9800pro overclocking

[Faaip De Oiad]

Just bought a Zalman VF700-CU and managed to get my core up to 405Mhz, a 27mhz increase from stock using ATi Tool.

My core is the 350, 256MB version, using stock volts. I was hoping for a bit higher of an overclock to be honest, did I set my expectations too high or is this about right?

Also - the zalman only came with 8 ramsinks and I have 8 RAM dimms on my card so I'm gonna need another 8 - can anyone reccommend a solution to this? - at the moment I can hardly oc my RAM at all

 

[maverik-sg1]

Hi,

Phil does some nice ram sinks on here you can use. But you need to ensure teh air flows aorund them to make a real difference.

I guess it's down to what other components are in your system as to how far you can overclock.

The cooling is only ever as good as the cool air around it, make sure the ventilation is good.

Also, you could flash the BIOS to XT specs??

On the overclock side, you shoudl be able to do better than that, but always better to overclock the ram too, increased bandwidth for the extra GPU processing power.

Consider raising the AGP clock from 66 to 72ish too that helps boost performance.

Again though, post your system specs maybe one of us can come up with a solution to your dilemma.

Cheers

Mav

 

[Faaip De Oiad]

I have a Lian LI PC65-B with the front fans running on turbo, so I think cool air is constantly passing over it.

I cant flash my card to XT because it is a R380 core and not R480. The 380's don't have this ability.

Specs:

P4 3.2E @ 260FSB @ -40 odd @ stock volts

GSkill 2 x 512 PC4400 1:1 at stock volts. 2.5-4-4-8 [cant get these any higher either argh, and Dazboots had em at 300+ FSB!!!]

MSI 875P Neo FISR broke my IC7-g, and my Max III didn't like my prommy.

9800pro 256MB R350 405 memory, 351 RAM

3 X 160GB maxtor diamond 9

 

[maverik-sg1]

What PSU u got? Could be you've not got enough juice to get it all stable at higher clocks

Also, 865/875 chipsets are not as TCCD friendly as Athlon NF3/NF4 MOBO's, make sure u get the latest BIOS for your MOBO. Using PC4400 OCZ (non TCCD) I could only get to 268FSB on my P4c800-e, but looking back I think I did not have enough juice going to the system to maximise the potential.

I found that TCCD either likes 2.7v or 3.1v to perform real well, and what was good for one system is not always best for the other, try tweaking it a bit.

Why not get a 120mm fan that you put inside the case to create some improved flow around the card itself - I call it turbulating the air

Also that -40, is that the MAch2 temp or the CPU temp? may be worth trying to improve the CPU contact to get better OC.

MAv

 

[Faaip De Oiad]

I have an OCZ powerstream 580W - I'm pretty sure that that is supplying enough "juice" haha.

I am really afraid of high volts, killed my northwood that way. Am I in any danger of killing my RAM with too high voltages?

That -40 is a guess haha, I know the temp sensors are WAY off. At full load my Mach II GT displays -44C on the LCD display. At idle, -52C

 

[maverik-sg1]

3.1v is safe with TCCD

No your PSU is not as good as you think the 580w had a few issues and is now replaced by the 600w. Probably better off with a tagan 480w (rock solid with dual xeons and SLI 6800GT's) or if you have the money PC&P 510 DLX sold on EP-UK.

If ypu PSU has adjustable volt rails make sure you are +5% of each rail (3.3v = 3.45v 5v = 5.25v 12v = 12.6v) that may help with stability issues.

Prescotts and TCCD ram suck up a lot of power, never underestimate the importance of the PSU.

Buying either will make a difference and you can go up to 1.55v (in BIOS not windows display) easy on a Prescott CPU under GT cooling.

Also to improve contact on the CPU try adding a few washers to the head bolts, will help drop the temps a bit - you can check idle temp in PC HEALTH STATUS in the BIOS.

 

[Faaip De Oiad]

I'm sorry, It would appear I am quite retarded - I only have a 520W Powerstream Are there any issues with these?

"Buying either will make a difference and you can go up to 1.55v (in BIOS not windows display) easy on a Prescott CPU under GT cooling."

To my knowledge, temperature has no effect what so ever on how high you can run volts through anything. Temperatures do not make a difference to how much damage high voltages can cause, and 1.55 is way too high for a presscott, even under subzero temps.

you can check idle temp in PC HEALTH STATUS in the BIOS.

Unfortunatly I can't - My BIOS displays the CPU temp as blank for some odd reason when the temps are sub zero.

 

[maverik-sg1]

520 powerstream should be more than enough for the entry level parts you have.

I beg to differ reference the volts thing - under mach2 u could smack 2v through an XP CPU with no worries - with water it was more like 1.75v and air 1.6v. The temps that are generated by the extra volts is what causes the damage.

For your Prescott concerns floow this link (you will need to register I think but it's worth it) http://www.ocworkbench.com/ocwbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/17/1171/29.html

Good luck with your clocking my friend.

Mav