Overheating and PerfCapReason PWR

[Mokiflip]

Hello everyone! First time poster, would like some help dealing with a recent issue I've been having.

My tech knowledge is very basic. Hope this is the right place and format to post in.

Specs:
- Intel i7-9700K @ 3.6gHz
- Asus Z390F Gaming Motherboard
- 2x8GB Corsair DDR4 Vengeance @RGB PRO 3200M
- Zotac Gaming Geforce RTX 2080Ti 11GB
- 2xSSD Kingston A400 480GB (in RAID or whatever it's called)
- Seagate Barracuda 2TB Sata3
- NOX Hummer GD850 80plus GOLD
- Liquid Cooling kit NOX Hummer H-240AURA RGB

Problem:

For the last month or so, I've been noticing a strange behaviour of one of the GPU fans. Basically, it will start fanning at full speed (100%) for a few seconds, calm down, and then repeat it for a few seconds every 10 seconds or so. This symptom can be quite inconsistent. This happens when my GPU hits 80degrees temperature, which causes Fan 1 to max out until it goes back down to 77-79 degrees, until I goes back up to 80degrees a few seconds later, and it keeps going like this.

In general, I get around 100% GPU load on many games that aren't very demanding, and considering I'm running a 2080Ti... surely the load shouldn't be 100%?
After a bit of research, I've installed MSI Afterburner and put a custom fan curve (just slightly steeper than default, not much) and that way the temp stays around 77-78degrees max and I don't get the fanning issue. That being said I still think there must be an issue as it started doing it for no reason. I live close to the sea in a very very dusty environment, but I've given it a good cleaning and haven't noticed any difference.
I've been told I shouldn't trust my PSU with this gaming rig, but the person didn't actually explain why, simply stating it's "not great"and I was hoping for a slightly more scientific explanation before I start taking apart a machine that cost me 2 months salary.
So basically what I'd like to figure out is:
- Why did this fanning problem start?
- Is it because of the PSU? If so, should I change it, how and to what PSU?
- Why is the GPU getting so hot in general, and why now and not months ago when I started using it?

PS: please note that despite all this, the PC is still performing very well at 1440p 144hz on all games on Ultra (except Minecraft with shaders for which I get shitty performance for some reason...).

I hope I've explained it not to confusingly but please tell me if any info is missing! Here's a screenshot of that GPU-Z monitoring software that clearly shows the problem: look at Fan 1 Speed for the GPU and you can see all the pikes. This screenshot was taken in one of the worse moments of "overfanning". It was happening every 5 seconds. Also see PerfCap and TDP etc...

 

[basco]

try to max out power + temp limit in afterburner.
in my country temps outside changed in 1 week from -2° to +20° \\ could be that before you were near the limit but now your going over it and it seems to me that its at that level where it tries to downclock because of temp and fans goes nuts.

what temps did ya have before ? for me 80 on a "cheap" dual fan zotac is not so bad

and i think everybody here would tell ya don't cheap out on power supply and no-more watts and cheap does not mean its better.
i just looked this PS up cannot find reviews for this but its not so cheap as i thought here it costs 120.- eureos with 70 amps on a single rail + should be from CWT which makes good PS

 

[newtekie1]

1. PerfCap Reason PWR is completely normal. It means the maximum boost clock speed is being limited by the graphics card's power limit. This has nothing to do with your power supply. The manufacturer sets a board power limit in the card's BIOS. This is the maximum power the card is supposed to use. The PerfCap PWR just means you are hitting that limit. You can usually adjust this limit slightly using software, but that's it, it really can't be easily changed beyond a few percent. And seeing PerfCap Reason PWR is totally normal.

2. The fan seems to be a totally different issue. It actually looks to me like you have a bad fan. The commanded PWM rate for the fan is staying at a steady 63%, so the fan should be staying at a constant speed. However, the RPM is changing greatly, which to me indicates the fan is failing.

3. The PSU is a no name PSU. It seems from what I can gather to be based on a CWT design, which isn't terrible, but who knows what components they used in that unit. I certainly wouldn't trust my $1,000+ GPU to a budget PSU. But that's your call.

 

[basco]

good catch newtekie1
i think its just around that threshold where it does ramp up+down because of existing limits thats why i suggested he should up the limits and see if its the same or not?

 

[Mokiflip]

Thanks a lot for the replies! that makes a lot of sense.

A few follow-up questions :
1. Should I want to change the PSU anyway (as you say, maybe not use a budget one on a high end card), any recommendations?
2. I do have the option to increase power limit and temp limit on MSI AB. The temp limit is set at 84 degrees tho, and it doesn't get close to it. As for increasing the power limit, what are the risks? It seems I can increase it quite a bit, +15% or so according to MSI AB.
3. If I do have a failing fan as you suggest, what are my options? Simply send it back?

Thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[newtekie1]

1. Should I want to change the PSU anyway (as you say, maybe not use a budget one on a high end card), any recommendations?

Anything 80+ Gold or better from Seasonic, eVGA, or Corsair.

2. I do have the option to increase power limit and temp limit on MSI AB. The temp limit is set at 84 degrees tho, and it doesn't get close to it. As for increasing the power limit, what are the risks? It seems I can increase it quite a bit, +15% or so according to MSI AB.

There isn't a whole lot of risk. The big thing is going to be it will make the card clock higher under boost and maybe even run at a slightly higher voltage. It will definitely make the card run hotter, but like you said, you got a little room anyway. The issue is that fan, I'd get that figured out before doing anything else.

3. If I do have a failing fan as you suggest, what are my options? Simply send it back?

Yep, I'd contact Zotac support or take it back to where you bought it if it hasn't been too long. I wouldn't try fixing it yourself, it's not worth risking it on a $1,000+ graphics card.