when overclocking vid cards

[sackynut]

Ive decided im going to overclock my video card, (i only have one in my computer at the moment, the other is being RMA because it was faulty) I have coolbits, so I can overclock the card with my drivers. But my question is, when I overclock the core, do I have to overclock the memory with it? For example, my clocks are 425/1000. Can I clock the core up to 450, and leave the memory at 1000? or do i have to move the memory up by 25mhz to 1025? and if I CAN, is it recommended to move the memory up with it?

[NoSoup4You]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

You should be able to bump them up seperately. I run ATI so I can't tell you for sure though. If you do, bump it up in small increments 5-10mhz at a time.

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

Yeah, the core and memory run asynchronously.

[sackynut]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

Yeah, the core and memory run asynchronously.

that means I have to add the same mhz to each right? ill stat off slow then 435/1010

[sp187mf9]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

I just overlcocked my evga 6800 to 347/764 and every now and then I would see black dots in bf2. I know thats not a good sign so I turned it back to stock speeds. What exactly are the black dots?

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

that means I have to add the same mhz to each right? ill stat off slow then 435/1010

No it means they run independently of each other.

synchronously = runs the same as
asynchronously = not the same as

[sackynut]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

I just overlcocked my evga 6800 to 347/764 and every now and then I would see black dots in bf2. I know thats not a good sign so I turned it back to stock speeds. What exactly are the black dots?

those might be artifacts. and thats exactly why I dont want to speed up the memory, just the core. Becuase I heard that artifacts can be created by heat, and too high clock speeds on the memory.

[Neat_Hedgehog]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

A high clock speed on the memory can lead to artifacts much easier than on the core in my experiance. RAMsinks can help this, if you want to throw $10 or so at your card. You can just jack up the core and leave the memory alone, of course, but you can generally OC a little.

Something else I've found is that if you OC the core, you want to try to OC the memory as well. You'll get a much better performance boost that way, even if you can only raise it slightly.

[sp187mf9]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

A high clock speed on the memory can lead to artifacts much easier than on the core in my experiance. RAMsinks can help this, if you want to throw $10 or so at your card. You can just jack up the core and leave the memory alone, of course, but you can generally OC a little.

Something else I've found is that if you OC the core, you want to try to OC the memory as well. You'll get a much better performance boost that way, even if you can only raise it slightly.

cool I'll try raising the memory side just a little bit then.

[bloodbrood]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

If i had a 6800Gt (coming on Friday) how high could i overclock mine? and what are the default speeds of a 6800GT?

[sackynut]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

a 6800gt is 350/1000 i think. im not sure how much you could clock it though.

[WiredEvolution]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

Most people try reaching for 6800Ultra speeds with their GTs. That's a 400 core (forgot the RAM speed). 395 core is something to be happy with. Just take it up in small increments. Download a trusted, proven forceware driver (like 77.72), install CoolBits and get clocking.

The moment you start noticing artifacts is the time you stop and use the previous settings. Let us know how you get on!

Gary



PS-
nvidia/CoolBits combination you can't go wrong. Just take your time and test the results in game! Remember to tick the "Apply these settings at startup" once you've found your sweet spot. Use nvMonitor to watch the temp or check manually in your Display Properties.

[Flanker]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

Yea, the Core and Memory run seperately.

Artifacts (weird distortions, you'll know em when you see em) are caused by the Core Speed, Snow (White [or in this case, Black] dots) is caused by the Memory Speed.

[Mazstermind]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

When O'clocking whats the difference between the 2d abd 3d settings and which should you overclock under?

[WiredEvolution]

Re: when overclocking vid cards

When O'clocking whats the difference between the 2d abd 3d settings and which should you overclock under?

3D settings kick in when you launch a 3D application like Battlefield 2, Doom3, FEAR etc. 2D settings is what your card runs at when in the windows environment.

3D is much more demanding so naturally it makes sense to seperate the 2D and 3D settings.

You overclock in 3D settings, gradually.

Gary