Video Card Overclocking Basics(noobs read here first!)

john_spit010 · 02-23-2004, 11:02 PM

I am getting pretty bored of answering "How do I overclock my...."
"What program do i use..." I'm sure others are getting bored too.
So this thread will show you exactly how to overclock

Overclocking Steps

First thing you must do is download an overclocking program like Rivatuner, Powerstrip, Rage 3D Tweak, etc. Dont ask which one is the best, try them yourself and see which one works best for you. *Coolbits is a registry edit that enables overclocking in Nvidia cards*

Second thing is now go into the overclocking program and there should be 2 sliders: one for core and the other for memory. (If using coolbits oc in the 3D tab not 2D). Now first just work with the core. Move the slider about 5-10mhz apply it, and now go into the program 3D Mark 2K3 (can be downloaded at futuremark.com) and start it up if your system locks up or there is 'snow' exit and back it down by about 2-3mhz and recheck. If there is no snow and it doesn't lock up then you're good to oc further. So repeat by increasing another 5-10mhz until you reach your maximum where it's stable.

Now to the memory, firstly return your core back to stock. Now repeat the first step except you're obviously now ocing the memory. *Note* this time artifacts may appear rather than snow.

Now return your core to the oced speeds you had before in order to make sure the oced core and memory work together. Loop 3D Mark 2K3 a few times to see if you get any snow, artifacts or lock ups. It is also a good idea to play an intensive 3D game for bout an hour or 2 to check for any signs of problems.

If you get any problems then back down both the core and memory a bit (around 2mhz). Keep doing that until you get the most stable speeds.

With that done you've finished. Everything has worked out good and you have succesfully oced your card. If you want to oc further then you will have to buy better cooling/vmod the card via bios or hard mod.

Overclocking Programs

Nvidia
Coobits Reg edit
Powerstrip
Rivatuner
ATI Tool (Yes it works on Nvidia cards)
Ntune

ATI
ATI Tool
Radlinker
Rage 3D Tweak
Powerstrip
Rivatuner

Cooling

Air

Zalman VF-900CU
This cooler is one of the best aircoolers out there, includes ramsinks and fits all the latest cards Geforce 4+ and Ati 9xxx+

Zalman VF-700 CU
An alternative to the VF-900, they're quite a bit cheaper and perform a bit worse than the VF-900, but if price is an issue for you than this is still a great choice. Includes Ramsinks.

Arctic Silencers
Arctic cooling makes alot of versions, each designed to fit a specific series of cards. I recommend the newer rev2 or 3. The older seemed to be poorly designed especially the NV series. Some cool both ram and gpu while others only cool gpu.

Arctic Cooling Acceleros
A high performance cooler, designed for only high end cards. Offers decent performance while remaining fairly quiet.

Thermalright HR-03
The best VGA cooler out there, the only 1 that can be fully recommended for the hot X1900's. However will require the optional 92mm fan for best results.

For information check out their websites:
Zalman
Thermalright
Arctic Cooling

Water

Swiftech MCW60
A top block that fits all the latest ATI and Nvidia cards.
*Note* The older Swiftech MCW50/55 are still great blocks if you can get them cheap by all means.

Dangerden Maze 4
A top performing block, should fit most cards out there. *Dont get the one with the Aluminium top, it will most likely corrode after time*

Silverprop Fusion SL/HL
Yet another top performing block, it compatible with most Ati cards and the Geforces up to the Geforce 4 MX. The Geforce 4 TI, FX, 6 & 7 series will require an optional Clip. The difference between SL and HL is SL= Low profile HL= High Profile

*Do not get any full cover (GPU+MEM) blocks they are restrictive, expensive and result in a no higher oc. In other words a waste of money*

For more information check out their websites:
Swiftech
DangerDen
Silverprop

FAQ

1. How far can I go?
No one will be able to tell you how far you can go as every card is different

2. Why can't I hit the same speeds as my friend and we both have the same card?
As i said no cards are exactly the same

3. What are artifacts?
Artifacts are disorted lines and shapes, you will definately notice them. These are caused by the memory being oced to high. Check out the screen shot

4. What's snow?
Snow is a bunch of white dots on the screen. These are caused by the core being to high/hot.

5. I want to push my card further
As briefly mentioned in the guide, you will have to buy better cooling, physically volt mod or bios flash the card.

6. Why 3D Mark 2K3 and not 2K5 or 2K6?
I believe 3D Mark 03 is more stressful than the others, i've found that in alot of cases i can't run the speeds i'm stable in 2K5 in 2K3.

7. I can't be bothered downloading 3D Mark isn't there an alternative?
If this is the case i recommend gaming for an hour or two. ATI tool also works quite well.

8. Can i oc my onboard graphic card such as the Geforce 6100?
Nvidia and ATI based IGP's can overclocked, however i don't think Intel, Via, and SIS chipsets can.

For more information pm me. Or if I have missed something out or I should change something tell me.
Also any overclocking you do is at your own risk.

Hope this helps to all noobs to overclocking.

Maniac · 02-24-2004, 12:04 AM

good thread

coolbits:

aparoche · 02-24-2004, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by john_spit010
Now first just work with the core. Move the slider about 5-10mhz and then go into 3d mark 2003 and check for 'snow' if there are some then ur card is oced to high so back down about 5mhz and recheck. If there is no snow then ur good to oc further. So repeat by uping another 5-10mhz until u reach your maximum with no 'snow or artifacts'.

When you overclock your core too high you get system lock-ups. Artifacts or "snow" as you call it is caused by the memory being overclocked too high.

(907)FAN-BOY · 02-24-2004, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aparoche
When you overclock your core too high you get system lock-ups. Artifacts or "snow" as you call it is caused by the memory being overclocked too high.

Uhhh actually you can get snow from the core being too high, it's different looking then artifacting.... locking up is more common though.

Anyways, good guide, except coolbits isn't a downloadable program. The coolbits people download from the internet is a thing that changes the registry value and enables coolbits.. I think..

xdownsetx · 02-24-2004, 12:58 AM

you are correct Sir.

Maniac · 02-24-2004, 01:04 AM

yes; black/white dots (somtimes other colors) are core artifacts

things that look like polygons have been stretched across the screen are memory artifacts. (spikes, etc)

aparoche · 02-24-2004, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by (907)FAN-BOY
Anyways, good guide, except coolbits isn't a downloadable program. The coolbits people download from the internet is a thing that changes the registry value and enables coolbits.. I think..

You can either download the Coolbits registry file or edit your registry yourself. When you download the Coolbits file and run it it automatically merges itself to your registry and makes the proper additions to your registry to enable the Overclocking tab.

Two great guides on Coolbits...
http://oc3dmark.octeams.com/tip02.html

http://www.overclockers.com.au/techstuff/a_coolbits/

john_spit010 · 02-24-2004, 03:36 AM

ok i've made some changes with the thing about coolbits and added about lock ups with core being high

arunabh · 02-25-2004, 03:48 AM

what about the temperature...?
OCing the card does increase the temp....
what should be the average temp of the card..?
if its running at a high temp doesnt it effect the card in the long run ?

Maniac · 02-25-2004, 04:38 AM

most likely that will start causing artifacting... which will let you know clocks are too high...

Ket · 02-27-2004, 04:31 AM

actually ive only noticed colour disorders whenever ive pushed an nvidia core too high never snow or lockups, only ever had that with ATI cores.

littlec · 02-27-2004, 10:57 AM

how about a linux version?

canwood58 · 02-29-2004, 06:16 AM

ok, i have a 5200fx which i know is pants but i want to overclock it -does anyone have any links to the software i will need to download
and yes im a newbie

so please help!

Odanez · 02-29-2004, 07:11 AM

the only thing i've ever had on my FX5900 were lockups.
artifacts came when i flashed its bios to fx5950ultra.
I'm running it now past fx5950ultra speeds and it's just fine

Odanez · 02-29-2004, 07:24 AM

as for canwood58, I'd recommend you get the latest forceware drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp) and select
Graphics Driver->GeForce and TNT2->your OS->Go...
then get the coolbits mod (link at the 2nd reply).

Maniac · 02-29-2004, 07:59 AM

odanez. why the change in your card?

Odanez · 02-29-2004, 09:16 AM

what do u mean?
I only overclocked it

Maniac · 02-29-2004, 10:54 AM

oh! I get it. I thought you said you were having lockups on your 5900 before the flash; then you flashed to 5950u and had artifacts; then flashed back and had no more problems. But I get what you meant now so nevermind.

Odanez · 02-29-2004, 11:02 AM

and the thing is with a 5950ultra bios at stock speed (475/950) it gave me artifacts and no hw monitor and a few more problems...
but with higher speeds on 5900 bios no artifacts. strange, I wonder why.

Maniac · 02-29-2004, 11:14 AM

which bios did you use?
maybe you should try a different one.

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