Overclocking your rig 2 (VIDEO)

[opium]

Video Card overclocking


video card overclocking is more risky than cpu, but it also MAYBE simpler


What is different is video card overclocking to cpu overclocking
1. there is no multiplyer for de clock
2. differ from console bios overclocking(no bios settings)
3. cannot be voltage modded easily

the most common overclocks are frequency changes on the gpu core and ram
there are more overclocking methods (read lower down)

GPU - the graphics processing unit, specialised processor to rendering pixels to give us the picture or video we see

ram - this ram is similiar to the ram we use in our system but it operates at higher freq, and it deicated to the video card

now to start overclocking.
the first most important imformation u need, is the type and name vdeo card u have, what is the model, what chip it uses.
then we find information about, the chip and ram speeds of the video card,

get the latest drivers, which will help in stablity issues when overclocking
nvidia (http://www.nvidia.com) ati (http://www.ati.com)

to overclock u need special software to overclock, sometimes the manufactor supplies u software monitors for the video card and can come with overclocking software. if u need one u can use this RivaTuner (http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163) for overclocking.

now have the program running and lets overclock
with a manufactor software look for setting which allows u to overclock
(normally looks like sliding bars with core(gpu) and memory(ram) next to them)

with rivatuner u need to go in to the driver settings and customise system settings
and u will see overclocking,

enable and slide the bars to test overclocking ablities

now dont go jumping on overclocking take babysteps

increase the increments by 5 and check for stablity (use TEST)
if it hits where it cant be stable decrease until its stable and then increase by increments of 1 until u are maxed at sable

now to increase ram speeds
follow the same manner in overclocking the gpu
(for ddr memory, i advise using half the freq of the core speed or higher)
and u are done

give em a test

simple?

now to unlocking capablities which will improve card prefomace

again information is your friend

certain cards has the ablity not all has this feature
here are a few
nvidia 6800(non gt and ultra)
ati 9800SE
ati 9500(non pro, Lshaped ram partten)

these card comes with hidden pipelines which is locked becasue it maybe faulty, they were made to run at the speed it was meant for the bigger boys eg 6800 --> 6800gt

ati cards are unlocked using Omega ATI drivers (http://www.omegadrivers.net/) u will see the option to allow it

nvidia cards u can use rivatuner.

when the ati cards are unlocked and shows no sign of defects, we can fully unlock the card permanatly
(recommend staying with software unlock)

if u decide to take this step it requires some soldering and bios flashing
*NOTE: this will indeed VOID your warrenty and it may render it usless*

the risky voltage mod
voltage mods ore not really nesessary but it will improve some preformance and increase overclock abilty
this is done by relaying resistors at certain point of the video card, supplying more voltage to the core.
*NOTE: VOIDS WARRENTY*

to go into detail of each mod and overclocking is too much info to put up.

instead if curious google it.

again there are cons and pros about this
cons
excessive heat
may void warrenty
shorter life span of components

pros
performance
faster fps
gives u bragging rights of fps on $$$ spent
fatter 3dmark scores

any tips before overclocking?
get better cooling for the video card and case


now i eh tell u to fry your card is if u up to de challange

[PhoeniX]

to me those cons will make someone stay away from OCing a vid card
prob put in sum sweet cooling to help the prob

wait opium youre telling me the "normal" cards (the 6800 and 9800SE) are just locked by the manufacturer so stop performance from getting out?

[opium]

nope

chips are made in batches or waffers

they ramdomly test chips to see if the chips are up to standards.

if not the chips are sold as lower quality chips

the chips has all the features as the big boys but set to be used as a lower standard, that is why we "unlock" them to the full potential

bear in mind there is a 50/50 chance of getting one that are fully functional or u might get one which is bad

[PhoeniX]

ohhh ok then i catch

another thing the first part about overclocking the OCing of the GPU....
do you have to follow all the steps you put or i cud just follow up on one of them and leave the rest of the settings normal
e.g i OC the GPU and leave the RAM and voltages the way the manufacturer gave them to me

[mojo]

Originally posted by PhoeniX@Mar 30 2005, 02:45 PM
ohhh ok then i catch

another thing the first part about overclocking the OCing of the GPU....
do you have to follow all the steps you put or i cud just follow up on one of them and leave the rest of the settings normal
e.g i OC the GPU and leave the RAM and voltages the way the manufacturer gave them to me
Quoted post


ahh...phoenix... good question.... If I had started this thread, you might not be asking this question.

Let me get to the point. Yes it can be done. It is possible to clock the vpu independently of the RAM. However, the board(card) is normally designed to cater for a specific ratio between vpu and RAM. Overclocking either component independently, often results in artifacts*. This happens when you lose sync between your RAM and vpu. It is possible with some cards, but it possible to oc much more if you maintain the vpu:RAM clock ratio.

I guess I now have to rush to post the RAM overclocking thread so that people can underdtand this thread better.

[PhoeniX]

^^^^^^^^
wheyss boi opium i wasn't takin dat !!!

ok i catch mojo but the voltage tuning sounds like sumthing a "normal" person should not try to touch the GPU Oc and the RAM OC ratios seems ok but playing with the voltages just plain scary dred "soldering" thas madness

[Paradoxxx]

everyone is rushing the brush with respect to this topic. Its a topic that many of us have studied to some length. there was this pt in time where we were all ocing our videocards/systems and showing off 3dmark03 pts.

[mojo]

Originally posted by Paradoxxx@Mar 31 2005, 09:47 PM
everyone is rushing the brush with respect to this topic. Its a topic that many of us have studied to some length. there was this pt in time where we were all ocing our videocards/systems and showing off 3dmark03 pts.
Quoted post


I feel that there is still much to be explained here about video card overclocking. My PC is down right now, so i'll depend on you guys to patch up loose ends here while I do my research for RAM.

[opium]

the voltage mods are one of the most scariest mods out there for video cards.
because u have to find the correct resistors and very good undestanding about your video card lay out, this is not for de normal ppl but more like the crazyiest ppl
it will fry your card if not done correct, they normaly use old cards to over clock anyway
increasing the freq on the core and mem is more simple and if anyting goes wrong.
it can be easy fixed, say go safe mode uninstall drivers.

it does really help in keeping in ratio as mojo said
keeping the memory in sync or faster can improve in overclocking alot

and remember not to go over