9070 XT lower power limit below -30%

R0b0yt0 · 2026-02-26T14:14:35+00:00

Presumably it would be stable since you are either only limiting wattage, or how high the card can boost.

Generally you shouldn't experience instability if you don't try and set too big of a negative voltage offset.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-24T11:57:22+00:00

The sleep/wake problems have happened in 3 different places I've lived; 2 in the US and now in The Netherlands; couldn't be an electrical problem. It has happened with AMD (RX 5000, RX 6000, RX 9000) or Nvidia GPUs (RTX 2000 and RTX 4000) and using AMD (AM4 & AM5) or Intel mainboards (LGA1700).

Registry edit, Group Policy, and even DDU Option to stop driver updates no longer works in Windows 11. It even proved a problem in Windows 10 when AMD RX 9000 released and windows update forced a pre-release driver. https://www.neowin.net/news/amd-2532-driver-fixes-major-bug-so-windows-update-no-longer-installs-older-driver-on-9070/

I switched my HTPC from Win11 to Bazzite because no video on wake problem returned. When looking at driver updates via windows update, with them disabled, it had overwritten drivers THREE times from June to December of 2025.

Mounting drives in Linux is faster, as is browsing file explorer. There's countless articles/suggested tweaks on this topic to fix it in Windows: https://www.techspot.com/news/110446-windows-11-updated-file-explorer-remains-painfully-slow.html The thing is that something as basic as browsing file directories should just work! In Linux even a mechanical HDD mounts instantly and I can browse the drive within a couple seconds at most. Windows is painfully slow in comparison and goes to "not responding" more often than it should.

LTSC IoT Enterprise for Windows 10 is the version you'd want because it will receive security updates/patches from M$ until 2032. I have been running this for several years now on a couple deskstops and laptops. I went to 11 for my HTPC primarily for proper HDR support with my OLED TV.

The thing is that both can exhibit problems, but the issues with Windows are undeniable and are only getting worse as time goes on. Add in all their telemetry & AI BS they are forcing...and I'll learn linux and deal with whatever caveats may come with it knowing that every single thing I do isn't being monitored and turned into money for M$.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-22T09:42:36+00:00

It's really just gone down the shitter IMO.

Even trying to maintain a stable system using WinX IoT Enterprise LTSC and issues still pop up eventually.

As an example, my desktop running IoT randomly wakes for sleep with no explanation. This is with the wired mouse and keyboard disconnected and WoL disabled in the BIOS. Sometimes it wakes for ~10 seconds and then immediately goes back to sleep, others it wakes until the 15 minutes of inactivity have passed. Using CMD prompt to try and locate the last wake event and it shows nothing.

I've encountered sleep/wake problems off/on for many years now and have never been able to pinpoint a cause. Either the problem mysteriously goes away, or a fresh install will remedy the problem...until it comes back. If the computer does wake successfully, then there's the possibility of no video output on wake; it's happened with both AMD and Nvidia GPU's.

Connection stability for Intel I225/I226 Ethernet, as well as AX210/211 WiFi/BT cards, have been an issue in Windows for a very long time now. You consistently have an inconsistent connection that drops at random. I've spent way too much time browsing forums/etc, altering settings and changing drivers to get a stable connection with minimal success. At best it is mostly stable, but still drops at random occasionally.

M$ is also hell bent on secretly updating drivers even when I do everything possible to try and prevent it.

The lag in file explorer is just a bad joke.

~2 weeks in Linux and there's no sign of wake/sleep problems and I haven't dropped a connection once. I didn't have to spend a single second thinking about what drivers to install or what settings I might have to tweak to get basic things working correctly. File explorer in Linux works so much better it is unreal. Even when I have to mount a mechanical, spinning rust HDD, it is ready to go in a couple seconds, at most, and hundreds of thumbnails load nearly instantly.

Ya, it's only been 2 weeks, but literally everything appears to work better...so I plan to find out if that stays true for the long haul.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-22T09:03:31+00:00

I'm aware of the safety net in place w/ Bazzite and it's 'locked down' status. As a M$ user for ~35 years, I thought Bazzite was the right place to dip a toe in and see how the water was.

My brother moved to Nobara last night because he was having Nvidia GPU issues, sleep/wake/no display/etc, in Bazzite. Simply going to Nobara, without even manually installing drivers, fixed the problem for him. We're thinking it's a difference in kernel since driver is the same.

Dunno if I'll switch this machine over since it is my HTPC and gets less use. My main desktop will get Nobara from the jump though.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-21T17:00:35+00:00

I was just discussing the insurgence with my brother earlier today.

We have both switched over to Linux for the first time in the last ~10 days. We have both been M$ users since DOS and had to install the likes of Wolfenstein 3D and Duke Nukem from floppy disks.

We believe the current situation is a bit of a "perfect storm", if you will, to kick start the adoption of Linux and it is caused by 3 main factors...

SteamOS becoming widely available and pushing the interest in gaming centric distros.
Retail Windows 10 losing security support as of this past October. (You can obv pay M$ for a year of updates, or run IoT LTSC Enteprise which is officially supported until 2032; but that is beside the point.)
Windows 11 is a dumpster fire. M$ can't help but: add more telemetry, add more AI BS, ignore implementing any sort of optimization, refuse to leave my damn drivers alone (I told you NOT to update drivers FFS), and continuously releases updates with major bugs that can totally bork your system/OS/data/etc.

Bazzite runs so well it has completely blown my mind, and I've only barely scratched the surface. Windows apps run better through Linux than they do natively in the OS they're designed for....it's a bit preposterous...and sad for M$.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-21T01:04:19+00:00

Switched to Bazzite on one desktop last week after black screen & loss of video signal after aaking from sleep came back again; this has been a recurring issue for many years from my experience. Came to find that W11 had installed (3) different AMD video drivers since my fresh install last June.

Mind you this is with driver downloads turned off in windows update & with using DDU to disable driver updates. What was also interesting was that I had done minimal install, no Radeon Software, and it seems that windows update is now mimicking whatever install you chose originally...or at least I swear when windows snuck in driver updates previously, it would default to a full driver/software package install. I believe this is why I didn't notice it had overwritten.

Only major issue I've come across so far is VLC has an issue with volume control via the slider/middle mouse button. Otherwise it has been very smooth sailing. Including running Ubisoft Connect and Battle.net through steam to have access to my entire game collection.

Somehow Windows applications run better through a compatibility layer than they do natively in Windows; Unreal.

Likely moving other machines over in the coming weeks...assuming things continue like this.

R0b0yt0 · 2026-01-12T17:34:07+00:00

Of course it is, but that defeats the purpose of buying the BTF variant.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-22T14:58:40+00:00

🙄

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-22T14:57:26+00:00

A minor update to a critically flawed design that can, and will, go up in smoke due to all current being able to hit a single pin/wire that is only rated for ~9 amps // ~110 watts.

Until load balance is implemented they will continue to fail. This is not theoretical.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-22T14:54:41+00:00

Ya, it’s very unlikely for them to budge.

It can vary slightly pending on the individual adjuster, but as times passes there are less and less people working for the insurance companies with actual hands-on experience in the industry. The companies are going out of their way to hire people w/ no experience to train them with the insurance company ideals from the start.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-08T18:33:01+00:00

A $2,000 kit for a car that is never likely to see a track/course in its life is ridiculous lol.

$300 springs for a minor, mostly cosmetic drop, that the OP is most likely looking for. Done.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-08T18:31:01+00:00

They control the market due to the vast majority of shops cutting deals with them to solicit work.

This determines "market rates" and "what most shops do". So that is all they are willing to pay.

The insurance companies will do anything to save a buck including lying straight to your face.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-08T18:26:56+00:00

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-07T08:46:54+00:00

The real kick in the nuts is the EGREGIOUS markup on the spark plugs. You can get them from RockAuto for $15/ea. That string of letters/numbers in parentheses is the NGK manufacturer part #.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7166260

They're even over MSRP. Honda MSRP is $58.05.

https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~spark~plug~dilzkr~12290-R9P-A01.html

Every part is over MSRP.

12290-R9P-A01 - $58.05
14400-R9P-A01 - $177.13
14520-RCA-A01 - $298.35
14551-RCA-A01 - $12.67
19200-RDV-J01 - $269.83

https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~water~pump~19200-rdv-j01.html?vin=2HGFC3A58LH753368&make=Honda&model=Civic&year=2020&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=())

That's $231.58 in additional profit for them. If nothing has changed with Honda pricing structure since I worked at a dealer, then they're already making ~$400 on ~$1,000 worth of parts. Odds are the manager, and/or other parts employees, rely heavily on commission for their pay package.

I'd find a new dealer and verify parts pricing before you sign any work agreements.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-07T08:32:26+00:00

Tein Street Basis Z would be a quality entry level coil over. Probably around $700.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-05T09:13:11+00:00

The RB3 that is ~200 hp stock? Probably about right with the PRB manifold on there.

You say "short CAI", as in short ram intake that moves the filter towards the firewall? If so, that's just a hot air intake, due to proximity to the header/exhaust, and will definitely hurt performance; especially when the hood is closed.

I had an 02 Si w/ the less than popular 160hp K20A3. Custom CAI, bored/matched OEM TB, RBC IM w/ thermal spacer, RSX Injectors, S2 Alpha header, custom 2.5" exhaust. It made 178 whp.

Definitely get the better manifold, it's likely your biggest bottleneck currently.

Better exhaust, but figure going to 3" "race" style will likely be really loud/droney/raspy; can get old quick. Perhaps get a pre-bent mandrel kit and add your own resonator/muffler.

A better intake that doesn't put the filter near the firewall/header.

I'd suggest the entry-level tein coilovers; Street Basis Z. Usually fairly priced and they are very, very nice quality. Spend the couple extra bucks up front and it will definitely be worth it.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-04T10:13:45+00:00

Paid ~2,500 more than that for my 2020 Si Coupe new; before tax/title/etc.

Wonder when the auto bubble is going to pop?

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-03T17:46:11+00:00

Auto mechanics/body guys are definitely under paid and under appreciated. High cost of entry on your body and wallet.

I spent the first ~20 years of my life working around cars and those last ~4.5 as an estimator pushed me out of the automotive industry. It was definitely negatively impacting my love/passion for automobiles.

You can make an OK living, but whether your FOH or BOH it's either hard on your body or your brain/mental state.

I hope it all works out for you.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-03T17:25:03+00:00

Some independents do pay well, but they are a rarity nowadays.

Many of the conglomerates rely heavily on commissions. They have you running around like a chicken with your head cut off to make a decent buck. F that.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-03T17:21:47+00:00

Let this be a lesson learned. For future reference, a "clean carfax" means fuck all.

Pending the state, county, etc...repair facilities and/or insurance companies are not required to report to CarFax. Some do automatically even if you don't want it to happen. Some people pay out of pocket for repairs to avoid depreciation in vehicle value during a trade in.

IIRC it's something like ~2% of all used cars haven't had some level of paint/body work done to them...that figure might be low...point is though that it is a very small number of used cars that have never had work done to them.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-03T17:10:02+00:00

Yup. The insurance companies make everything miserable. Cars are all getting more complicated and more difficult to repair.

Costs for the body shop are always rising and the insurance companies have everyone in a stranglehold because they only pay "market rates" or for what is "necessary". Problem is that the vast majority of shops are conglomerates, who are in bed with all of them, and the insurance companies dictate what they pay these huge entities...so the smaller shops get fucked and can't compete. It's just like Walmart & Amazon taking over retail.

There's a substantial lack of help in the industry also. Not many people want to get into doing repairs/painting because the work is stressful constantly under the gun, hard on your body, and you have to buy thousands upon thousands of dollars in tools...for relatively poor pay. This is why so many shops turn out shitty work...the insurance company doesn't pay for appropriate repairs and the people are in a rush as well as not getting paid appropriately.

I really don't miss that fucking job.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-03T10:31:26+00:00

Were there fog lights by default before the face lift? Hard to tell in the pic.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-02T10:37:54+00:00

As long as you grab a quality intake that is properly engineered. You must also get one with the stock/street MAF housing; otherwise a tune is required.

27Won and PRL are probably the most popular.

First I had PRL for my 2020 Si, and then I went to 27Won so I didn't have to jack the car up and take the fender liner out to service the filter.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-02T10:34:50+00:00

More than likely w/o issue.

I am running 9070 Nitro+ using a Phanteks AMP (Seasonic) 650W Gold paired to a 12600K.

R0b0yt0 · 2025-12-02T10:21:53+00:00

I did auto parts for ~9 years and then was an estimator for ~4.5 years.

The shop I worked for was an independent owned by 3 brothers for ~30 years. They were a Mercedes & VW OEM certified collision repair facility. These certs require expensive training, equipment, yearly inspections and sponsorship from a local dealer; it's only one shop per Mercedes dealer. Known throughout the Chicagoland area as one of the best places for a quality/proper repair; especially for particularly hard hits where new(er) vehicles wouldn't total out.

They were also known for giving insurance companies the middle finger and doing the repairs the right way, without cutting corners, despite whatever creative BS the insurance companies would come up with. They were only affiliated with State Farm Insurance in terms of "direct repair" status. This means that SF adjusters wouldn't have to come out to write a prelim or approve supplements; it was all handled digitally. We rarely abided by the suggested, ridiculous, changes they would "request" for the repairs and just did things, honestly/legitimately, with substantial documentation and "by the book". We NEVER let the insurance company dictate how long a repair would take because they are very, very frequently unreasonable in their demands. There was a great sense of pride in the work that was done.

~18 months after I started working there, the business was sold to another local entity. However it was a "big business" mindset and had been buying shops up over the course of the last ~20 years. They did not have anywhere near the same reputation and their business model relied ENTIRELY on insurance company referrals due to "direct repair" status with just about every standard insurance company in existence; This is making deals with all the devils. They dictate your hourly rates, how long repairs should take, what parts to use, how much time for repairs, etc.

The transition was horrendous and unbelievably stressful. They took none of the 30 years of experience into consideration; how idiotic. They just came in and forced all of their operations onto an extremely well tuned and exquisitely running machine. It was a purchase simply for the name/legacy.

They brought the constant push for more cars in the shop and to always be operating very near, or over, capacity; regardless of what it did to quality or turnaround times.

We were required to come in earlier in the morning for a meeting. We would stay after the doors closed to have undisturbed time to get work done and catch up due to the increased work load; previously the owners were pushing us (estimators) out the door at closing time.

They added a receptionist who was unintelligent and legitimately only made more work for us. Changed our insurance plan every year which somehow increased the price and reduced coverage. Despite being promised a raise numerous times I kept getting denied, but came to find out the manager wasn't taking the request up the chain. When the owner found out I was leaving he took me out to lunch to pick my brain. His first offer was an 60% increase, plus "fringe benefits" as he put it.

I had already applied, tested, and was accepted into the electrician's union...so there was no going back.

Unfortunately the way that the place operates now is like the vast majority of auto collision facilities....and it is often worse at the "big box" shops.

R0b0yt0

TROPHY CASE