Lower GPU frequency than specs ? help ( MSI 440 GT )

[sbnz0r]

Hello, I just bought a MSI 440 GT with specs 810Mhz and memory 1800Mhz . The problem is that every app says mem is running at 667 Mhz . I know this number is x2 but still that is just 1334Mhz. Things to mention is that i only have PCI-E 16x mobo , other than that I don'w know why is it not running at 1800Mhz. Please help, king regards.

I tested it, it stayed at 667Mhz max, used MSI Afterburner, in idle or lower testing it goes down from 667Mhz.... now I put it from MSI Afterburner at 870Mhz that still doesn't add up x2 to 1800 spec MHZ.

[ShyguyXPC]

Run GPUz and see what it says.

GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility


Also go into your Control panel (assuming this is Windows 7 or Vista)

Control Panel > Hardware And Sounds > Power Options > Balanced Settings > Click on Change Plan Settings > Click On Change Advanced Power Settings > Scroll Down To PCI Express, Expand the Tree, Expand Link Power State Management, and Make sure Its set to Off, Click Apply, Ok, And then close all those windows.

This should help keep the PCI Express Slot from reducing Power to it, sometimes that can cause issues with reduced speeds, or even causing the video card and drivers from responding.

But Check GPUz and see what it says its running at.

Also with GPUz there's an option to Log to file, leave GPUz running in background and play a game or something graphically taxing for a couple minutes if you want you can attach the log file here and we can look at it.

The card might be running at the lower speed in less graphically demanding scenarios and a reduced power state,

My GTX 470 actually drops its memory all the way down to 162.5Mhz (x2) when Idle. and normally its memory clock is 1672Mhz (836x2).

Once I start using something graphic intensive, or GPU Accelerated like watching youtube in firefox, the speed jumps to its normal 800MHz-ish range.

[SoloCamo]

^ Exactly. My 550ti does the same it will drop down slightly upon idle, so I'd try to run something graphically intense in a windows mode and let gpu z, or even afterburner to check the gpu usage and see if it goes back to normal spec.

Also assuming you are on windows 7, make sure the power options aren't set to limit the gpu in any way.

[ShyguyXPC]

you'll want some sort of way to log the data to a file though, as alt tabbing from one window to another can drop the GPU speed way down almost instantly on these lower powered cooler running cards, and may not show the Speed when running 3D intensive stuff.


One sure fire way to run it at max, is download and install furmark, or if your already running Afterburner, use Kombustor (same thing as Furmark, just MSI's custom version).

[sbnz0r]

Hello, and thank you. I did all that from control panel as you said, it was on moderate and now it is off, still no effect, 667Mhz .

This is my video card :

MSI Global – Graphics Card - N440GT-MD1GD3/LP

also I will attach 2 screenshots from MSI afterburner and 2 from belarc advisor with my system specs .

Not having PCI-E 2.0 is not the issue in this case?









also GPU-Z :

[SoloCamo]

Not having PCI-E 2.0 is not the issue in this case?

Welcome to TechIMO by the way as well!

As far as not having 2.0, it won't play a role here for this issue. I'm actually running my 550ti on the same slot you are without issue.

I would try to run furmark as Shyguy posted above and see if the results are any differently

[sbnz0r]

no no, in idle its 100-200Mhz and maxed 667Mhz, could MSI have changed the specs of the video card? retailer not posting them correctly? it's driving me a bit crazy tbh because this is what I wanted to avoid... a 1334 mem, and payed a bit more ....

Also thank you for the extremely fast replies, this forum is by far the best so far

[SoloCamo]

no no, in idle its 100-200Mhz and maxed 667Mhz, could MSI have changed the specs of the video card? retailer not posting them correctly? it's driving me a bit crazy tbh because this is what I wanted to avoid... a 1334 mem, and payed a bit more ....

Also thank you for the extremely fast replies, this forum is by far the best so far

Have you checked to see if there are any available BIOS updates for the card?

On my Asus 550ti it's a pre overclocked edition, but you have to update the BIOS otherwise it's a standard speed one.

Just something to consider as well.

[Carld]

eh, everyone answered whats needed to know. but...

Maybe your card is defective? bad RAM?



My Zotac GT 440 (1GB) is clocked .. 810 core, 1600 shader clock, and 800(1600ddr) under load in EVGA Precision. Many GT 440s are different specs though..

There is also the thought that the MSI card link has a typo, like it's supposed to say "800" not "1800." Then though.. still off.

[ShyguyXPC]

Before anyone also suggests that it could be the difference between the GDDR3 and GDDR5 models, its not, already looked those up with my first reply. This one, based on what they stated it should be running at, Core clock speed, is in line with the GDDR3 model.


In Any case, to be honest, even if your not getting the full memory clock speed, it won't make that much of a difference in performance, the card is already a low end card. And with Nvidia GPU's the primary clocks to worry about is Core and Shader Clocks, Memory takes a back seat to those two, for performance.

Though I'd consider taking it back/returning it, and get another if possible.

[sbnz0r]

other company than MSI ? like gainward or something ?

[ShyguyXPC]

EVGA, MSI, Gigabyte, Asus, etc etc etc...

so yeah, plenty of brands out there.

MSI isn't bad really, every brand can have some bad cards.

If you not willing to go with MSI, give EVGA a try.

you in the US, UK, EU, Asia?

[sbnz0r]

I think I will !

[sbnz0r]

EU , in my contry I think EVGA sells the least, idk how it performs