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I just "stepped up" my EVGA 320mb GTS for a 512mb GTS and DAMM!  It really improves the Flight Sim X experience on my 22" @1680x1050.  I should have done this sooner.  Anyway,

My question is this:  Will overclocking this card with Rivatuner make a difference in FSX for frame rates or is the stock clock (650 core, 970 memory) the best?  Should I not stress this card out with overclocking if it won't improve FSX?

For a given graphics card at the 8800 G92 level, do faster clocks translate in FSX?

Thanks

I just "stepped up" my EVGA 320mb GTS for a 512mb GTS and DAMM!  It really improves the Flight Sim X experience on my 22" @1680x1050.  I should have done this sooner.  Anyway,

My question is this:  Will overclocking this card with Rivatuner make a difference in FSX for frame rates or is the stock clock (650 core, 970 memory) the best?  Should I not stress this card out with overclocking if it won't improve FSX?

For a given graphics card at the 8800 G92 level, do faster clocks translate in FSX?

Thanks

I have an eVGA 8800GTS 640MB card which I overclocked by 32%
using RivaTuner. In a couple of tests I saw NO improvement in FSX
FPS over the stock clocking.

I did, on occasion, suffer BSOD's when I had the card overclocked
so now I don't bother to overclock it at all.

YMMV.

    Paul

I had a feeling that was the case.  The difference in going from 320mb to 512mb made a hugh difference, the extra stream processors and maybe the G92 design helped too.  But when I overclocked it I couldn't tell if it was faster then the stock speeds.

If it doesn't do anything for FSX, which is the only "game" I play, then I'll keep the stock speeds and just use RT to speed up the fan.

-Jim

You'll probably notice overclocking in FPS games though. My 1900XT is overclocked from 625 to  688mhz.

[quote]You'll probably notice overclocking in FPS games though. My 1900XT is overclocked from 625 to

LOL

Yes, it will give you results but you must know how to overclock and not just clock the video card and expect all your problems will be solved.

it requires the CPU/memory and video card be in sync so if the VC is clocked up, the CPU/memory must also be with the program

I have GTX which is clocked well past ULTRA default specs along with a 2.6g running @ 3.6 and if I return that tower to default, FSX will not run the same settings fluidly, at all. If I were to only clock the VC the results would be limited, but there would positive results none the less

BSOD's indicate a card is not cooling properly and is exceeding the card or the systems ability to maintain the clock. Even driver versions can play into that.

Both the memory chips and the GPU will heat up in a clock and if the factory cooling solution is crap (as most of them are) the results may not be seen and crashes can occur. If the chips and GPU are getting hot the overclock may produce no results strictly based on the heat, not the overclock.

I replaced my HSF and memory chip HS with this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835109136

unit never goes over 68c and usually runs right around 62c, fully clocked and fully loaded. I saw 70c, once, last summer. The factory default HSF lat the card hit 75-80c without even being clocked  LOL!!!

You cant just jack up the card in overclock and expect results. You have to understand the electronics, their limits and how to balance that with the CPU/memory.


Absolutely, overclock and do it right. I would not run FSX any other way (except when i am testing hardware)


BTW, this is a hardware topic even though it asks about the title

Nick, what does "in sync" mean?  Does that mean the frequencies of the video memory (base or DDR?), the FSB (base or quad pumped?), and the system memory (DDR?) are all running at similar speeds?

According to Rivatuner (fan turned up to 90%), even with my card clocked at 740 core and 1055 memory, my temps never got above 52 C during the ATItool artifact test.  Also, while flying in FSX, I felt the torrent of air being blown out the back of the card slot and it was barely warm.  

I'm not complaining about my card-it made a noticable difference in FSX.  But as you know, tweakers like me are always looking for just a little bit more.

-Jim

In sync means the VC is not running at a speed which chokes the CPU an memory. There is no technical description. It just means that the CPU and memory need to be pumped up to handle the increased GPU activity

Tell you what... go back in your BIOS and set it up to run default... no performace settings... then return the card to normal

see if FSX runs the same and make sure you fly it under a good load, like out of KSEA over Seattle, which is what I consider a medium load area... fly out of LAX or NYC over the city is an insane load condition.



FSX is not about frames... although it can be used -somewhat- as an indicator those who exclusively use the frame counter to judge things and draw exact conclusions, including benchmarks, are clueless

In sync means the VC is not running at a speed which chokes the CPU an memory. There is no technical description. It just means that the CPU and memory need to be pumped up to handle the increased GPU activity

Tell you what... go back in your BIOS and set it up to run default... no performace settings... then return the card to normal

see if FSX runs the same and make sure you fly it under a good load, like out of KSEA over Seattle, which is what I consider a medium load area... fly out of LAX or NYC over the city is an insane load condition.



FSX is not about frames... those who use the frame counter to judge things, including benchmarks, are clueless

I totally agree.  I have my counter set to 31fps and it's fluid down to 20fps.  I don't care what the fps is as long as it's fluid.  I actually fly around Seattle a lot and with the 512mb VM it's now fluid.  There are some stutters that I'd like to get rid of (getting a Q6600 too).  LAX is another story.  

I don't want to stress my HW out just to get higher benchmarks, they generally give me clues as to what I changed (or screwed up) but my only benchmark that matters to me is the overall FSX experience.

-Jim

What does BOSD's mean?

Blue Screen of Death.

I've overclocked my CPU too, a combination of both has helped framerate. Colin Mc Rae Dirt is a good example, before a bit juddery and now playable. To get a playable framerate at stock CPU/GPU I would need to drop resolution and/or AA.