1. How to Undervolt an RX 590 Fatboy

undervolting rx 590 fatboy

Unlocking your graphics card’s true potential can be achieved through a process known as undervolting. The Radeon RX 590 Fatboy, a beast in the gaming arena, is no exception to this performance-enhancing technique. Undervolting involves reducing the voltage supplied to the GPU, while maintaining its stability and performance. By doing so, you can not only decrease power consumption but also minimize heat generation, leading to a quieter and more efficient gaming experience.

Undervolting the RX 590 Fatboy requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of its capabilities. Various software tools, such as MSI Afterburner or AMD Radeon WattMan, provide precise control over voltage settings. It’s crucial to incrementally adjust the voltage while stress-testing your system to ensure stability. Additionally, monitoring temperatures and performance metrics is essential to find the optimal undervolting point where performance remains uncompromised while power consumption and heat generation are reduced.

The benefits of undervolting the RX 590 Fatboy are undeniable. By reducing power consumption, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your graphics card and power supply. Moreover, the decreased heat output allows for quieter operation, eliminating the distracting whirring of fans. Furthermore, undervolting can improve overall system stability, reducing crashes and artifacts that may occur under high workloads. Whether you’re a seasoned overclocker or a novice seeking a performance boost, undervolting your RX 590 Fatboy is a rewarding endeavor that will enhance your gaming experience.

Understanding Undervolting

Undervolting is a technique used to reduce the voltage supplied to a computer component, such as the GPU, with the aim of reducing power consumption and heat generation while maintaining or even improving performance. By lowering the voltage, the component can operate at a lower power, resulting in reduced temperatures and potentially increased stability. It’s important to approach undervolting cautiously, as excessive undervolting can lead to system instability or damage to the component.

There are several benefits to undervolting, including:

Reduced power consumption: Lowering the voltage reduces the power drawn by the component, resulting in lower overall system power consumption.
Lower temperatures: Reduced power consumption leads to lower heat generation, which can improve the lifespan of the component and reduce the need for aggressive cooling solutions.
Improved stability: Undervolting can improve the stability of a system by reducing the risk of overheating and other voltage-related issues.
Potentially increased performance: In some cases, undervolting can actually lead to increased performance by reducing thermal throttling and allowing the component to operate at higher clock speeds.

It’s important to note that undervolting is not without its risks. Excessive undervolting can cause system instability, component damage, and reduced performance. It’s crucial to approach undervolting cautiously and start with small voltage reductions, gradually increasing them until the desired balance between stability, performance, and temperature is achieved.

Benefits of Undervolting

Undervolting is the process of reducing the voltage supplied to a graphics card. This can lead to a number of benefits, including:

**Reduced power consumption**: Undervolting can reduce the power consumption of your graphics card, which can lead to lower electricity bills and longer battery life for laptops.
**Lower temperatures**: Undervolting can also lead to lower temperatures on your graphics card, which can improve its performance and lifespan.

**Increased stability**: Undervolting can help to improve the stability of your graphics card, especially if you are overclocking it.

Identifying Your RX 590 Fatboy BIOS

Before you can begin undervolting your RX 590 Fatboy, you need to identify the BIOS that it is currently using. To do this, you can use GPU-Z, a free software tool that provides detailed information about your graphics card. Once you have downloaded and installed GPU-Z, launch the program and click on the “BIOS” tab. The BIOS version will be displayed in the “Version” field.

Extracting the BIOS from Your RX 590 Fatboy

Once you have identified the BIOS version of your RX 590 Fatboy, you can extract it using an external BIOS programmer. This is a small hardware device that connects to your graphics card via a USB port. Once you have connected the BIOS programmer to your graphics card, you can use the software that came with the programmer to extract the BIOS.

There are a number of different BIOS programmers available on the market. Some of the most popular models include the CH341A BIOS programmer and the RT809F BIOS programmer. Both of these programmers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Once you have extracted the BIOS from your RX 590 Fatboy, you can save it to a file on your computer.

Modifying the BIOS of Your RX 590 Fatboy

Once you have extracted the BIOS from your RX 590 Fatboy, you can use a software tool to modify it. There are a number of different BIOS editing tools available on the market. Some of the most popular models include Polaris BIOS Editor and Red BIOS Editor. Both of these tools are free to download and use. Once you have downloaded and installed a BIOS editing tool, you can open the BIOS file that you extracted from your RX 590 Fatboy.

The BIOS editing tool will allow you to modify a number of different settings, including the voltage and frequency of the graphics card. To undervolt your RX 590 Fatboy, you will need to reduce the voltage setting. You should start by reducing the voltage by 50mV and then test the stability of your graphics card. If the graphics card is stable, you can continue to reduce the voltage until you reach the lowest stable voltage.

Once you have found the lowest stable voltage for your RX 590 Fatboy, you can save the modified BIOS to a file. You can then use the BIOS programmer to flash the modified BIOS to your graphics card.

Using GPU Tweak II

GPU Tweak II is another popular graphics card tuning software that allows you to undervolt your RX 590 Fatboy. Here are the steps on how to do it:

1. Download and install GPU Tweak II from the ASUS website.
2. Launch GPU Tweak II and click on the “Gaming” tab.
3. Click on the “Advanced” button and then select the “Voltage” tab.
4. In the “Voltage” tab, you will see the following options:

Core Voltage: This is the voltage that is applied to the GPU core.
Memory Voltage: This is the voltage that is applied to the GPU memory.
Power Limit: This is the maximum amount of power that the GPU can draw.

5. To undervolt your RX 590 Fatboy, you need to decrease the core voltage and the memory voltage. Start by decreasing the core voltage by 50mV and the memory voltage by 25mV.
6. Click on the “Apply” button and then run a stress test to make sure that your GPU is stable.
7. If your GPU is stable, you can continue to decrease the core voltage and the memory voltage until you reach the lowest voltage at which your GPU is stable.
8. Once you have found the lowest voltage at which your GPU is stable, you can save your settings and enjoy the benefits of undervolting.

Finding a Stable Voltage

Now that you have your software and drivers set up, it’s time to start undervolting. The first step is to find a stable voltage for your card. This is the voltage that will provide the best performance without causing any instability. To find a stable voltage, you need to gradually reduce the voltage in small increments and test the stability of your card.

To test the stability of your card, you can run a stress test. A stress test is a program that puts a heavy load on your graphics card, forcing it to work at its maximum capacity. If your card is unstable, it will likely crash or freeze during a stress test. Once you’ve found a stable voltage, you can then start to fine-tune the settings to improve performance.

Here are some tips for finding a stable voltage:

Decrease the voltage gradually in small increments.
Test the stability of your card after each voltage reduction.
Run a stress test to ensure that your card is stable.
If your card crashes or freezes during a stress test, increase the voltage slightly.
Once you’ve found a stable voltage, you can start to fine-tune the settings to improve performance.

Here is a table of recommended starting voltages for the RX 590 Fatboy:

GPU Core Voltage	VRAM Voltage
1.050V	0.950V

Using Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO)

Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) is a feature in AMD’s Ryzen processors that allows users to fine-tune the CPU’s voltage and frequency settings. Enabling PBO can help improve the performance of your RX 590 Fatboy by allowing the GPU to run at higher clock speeds. To enable PBO, open the AMD Ryzen Master Utility and select the “Performance” tab. Then, click on the “PBO” button and select the “Enabled” option. You can also adjust the PBO settings to further optimize performance.

Increasing Power Limit

The power limit is the maximum amount of power that the GPU can draw from the power supply. Increasing the power limit can allow the GPU to run at higher clock speeds and provide better performance. However, it’s important to note that increasing the power limit can also increase the GPU’s temperature and power consumption. To increase the power limit, open the AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition and select the “Performance” tab. Then, click on the “Power” tab and adjust the “Power Limit” slider to the desired level.

Adjusting Fan Curve

The fan curve controls the speed of the GPU’s fans. A more aggressive fan curve will result in higher fan speeds, which can help improve cooling but also increase noise levels. To adjust the fan curve, open the AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition and select the “Settings” tab. Then, click on the “Fan Control” tab and adjust the fan curve to your liking. You can also choose to set a custom fan curve by clicking on the “Custom” button.

Monitoring Your Undervolted GPU

Once you have applied your undervolt, it is crucial to monitor your GPU’s behavior to ensure stability and performance. Here are some key metrics to track and what to look for:

Temperature

Undervolting can reduce the temperature of your GPU by decreasing its power consumption. Ensure you check that your GPU is running cooler than before you undervolted it.

Clock Speed

Undervolting can sometimes lead to a slight decrease in clock speed. Keep an eye out for any significant drops in clock speed, as they could affect performance.

Power Consumption

The primary goal of undervolting is to reduce power consumption. Use a tool like GPU-Z or MSI Afterburner to track your GPU’s power usage and ensure it has decreased as intended.

Stability

Stress test your GPU using benchmark software like 3DMark or FurMark to check for stability. Watch for artifacts or crashes, indicating instability, and adjust the undervolt settings accordingly.

Performance

In most cases, undervolting should not significantly impact performance. However, in some situations, it may lead to a slight decrease in frame rates. Monitor your in-game performance to determine whether the undervolt has affected it.

Fan Speed

Due to reduced temperatures, the fan speed of your GPU will likely decrease after undervolting. Monitor this and adjust the fan curve if necessary to maintain optimal cooling.

Voltage Curve

Use an advanced monitoring tool like GPU-Z to view the voltage-frequency curve of your GPU. The undervolting process should flatten the voltage curve, indicating a decrease in the voltage applied at a given frequency. Monitor this curve to ensure it stays within the stable range.

Metric What to Look For

Temperature Lower than before undervolting

Clock Speed Slight decrease is acceptable

Power Consumption Decreased

Stability No artifacts or crashes

Performance Slight decrease in frame rates is possible

Fan Speed Lower

Voltage Curve Flattened

Metric	What to Look For
Temperature	Lower than before undervolting
Clock Speed	Slight decrease is acceptable
Power Consumption	Decreased
Stability	No artifacts or crashes
Performance	Slight decrease in frame rates is possible
Fan Speed	Lower
Voltage Curve	Flattened

Troubleshooting Undervolting Issues

If you encounter any problems while undervolting your RX 590 Fatboy, follow these steps:

1. Increase Voltage Incrementally

If your system becomes unstable, gradually increase the voltage by 6.25mV increments until stability is restored.

2. Use a Stable BIOS

Check if a stable BIOS update is available for your motherboard. An outdated or corrupted BIOS can cause stability issues.

3. Test Different Drivers

Try different versions of AMD drivers to identify if a particular version is causing problems.

4. Reset BIOS Settings

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, reset your BIOS settings to default values.

5. Check Power Supply

Ensure your power supply is providing sufficient and stable power to your system.

6. Lower Memory Overclock

If you have overclocked your memory, try reducing the overclocking settings to improve stability.

7. Check Temperature

Monitor your GPU’s temperature to ensure it remains within safe operating limits.

8. Advanced Troubleshooting

a. Monitor Memory Clock

Use software like MSI Afterburner to monitor your memory clock. If it fluctuates significantly, adjust the memory voltage settings.

b. Disable Advanced Features

Temporarily disable any advanced GPU features, such as Anti-Lag or Enhanced Sync, to identify potential conflicts.

c. Use Safe Mode

Boot your system into Safe Mode and perform the undervolting process to isolate any non-essential software.

d. Contact Support

If all troubleshooting steps fail, contact AMD or your system manufacturer for further assistance.

Reverting to Default Settings

If you ever need to revert to the default settings of your RX 590 Fatboy, follow these steps:

1. Download AMD Adrenalin Software

Visit AMD’s website and download the latest version of Adrenalin Software.

2. Launch AMD Adrenalin Software

Once downloaded, install and launch Adrenalin Software.

3. Navigate to Performance Settings

In the Adrenalin Software window, click on the “Performance” tab.

4. Select Graphics

From the left-hand menu, select “Graphics”.

5. Click on the Tuning Control Icon

Locate the “Tuning Control” icon at the top of the “Graphics” page.

6. Click on the Reset Button

Within the “Tuning Control” window, click on the “Reset” button.

7. Confirm Reset

A confirmation dialog will appear. Click on “Yes” to confirm the reset.

8. Reboot Your System

After the reset is complete, reboot your system for the changes to take effect.

9. Verifying Default Settings

To verify that the default settings have been applied, follow these steps:

Launch AMD Adrenalin Software
Navigate to Performance Settings
Select Graphics
Check the “Tuning Control” section. The default settings should be as follows:

Setting	Default Value
GPU Frequency	1545 MHz
Memory Frequency	2000 MHz
Power Limit	100%

1. Using AMD Radeon Software

Open AMD Radeon Software and navigate to the "Performance" tab.
Click on the "Tuning" button and select "Manual" mode.
Under "Voltage Control," drag the slider to the left to decrease the voltage.
Start with a small voltage decrease (e.g., 5mV) and test the stability of your system.
If the system is stable, you can continue decreasing the voltage in small increments until you reach the desired undervolt.

2. Using MSI Afterburner

Download and install MSI Afterburner.
Open MSI Afterburner and click on the "Settings" icon.
Navigate to the "Monitoring" tab and enable "Voltage Control" under "Hardware Monitoring."
Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.
To undervolt, drag the "Voltage" slider to the left.
Start with a small voltage decrease and test the stability of your system before proceeding with further reductions.

3. Using Custom Voltage/Frequency Curves

This method requires advanced knowledge and is not recommended for beginners.
Download a program like WattMan or Polaris BIOS Editor.
Create a custom voltage/frequency curve by adjusting the voltage and frequency settings for each power state.
Test the stability of your system with the new curve and make adjustments as necessary.

4. Monitoring System Stability

Use a tool like HWInfo64 to monitor the temperature, voltage, and clock speeds of your GPU.
Run stress tests (e.g., FurMark, Heaven Benchmark) to identify any stability issues.
If your system crashes or artifacts appear on the screen, increase the voltage slightly.

5. Troubleshooting Voltage Stability Issues

If you experience system crashes or blue screens after undervolting, increase the voltage slightly.
Check the temperature of your GPU. High temperatures can contribute to voltage instability.
Ensure that your power supply is providing enough wattage for your system.
Update your GPU drivers to the latest version.

6. Benefits of Undervolting

Reduced power consumption and heat output.
Potential for improved overclocking stability.
Increased GPU lifespan.

7. Risks of Undervolting

Can lead to system instability if not done properly.
May limit the performance of your GPU.
Voiding of your GPU’s warranty.

8. Selecting the Right Undervolt Value

The optimal undervolt value will vary depending on your specific GPU and cooling setup.
Start with a small voltage decrease and gradually increase the undervolt until you find a stable balance between performance and temperature.
Use stress tests to verify the stability of your undervolt.

9. Maintaining Undervolt Stability

Monitor your GPU’s temperature and voltage regularly.
Update your GPU drivers regularly to ensure compatibility with undervolting.
Avoid overclocking your GPU to prevent voltage instability.
If you experience any system instability, increase the voltage slightly.

10. Recommended Undervolt Settings for RX 590 Fatboy

Voltage (mV)	Core Clock (MHz)	Memory Clock (MHz)
1125	1450	2150
1100	1475	2175
1075	1500	2200

Note: These settings are provided as a reference point only. The optimal undervolt values may vary depending on your specific GPU and cooling setup.

How To Undervolt An Rx 590 Fatboy

Undervolting can be a great way to improve the performance of the RX 590 Fatboy. It can help to reduce temperatures, improve overclocking potential, and reduce power consumption. Here are the steps on how to undervolt the RX 590 Fatboy:

Download and install the latest version of MSI Afterburner.
Open MSI Afterburner and click on the “Settings” icon.
In the “Settings” window, click on the “Monitoring” tab.
In the “Monitoring” tab, scroll down and find the “Voltage” setting.
Click on the “Edit” button next to the “Voltage” setting.
In the “Edit Voltage” window, enter a new voltage value. You can start by reducing the voltage by 50mV and then testing the stability of the system.
Click on the “OK” button to save the changes.
Test the stability of the system by running a stress test.
If the system is stable, you can continue to reduce the voltage until you reach the desired performance level.