Ya 1180 isn't bad at all! What program are you using to underclock the memory? CGMiner won't work with the 1180/110 setting, but will think it does. Try using a 3rd party program like GPU-z and watch the sensors tab to see the actual mem speed, not the reported mem speed. Yes, they can be different. You also won't notice a huge difference with the 1100 setting. Try using MSI AB to set it to something around 375-410.
I'm under-clocking with the the aticonfig command that came with the FGLRX driver. I use Linux, so my options are very limited *grumble grumble*
Ya mine actually ran cooler when I took the side of my Antec 300 off. I didn't like the dust, so I put it back on, and had the fan by the GPU blowing out, not in.
Interesting. I'll have to try this. Playing with my fan layout has seemed to yield the best results, so this will hopefully get it below 90C,
I would NOT recommend messing with the BIOS. I tried to flash a voltage unlocked BIOS, and now my card won't be recognized by any of the AMD drivers, and I can't mine. I had to shut down the computer, flip the Dual-BIOS switch, and it's been running on the backup read-only BIOS for ~6 months now, no issues. Even with this backup BIOS, it's still voltage-unlocked, but it just takes a LOT of mucking around in MSI AB to get it working.
I'm on Win8x64, 13.1 (and included SDK), CGMiner 2.11.0, E:1200 M:1050 F:90% and ~72C for a constant 722MH/s per card. I've had great luck with this card! It is eventually possible to undervolt, but you gotta mess with it. At this point, it's more profitable to max your overclock, and not worry about undervolting, so that part kinda doesn't matter as much. The Triforce cooler keeps the Core Engine temp pretty low, but leaves a bit to be desired with the VRM cooling, especially with the higher-than-normal stock voltage, and the itty bitty heatsink on them. I run the fan at higher speeds for the VRM cooling, regardless of the Core temps.
I was going to flash it with the non-Ghz edition BIOS. It's still voltage locked, but the voltage is lower, and the person who tried this said they were able to run at their original clocks (probably because the memory clock was so low) with lower temps.
All in all I love these cards, so idk why you would hate them so.
I'm sure the source of my troubles is the locked voltage. I think a lot of my hate was the initial shock of all of the problems related to this, but now that I realize the cause I only have one major problem with this card. I don't get why the voltage needs to be locked in the first place; It's horrible for temps and power consumption, which are both very important factors in Bitcoin mining and gaming (though gamers probably don't care as much).