Intel Arc A770 GPU Memory Clock Bug Fixed With Driver Update

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A new beta driver saves users from a 17% reduction in memory bandwidth

Intel XeSS Technological Deep Dive
(Image credit: Intel)

Intel published a new graphics driver update that fixes memory frequency issues on Arc A770 GPUs. With the new driver, the Arc A770 now runs at its rated 2,187 MHz GDDR6 memory frequency for a total output of 560 GBps of memory bandwidth.

The issue was discovered earlier this week by VideoCardz, who found several users on Github reporting lower-than-expected memory clocks on their A770 GPUs. The clocks were supposed to run at 2,187 MHz, but for some reason, the affected users found their GPUs operating with a flat 2,000 MHz memory frequency instead.

That might not sound like much, but the 187 MHz drop is quite substantial in reality and results in a 9% loss in clock speed and a whopping 17% drop in memory bandwidth, from 560 GBps to 512 GBps. This could lead to a noticeable reduction in gaming performance for games that heavily utilize the GPU's memory bus.

Intel resolved the issue with the beta Arc graphics driver 31.0.101.3793, which is available to download now. The patch notes confirm the memory frequency bug is fixed on Arc A700-series desktop graphics cards. Thankfully, this also ensures the issue is not GPU BIOS or firmware related, which some thought might be the case.

Remember that the driver is in beta, so be prepared to encounter other potential bugs. This driver also features five additional fixes, including an ambient occlusion bug in Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, where AO can become corrupt when using HBAO+ or no AO. Another includes PayDay 2, where texture corruption can occur when aiming down sights. 

Another in Resident Evil Village revolves around color corruption. Intel fixed Age of Empire 2 and 3 Definite Edition text corruption, and finally, a performance fix found its way into Topaz' Video Enhance AI with Arc A380 GPUs. The driver also brings game-ready support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Resident Evil Gold Edition, and Victoria 3.

Aaron Klotz
Aaron Klotz
Contributing Writer

Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • rluker5
    This is good.
    We knew there were bugs. Nice how this one was promptly fixed.
    There are a lot left, mostly seem like driver resource scheduling where one game inexplicably runs worse than another. For example AC Origins runs terribly at all resolutions, (mixed settings I used when I had a 1080ti) (dropping to ~15fps depending on the scene) with my A750 and AC Odyssey runs fine at 1440p, same settings (steady 60+). They are practically different stories/locations in the same game. I never finished Origins due to the story so I don't mind this falling behind in optimization priority, but it shows driver improvement potential in underperforming games.

    I think the fine wine will be strong with the Arc series as long as Intel's driver team keeps working at it.
    Reply
  • PiranhaTech
    Can anyone actually find these cards? I actually tried checking them out for the video encoding acceleration
    Reply
  • Allen_B
    Unless two bugs were fixed, the 9% drop in clock speed from 2187 to 2000 MHz yields a 9% drop in bandwidth as well.
    Reply
  • rluker5
    PiranhaTech said:
    Can anyone actually find these cards? I actually tried checking them out for the video encoding acceleration
    I picked up my A380 from Newegg a few days after release and purchase was like they had normal quantities. They are in stock right now. When the larger ones came out I was at work and some reason couldn't finish the purchase on my phone even though it was in my cart. Kept checking Newegg every couple days and the A750 reference was in stock one morning so I nabbed one of those. Not nearly as bad as the crypto days of the 3000 and 6000 series, but availability is bad.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    The obvious question is whether this affected any benchmarks published by independent reviewers.

    I have a theory that Intel is holding back the A780 for a time when they've fixed up a lot of their driver issues. By releasing a new model, they'll effectively force all benchmarks to be rerun, even if the hardware is merely a 16 GB A770 with a slight bump in clock speeds.
    Reply