected with the Valley Benchmark result. And that's a damn powerful card you have (albeit almost worthless at the resolution you play at; that's a mid-high end 1080p video card, and is even more beastly when overclocked).

And anyways, why do yo give a shit about having 100 + FPS. You can't tell the diff above 60 on a typical 60hz monitor. And even if you did have a 120hz screen, it's possible that you STILL wouldn't detect a difference.

Oh, and overclock your CPU to 4ghz on stock cooling (change the multiplier in your motherboard to 40). Or get a $30 dollar cooler and overclock to 4.4 -4.6.


To be frank it sounds you're making up numbers to conform to a pre-conceived agenda and/or confirmation bias.
 
Im not making up number wish i was and yes i plan to get a 1080p monitor only reason i hadnt before was i was playing with the hd4000 graphics. I care so much about fps becuase when i started building computers the big thing was how much fps you could get but also game phisics in the hl and hls engines alow you to do different things bases on fps. I play surf in cs and the difference between 60fps and 131 is at 60 its unplayable
 
Turn off V-Sync, that will usually limits your frame rate to 60 FPS.

Check the ingame settings, and CCC settings.
 
Vsyn is off im getting ranges of fps from 300 to 54 not just 60. Even when over clocked to 4.1 while running a little how with the stock cooler i am still in the same fps range. I think im going to drop to 4 with less power to drop the cpu temp
 
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