Question about Optimal power and fps drops on Gtx 1080.

[sde444]

Hello. Fast question. What are differences between Optimal and Adaptive power in nvidia panel? I have Optimal. But sometimes in games i have fps drops which resulting in clock drop for one second. After second clock back again to normal.




So what are differences between Optimal and Adaptive power in nvidia panel?




My card is Asus Strix 1080 . Normal temps


Its screen from drop, i added black arrows: GPUZ shows util during drop.



That core clock drops are related to optimal power setting? If i choose adapative there will be not core clock drops?

My pc:
6700K stock , good temps
16gb DDR4
Corsair 750 RM
Asus Strix 1080
Windows 10 Anniversary. Tried on 3 driver versions, the same.

[Chino]

Here's a detail explanation on this setting from TweakGuides.com

Power Management Mode: This setting makes use of a modern GPU's abilities to support different performance levels depending on how much power is required. Normally, the graphics card will monitor GPU load, and when under minimal load, will lower its clock speeds (downclock) to what is known as 2D or Idle clock speeds - the lowest possible speed - in order to save power and reduce temperatures. This occurs when using the Windows Desktop for example. This setting does not alter that behavior, instead it controls what happens when the GPU is operating at what is known as 3D clock speeds, which are activated when running games and other 3D applications.

The available options are Adaptive and Prefer Maximum Performance. If Adaptive is chosen, the graphics card automatically steps down in clock speed in games and 3D applications if they aren't generating a high GPU load. If Prefer Maximum Performance is chosen, when running any game or 3D application, the GPU will maintain its maximum clock speed regardless of load. The Adaptive setting shouldn't cause any problems in modern games, as the GPU will always run at full speed when required without interruption. However, in old games which generate much lower GPU loads, the graphics card may constantly downclock when set to Adaptive, and this may cause issues such as fluctuating performance and stuttering. Alternatively, using the Prefer Maximum Performance option should also be fine, as most games require maximum clock speeds for optimal performance, but you may run into situations where the GPU does not properly downclock back to 2D clock speeds once the game is exited.

Update:

Optimal Power As of the 368.22 GeForce drivers, a new Optimal Power mode is available and set as the default. As yet I can't find an official Nvidia source to reference what this option does, but it was apparently alluded to at some point in the GTX 1080 launch conference. Basically, when Optimal Power is selected, while the PC is idle and nothing is changing on the screen, the GPU will not render any new frames; the driver will simply re-use the last rendered frame in the framebuffer. This should further reduce power consumption without any negative performance impacts. Once I have a confirmed source, I will update this description.

I recommend that Power Management Mode be set to the default of Optimal Power under Global Settings. For any games for which you believe your GPU is constantly downclocking, you can change this setting to Prefer Maximum Performance under the Program Settings tab to ensure the highest possible clock rates at all times. Remember that this setting only relates to games and other 3D applications, not to 2D applications or the Windows Desktop. Note also that if you run a multi-monitor and/or high refresh rate display your idle clocks may be slightly higher regardless of this setting, which is normal.

[sde444]

It happens when i am idling in game. Just standing by character in the same place in game without touching keyboard or mouse. It happen when i am standing only.







After 20 minutes non activity in game, there is a fps drop and core clock drop for a fraction of second. IS this related to optimal ?