Overclocking

[Jakemaster]

Well guys Im finally beginning to get many of my computer issures sorted out.  Ive gotten my startup to run less programs now so everything seems good.  Besides my weird monitor issue (will bring that up another time) I am starting to consider overclocking.  I have the X700Pro, and I have had  it since December.  Its a great card, does its job and quite well.  But I am always on a quest for better graphics and performance (and I cant afford FSGS yet).  So I was wondering if it would be worth it to overclock this card, and if so, would someone be willing to sorta walk me through the process?

Thanks,
Jake

[Jakemaster]

I hate doing this, but is anyone going to answer my question?  Ive been feeling very neglected on simv lately :-/

[Jared]

sorry man I don't know nothing about no overclockin

[ctjoyce]

Sorry. Google ATi Tool. Get the latest virsion of that, and start clocking. WARNING!!! If you have a stock heatsink DO NOT go over a 50Mhz Core increase, and a 50Mhz RAM increase. You WILL fry your card.

Cheers
Cameron

[kipman725]

get ati tool and clock it as high as you can the card won't generate much more heat unless you mess with the voltage which you can't do with ati tool.  50mhz increase is hardley worth it you should aim for as high as you can get.  After each clockspeed increase check that the 3dmark or other benchmark score has gone up.  Overclock only one thing at a time so you can get to the max speed for that component of the card and can lower your clock to get stability easier.

[NicksFXHouse]

Sorry. Google ATi Tool. Get the latest virsion of that, and start clocking. WARNING!!! If you have a stock heatsink DO NOT go over a 50Mhz Core increase, and a 50Mhz RAM increase. You WILL fry your card.

Cheers
Cameron

I completely agree with Cameron on this one... but I think even 50Mhz is pushing it. For some cards 50MHz on the core is A-LOT.

It depends on the card. Some cards have allot of overhead and others do not. In example, I had a 9800pro which would easily clock +75Mhz on the core and +110Mhz on the memory, where my x800 AIW would top out at +35Mhz on the core and +85Mhz on the memory. You will need to experiment to find the max clocks for the card.

but be warned... with ATI tool do NOT use the temperature monitor feature by default as it will kill your FS9 performance. Only use it for finding the max clocks and monitoring the temp of the core while testing.

You will typically find the core will only clock about 1/2 of what the memory will do. I would start with equal 20Mhz increases on both core and memory. Once the system becomes unstable, back off the core by 15Mhz and continue to raise the memory until unstable again. Once you hit that point back off the memory 15-20Mhz and that will usually keep you in a safe zone.

To go any higher I would recommend a video card cooler. I used the Zalman ZM80D-HP with the optional fan which I modified and plugged directly into the x800 AIW. ATI Tool had full controll over the fan for ultra quiet operation when not using 3D apps.

http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/vie ... 8&code=013

http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/vie ... 8&code=013

[ctjoyce]

Why use that? Dosn't cool half as well as a VF700Cu or the VF900

Cheers
Cameron

[NicksFXHouse]

Why use that? Dosn't cool half as well as a VF700Cu or the VF900

Cheers
Cameron

It's was used for an x800xt and that heatsink/fan worked great for it. When the system was not being used for intense 3D, the fan was completely OFF. During heavy load use it took 30 minutes for the core to get up past 65c. I had the fan set to step up gradually/automatically with the temp of the core. Once it hit 65c the fan would engage 100% and unless it was a hot summer day the card remained @ or below 70c even overclocked to 600Mhz on the memory.

That HFS is absolutely excellent for silent and quiet operation. I would not use it on anything higher than an x800 and I would also not use it for cards that have their voltages hacked.

[ctjoyce]

Thanks for the clarification, now it makes sense.

Cheers
Cameron

[congo]

[quote]I have the X700Pro, and I have had

[ctjoyce]

Eh at this point its better to let it rest. We can sit and suggest a 6600GT or better all we want, but when it comes down to it usually the price, and box number usually gets the better of people (just to clairify the 6600GT is a better card, and even cheaper).

Cheers
Cameron