I have a bit of an issue that I really can't figure out. I have played with it for hours, but finally need help.
 
I received my replacement 1080 yesterday, and it's wonderful. The first thing I did was use DDU and install the 373.06 drivers for folding. It was folding great, 90% power usage, 98-99% gpu usage, 990k PPD. I left it running for the day. When I got home, I realized I typed Justin instead of Justinf89 for the user. After I fixed it, I got on chrome and let it fold in the background. I then saw my PPD drop to around 700k, so I opened msi afterburner, and saw that the core clock was at its base clock, power usage was about 40%, GPU usage around 90%. 
 
Now, whenever folding, even with nothing else running, the power usage stays around 40%, the core clock is at its base, and PPD is around 700k. There is nothing wrong with the card, because it ramps up during heaven, 3dmark, and games. It's only folding that the clock and power is low, and I can't figure it out! I've tried messing with the power limit, core clock, etc with no luck. I even set FAH to prefer max graphics in nvidia control panel. What annoys me is that it worked fine at the start. I was sure excited to see 990k ppd vs my old 970. I don't think anything changed other than I used chrome last night, and it hasn't worked right ever since.
 
How can I get FAH to load the gpu like it's supposed to? I tried pausing a YT video in chrome, which does ramp the card up, but the PPD only went up to about 800k. I am assuming YT still draws power even while paused, so not an ideal solution.
 
As I type this while folding, core clock is at 1683, Power is at 45%, GPU usage is at 90%, temp 57c
If I start a vid in YT, core clock jumps to 1936, power is at 75%, gpu usage is at 97%, temp 65c
Room ambient is 60F (yes, it's cold)
 
Thanks for the help.
 
Edit: Why can't I make my signature work!!

It does make the clock go up, but now the gpu usage is a weird saw wave from 93 to 97% every ~2 sec. Also the power usage drops from 80% to 60% every 10 sec or so. The protein viewer only shows "demo"? The PPD did jump to 800k but I still don't hear the subtle whine of the card like I did at first with ~990k PPD.

ya, windows at times will make the GPU think its idle while running F@H and you need a why to trick windows into not thinking its idle, opening a video game should work too. but to my knowledge there is no "fix" to this only workarounds.

I forgot to mention that I have tried changing the client-type from beta to advanced, but no change. I was thinking maybe it was certain WUs but it seems to be stuck at the base clock now for sure after watching it most of the day. I am out of ideas.
 
http://prntscr.com/d8obcr

bcavnaugh
On Pascal Cards use client-type = advanced
Turn off Accelerated graphics in your Web Browsers.
Under IE 11 go to "Internet Options" - "Advanced" and check the first item "Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering*"
Install GPUShark and keep it running while you are Folding Or Crunching, I have Never Seen my GPUs Idle.
Set your OCX Settings Clock and Fan and then EXIT OCX.

Thanks for the software rendering tip.  Been having the issue when opening a browser, IE and Chrome, that the boost clock drops to stock clock on the 1st card in the system on 3 different machines. Boost clock and power consumption would both drop.

Alright so, closing logitech setpoint did the trick. It clearly messes with the clock speed. BUT, it seems that opening other apps lowers the clock too, such as a simple download manager. Do most programs use hardware acceleration?
http://prntscr.com/d8ooas
Edit: I guess <70% power is still kind of low?
 
Pc specs
i7 6700k
Asus VIII hero alpha
Gskill 2x8gb ddr4 3600
pc power and cooling 650w (ripple on 12v out of spec, needs to be warrantied. At least 5yr old. Edit: Tried Aida64 and it shows 12.08v and 12.196v load and no load. I guess it is okay after all)
picture because I'm proud of it: http://prntscr.com/d8okz7
 
And after looking at the picture, I now see that the replacement 1080 has a sharp downward bend at the sli connectors on the board. How does that even happen.
http://prntscr.com/d8onku
...something something should have bought evga like every other card I have ever owned :(

Come to think of it now "Logitech SetPoint Software" caused all kinds of Excel issues at my last work place.