RTX 3080 downclocking boosts performance and reduces heat.
RTX 3080 downclocking boosts performance and reduces heat.
Your RTX 3080 is running smoothly under normal conditions but spikes to high speeds when idle and using Chrome or YouTube. This can happen due to background processes, system updates, or background tasks. Checking for resource-heavy applications or driver updates might help.
AFAIK this is completely normal. All Gpu's I've had so far did this. If my memory serves me right, the GPU has different modes of operation. A 3d mode for games where it clocks to its normal speeds and, as mentioned above, a desktop-mode where it "chills" (pun intended) at 300-400 Mhz. What you are probably referencing in your reply are manual downclocks as opposed to automatic mode switching. Manual downclocks are helpful if you want to decrease power consumption and heat output under load (in 3d mode). That of course comes with decreased performance. If the gpu automatically clocks to 300-400 Mhz you don't loose performance because it's not needed. Otherwise the Gpu woulp automatically switch to 3d mode. Also I think GPUs can enter the low performance mode when there's an error, e.g. a failed OC. But that's not the case in your situation. I might misremember on any of this, but as long as you have full clock/performance under load you really don't have anything to worry about
@Dreckssackblase 210 MHz setting during idle time is a power conservation method. The EVGA Precision X1 software includes BOOST LOCK, allowing your GPU to operate at maximum performance even when lightly utilized. Uncertain if this software functions with your specific GPU. When sitting at the desk, idle power use rises by 100W as detected from the wall. Reducing the GPU frequency offers effective power savings.
I think you are confusing "max downclock" and base speed. The base speed is the lowest maximum speed as set by nvidia. So you are guaranteed this speed when pushing the card under load. "Max downclock" doesn't exist. The card will go as low as possible to save power.
Afterburner offers this feature too—it's not just for testing. People might use it for practical reasons, though results can vary. X1 works well with most Nvidia GPUs, but issues sometimes pop up when paired with Afterburner. That’s what I noticed in my experience.