Overclocking your X1K card can be a PITA. And.. I mean it.
First off, don't expect this guide to get you anywhere without the proper cooling. Most people can get about 650/750 on stock cooling and thats about it. Good luck, and follow closely.
Also, don't worry if your card displays the wrong clocks in your ATi Tool before this guide. It's reading the 2D clocks most likely
.
1. Disable ATI's shoddy services.
First, click Start, then click Run. Then, type msconfig into the box, and press enter.
Once the System Configuration Utility opens, click the services tab.
Now, click Hide All Microsoft Services
Uncheck Ati HotKey Poller, and ATI Smart. These have to do with ATI's Overdrive.
Now, click the startup tab and look for cli. This is Catalyst Control Center. This majorly fudges with clocks, too.
Once you've done that, click OK, then click Restart.
Once you get back into Windows, startup ATiTool and click New up top.
Label it something like Overclocking.
Once you've done that, click properties. Then make sure you check the voltage box. Then click OK.
Now click settings.
Bring down the Drop-Down box and click Voltage Control.
See VGPU? It will most likely be something like 1.275. This is your 2D VOLTAGE.
Drag that puppy up to 1.350v. That is the stock X1800XT 3D voltage.
The MVDDC and MVDDQ will most likely be 2.097, which is stock for both 2D and 3D.
Now, click Apply. Then, click Save. This will bring down another drop-down box. Click Overclocking, or the profile name you chose.
Now, click Back. You're all set! Have fun OC'ing. I set my card at 631/733.... with any cooling, even stock, 650/750 is usually attainable. Watch your temps closely though.
If you havn't noticed, there are a lot of little temps and readings for the X1K cards.
The top most reading is the VOLTAGE REGULATION temperature. Watch this temp, if necessary place a fan by the back of your card to blow on the VREG area. Keep it under 70*C and you should be OK.
The second reading is your CORE POWER DRAW (in amps), this is how much power your core is drawing.
The third reading is your FAN SPEED. Pretty self-explanitory. You can adjust and make your own dynamic fan settings in the Settings area of ATi Tool.
The fourth temp reading is your CORE TEMP. Try and keep it under 80*C, any higher isn't good for your card.
And finally, the fifth temp reading is your AMBIENT CARD TEMP. This is just a small sensor located towards the front of your card, to measure temps in the general area of your video card. That shouldn't really go above 50*C or you'll prolly need better airflow around your card.
And LASTLY, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, your PSU NEEDS TO BE UP TO PAR. A SINGLE RAIL psu is preferred for the X1K cards as they draw so much power. If you have a Tagan PSU with a setting for DUAL RAILS or SINGLE RAIL, it is in your best interest that you choose SINGLE RAIL over dual rail.
Here are my rails from core center. These are about .03v lower than what my DMM reads, so.. base it on that. My Tagan 2Force is on single rail mode.
With this card, also watch your System/Chipset temp. See my Sys Temp? Thats my nF4. That can get very VERY hot with these longer cards, as the VREG area is right next to it, so its sucking in very hot air.
My computer has only been on for about 50 minutes atm, so its relitively cool, but it will get into the mid 30's after gaming.
---
As always, be careful when OC'ing. These cards will shutdown if the core draw is too high. Your computer will most likely freeze and your monitor will go into standby. Don't worry, just press the reset button and you'll be fine. Also, don't adjust clocks with the 3D VIEW OPEN. ATi Tool locks up sometimes.
Good luck!
Nick
First off, don't expect this guide to get you anywhere without the proper cooling. Most people can get about 650/750 on stock cooling and thats about it. Good luck, and follow closely.
Also, don't worry if your card displays the wrong clocks in your ATi Tool before this guide. It's reading the 2D clocks most likely
.1. Disable ATI's shoddy services.
First, click Start, then click Run. Then, type msconfig into the box, and press enter.
Once the System Configuration Utility opens, click the services tab.
Now, click Hide All Microsoft Services
Uncheck Ati HotKey Poller, and ATI Smart. These have to do with ATI's Overdrive.
Now, click the startup tab and look for cli. This is Catalyst Control Center. This majorly fudges with clocks, too.
Once you've done that, click OK, then click Restart.
Once you get back into Windows, startup ATiTool and click New up top.
Label it something like Overclocking.
Once you've done that, click properties. Then make sure you check the voltage box. Then click OK.
Now click settings.
Bring down the Drop-Down box and click Voltage Control.
See VGPU? It will most likely be something like 1.275. This is your 2D VOLTAGE.
Drag that puppy up to 1.350v. That is the stock X1800XT 3D voltage.
The MVDDC and MVDDQ will most likely be 2.097, which is stock for both 2D and 3D.
Now, click Apply. Then, click Save. This will bring down another drop-down box. Click Overclocking, or the profile name you chose.
Now, click Back. You're all set! Have fun OC'ing. I set my card at 631/733.... with any cooling, even stock, 650/750 is usually attainable. Watch your temps closely though.
If you havn't noticed, there are a lot of little temps and readings for the X1K cards.
The top most reading is the VOLTAGE REGULATION temperature. Watch this temp, if necessary place a fan by the back of your card to blow on the VREG area. Keep it under 70*C and you should be OK.
The second reading is your CORE POWER DRAW (in amps), this is how much power your core is drawing.
The third reading is your FAN SPEED. Pretty self-explanitory. You can adjust and make your own dynamic fan settings in the Settings area of ATi Tool.
The fourth temp reading is your CORE TEMP. Try and keep it under 80*C, any higher isn't good for your card.
And finally, the fifth temp reading is your AMBIENT CARD TEMP. This is just a small sensor located towards the front of your card, to measure temps in the general area of your video card. That shouldn't really go above 50*C or you'll prolly need better airflow around your card.
And LASTLY, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, your PSU NEEDS TO BE UP TO PAR. A SINGLE RAIL psu is preferred for the X1K cards as they draw so much power. If you have a Tagan PSU with a setting for DUAL RAILS or SINGLE RAIL, it is in your best interest that you choose SINGLE RAIL over dual rail.
Here are my rails from core center. These are about .03v lower than what my DMM reads, so.. base it on that. My Tagan 2Force is on single rail mode.
With this card, also watch your System/Chipset temp. See my Sys Temp? Thats my nF4. That can get very VERY hot with these longer cards, as the VREG area is right next to it, so its sucking in very hot air.
My computer has only been on for about 50 minutes atm, so its relitively cool, but it will get into the mid 30's after gaming.
---
As always, be careful when OC'ing. These cards will shutdown if the core draw is too high. Your computer will most likely freeze and your monitor will go into standby. Don't worry, just press the reset button and you'll be fine. Also, don't adjust clocks with the 3D VIEW OPEN. ATi Tool locks up sometimes.
Good luck!
Nick
(I think anyway)
