Question:

How to fix abnormal clock speeds and fan behavior on ASUS RTX 3080 Strix OC?

I recently purchased an ASUS RTX 3080 Strix OC graphics card, but I noticed some issues with its performance and cooling. The card always runs at 100% boost clock (1905 Mhz) and memory clock, even at idle. The zero fan mode does not work, and the inner fan is always spinning at a constant speed. I tried changing the power settings, switching the card to quiet mode, using ASUS GPU Tweak II and MSI Afterburner, but nothing helped. I also updated the drivers and Windows to the latest versions. The only thing that partially solved the problem was updating the GPU BIOS, which fixed the clock speeds and the outer fans, but the inner fan still remains at 49% (800RPM). Is there any way to fix this issue completely, or is it a hardware defect? Here are some screenshots of the card’s status: https://imgur.com/a/limXx9Q

Thank you for your assistance.

Answer:

The ASUS RTX 3080 Strix OC is one of the most powerful and sought-after graphics cards on the market, but some users have reported some problems with its performance and cooling. In this article, we will explore the possible causes and solutions for these issues, and help you get the most out of your card.

What are the issues?

Some users have noticed that their ASUS RTX 3080 Strix OC cards always run at 100% boost clock (1905 Mhz) and memory clock, even at idle. This means that the card is constantly consuming more power and generating more heat than necessary, which can affect its lifespan and efficiency.

Another issue is that the zero fan mode, which is supposed to turn off the fans when the card is not under load, does not work properly. The inner fan, which is located near the power connectors, is always spinning at a constant speed of 49% (800RPM), regardless of the temperature or load of the card. This can cause unnecessary noise and wear and tear on the fan.

What are the possible causes?

There are several possible causes for these issues, such as:

• Faulty or outdated drivers: The drivers are the software that communicate with the card and control its functions. If the drivers are not compatible or updated, they may cause the card to behave abnormally or not recognize some features.
• Incorrect or conflicting settings: The settings of the card, such as the power mode, the fan curve, and the overclocking, can be adjusted using software tools such as ASUS GPU Tweak II or MSI Afterburner. However, if the settings are not optimal or conflict with each other, they may cause the card to run at higher speeds or prevent the fans from turning off.
• Defective or outdated BIOS: The BIOS is the firmware that controls the basic functions of the card, such as the clock speeds, the voltage, and the fan behavior. If the BIOS is defective or outdated, it may cause the card to run at incorrect speeds or not support some features.

What are the possible solutions?

Depending on the cause of the issue, there are different solutions that can be tried, such as:

• Updating the drivers: The first step is to make sure that the drivers are updated to the latest version, which can be downloaded from the NVIDIA website or the ASUS website. Updating the drivers can fix some compatibility or performance issues, and enable some features that may not be available on older versions.
• Adjusting the settings: The next step is to check and adjust the settings of the card using the software tools. For example, changing the power mode to adaptive or optimal can reduce the power consumption and heat generation of the card when it is not under load. Adjusting the fan curve can also help the fans to turn off or on according to the temperature or load of the card. However, it is important to be careful when changing the settings, as some settings may affect the stability or performance of the card. It is also advisable to use only one software tool at a time, and uninstall or disable any other tools that may interfere with the settings.
• Updating the BIOS: The last step is to update the BIOS of the card, which can be done using the ASUS GPU BIOS Update tool, which can be downloaded from the ASUS website. Updating the BIOS can fix some firmware issues, and enable some features that may not be supported on older versions. However, updating the BIOS is a risky process, as it may cause the card to malfunction or become unusable if done incorrectly. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the instructions carefully, and only update the BIOS if necessary.

Conclusion

The

ASUS RTX 3080 Strix OC is a great graphics card, but it may have some issues with its clock speeds and fan behavior. These issues can be caused by faulty or outdated drivers, incorrect or conflicting settings, or defective or outdated BIOS. To fix these issues, users can try updating the drivers, adjusting the settings, or updating the BIOS, depending on the cause of the issue. However, users should be careful when changing the settings or updating the BIOS, as they may affect the card’s performance or functionality. By following these steps, users can hopefully enjoy their card without any problems.