Weird VRAM Usage Problem in BF3 (AMD 7970)

Ok, weird problem, I've no idea how to fix it.

I have this problem, where on my 7970, it's only using 500-600MB VRAM usage in BF3 (which is causing me to lose frames), the only way to fix it is by deleting the files at Documents > BF3 > Settings (which after doing so, VRAM will shoot up to 1.5GB+). However, that only works temporarily, as soon as I exit the game, go into another server, the problem is back until I delete those files again. I really don't get it, it has me stumped!  The problem only started early yesterday, though it could of been going on longer without me noticing, it was only through noticing I was lacking frames that forced me to monitor the memory usage. The only thing I changed on my machine before then, was the CPU voltage (decrease)

Another forum suggested that investigate the PCB for any damage, and so I dismantled it and investigated it the best I could, whilst taking pictures. The conclusion was that there was no damage, everything looked how it should be (the pictures in question: http://imgur.com/a/zdDtR#0). The people at that forum can no longer help me  so now I bring my problem here (hence why it's my first post).

What I've tried so far (to no avail)

  • Complete re-install of Windows and of BF3
  • Cleaned out the drivers and re-installed them (even tried older drivers)
  • Disabled overclock on CPU (that's all I had OC'd)
  • Installed the latest BIOS
  • Tried posting in the Battlelog Tech Support forum, but post didn't receive a reply and is now buried
  • Disabled cloud storage in Origin


Full system specification
i7-3770K @ 4.6GHz 
8GB DDR3 @ 2400MHz XMP Profile (Kingston HyperX Beast)
MSI MPower Z77 Motherboard 
Corsair TX750M PSU
240GB SSD + some more hard-drive storage

Sorry that I misread or didn't read but,

Do you mean RAM usage on the motherboard or Graphical RAM usage on your 7970?

Graphical RAM :P 

Never mind, you meant videoram.

Well first of all, the settings of the cpu clock will have absolutely nothing to do with that. Graphical memory only means how much textures it loads in, and higher numbers in that usually mean higher resolutions.

So, what resolution are you playing on? if its 1080p, 500-600MB might be a bit low, yes.

Are you playing the game windowed? playing a game windowed can make weird results like that aswell.

And what do you mean with "losing frames"? does it stutter? microstutter? or is it a more fluid loss of fps?

Also, can you check and say your gpu and gpu memory clocks? maybe some temperatures?

Whats your gpu usage when experiencing the frame drops?

I know its a lot of questions but I'm trying to make a clear picture of your problem.

I play bf3 ALOT on my two 7970's, so I really feel i can help out here.

Yes, 1080p

1075 Clock / 1500 Memory

In a 64 server, GPU memory usage is no better, with real drops from 20-30FPS, where as before this issue, I was looking at 80-100FPS (Ultra - I usually play Low when playing competitively, with my clan and I see a solid 180-200 frames then). Friend with a 7970 also informed me he was getting a consistent 1.5GB video memory usage on the same server. 

Temperatures are never out of the ordinary. I was just playing Skyrim for the past hour (which eats up my video memory fine btw!) and the temperatures never hit 70c (68c max according to MSI Afterburner)

 

Well I think the drops are normal. I have specific points in specific maps where my fps drops to 40-50 fps when i play the 7970 in crossfire on everything maxed out (I do use eyefinity 5040x1050 however but the 7970 really excells in that aspect; so it doesn't really drop the fps alot). I oc'ed them both to 1050 - 1575 which also gives a boost.

So on your subject, that doesnt really look bad/abnormal at all.

So I call me crazy, but I really think those drops are normal, considering you are playing ultra, and it doesnt drop alot.

like with maps from "the aftermath" DLC i get like 70-80 fps average , while on maps of vanilla i get 40-50 fps average with weird drops.

And yes, I have skyrim with 45151 texturemods, and it is the ONLY game i know that uses 5980MB of vram (which is ofc 3GB mirrored). So yeah, skyrim is realy texture hungry, Dare I even say; unoptimized.

anyho; With me it drops usualy at a specific location in the map, with specific angles. It might sound a little dumb, because everyone knows that fps drops when you give the card more to render. Yet I saw it drop frames aswell at a irregular basis, like when I runned towards a wall for cover.

So yes, I think you shouldnt worry about it. unless it drops all the time and even causes input lag. Does it drop alot? Its possible that my frames drop aswell, but since i stay high enough in fps, I'm not actually bothered with it. if this is the case, I might vote that the behaviour is normal.

Altough I cant explain the fact that there was a period where you did not experience this issue. Maybe you were playing on other maps then?

 

I'm sorry, but you've gone completely off topic. Frames isn't so much an issue for me, the focus of my problem is the GPU RAM issue, which is only peaking 600MB.

As I said in my original post

 

"the only way to fix it is by deleting the files at Documents > BF3 > Settings (which after doing so, VRAM will shoot up to 1.5GB+). However, that only works temporarily, as soon as I exit the game, go into another (and the same server) server, the problem is back until I delete those files again. I really don't get it, it has me stumped! "

 

As I briefly stated previously, I've been sat in the same server with a friend with the same card before, who's confirmed his is using 1.5GB+ video ram, were mine is still varying between 500-600MB. Several people, including yourself, have all told my the game should be taking up more video RAM, especially in 64 man servers. This is proven by the fact, as stated in my OP, every time I delete those files, it's all fine (1.5GB+) until I exit the game again.

Sorry,

I thought you mentioned 'which is causing me to lose frames'.

If you aren't losing frames, I'm not really sure what the issue is. The GPU "precaches" the textures in its video memory in order to present you the most fluent FPS experience possible.

If the card or the game pulls it off without using large parts of your Graphical RAM, then...

well, ... that is actually more a good thing than a bad thing..

Altough I have to admit, I have no explenation why it does that. I'll give you that. It must be a specific graphical setting you activate (obviously). do you lower a specific setting from the default values?

No. My settings are all the same, even when I delete those files, so it's irrelevant really.

I apologise also, If I come accross as rude or anything, I'm just really frustrated, after having spent a lot of time trying to troubleshoot this.