Overclocking

[Dark_Templer_102]

Simple as that i want to overclock but i don't want to exprmeriment well because i know NADA about it (except its basically adding more voltage or something)

I want to boost my AqauMark 3 Score...specs of my computer and AquaMark3 results here

http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=826616364

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.2E Prescott 800MHz FSB
Motherboard: DFI LanParty Pro
Harddrive: 120 Gig Samsung & 300 Gig Seagate Barracuda
RAM: Corsair XMS 1 GB DDR400 (PC 3200)
Video Card: ATI 9800 PRo
Sound Card: Creative Audicy 2
Speakers 6.1 Surround Sound INspire Speakers (Creative)
Some disk drives...CD and DVD and a FLoppy
Case: ThermalTake Xaser III
CPU fan: Thermaltake P4 Spark7+

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by Dark_Templer_102

Video Card: ATI 9800 PRo

If you want more 3DMarks, etc. I would start by getting the most out of your video card. Do you have just the stock fan/heatsink on your 9800 Pro?

If so, I would invest in a better cooler and then flash the BIOS on your card to a 9800 XT BIOS if you can, then clock it up. Check here for more info on that:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/101

If you can't/don't want to flash the BIOS, you can still do some nice overclocking if you get a good cooler.

[Dark_Templer_102]

I have a Core called R350...and i heard that core for the 9800 Pro is horrible (compared to the newer R360)

Still get a cooler?

[jeffy777]

then you won't be able to flash it to an XT, you would need the R360.

So yeah, I would either get a cooler (such as an Artic Cooler VGA Silencer) or, better yet if you can afford it, buy a new Video Card, like a 6800 GT.

[jensked]

I tried the 9800Pro -> XT mod...it didn't work for me...I couldn't find a suitable bios for my card. My brand doesn't manufacture XT cards, so I had to use another manufacturer's bios, but that didn't work. Make sure you get a backup of your bios first !!

[Dark_Templer_102]

Mines just a plane ATi and i do have something i can overclock with...just try it later..

[jensked]

let me know the results...i think i have the same card...(128mb Hynix memory chips) with no brand, just ATI on the cooler.

Maybe I can try again with that bios of yours

[Shawn]

I'd get a new HSF if I were you before I overclocked a Prescott... they run quite hot. Besdies, you're specs are pretty good and if you don't know anything about this sort of stuff, why not just leave it alone?

P.S. Where can I find the GPU mod? I have an actual ATI 9800 Pro...

[Silverstar]

Well I know I'm new here, but here's my look at it.

here is my aqua http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_vie...run=1222521255

I ran it all in performance mode...w/ just x2 AA and A/F.

You might want to get a program called PowerStrip, which you can safely overclock your card when you want to increase 3DMarks, and lower it back down to normal if you want to just cruise through games, or just surf the web.

I could very well be the processor also, and pending many flames around the internet and many tests on PC sites, P4s vs. Athlons conclude Athlons smoke them in the 3DMark/Aquamark area. I have a card that is a bit weaker compared to the 9800..but my FX51 holds the brute force also.

Try flashing your card up a bit..if not..possibly get the lower end X series from ATi or the 6800 series from nVidia.

[Dark_Templer_102]

How do i know if my RAM is on DDR? i know its on dual channel performance mode..

i know my RAM is on 400 MHz because its DDR400


i just want my computer to out run my friends AMD 3000+ and my friends AMD 3800+

The AMD has a 6800GT (which i know i can't out performance) and the 3800+ has a 9800 Pro

[Silverstar]

Originally Posted by Dark_Templer_102

How do i know if my RAM is on DDR? i know its on dual channel performance mode..

Example..if my memory wasn't in DDR slots, my graphics memory clock would be low...say in the 400's...but in DDR slots I can break 1000mhz memory clock without breaking a sweat.

You card is running 300's core clock and 300's memory clock...a big bottleneck in the performance power, when that baby could be in the 700's in memory clock.

Now..it might be pretty hard to out perform either of those two computers. 3800+ is 64bit, which I know doesn't run in that mode, but the architecture of AMD chips surpass Intel like no other. The combo of that and the 9800 pro might keep you from that. And the 3000 w/ 6800gt is just way out of the league.




**EDIT:** Acually....128mb memory for your card...that acually is the bigger problem of why the memory clock & performance is so low...

[Dark_Templer_102]

well not many computers have the 256 MB version....man i don't want to get a new video card already

[jayjaya29]

Whoa, you guys are confusing me. I used to be a tech/overclocking freak a few years back and I have to clear a few things up.

First off, System memory does not affect your video card's clock speed and memory speed....I don't know where you heard that one.....

Second off, I have a 9700 Pro, these are my default speeds:
Clock:325MHz
Mem:310MHz

So how can a 9800 be running slower then that??

As for getting a 256Mb video card, you don't have to get one with 256MB right now, a 128MB card is perfectly fine. All the extra memory does for you is allow you to run higher screen resolutions, so unless you want to run ultra-high screen resolutions, then go with a 128MB version if you are low on cash. Of course if you can afford a 256Mb version, go and get it. But I think its more ideal for you to get a better (higher) model then fret over the amount of memory the card has.

As for you beating the two other systems, you may be able to beat the 3800 system with some heavy video card overclocking, but its not likely. Just clearing a few things up.

Just my 2 cents.

[Silverstar]

Comparing Aqua

Templar's Clock rate...

Graphics Card Core Clockrate: 378 MHz (MegaHertz)
Graphics Card Memory Clockrate: 338 MHz (MegaHertz)

My Clock rate:

Graphics Card Core Clockrate: 559 MHz (MegaHertz)
Graphics Card Memory Clockrate: 1008 MHz (MegaHertz)

Technically...the 9800 pros blow my card away (FX5950U)..but I have him by 181mhz on core & 670mhz memory clock..and over 13000 in aqua. When I tested my system a month after I got it..I went up 20mhz on my memory clock per test...and I resulted in a higher score in the end. Hence my suggestion (just like others) to flash, or raise the clock with a program.

Memory is very big on raising your marks on any benchmark. Why do people run so horrid on graphically demanding games? Memory is not up to par. Artifacts while playing games? Memory. But 128mb memory on-card is gonna hold him back from getting to the goal of beating his friends computers, and raising benchmark scores. But is perfectly fine for gaming, and perfectly fine for anything else.


He said his goal is to beat his friend's computers...I threw down what I think is accurate..no need for an arguement, but thats what I think!

[Dark_Templer_102]

OK OK i'm becoming confused...so i should obviously flash my 9800 Pro..i have a program but i have no idea how high to set it to (high or low) without messing it up...same with my CPU

*NOTE* i don't think my new RAM is stable...anyway to check it?

[Silverstar]

Search around forums...or search for affective clock speeds for the 9800 pro.

Maybe SiSoft Sandra for the RAM? Not sure about specific progs for RAM checks.

[chaos386]

Originally Posted by Silverstar

Comparing Aqua

Templar's Clock rate...

Graphics Card Core Clockrate: 378 MHz (MegaHertz)
Graphics Card Memory Clockrate: 338 MHz (MegaHertz)

My Clock rate:

Graphics Card Core Clockrate: 559 MHz (MegaHertz)
Graphics Card Memory Clockrate: 1008 MHz (MegaHertz)

Technically...the 9800 pros blow my card away (FX5950U)..but I have him by 181mhz on core & 670mhz memory clock..and over 13000 in aqua. When I tested my system a month after I got it..I went up 20mhz on my memory clock per test...and I resulted in a higher score in the end. Hence my suggestion (just like others) to flash, or raise the clock with a program.

Memory is very big on raising your marks on any benchmark. Why do people run so horrid on graphically demanding games? Memory is not up to par. Artifacts while playing games? Memory. But 128mb memory on-card is gonna hold him back from getting to the goal of beating his friends computers, and raising benchmark scores. But is perfectly fine for gaming, and perfectly fine for anything else.

And yes, RAM does help & affect the memory bandwidth of the graphics card while communicating/rendering objects in games.

The only thing I need to correct or clarify...is that DDR Memory on G-cards will effectively help raise and hold memory clocking.



He said his goal is to beat his friend's computers...I threw down what I think is accurate..no need for an arguement, but thats what I think!

You are very confused my friend.
First of all, 380MHz core and 340MHz memory are the stock speeds for a 9800 Pro. The effective speed of his memory is 680MHz, which is what you're confusing with other cards in the 700MHz range. Secondly, whatever system RAM he's using has no impact on how far he can overclock his video card. Thirdly, you are confusing DDR with Dual Channel memory. DDR is not a "mode" and you can't switch it on or off, it's how the RAM talks to the memory controller. Dual Channel uses pairs of memory sticks to double memory bandwidth. Unless the person who built his computer had no clue what he was doing, he's probably running in dual channel and shouldn't mess with it.

Dark_Templer, the only computer which you have a chance at beating in benchmarks is the one with the 9800 Pro, and all that will make a difference is overclocking your videocard. I recommend using Powerstrip to overclock your card. Raise the speeds by 5MHz increments, and check it with 3dMark each time and stay on the lookout for artifacts (usually white dots or odd lines, anything that shouldn't be there). When you start to see artifacts, drop the speeds by 10MHz and don't take them higher. Keep in mind there is no 100% safe way to overclock. You probably won't fry your card, but you might not be able to overclock it by much either.

[Silverstar]

I stand corrected, since my back surgery I have been on meds...and of course at times I'm a natrual idiot at times


But we are agreeing on powerstrip i think!

[Dark_Templer_102]

the effective speed of WHICH memory? the RAM or RAM on a video card?

[jayjaya29]

RAM on the video card.

Thank you Chaos for clearing things up.