Latest AMD Radeon 21.6.1 Drivers Apparently Fix High Idle Power Consumption

Raevenlord · Jun 22, 2021

Anecdotal reports of fixed idle power consumption for AMD's graphics cards are filling the internet following the release of their latest Radeon drivers, version 21.6.1. Besides introducing support for FSR (which we have already tested with a new special image comparison code from our resident W1zzard with great results), users are reporting reduced power consumption on idle or low-intensity workloads - something that we had already covered in our latest AMD reviews, which showcased higher power consumption compared to NVIDIA.

Users are reporting drops from around 30 W to ~8 W - nothing to scoff at, and getting AMD's offerings in line with NVIDIA's on that particular metric. While this remains anecdotal evidence for now, rest assured that we will be testing these new drivers so as to definitely claim an improvement (or the absence of it).

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Makaveli · Jun 22, 2021

Damn I just upgraded to the 21.5.2 drivers.

I will wait until 21.6.1 is out of beta then upgrade.

rutra80 · Jun 22, 2021

Is multi-monitor setup with reduced memory clocks possible now?

Robin Seina · Jun 22, 2021

What you don´t find stated directly is, that yesterdays WHQL driver version (21.5.2) is a final one for the first three generations of GCN architecture. In other words Radeon HD7000/8000 series cards, R7/9 200 and R300 are no longer supported by AMD on Win 7/10 64bit.

https://www.amd.com/en/support/graphics/amd-radeon-hd/amd-radeon-hd-7000-series/amd-radeon-hd-7950

Makaveli · Jun 22, 2021

Robin Seina said:
What you don´t find stated directly is, that yesterdays WHQL driver version (21.5.2) is a final one for the first three generations of GCN architecture. In other words Radeon HD7000/8000 series cards, R7/9 200 and R300 are no longer supported by AMD on Win 7/10 64bit.

https://www.amd.com/en/support/graphics/amd-radeon-hd/amd-radeon-hd-7000-series/amd-radeon-hd-7950

Maybe because that is a separate article and not related to this driver.

This has been covered elsewhere as a new article. And Windows 7 is EOL if anyone is still using that with a 8+ year old GPU well its time...

Robin Seina · Jun 22, 2021

Makaveli said:
Maybe because that is a separate article and not related to this driver.

This has been covered else as a new article. And Windows 7 is EOL if anyone is still using that with a 8+ year old GPU well its time...

Sorry, I had to missed that.

rhaoul · Jun 22, 2021

rutra80 said:
Is multi-monitor setup with reduced memory clocks possible now?

I just try and no. Memory clock stay at max. Even if you just have one monitor on 144Hz

Lew Zealand · Jun 22, 2021

FWIW, my Pulse 5600XT keeps the memory at max speed at 60Hz, 90Hz, and 144Hz monitor output with the previous drivers but clocks the memory down appropriately with the corresponding lower power consumption at 120Hz. Yeah, wtf? Not on that machine right now but I'll test to see if these new drivers make any difference.

Punkenjoy · Jun 23, 2021

Doesn't seem to reduce multi monitor consumption, it's exactly the same as before.

Nash · Jun 23, 2021

Power is pretty low on this 580.

Bomby569 · Jun 23, 2021

33 at idle, nothing changed here with RX 5700XT

utilizedamplitude · Jun 23, 2021

Does it work with Vega cards yet?

I'm still on 2019.

Imsochobo · Jun 23, 2021

Johnny05 said:
Does it work with Vega cards yet?

I'm still on 2019.

my vega is behaving nicely on older drivers.

my 6800 is at 33w, two displays 4K 75hz and 1440P 144hz with latest driver ...

Nash · Jun 23, 2021

This update did not work right for a whole day! 21.6.1 failed to start after 'wakeup', System Restore reverted the PC to 21.3.1. Adrenaline is showing 21.5.2 as an available update. Rolling back took several attempts and restart was very sluggish and failed at multiple points. I'll wait. I'm really tired of AMD drivers, probably going to swap the XFX 580 for an Nvidia card, this has been a running problem from the same company for almost 2 years. I just put this pc together for internet use from older parts, maybe AMD can smoke-test their software few minutes before releasing it? Locking up a PC during a sleep-state is lame.

Gpu-Z shows power is still low.

Makaveli · Jun 23, 2021

21.6.1 is a beta!

I'm staying on 21.5.2 since its a non beta driver also on a 580 and no issues here.

Nash · Jun 23, 2021

Lets call it Alpha. This driver package *REQUIRED* a reset, the computer could not start.
I don't even trust the rollback, have to stay on what's working. Kind of driver-shy.

ultravy · Jun 24, 2021

Finally! I can set my monitor to 165 hz without having memory clock ramp up to maxium! I had this problem since forever!

Nash · Jun 24, 2021

Graphs from Adrenaline. I've let the PC shutdown (auto-sleep) multiple times and it's woken up instantly every time, it did fine through several restarts. The temps are normal to sub-normal, I hope it lasts.

Temps and Usage Post Adrenaline Reset.jpg

Imsochobo · Jun 24, 2021

Nash said:
This update did not work right for a whole day! 21.6.1 failed to start after 'wakeup', System Restore reverted the PC to 21.3.1. Adrenaline is showing 21.5.2 as an available update. Rolling back took several attempts and restart was very sluggish and failed at multiple points. I'll wait. I'm really tired of AMD drivers, probably going to swap the XFX 580 for an Nvidia card, this has been a running problem from the same company for almost 2 years. I just put this pc together for internet use from older parts, maybe AMD can smoke-test their software few minutes before releasing it? Locking up a PC during a sleep-state is lame.

View attachment 205127

Gpu-Z shows power is still low.

thought I needed the driver for fsr somehow stupid as I knew it'd work on nvidia, but updated my v64, my laptop (renoir apu) and 6800 and all work fine o.0

System Name	The Ryzening
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Motherboard	MSI X570 MAG TOMAHAWK
Cooling	Lian Li Galahad 360mm AIO
Memory	32 GB G.Skill Trident Z F4-3733 (4x 8 GB)
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti
Storage	Boot: Transcend MTE220S 2TB, Kintson A2000 1TB, Seagate Firewolf Pro 14 TB
Display(s)	Acer Nitro VG270UP (1440p 144 Hz IPS)
Case	Lian Li O11DX Dynamic White
Audio Device(s)	iFi Audio Zen DAC
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus+ 750 W
Mouse	Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Keyboard	Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Software	Windows 10 x64

System Name	The Expanse
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Asus Prime X570-Pro BIOS 5003 AM4 AGESA V2 PI 1.2.0.B
Cooling	Corsair H150i Pro
Memory	32GB GSkill Trident RGB DDR4-3200 14-14-14-34-1T (B-Die)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24GB (24.3.1)
Storage	WD SN850X 2TB / Corsair MP600 1TB / Samsung 860Evo 1TB x2 Raid 0 / Asus NAS AS1004T V2 14TB
Display(s)	LG 34GP83A-B 34 Inch 21: 9 UltraGear Curved QHD (3440 x 1440) 1ms Nano IPS 160Hz
Case	Fractal Design Meshify S2
Audio Device(s)	Creative X-Fi + Logitech Z-5500 + HS80 Wireless
Power Supply	Corsair AX850 Titanium
Mouse	Corsair Dark Core RGB SE
Keyboard	Corsair K100
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2
Benchmark Scores	3800X https://valid.x86.fr/1zr4a5 5800X https://valid.x86.fr/2dey9c

System Name	The Expanse
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Asus Prime X570-Pro BIOS 5003 AM4 AGESA V2 PI 1.2.0.B
Cooling	Corsair H150i Pro
Memory	32GB GSkill Trident RGB DDR4-3200 14-14-14-34-1T (B-Die)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24GB (24.3.1)
Storage	WD SN850X 2TB / Corsair MP600 1TB / Samsung 860Evo 1TB x2 Raid 0 / Asus NAS AS1004T V2 14TB
Display(s)	LG 34GP83A-B 34 Inch 21: 9 UltraGear Curved QHD (3440 x 1440) 1ms Nano IPS 160Hz
Case	Fractal Design Meshify S2
Audio Device(s)	Creative X-Fi + Logitech Z-5500 + HS80 Wireless
Power Supply	Corsair AX850 Titanium
Mouse	Corsair Dark Core RGB SE
Keyboard	Corsair K100
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2
Benchmark Scores	3800X https://valid.x86.fr/1zr4a5 5800X https://valid.x86.fr/2dey9c

System Name	Gamey #1 / #2
Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D / Core i7-9700F
Motherboard	Asrock B450M P4 / Asrock B360M P4
Cooling	IDCool SE-226-XT / CM Hyper 212
Memory	32GB 3200 CL16 / 32GB 2666 CL14
Video Card(s)	PC 6800 XT / Soyo RTX 2060 Super
Storage	4TB Team MP34 / 512G Tosh RD400+2TB WD3Dblu
Display(s)	LG 32GK650F 1440p 144Hz VA
Case	Corsair 4000Air / CM N200
Audio Device(s)	Dragonfly Black
Power Supply	EVGA 650 G3 / Corsair CX550M
Mouse	JSCO JNL-101k Noiseless
Keyboard	Steelseries Apex 3 TKL
Software	Win 10, Throttlestop

Processor	Ryzen 5 5700x
Motherboard	B550 Elite
Cooling	Thermalright Perless Assassin 120 SE
Memory	32GB Fury Beast DDR4 3200Mhz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte 3060 ti gaming oc pro
Storage	Samsung 970 Evo 1TB, WD SN850x 1TB, plus some random HDDs
Display(s)	LG 27gp850 1440p 165Hz 27''
Case	Lian Li Lancool II performance
Power Supply	MSI 750w
Mouse	G502

Latest AMD Radeon 21.6.1 Drivers Apparently Fix High Idle Power Consumption

Raevenlord

News Editor

Makaveli

rutra80

Robin Seina

Makaveli

Robin Seina

rhaoul

Lew Zealand

Punkenjoy

Nash

Attachments

Bomby569

utilizedamplitude

Imsochobo

Nash

Attachments

Makaveli

Nash

ultravy

Nash

Imsochobo

Processor	R9 5800x3d \| R7 3900X \| 4800H \| 2x Xeon gold 6142
Motherboard	Asrock X570M \| AB350M Pro 4 \| Asus Tuf A15
Cooling	Air \| Air \| duh laptop
Memory	64gb G.skill SniperX @3600 CL16 \| 128gb \| 32GB \| 192gb
Video Card(s)	RTX 4080 \|Quadro P5000 \| RTX2060M
Storage	Many drives
Display(s)	M32Q,AOC 27" 144hz something.
Case	Jonsbo D41
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x
Mouse	g502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	G913 tkl
Software	win11, proxmox
Benchmark Scores	33000FS, 16300 TS. Lappy, 7000 TS.

System Name	R36XT RX6800
Processor	Amd Ryzen 5 3600XT
Motherboard	MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Cooling	Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 240mm AiO Liquid CPU Cooler
Memory	Adata XPG Gammix D10 32GB (2x 16GB) @3200MHz DDR4
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon™ RX 6800
Storage	ADATA SX8200PNP 1TB, m2 860 2 TB, SG Pro 1TB
Display(s)	ASUS TUF Gaming VG27WQ1B 27" QHD VA Curved Monitor
Case	Lian Li Lancool II Gaming Case - Black
Audio Device(s)	Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1
Power Supply	Gigabyte AORUS P750GM 750W Modular 80+ Gold PSU
Mouse	SteelSeries Rival 310 eSports Mouse, Steelseries XAI Ruse Edition
Keyboard	Razer Chroma Ornata
Software	Win 10 Pro