Msi afterburner gtx 780: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Overclocking Results

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[City of Industry, CA] The leading maker of graphics cards and motherboards has officially announced a new generation Graphics cards in the form of the GeForce GTX 700 series. The new series is kicked off with the high-end MSI GeForce GTX 780 graphics card that uses NVIDIA Kepler core architecture and is equipped with 2304 CUDA cores, 3GB of 384-bit GDDR5 high-speed memory, and GPU Boost 2.0 for dynamic core frequency adjustment to optimize gaming performance. The exclusive MSI Afterburner overclocking utility can also tweak the core frequency and max power consumption based on system load for improved gaming performance. The MSI GeForce GTX 780 supports NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround to output up to four monitors from a single graphics card. Computer enthusiasts will be able to multitask better and enjoy gaming like no one has ever experienced before!

 

MSI GeForce GTX 780

 

Unleash Ultimate Performance with GPU Boost 2.0

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 graphics card is built on the latest 28 nm process with 2304 CUDA cores. It features 3GB of high-speed 384-bit GDDR5 memory, PCI Express 3.0 and DirectX 11 support, as well as NVIDIA 3-way SLI support to satisfy the ultimate performance demands of gaming enthusiasts!

Support for MSI’s Exclusive Afterburner Overclocking Utility

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 graphics card supports the latest NVIDIA GPU Boost 2. 0 technology to dynamically adjust the core frequency for optimized gaming performance. Coupled with the exclusive MSI Afterburner overclocking utility, gamers can freely tweak the power consumption and core frequency to improve performance. Predator is a gaming video capturing utility built into Afterburner. Gamers can easily share their gaming experience, monitor the graphics card from their smart phone, and even conduct a burn-in test with the free Kombustor utility. This truly gives gamers the ultimate experience!

Multi-output from a Single Card for a Full 3D Entertainment Experience

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 features two dual-link DVI ports, one DisplayPort, and one HDMI output for full support of NVIDIA 3DVision Surround. Gamers can enjoy their games in ultra widescreen 3D over three 3D-capable 120Hz monitors when using 3D glasses. The single card supports four simultaneous outputs for gaming and multitasking enthusiasts.

For more product information on the MSI GeForce GTX 780, please go to: http://us. msi.com/product/vga/N780-3GD5.html

GTX 780 Stable «Undervolt» Settings : nvidia

So as you may know, Nvidia’s 700 series (Kepler) is quite difficult to undervolt because of two reasons:

1. MSI Afterburner (and most other tools) does not support undervolting it. Yes, I’ve checked every possible option, but you simply cannot use a negative voltage offset.

2. There is no curve optimizer feature for it like in the 1000 series

Some forums have found a viable alternate way to undervolt the 700 series:

Lower the Power Target and Increase the Core Clock Speed Offset

Benefits:

This works because lowering the power target automatically undervolts and underclocks the card, and then increasing the core clock offset will compensate for the underclock, leaving you with an undervolted card running at (near) stock speeds, which should provide all the traditional benefits of an undervolt: lower temps, lower power draw, and small to negligible performance change.

Methodology:

I tested my stock EVGA SC GTX 780 (Reference Cooler) which I bought in late-2013 and have used pretty consistently since. I wanted to undervolt it because its so old and I worry about it dying on me soon. Aside from the stuff in this guide, I’ll be changing the thermal paste and pads soon too.

I used Unigine Valley benchmark at Ultra Settings at 1080p, DX11, 2x MSAA Anti-Aliasing to determine the baseline and adjusted Temperature, Voltage, and Clock Speed (TVC) under load, and I recorded my idle metrics at the Windows desktop with all programs closed.

I ran the benchmark and waited till the metrics (TVC) had stabilized and the card was running at its maximum in each respective test. On stock, this means the card hits 79 C and doesn’t boost itself anymore, and all metrics stabilize. On the «undervolt», this means the temperature stabilizes and the voltage and clock speed stop changing significantly and only fluctuate back and forth within a small range.

Here are my findings:

	Idle	Benchmark
GTX 780 — Stock	Core Clockspeed: 324 MHz, Memory Clockspeed: 324 MHz, Temperature: 34 C, Voltage: 881 mV	Power Target: 100%, Core Clock Offset: +0 MHz, Core Clockspeed: 940 MHz, Memory Clockspeed: 3004 MHz, Temperature: 79 C, Voltage: 981-994 mV
GTX 780 — «Undervolted»	Core Clockspeed: 324 MHz, Memory Clockspeed: 324 MHz, Temperature: 34 C, Voltage: 881 mV	Power Target: 62%, Core Clock Offset: +116 MHz, Core Clockspeed: 901~940 MHz, Memory Clockspeed: 3004 MHz, Temperature: 75 C, Voltage: 900-913 mV

Concusion:

This was pretty close to being a win-win, I was able to achieve near-stock and occasionally Stock performance while drawing at least 68 mV less than Stock and at most 94 mV less than Stock. Clockspeed was marginally slower, but often hitting the Stock 940 MHz frequency (~25% of the test time). Temperature was rock solid and went from 79 C to 75 C. Temps didn’t waver at all for the entirety of both tests once the tests had stabilized.

TL;DR

Voltage: Consistently drew 68-94 mV LESS than Stock
Clockspeed: Worst Case: 96% of Stock perf, Average case: 98-100% of Stock perf
Temperature: 4 degree Celsius reduction (79 C -> 75 C)

Additional Info:

My Afterburner Config:

https://preview.redd.it/7n8ppadaouj71.png?width=802&format=png&auto=webp&s=7956cb4d34707161bd3ec57e3cd75d8a8eb171d9

My fan curve (same across both pre- and post- «undervolt» tests/benchmarks):

https://preview.redd.it/w3b9lymixuj71.png?width=476&format=png&auto=webp&s=768eb8888131a61a8e586780b9ca24d29d8a8cf2

Review and testing of video card MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING GECID.com. Page 1

::>Video cards
>2013
> MSI GTX 780Ti GAMING 3G

12/24/2013

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The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti is the fastest single-chip graphics card available today. Therefore, it is not surprising that many manufacturers wanted to quickly include it in their lineup. Moreover, NVIDIA has «given the go-ahead» for the use of alternative cooling systems on the video card. In turn, this allowed manufacturers to experiment with the graphics core and memory settings, since the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti model has excellent overclocking potential, as we ourselves could see in practice.

Naturally, such a well-known company as MSI did not stand aside and released its own version of the fastest single-chip video card. The new product is called MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING , and we will get acquainted with it in this review.

Specification:

Model	MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING (MSI GTX 780Ti GAMING 3G)
Graphics core	NVIDIA GK110 (GK110-425-B1)
Number of universal shader processors	2880
Supported APIs and Technologies	DirectX 11. 2 (Shader Model 5.0), OpenGL 4.4, NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0, NVIDIA TXAA, NVIDIA FXAA, NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync, NVIDIA Surround, NVIDIA PhysX, NVIDIA 3D Vision, 3-way NVIDIA SLI, NVIDIA CUDA
Core clock (nominal / in GPU Boost mode), MHz	1020 / 1085 (OC mode) 980 / 1046 (Gaming mode) 876 / 928 (silent mode)
Memory frequency (effective), MHz	1750 (7000)
Memory size, GB	3
Memory bus, bit	384
Memory type	GDDR5
Tire type	PCI Express 3.0
Maximum resolution	Digital — 4096 x 2160 Analog — 2048 x 1536
Outputs	1 x DVI-I 1 x DVI-D 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort
Support for HDCP and HD video decoding	Yes
Dimensions from the official website (measurement results in our test laboratory), mm	266 x 129 (282 x 130)
Weight, g	782
Recommended power supply, W	600
Drivers	Latest drivers can be downloaded from MSI website or GPU manufacturer website
Manufacturer website	MSI

Packaging and delivery

The video card comes in a large colorful package with a dragon logo on the front, so you can accurately identify which series the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING (MSI GTX 780Ti) belongs to GAMING 3G). Of course, this is the MSI GAMING line of accessories, which is primarily aimed at gamers. In the lower corner, you can find the inscription «OC Edition», which means that this graphics adapter already has factory overclocking.

The reverse side of the box is much more informative. Here, the main advantages of the video card are described in detail, namely:

• GAMING APP is a utility with which you can quickly switch between three different modes of operation of the video card;
• ADVANCED THRMAL DESIGN — MSI TWIN FROZR IV Advanced cooling system is installed, which is characterized by high efficiency and low noise level;
• M ILITARY C LASS 4 — all elements used in the production of the video card are certified according to the military standard MIL-STD-810G and are of high quality and high level of reliability;
• PREDATOR — the presence of a special utility with which you can record any gameplay in full screen mode.

Inside the package is a black hard cardboard box that protects the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING from possible damage. There are no questions about the reliability of fixing the video card in it.

In the box with the tested solution, we also found:

• user manual;
• disc with driver and utilities;
• DVI to D-Sub adapter;
• power adapter from two PATA («Molex») connectors to a 6-pin PCIE connector;
• 6-pin PCIE to 8-pin PCIE power adapter.

This package can be called optimal for a video card of this class. We note the presence of adapters with PCIE connectors, which will make it easy to connect a graphics adapter, even if the power supply is not equipped with the necessary connectors. Those wishing to use a bunch of several similar new products should pay attention to the fact that the NVIDIA SLI adapter is not included in the package.

Appearance

Externally, the MSI GTX 780Ti GAMING 3G is very similar to the previously reviewed MSI GeForce GTX 780 TWIN FROZR GAMING from the same series. Almost the entire upper part of the video card is covered with a casing painted in characteristic red and black colors. Owners of system cases with a side window will undoubtedly be pleased with such an aggressive design.

As for the dimensions, in comparison with the reference version, the changes affected only the height of the novelty: from 113 mm it increased to 129mm. Note that such improvements will not affect the convenience of installing a video card in modern cases. The length of the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING remained unchanged at 266mm (282mm measured in our test lab).

The cooling system is designed to cover only two expansion card slots in the computer.

MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING has the following set of interfaces to display images:

• 1 x DVI-I;
• 1 x DVI-D;
• 1 x HDMI;
• 1 x DisplayPort.

This set can be considered optimal because it covers a very wide range of video interfaces and allows you to connect different types of monitors.

The following resolutions are supported:

• digital — up to 4096 x 2160;
• analog — up to 2048 x 1536.

PCB and components

In MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING, the manufacturer used the PCB reference design. The location and design of all major components remained unchanged.

The power subsystem of the key components of the video card is made according to the scheme standard for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti solutions: 6 + 2 + 1 phase for the graphics processor, memory chips and PLL, respectively. The NCP4206 chip manufactured by ON Semiconductor is used as a PWM controller. It can control six phases and, according to the specification, allows you to change the voltage in the range from 0.375 to 1.6 V.

Visually, there is no difference between the components used on the «reference» video card and those installed here, the main thing is that the quality of the element base in the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING model remains at its best: solid-state and tantalum capacitors are installed in all circuits, and also chokes with ferrite cores.

In addition to the PCI Express x16 slot, the new items are powered through two additional connectors: 6-pin and 8-pin, which are located on the end of the graphics adapter. Note that disconnecting the PCIE connectors is quite convenient: the casing or radiator of the cooling system does not interfere with this process in any way.

Naturally, a device of this level supports the NVIDIA SLI mode. Thanks to the presence of two connectors, you can create a very powerful gaming configuration that combines two to four video accelerators.

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING is based on the NVIDIA GK110-425-B1 graphics chip, manufactured using a 28nm process technology, which consists of 2880 universal shader pipelines (or CUDA cores in NVIDIA terminology) and includes 48 rasterization units and 240 texturing units.

The graphics core frequency is 1020 MHz in nominal mode and 1085 MHz in turbo mode, which corresponds to the OC mode in MSI Gaming App. In the «reference» model, these values ​​are 876 MHz and 928 MHz, respectively. As you can see, MSI employees did a pretty good job of optimizing the settings and achieved an increase in the nominal frequency of the graphics core at the level of 16.4%.

The MSI GeForce GTX 780 Ti TWIN FROZR GAMING video card has a total of 3 GB of memory built with 12 SK Hynix H5GQ2h34AFR R2C chips. Their effective frequency is 7000 MHz. Data exchange is carried out via a 384-bit bus, while the throughput reaches 336 GB / s.

Cooling System

The MSI TWIN FROZR IV Advanced Cooling System consists of a main cooler with a casing attached to it, as well as a metal plate that covers the power part of the power subsystem and the memory plate. In addition, it increases the rigidity of the video card and prevents sagging of its back. Still, let’s not forget that the weight of the novelty is almost 800 g.

The design of the main cooler is identical to the one we already saw in the MSI GeForce GTX 780 TWIN FROZR GAMING. The radiator impresses with its dimensions. It includes 5 heat pipes (the 2 outer ones have a diameter of 8 mm, and the rest — 6 mm), which penetrate 53 aluminum plates.

To increase the efficiency of heat pipes, the manufacturer used a copper heat-distributing base plate.

Thanks to Airflow Control technology and special deflectors installed in the radiator slot, the airflow generated by the fans is directed directly to the heat pipes, which increases the speed of heat dissipation. The radiator fins are attached to the heat pipes by soldering, which should also have a positive effect on the efficiency of the cooler. Note that all radiator components are coated with nickel alloy, which will not allow corrosive processes to reduce their performance.

The active part of the cooling system includes 2 Power Logic PLD10010S12HH fans with a diameter of 94 mm, which belong to the high-speed series. This is evidenced by the power value (4.8 W) and the marking itself. This fact allows us to hope for good temperature performance during the operation of the video card. Recall that the standard «turbine» on the reference version of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti did not cope well with the cooling of the graphics core.

The fan impeller has a shape characteristic of the MSI TWIN FROZR IV Advanced cooling system. Changing the angle of attack at the tip of the blade allows for more airflow than conventional designs (20% according to MSI).

Now let’s see how such a cooling system works in practice. To monitor the performance of the video card, the MSI Afterburner utility was used.

In automatic mode, under continuous maximum load, the temperature of the graphics core did not exceed 76°C, which is a good result for a product of this level. The fans ran at 51% of their power (about 1440 rpm according to the built-in tachometer), while there was a slight background noise, but in general it can be described as «low» subjectively.

In the maximum fan speed mode (approximately 2900 rpm according to the built-in tachometer), the GPU temperature dropped to 65°C. The generated noise stood out against the general background, but was more acceptable than that of competitive analogues tested in the same mode of operation of the cooling system.

At the same time, it should be noted that this fan speed was set intentionally, and in real operating conditions it is unlikely.

When there is no load, the graphics core and memory frequencies are automatically lowered, resulting in lower power consumption and heat generation. The fans in this mode rotate at a speed of 34% of the maximum (about 1060 rpm according to the built-in tachometer). At the same time, almost no noise is emitted, and the GPU temperature does not exceed 34 ° C.

Testing

MSI GeForce GTX 780 Lightning video card review GreenTech_Reviews

MSI GeForce GTX 780 Lightning video card review and testing.

Lightning is a line of exclusive but mass-produced graphics cards from MSI. Video cards of this line feature a completely redesigned printed circuit board and are designed not only for overclocking in air and water, but also under nitrogen. What does the GTX 780 Lightning consist of — we will find out from the review!
Contrary to the usual package sizes, the MSI GeForce GTX 780 Lightning comes in a voluminous box, which is decorated with company logos. Why is the box bigger? Everything will be described below 🙂
And on the back of the box, it tells about the cooling system (which is very different from those on previous cards) and Military Class 4 elements used in the power subsystem.

Inside a thin cardboard «wrapper» there is, one might say, a chest in which a video card and a kit are waiting for us.

The upper part is folded down and a separate box with the set is pulled out from the bottom.

Everything except the video card is in it.

Moreover, everything is not just dangling inside, but fixed.

In total, you can find in the kit:
It includes:
— user manual
— quality certificate
— disk with drivers and software
— DVI -> VGA adapter
— two power adapters 6-pin -> 8-pin
— bridge SLI
— connectors for convenient connection of a voltmeter
— additional plate for power cooling when installing a nitrogen cup

The video card itself. The design of the cooling system is very different from those on the previous series of video cards. How much does this monster weigh? As much as 1.5 kg!

Almost the entire reverse side of the board is covered with a backplate. A distinctive feature from products from other manufacturers is the presence of the MSI GPU Reactor, which is designed to reduce the level of ripple in the GPU supply voltage. But there is another side to the coin — it can interfere with the installation of a video card on some motherboards that have massive heatsinks next to the PCI-Express slot. Or the problem may arise when using bulky cooling systems for the processor.

Image (and sound) output interfaces:
-DVI-D
-DVI-I
-HDMI
-DisplayPort

Officially you can build only 3-Way SLI system, but if the drivers are slightly modified, you can also build 4-Way SLI.

Two 8-pin power cables are required for the graphics card to work.

GPU Reactor is covered with a plastic cover.

Without cover.

And completely removed.

The entire front side of the board is covered by a heat spreading plate.

In the area of ​​the power subsystem, this plate has radiator extensions to improve heat dissipation.

Backplate and heat spreader plate.

The monster cooling system includes two massive sections of aluminum fins and seven 8mm heatpipes and can dissipate up to 550W of heat. With automatic fan speed control, the idle GPU temperature was 29-32 degrees (fans rotation speed — ~1450 rpm), and when testing in FurMark — 58-60 degrees (3000 rpm). If you manually set the maximum rotation speed (approximately 3650 rpm), then the temperatures will drop to 27-28 and 55 degrees in idle and load, respectively.

Three 4-pin connectors are used to connect the fans. Next to them are connectors for connecting voltmeters, with which you can measure the voltage on the GPU, Memory and PLL.

Video card without any elements of the cooling system.

GPU power subsystem has 16 phases, memory has 3 phases. The video card is designed so that all of them receive power only through additional (8-pin) connectors. PWM controller — CHiL 8318.

The video card has a BIOS chip switch.
Standard — GPU power limit 200W, current limit 240A, TDP limit 250W.
LN2 — GPU power limit 900W, current limit 800A, no TDP limit.

Memory chips — Elpida W2032BBBG-60-F.

Active phases are illuminated with blue LEDs.

And the Lightning label changes color depending on the GPU load.

Testing
Test bench:
Intel Core i7-4770K @ 4.5 GHz
ASUS Maximus VI Extreme
Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer BLT4G3D1869DT2TXOB (2x 4 GB, 1866 MHz, 9-9-9-27)
Corsair h200i
SSD Plextor PX-256M5Pro
Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W (White, 80+ Platinum)

Video card frequencies are:
863 MHz (902 MHz in Boost) for the GPU.
1502 MHz (6008 MHz) for memory.

In fact, the core frequency rises to 1019 MHz.

It was possible to overclock the video card without hardware modifications and without upgrading the cooling system to:
1043 MHz (1082 MHz in Boost) for the GPU.
1677 MHz (6708 MHz) for memory.

GPU frequency dynamically increased to 1189 MHz.

You may ask why so few? In fact, there may be more, but we have a GTX 780 Lightning sample in our hands, designed for MOA (MSI Master Overclocking Arena) and the BIOS was very specific (specially prepared for competitions) and normal voltage control is possible only through a special (nominal, issued under NDA) MSI Afterburner.