Vega 64 problem

[pallcsa]

Hi,
I need help. I have recently purchased a second hand Sapphire Nitro+ Vega 64. The problem is that it is unable to maintain GPU load even in its factory state without OC. When I play I see the game stop for a fraction of a second pretty often. It does not matter if I use Vsync or not, the framedrops are there. I tried several different drivers with no luck. Here you can clearly see the GPU load drops in Resident Evil 3 which otherwise runs at 200fps. I tried to take a screenshot but I couldn't so forgive me the poor quality picture. Load dips very low sometimes to 10-20%. It is all the same in other games too.

My system:

PSU: FSP Hyper series 600W
CPU: Ryzen5 3600
GPU: Sapphire Nitro+ Vega 64
RAM: 16GB
Motherboard: Asus Prime a320m-k
Win 10 pro 64x

 

[Caring1]

You're going to have to be more specific with your system parts list.
Ryzen5 3000 is a series, not a CPU.
What make and model 600W PSU?
What temps are your computer/ GPU running at?

 

[Zyll Goliat]

Well maybe is something wrong with that GPU but also you should know that Vega 64 is power hungry and can pull a lot of power from the wall,avg power consumtion is around 250W but peak spikes can be more then 400W so it is important to have good&quality PSU.....

 

[utilizedamplitude]

I second temps.

Also reapply thermal paste. The stock stuff would be worn out by now.

 

[Aquinus]

My first guess would be that something is thermal throttling. The Vega 64 in my tower throttles really hard when high temps are reached and it makes framerates really erratic. When I raise the power limit without mucking with fan speeds, my performance actually gets worse. Assuming the Vega 64 is overheating, you should try lowering the power limit to something like 220w (which is the stock value for a reference design Vega 64,) and see if that makes the problem go away. If it does, you need to focus on what's holding the cooler back. Maybe it needs to be repasted, maybe airflow isn't good, maybe it's gunked up with dust.

 

[Zach_01]

You're going to have to be more specific with your system parts list.
Ryzen5 3000 is a series, not a CPU.
What make and model 600W PSU?
What temps are your computer/ GPU running at?

That and also, what resolution are you playing? Did you have any of this with previous GPU?

If you play on 1080p it’s reasonable for the GPU not to be always on 100% load, as this resolution is more CPU bottlenecked. The occasional stutters and lags is something different, though. If those stutters are rare and far from each other then it’s not thermal issue, but something is going on on the background of the system. Or could be a power delivery issue.

 

[pallcsa]

Well, first of all thank you all for your reply. To answer the questions, I play at 1080p on a 60Hz TV and I use Vsync at 60fps. I basically tried everything that came to my mind and did lots of reading on the internet regarding the topic but it seems to happen to differnt cards too even Nvidia but there seem to be no solution. In HWinfo64 I checked the system temps, and everything is nice and cool. The GPU doesn't get over 55-60C undervolted in an open case. HBM was around core temperature and hotspot was 65C. Of course I tested the problem with Vsync off to fully utilize the GPU but it tanks with Vsync too... CPU temp is 65C under load but it is powerful enough not to bottleneck. In games I get max 30-50% utilization. I even tried to underclock the GPU core to 1200Mhz and lowered HBM speed together with the voltage. It drew 130-150W in games and still had the occasional dips in performance, so I ruled out the PSU. Today I I installed a clean Windows but it didn't help at all. I used to have an overclocked Sapphire RX570 and it had no problems at all.

 

[utilizedamplitude]

Are you using 2x 8pin cables from the PSU or 1 cable with 2 connectors?

 

[pallcsa]

Are you using 2x 8pin cables from the PSU or 1 cable with 2 connectors?

I use two different cables for that purpose. I know it can be of an issue.

You're going to have to be more specific with your system parts list.
Ryzen5 3000 is a series, not a CPU.
What make and model 600W PSU?
What temps are your computer/ GPU running at?

Sorry for that, it was a typo I have just corrected it in the system description and included the missing information.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Did you try using Radeon chill it limits the GPU max FPS so the heat output and power use are constrained, 200Fps on a 60Hz monitor provides no gain in the experience.
Also disable hybrid memory control, that's helped performance stability for me.

 

[dragontamer5788]

I'll play the contrarian and/or jester. What if it's a CPU issue and not a GPU issue?

Those utilization metrics are about feeding the GPU. If utilization drops, that's because the GPU was not getting fed fast enough. Could this be a ram, or CPU issue instead?

 

[pallcsa]

Did you try using Radeon chill it limits the GPU max FPS so the heat output and power use are constrained, 200Fps on a 60Hz monitor provides no gain in the experience.

I know it doesn't. I always use ingame Vsync to match the fps to my TV. But this is not the point. I only turned Vsync off to get a picture of what the card does in an fps dip situation. Stutters happen even with Vsync on because of GPU utilization or the random lack of it...

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

I know it doesn't. I always use ingame Vsync to match the fps to my TV. But this is not the point. I only turned Vsync off to get a picture of what the card does in an fps dip situation. Stutters happen even with Vsync on because of GPU utilization or the random lack of it...

I wasn't being critical, try Radeon chill it might help.

 

[pallcsa]

I'll play the contrarian and/or jester. What if it's a CPU issue and not a GPU issue?

Those utilization metrics are about feeding the GPU. If utilization drops, that's because the GPU was not getting fed fast enough. Could this be a ram, or CPU issue instead?

It is an interesting point but I don't think that my CPU would bottleneck the GPU since as I stated above temps are good and utilization rarely reaches 50% in the games I play.

I wasn't being critical, try Radeon chill it might help.

I tried that too but it resulted in screen tearing so I ditched it.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

It is an interesting point but I don't think that my CPU would bottleneck the GPU since as I stated above temps are good and utilization rarely reaches 50% in the games I play.



I tried that too but it resulted in screen tearing so I ditched it.

Set the FPS max to 65 and leave vsync on ,you shouldn't get any tearing.
This is how I run my one without issues.

 

[dragontamer5788]

It is an interesting point but I don't think that my CPU would bottleneck the GPU since as I stated above temps are good and utilization rarely reaches 50% in the games I play.

You only need one CPU core to stutter to cause a CPU-side frame-drop: the one core that's running the main loop of the game.

I don't know what would be causing that. I'm just bringing it up as a possibility, in case this GPU-side investigation goes no where. I know that there was an odd Windows update that made my Threadripper 1950x act funky for a while, and then it disappeared later. I've also had an issue that I thought was on the GPU, but it turned out to be driver-related (on Linux, not on Windows, but a similar concept in any case).

I'd honestly update your BIOS and motherboard, and make sure that all attributes of your computer are up to date. If its a PCIe glitch or a CPU-glitch, or a driver glitch, it could very well be causing random freezes. There's no guarantee that the GPU is even the problem at all, given your description.

 

[Aquinus]

I used to have an overclocked Sapphire RX570 and it had no problems at all.

Well, The RX 570 has a lot less performance than a Vega 64. You might be hitting a CPU bottleneck.

Side note: Just for s**ts and giggles, I'd use DDU and re-install the latest AMD GPU graphics drivers. Just to make sure it's not a driver issue.

 

[damric]

1080p 60Hz is the problem. At this display, you are pretty much never going to be GPU bound with Vega 64. I would enable VSR and see how it does at 1440p or so.

 

[pallcsa]

You only need one CPU core to stutter to cause a CPU-side frame-drop: the one core that's running the main loop of the game.

I don't know what would be causing that. I'm just bringing it up as a possibility, in case this GPU-side investigation goes no where. I know that there was an odd Windows update that made my Threadripper 1950x act funky for a while, and then it disappeared later. I've also had an issue that I thought was on the GPU, but it turned out to be driver-related (on Linux, not on Windows, but a similar concept in any case).

I'd honestly update your BIOS and motherboard, and make sure that all attributes of your computer are up to date. If its a PCIe glitch or a CPU-glitch, or a driver glitch, it could very well be causing random freezes. There's no guarantee that the GPU is even the problem at all, given your description.

Updating the Bios and AMD chipset drivers were the ones I started with when I installed the card. Then the latest graphics drivers after using DDU in safe mode. I had an older Windows version but today I installed a clean one and updated it but nothing helps. I am starting to give up on it but thanks anyway.

Well, The RX 570 has a lot less performance than a Vega 64. You might be hitting a CPU bottleneck.

Side note: Just for s**ts and giggles, I'd use DDU and re-install the latest AMD GPU graphics drivers. Just to make sure it's not a driver issue.

I spent a day installing and testing drivers dating back to 2018. It is all the same... And I used DDU of course.

1080p 60Hz is the problem. At this display, you are pretty much never going to be GPU bound with Vega 64. I would enable VSR and see how it does at 1440p or so.

I have never used Virtual Super Resolution. I know I need to enable it in Radeon Wattman settings but doesn't the actual game need to support it in its graphics settings ? I mean it doesn't work in every game right ?

 

[Aquinus]

Quick question, what are you using for storage? This might be a great time to point out that you should fill out your system specs.

 

[pallcsa]

Quick question, what are you using for storage? This might be a great time to point out that you should fill out your system specs.

I can't edit my OP for some reason but I have a 250GB SSD for the system and a 1TB HDD for games and stuff. I know what you mean and I tested it today. I installed a game on the SSD but the problem remains. I am clueless here.

 

[damric]

Updating the Bios and AMD chipset drivers were the ones I started with when I installed the card. Then the latest graphics drivers after using DDU in safe mode. I had an older Windows version but today I installed a clean one and updated it but nothing helps. I am starting to give up on it but thanks anyway.



I spent a day installing and testing drivers dating back to 2018. It is all the same... And I used DDU of course.



I have never used Virtual Super Resolution. I know I need to enable it in Radeon Wattman settings but doesn't the actual game need to support it in its graphics settings ? I mean it doesn't work in every game right ?

Yes it's simple. You go to the display tab of the driver, enable it, then in your games and in windows settings you should see additional resolutions supported. You can increase it in whichever game until you are GPU bound instead of CPU bound or try and at least balance it out. Being CPU bound is kind of annoying for stuttering, ect. Play around with it until you find a setting that makes you comfortable.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

If what I suggested doesn't help I would get some new vrm thermal pads, replace them and re Tim at the same time as cleaning out the card.

 

[pallcsa]

Yes it's simple. You go to the display tab of the driver, enable it, then in your games and in windows settings you should see additional resolutions supported. You can increase it in whichever game until you are GPU bound instead of CPU bound or try and at least balance it out. Being CPU bound is kind of annoying for stuttering, ect. Play around with it until you find a setting that makes you comfortable.

I did what you said and I have to say you were right. When I forced VSR to 1440p framerate came down and the graph was much smoother. I figured I can have 100-120fps without dips in performance so the card must be functional. Performance in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the only thing that makes no sense to me. Since it is so demanding I don't get more than 85fps highs and 65fps lows yet I get the same dips in utilization which manifest in stutters in random places on the map but mostly in populated areas like Saint Denis even with lower graphics settings and Vsync 60fps.

 

[Aquinus]

I did what you said and I have to say you were right. When I forced VSR to 1440p framerate came down and the graph was much smoother. I figured I can have 100-120fps without dips in performance so the card must be functional. Performance in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the only thing that makes no sense to me. Since it is so demanding I don't get more than 85fps highs and 65fps lows yet I get the same dips in utilization which manifest in stutters in random places on the map but mostly in populated areas like Saint Denis even with lower graphics settings and Vsync 60fps.

That sounds like a CPU bottleneck, but I'm honestly surprised with the CPU that you have. How much RAM are you using? Thrashing could cause the same kind of behavior I guess. Another possibility is if the CPU isn't clocking up like it should.