Custom BIOS for MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G to halt throttling
Custom BIOS for MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G to halt throttling
I recently acquired an MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G. The card performs exceptionally well, and I'm very satisfied with a single 980 atm setting (I previously had SLi 970 units that were returned soon after the 3.5GB memory incident). When Witcher III was released, I discovered I could comfortably play at 1080p using Ultra settings (including hair effects), or 1440p with slightly modified High settings (Hair-Works disabled). After a few days of use, I found myself increasingly eager to extract more performance from my card. Following some adjustments with Afterburner, I began craving even greater gains... and then even greater... you see where this is heading...?
A few days into my growing dependency on finding a reliable and stable OC for my MSI 980, I started noticing that while the card remained stable in benchmarking and gameplay, it would begin throttling once it reached 61c. The throttling was subtle, but it reduced my 1500Mhz core to around 1466Mhz once it hit that mark. When it stayed below 61c, it supported the full rated 1.2250 volts, but once it reached 61c, the voltage would drop unpredictably to about 1.0000 volts. I tried compensating by pushing the core above 1500Mhz, which limited throttling to around 1503Mhz—but this caused stability problems. No matter how I adjusted Power Limiter or mV settings, the card still behaved unpredictably.
After days of troubleshooting, I realized the issue wasn’t with the OC itself, but rather the throttling. This was frustrating; it felt like I was being cheated. There’s nothing inherently dangerous about running at 1.2250 volts, yet it would throttle. Eventually, after extensive research online, I found others who had resolved the same problem by using a custom BIOS flash.
Now, while I’m not a novice in this area, and certainly not an expert, I’ve previously flashed cards in the past—but that feels like a long time ago. After thoroughly reviewing multiple guides and accepting the risk of failure, I gave it a try. Once the flash was complete and I performed a quick reset, something remarkable happened... My card stabilized at 1.2750 under GPU load, with no throttling! Performance improved significantly. Temperatures were excellent, and stability was outstanding. This was a huge improvement.
The flash took place a few nights ago. Since then, I’ve successfully OC’d my MSI GTX 980 to achieve a 1550Mhz core and 2000Mhz memory. It’s rock-solid. I can now run all benchmarks—Vally, Heaven, and 3dMark FireStrike Extreme—without issues. My temps are slightly higher, but I’ve set up a solid environment to keep the card cool. Maximum recorded temperatures reach 75c, with average around 66c. FurMark hit 75c, but I stopped using it because it felt unreliable and caused random instability issues with other models.
Just moments ago, I removed the factory thermal paste from my MSI 980 and did an incredible job—really improving performance. After reapplying Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste, the card ran even cooler. Five passes of Valley, Heaven, and Firestrike Extreme pushed the core temperature to a maximum of 67c.
So here’s what I’m sharing: the question I’ve been asking myself is whether running at 1.2750 under load is safe. My current OC setup is very stable now, and I might try to push this card even further. But the desire for more performance remains strong.
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any advice you can offer!
1.275 is safe as long as temps are good nothing to worry about. Also from what I know maxwell max voltage is 1.31V and you can't cross this limit even via hacking bios so yeah not easy to break your gpu now days
Thank you. I'm mainly happy I managed to resolve it. It seemed quite absurd dealing with throttling so often. The voltage was behaving strangely, even at regular clock speeds—it looked like it was hesitant to provide enough power to the card. My main worry about the increased core voltage was the VRAM and VRM temperatures. MSI added some heat spreaders, which ensured a steady airflow.
Hey there,
Which guide or bio did you refer to?
Thanks
I’m not sure if there are any full tutorials on editing Maxwell bios anymore. When I tried, I came across many incomplete resources and had to piece together what each one meant.
Also, be cautious because some turned out to be misleading and really wasted time.
If you let me know your specific goals for updating your bio, I might be able to assist better.
Hey, I also own an MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G. It would be great if you could share the custom bios you used.
The issue is that due to throttling, certain games like CS become choppy because the card constantly changes voltage levels.
SiriusLeo86 :
I recently picked up an MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G. The card runs very well and I'm extremely happy with a single 980 atm, (I came from SLi 970's that got returned shortly after the 3.5GB memory controversy). When the Witcher III came out I found that I could easily play at 1080p with Ultra settings, (including hair-works) or 1440p with slightly adjusted High settings, (Hair-Works off). After a few days of playing I found myself really wanted to get a little more out of my card. After I OC'd a little with Afterburner I found myself wanting a little more... and then more... you see where this is going...?
A few days into my addiction with finding a nice and stable OC for my MSI 980 I started recognizing that even though my card would benchmark and game with stability - the card would start throttling as soon as it hit 61c. The throttling was mild, but it would take my 1500Mhz core to around 1466Mhz as soon as it hit 61c. Also, as long as the card was under 61c it would allow the full rated 1.2250 volts but as soon as 61c hit it would drop randomly to around 1.0000 volts. I attempted to offset this by raising the core past 1500Mhz so when it throttled it would only drop it to around 1503Mhz but that's where I ran into stability issues. No amount of Power Limiter or adding mV would effect the card. Afterburner and GPU-Z would not register any changes no matter what I raised the Power Limit / mV settings to...
After racking my brain for days I came to the realization that the OC's I had were in fact stable... it was the throttling that was compromising stability. This really started to aggravate me. I felt as if I was being cheated. There isn't anything dangerous with running 1.2250 volts so why was it throttling? Finally one night I spent hours scourging the web trying to find a solution. After pages of reading I finally found some others that were having the same issue. Suggestions ranged from RMA'ing the card to just dealing with it. Post after post I read through when FINALLY I found someone who not only experienced the issue but stated that he had fixed it with a custom bios flash.
Now, I'm no beginner when it comes to things like this... on the other hand... I'm no expert either. I've actually flashed a few cards back in the day but that feels like ages ago. After carefully reading through multiple guides and accepting the penalty of potential failure... I did it. After the Flash completed and I performed a quick reset... a magical thing happened... My card, was now at, 1.2750 under GPU load... and STABLE. No Throttling! Temps were great. Stability was great. HUGE difference.
The flash occurred a few nights ago. Since then I've been able to STABLIY OC my MSI GTX 980 to 1550Mhz Core and 2000Mhz Memory. It's rock solid. I'm able to run all my benchmards, (Vally, Heaven and 3dMark FireStrike Exteme). On top of that I've logged around 10 hours of Witcher III since then too. Temps are a tad higher but I have a good setup / environment to keep the card happy and cool. Max recorded temps is 75c, average running temps around 66c. FurMark is where it hit 75c but to be honest I stopped running it. It feels unrealistic and I've had it give me a lot of random non-stability related issues with the GTX 960, 970 and this 980.
Just a few moments ago I actually popped out the MSI 980 and removed the factory thermal paste. The did a HORRENDOUS job and really made a mess of things. After the reapplication of some Noctua NT-H1 the cards running even cooler. 5 pass-through of Valley, Heaven and Firestrike Extreme resulted in a MAX core temp of 67c.
So, here is what I'm leading up to. The reason I made this extremely long and overly informative post...
Under load, is 1.2750 safe?
My current OC's are rock solid and at some point I may try to find this cards seemingly elusice wall. For now I'm extremely happy with my 1550Mhz / 2000Mhz OC... but the addiction is ravenous. One day, I'll want more.
Thanks for reading and my advance gratitude to any replies!
OH, I almost forgot. With my OC I'm able to run the Witcher III at 1440p with MAX settings, (other than Hairworks, I keep that off) and average around 50fps. I've seen some dips into the realm of high 30's but it beasts through it at a nice 45-55 fps.
I have the same gpu!!
Could you make a guild on how you flashed your bios, I have the same problem I want more lol . I never done a flash before on gpu but im a fast learner .
All I want is stop the thermal throttle.
Also a couple of question
1. Can you go back to the original bios with out anyone find out?
2. If the gpu frys can you tell you flash the bios?
Please and Thank you