[GPU overclock] - Latitude E6400 Quadro NVS 160 - (optimize: gaming)

80C for your GPU is too high. it should be around 70C max.

Make sure there is good contact with the heatsink, maybe copper mod it.
Change the thermal paste and update your BIOS (the fan will be faster).

Also I use ATItool for overclocking, let it find "max mem" and "max core".

 

Hmmm ok, well I'll go looking for this ATItool, modding it is certainly not an option for me, this is a work supplied laptop, so no cracking the case for me .

In the meantime, here is a video for further explanation.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/azctwzdzywr/gpu.avi

I did try uploading it to youtube but they bloody downsized it and it lost all the detail.

Notice the slight fit it has ~3min mark, happened when I atl+tabed to go to the desktop. And see after I apply the profile, the GPU clock settings do what they like.

Also the video ingame is not as jumpy as it looks, it is much smoother, I think it was just the video capture app that added the chunkiness to it.

 

I dont think 80c is too high for the Nvidia GPU, they are supposed to manage even higher working temps. I have higher max temps without any downclocking. The downclock problem seems to be related to something else.

EDIT: And remember that a copper mod could void your warranty, atleast if you break something....

 

GPU's can handle 100 to 110 degree Celsius depending on the model, after that the GPU will either slowdown for overheating protection, or kill the drivers (game will crash), or kill itself (system lockup or BSOD).

I had dekstop GPU operate well over 75C IDLE, default manufacture setting (not pre-overclock or anything), and no problem after 3 years.

 

So any clue why my overclock settings dont stay? Seems even when I load the sysdflt.nsu profile, those settings quickly are downclocked within minutes of selecting it?

I am on BIOS A19, with nVidia driver 195.62 on WinXP SP3.

 

use the 18*** drivers.

 

sysdflt.nsu is the default GPU settings (factory settings), so that is normal that it does that. What downclocks your GPU, is Nvidia PowerMizer technology. This is the power management of your GPU, who's goal is to reduce heat and power consumption (of course, as side affect, reduces performance).

I think your problem is a driver bug. I think that Nvidia PowerMizer kicks in when it should not. I have made a tool call NvGPUPro that allows you to tweak Nvidia PowerMizer (among other things). Check it out (it's 100% free, donation supported): http://www.nvgpupro.com/
You can see on my signature (second link), what people are saying.

The option I recommend the most when modifying Nvidia PowerMizer setting using my tool for laptop users is this one "Disable Nvidia's PowerMizer technology only when the system is plug-in". This way it doesn't affect your battery life, and provides you maximum performance when you are plug-in.

I don't know if it will help... but it's a try. Please note that you'll need to restart the computer to apply the changes when using my tool, as the drivers need to load the new values of it's driver configuration.

If it helps, consider donating so that my software and website can stay ad and spyware free, and continue it's development.

p.s: I have the same driver version as you but for Win7 64-bit.
Also, not to go off-topic, but you'll get a performance increase by going with a 64-bit OS, as you get to use 4GB or more of memory, and get to use the 654-bit CPU that you purchased (which I find shameful to not take advantage off). Also the UI of Vista/Win7 with Aero, is rendered by the GPU and not by your CPU like under XP and previous Windows. This means you have a fancy nice interface with cool features like Aero snap, thumbnail preview and such, and even a wallpaper without pushing your CPU liek crazy as it doesn't know how to draw (and keep drawn images in cache and such to try ot make up for the slow CPU drawing speed). Just something to consider (and also that Microsoft doesn't provide any support for it, other than critical updates until 2012.. and even then.. they have a hard time doing it as they don't really want to). Anyway, all I wanted to say is that I think you'll have a better, more enjoyable should I say, time with your system using Vista/Win7 64-bit. I say that, because as much I used to like XP, teh day I touched Vista 64-bit... I this is Vista we are talking about, I can't even use XP anymore.. I don't even want to see it, even.

 

Thanks for the feedback GoodBytes, I knew about your little app, and I did turn powermiser off in the driver, so will try your app and give it another go. I know all about the difference between XP and Win7, but did not have a choice as work supplies the MoE, (Managed Operating Environment) and they are testing out Win7 atm, so I am waiting for that to be rolled out.

But will definitely let you know how it goes, I'll also downgrade to a 18x.xx series driver as suggested by moral above if I see evidence of downclocking.

 

OK Tested out your nVidia Tweak tool, first thing I noticed is that the options to turn powermiser on in your utility were not selected, so I selected the "Completely disable..." option and restarted my system.

Rebooted fine, started up NOTHING but nVidia System Monitor and loaded up the gamemode.nsu profile. As you can see no less than 30seconds later with out me actually doing anything it downclocked itself down in quick steps.

This is undocked, with only a usb mouse and keyboard attached and a PSU.

Ambient temp was 30oC.

Will try downgrading the drivers to a 18x.xx version and trying it all out again

 

Very interesting...
If the 18x.xx drivers dosen't work, contact Dell and say that the GPU keeps down-clocking when you use it. Obviously, don't talk about overclocking it, as Dell won't cover you. They should send you a new motherboard, however be prepared to re-install your OS as well (to rule out a driver conflict somewhere).