Zotac 1080ti cant run stable at default gddr5 memory speed

[Ryanayr]

I have a Zotac 1080ti amp extreme that i bought second hand, and it cant run games to be stable(not hang or crashes) in 3-10minutes without underclocking the memory using MSI Afterburner -502 on memory clock speed. could you recommend what i have to do to make it run even at a default memory clock speeds. My friend tested his zotac 1080ti amp extreme! core edition on my rig with no problems we have set MSI Afterburner to all defaults

I cannot rma the zotac card i think cause i have flashed its bios from this site trying to test if it will solve the issue but it did not, and have opened the card to replace and add some heatpads as some have suggested to no avail.

things I have done
Raplaced all the thermal heatpads on memory
added thermal heatpads to the backplate
Replaced the thermal grease on the gpu ic

My system
Cpu - i7-6700k
Motherboard - Gigabyte Z270X Gaming K5
Memory - hyper x 2400
Harddisk - ssd m.2 240GB
PSU - 1000w Seasonic Platinum

I have not overclocked anything all are running at stock speeds

Thank you hope to hear some good suggestions i could try on my card as it has puzzled me why underclocking my memory speed would make my games run smooth. on a side note I can run all gpu benchmarks with no problems using default memory speed, only when gaming that i get crashes if i dont lower my memory speed to 10,000mhz

here is my GPU-Z screen shot with stable memory speed.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

RMA, that's a well documented issue with that particular card.

 

[Ryanayr]

could i still do RMA even if i had flashed the bios with bios that i downloaded from this site as you can see with the Screen shot Driver Date: Jan 11, 2019? and could you give me a link to the documented issue with this card.

 

[eidairaman1]

could i still do RMA even if i had flashed the bios with bios that i downloaded from this site as you can see with the Screen shot Driver Date: Jan 11, 2019? and could you give me a link to the documented issue with this card.

Why did you flash the bios!?

 

[Ryanayr]

In our place having the Card RMA is very difficult I have my ZOTAC 1070 Amp! Extreme warrantied through my dealer and it has been a year and my card is not still replaced. So I gambled on fixing the card hoping it could be saved without going for warranty.

If i cant warranty the Card, could i get a bios that will lock the memory speed to 10000mhz so I could use the card without manually adjusting its memory speed to -500???

 

[FreedomEclipse]

could i still do RMA even if i had flashed the bios with bios that i downloaded from this site as you can see with the Screen shot Driver Date: Jan 11, 2019? and could you give me a link to the documented issue with this card.

Probably not. But since you bought the card secondhand anyway, that might be even more reason for them not to help you since warranty usually doesnt carry over unless stated in their policy... XFX usually has some online form you can fill out to transfer remaining warranty over to the next person if you sold your card.

Would of been a better idea to contact Zotac first before doing anything with the card and they probably would of told you to return it to the seller if possible. If you bought it on ebay you could of claimed the card was 'faulty' or not what was advertised if the seller didnt mention that it had any issues in the auction.

Contact Zotac. Be honest and upfront about what happened. they may help you or you can offer payment to have it fixed -- though im not sure if they'd still be willing to accept the card back. Either way, it wont kill you to ask.

I remember seeing a fair few of these 1080Ti issues with other manufacturers too. I read on TPU or another tech forum that a guy was without his 1080Ti for 3 months as the manufacturer kept on sending him back the exact same faulty card over and over again without much sign of doing anything with it. I cannot remember who the AIB was

 

[EarthDog]

Why not flash the default firmware on it and........

1. See if it works.
2. If not, RMA it.

 

[Ryanayr]

Thanks for the reply, yes i have saved the original bios so i could write it back, but it hangs more often cause in msi afterburner i could only underclock my memory to -502mhz the original bios i would have to use zotac software to underclock it to -800mhz cause the memory is overclocked at 11000mhz and boost to 11600mhz or something.

i flashed it to same model 1080ti amp! extreme but with lower memory clock speed so i could use msi afterburner and underclock its to -502mhz (maximum underclock for msi afterburner)

It is very difficult to show the problem of my card since all benchmark testing would succeed, even tried running heaven benchmark for 1 hour straight with no problems. It only occurs when i play a game and after a few minutes it starts to freeze frame to the point that it only runs 1fps.

I havent bought it from ebay so no return policy to help me out.

 

[eidairaman1]

Thanks for the reply, yes i have saved the original bios so i could write it back, but it hangs more often cause in msi afterburner i could only underclock my memory to -502mhz the original bios i would have to use zotac software to underclock it to -800mhz cause the memory is overclocked at 11000mhz and boost to 11600mhz or something.

i flashed it to same model 1080ti amp! extreme but with lower memory clock speed so i could use msi afterburner and underclock its to -502mhz (maximum underclock for msi afterburner)

It is very difficult to show the problem of my card since all benchmark testing would succeed, even tried running heaven benchmark for 1 hour straight with no problems. It only occurs when i play a game and after a few minutes it starts to freeze frame to the point that it only runs 1fps.

I havent bought it from ebay so no return policy to help me out.

EBay does have a return policy, you got had is what happened.

So explain again while you are having to underclock the memory is it because it won't run at stock? And by the way memory does require a certain amount of voltage to run too.

To me it sounds like either the memory controller in the GPU is bad or part of the vrm circuits or one or more of ram modules are just bad.

See what the return policy is for Zotac or what their warranty policy is, bear in mind if they tell you that you will be charged for repair it might cost less than a new video card then again it may not it just depends.

 

[itsakjt]

Just drop a mail to Zotac and tell what you did. If they are constructive, they will appreciate it (right to repair). What you did was absolutely correct and anyone with good computer knowledge would have done the same.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Just drop a mail to Zotac and tell what you did. If they are constructive, they will appreciate it (right to repair). What you did was absolutely correct and anyone with good computer knowledge would have done the same.

Stop before you make yourself look even more like a fool..... That's not how 'right to repair' works.... It doesnt even apply to PC hardware at this stage. The manufacturer does not care if you repair your own hardware or find someone to do the repairs for you so long as you're happy to kiss goodbye to whatever warranty you have remaining and cant/wont be held responsible for whatever damage is caused if the repair goes wrong.

Apple on the other hand which is why the whole 'right to repair' thing exists in the first place is they want you to go directly to them for repairs or only use a certified partner for repairs. That way if they use parts to repair their phones that didnt come from them, They think reserve the right to brick your phone to prevent you doing the same thing again.... Therefore they lock you into only using apple certified repair shops who might charge you more than an uncertified one would. There's a lot of bureaucracy involved...

 

[John Naylor]

Among all the troublesome internet postings over the years, "1.65v VRAM will void Intel Warranty" ... "You need 8 Gb for 1080p" ... the person who started this "change the BIOS on modern cards" deserves a special place down south for all the problems it has caused people.

As far as the warranty is cponcerned ... a warranmty is a regulatory obligation. If they can find a way to get out of it, it's "Yipee Time". Kinda like a politician ... used to be they just lied a lot, but now with the internet, everything is forever. You could have a photo, you could have a video tape ... they still gonna blame the source and say it didn't happen . Here, if they can determine, that the card was modiied in nay way at any time, they have the right to deny warranty coverage. As RMA's hurt the bottom line, denial rate for such actions is rather high.

There's also the so called "Lifetime Tech Support", which if you called... "back in the day", someone would actually try and help you. Now the 3-ring binder" that 1st level tech gets lists the steps.

1. Ignore the e-mail till the 3rd one arrives / If they call, tell them that you will have someone call them back.

2. When they tell you their problem, blame another component .... if they keep calling about the GFX card for example, blame the MoBo ... if they call back, rotate thru PSU, RAM, TGB controller, lack of case cooling ... be inventive if you can.

3. When you run out of things to blame, tell them how to fix a problem they don't have. If the ethernet printer doesn't work ... tell them how to set up wreless.

4. If it's in any way related to something that might warrant a RMA, put them on hold and take a lunch break.

Once and a while you will get a decent tech who is willing to invest some time trying to help you ... about one of 5 times you get one, he will actually know more about the problem that you do.

 

[Vya Domus]

DO NOT INFORM ZOTAC ABOUT WHAT YOU DID.

The card is broken, your best bet is to flash the original BIOS and try RMA it. It's very likely it will be accepted if the paper work is alright.

 

[eidairaman1]

Bios flas

Just drop a mail to Zotac and tell what you did. If they are constructive, they will appreciate it (right to repair). What you did was absolutely correct and anyone with good computer knowledge would have done the same.

Bios flashing does not fix a hard fault

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Bios flas

Bios flashing does not fix a hard fault

That is correct however I think he means that the OP should make sure he returns the card to stock with the proper BIOS so he can then start the RMA procedure with Zotac for the faulty vRAM, I think at this point it would be best to clarify the OP does have the correct bios, could well have been a mining bios on the card as he bought it used.

 

[eidairaman1]

That is correct however I think he means that the OP should make sure he returns the card to stock with the proper BIOS so he can then start the RMA procedure with Zotac for the faulty vRAM, I think at this point it would be best to clarify the OP does have the correct bios, could well have been a mining bios on the card as he bought it used.

Yes thats right

 

[Ryanayr]

Thank you for all your constructive replies,

1. Yes I bought it from a guy says he bought it also from another guy but claims it was used in gaming as so he said
-returning the item its as @John Naylor has pointed out returns are bad for everyone and always blames other parts
2. Zotac RMA - I have contacted them stating my card problems and asking if they have a solution so I could use the card for the rest of its life (waiting for reply)
3. I have opened and tried to self remedy the card hoping i could fix it cause RMA would take a long time for replacement if not forever (to mention that I had my Zotac 1070 Amp! extreme RMA'd through my local dealer and even they are having a hard time getting replacement it was december 2017 when we had it RMA'd last time i checked with my local dealer January 2018 my Zotac 1070 Amp! Extreme is still not replaced my dealer showed me the distributors email - sorry for the inconvenience we are looking for the paper works since we had a change of staff email dated january 2018) this led me to do D.I.Y. solutions cause i cant wait another year or so to have a decent card hoping it was just a heating problem
Things I did so far:
- Cleaned the internals of the card using a blower to remove all the dirt that has accumulated for better air flow
- Changed all the thermal heatpad for all memory and added thermal heatpad to other components for better heat transfer to its outer shell
- Flashed the bios with bios i had downloaded from this site it is the same bios version - and zotac bios only

I am still using this card at the moment I just noticed that when I underclock the GPU memory speed to around 10000mhz I could game with it, I dont mind losing FPS as long as I could use the card until it is so obsolete that it has no use anymore. If i just leave it at default settings with GPU memory going up to 11200mhz my games would crash/freeze/ wont load/ give an error memory problem. for the fortunate ones that had their cards RMA'd by the company good for you. But as to those who have this kind of card and have a 20% return rate, come join the discussion and maybe we could find a solution by sharing our experiences. this is a project I am willing to take if someone could point where to start and the cost would be minimal

 

[eidairaman1]

By technicality if a card company no longer has a specific card say 1070ti either they are supposed to give you the Next Generation mid-range part that's comprable to it or they are supposed to upgrade you to the next tier so say if they have 1080s but they don't have 2070s or 2060s something like that they are supposed to give you 1080

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Unless you know the guy you bought it from personally. He is most likely lying to you and by trying to pass the blame onto some other fictious person that doesn't exist.

He already has your money and he's trying to keep it that way by deception.

Ontop of that an RMA should take no longer than 1 month or 3 at the most if they are really dragging their feet. If you've been waiting since 2017 for a new 1070 then im sorry but you're an [snip] and the retailer either didn't send your card back to the manufacturer or zotac got the card but lost it and didn't bother chasing it up. Normally what happens is if they don't have the same card to give you then it would be the next alternative of equal performance which would be a 1070ti or regular 1080. If they still can't provide either of those cards then they need to offer you store credit to the street value of the faulty graphics card. You will never get back the full amount you paid for the card due to depreciation. Manufacturer issues a credit note and you're free to put money ontop of that and purchase another card. If they still refuse to give your card back or issue you credit then you can take them to small claims court as they are in breach of the sale of goods and warranty contract.

Since you have also carried on modifying the card by changing the thermal pads. There is an even greater chance that Zotac won't accept it back for RMA, and if you lie to them and they find out when they dismantle the card to repair it. They will charge you shipping to have the card returned back to you

::edit::

Eidairaman1 kinda beat me to the crunch

 

[eidairaman1]

Yeah Look at my Ninjutsu skills lol.

Well there is no reason to call anyone a derogatory name.

He was too lax to stay ontop of the RMA Process.

I had 1 RMA for an AIB and it took about a month because the card had to be shipped to China, circa 2007.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Yeah Look at my Ninjutsu skills lol.

Well there is no reason to call anyone an [snip].

He was too lax to stay ontop of the RMA Process.

I had 1 RMA for an AIB and it took about a month because the card had to be shipped to China, circa 2007.

I would not wait a year, over a year or close to two years just to have one graphics card RMA'd. That's just plain stupid not to mention who ever the manufacturer is, is in breach of the warranty contract and all that where they are supposed to ship you out a replacement within a reasonable amount of time...two years for one GPU that was super popular when it was available (1070) they are having a laugh. Is this 1070 made from some sort of super rare metals or ores from Bufu Egypt that they can't ship you out a replacement or an alternative within the accepted or acceptable time frame?

 

[eidairaman1]

I would not wait a year, over a year or close to two years just to have one graphics card RMA'd. That's just plain stupid not to mention who ever the manufacturer is, is in breach of the warranty contract and all that where they are supposed to ship you out a replacement within a reasonable amount of time...two years for one GPU that was super popular when it was available (1070) they are having a laugh. Is this 1070 made from some sort of super rare metals or ores from Bufu Egypt that they can't ship you out a replacement or an alternative within the accepted or acceptable time frame?

I wouldn't wait a year either, he wasn't assertive enough though.

Zotac, Inno3D, Manli are owned by PC Partner.

PC Partner used to Be over Sapphire but I believe that was for their Rare motherboards only.

http://www.pcpartner.com/En/index.php?m=Brands

If anything he should Contact PC Partner and Zotac via phone, email, support chat if available and Social Media too

Companies seem to respond quicker through Facebook if someone have grievances towards them.

Sometimes Corporate office personnel need to get involved especially if their employees are not doing their jobs.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Back in the days when I had to RMA my 4870 and 5850, I was calling up my retailer like I was demanding child support every two weeks for a status report. Both cards were Sapphire if I remember correctly so that shit gotta go to China and back.

 

[eidairaman1]

Back in the days when I had to RMA my 4870 and 5850, I was calling up my retailer like I was demanding child support every two weeks for a status report. Both cards were Sapphire if I remember correctly so that shit gotta go to China and back.

Mine was HIS.

But for Sapphire with me being in the USA their RMA dept is a weird name iirc.

https://www.sapphiretech.com/support.asp?lang=eng

https://support.sapphiretech.com/warranty.asp?lang=eng

 

[itsakjt]

Stop before you make yourself look even more like a fool..... That's not how 'right to repair' works.... It doesnt even apply to PC hardware at this stage. The manufacturer does not care if you repair your own hardware or find someone to do the repairs for you so long as you're happy to kiss goodbye to whatever warranty you have remaining and cant/wont be held responsible for whatever damage is caused if the repair goes wrong.

Apple on the other hand which is why the whole 'right to repair' thing exists in the first place is they want you to go directly to them for repairs or only use a certified partner for repairs. That way if they use parts to repair their phones that didnt come from them, They think reserve the right to brick your phone to prevent you doing the same thing again.... Therefore they lock you into only using apple certified repair shops who might charge you more than an uncertified one would. There's a lot of bureaucracy involved...

I recently did a RMA on my Sapphire R9 270X VaporX OC. I changed the paste and blew out all the dust and told them and they ACTUALLY appreciated it in spite of it not fixing the problem. In return, I got a Sapphire R9 270X Toxic OC which I am running at present. So your point might be valid in most cases. Maybe it was me who just got lucky. I suggested the OP as Sapphire and Zotac are both subsidiaries of PC Partner and I had a good experience with them.