K53TA.. The best deal ever... could be!

I just ran the installer from the one at Guru3D and it updated my driver to 8.881. But now I can't overclock.

 

If you would that would be great for testing purposes. Then I can run exactly the same except RAM and compare then. It's actually running at about the right frames considering the boost youur RAM is giving, but the stutter is what's annoying me most. I suppose micro-stutter is unavoidable on this setup completely.

 

I get stutter at the start of a level, but then it smooths out after about 30 seconds. Almost like it's loading stuff into memory then once it's there, it's good.

edit: I left the 11.8 package installed but installed the 11.6 drivers and overclocking resumes as normal.

 

I've asked about using 1600 memory but wasnt able to get an answer. As far as I know, all A6-3400m chips can only support 1333 memory. Are you saying your asus k53ta is running that 1600 memory at full speed? Have you checked to see what speed it registers as and actually performs at?

Also, have you ever tried to increase the amount of memory allocated to the integrated gpu (6520)?

 

AFAIK the A6 only supports max DDR3 1333. Allowable RAM for the iGPU is dynamic, and really probably couldn't make use of much more than 512MB. But I'll test that out.

 

Same problem here, yet some people are claiming they can get it to work. I can't get it to work with either MSI Afterburner or Sapphire Trixx, despite disabling ULPS...

Micro-stutter is avoidable, I haven't encountered any in DX: HR so far. I'll test with Bad Company 2 as well.

I'll make you a screenshot. Also, check out WingNut's screenshots, he's done a lot of testing of voltages/overclocks.

I actually haven't had a chance to put the RAM in yet, but I will tomorrow and I'll make sure it's running at 1600 Mhz. I based my numbers on previous testing and benchmarks, but I'll find out for myself if 3400M APU's can handle 1600 Mhz (I hope they can, otherwise I'll be selling that RAM to my friend and buying some low latency 1333 Mhz RAM.)

I don't think you can increase the amount of RAM given to the iGPU, or at least I don't see a BIOS option for it. Didn't someone make a modded K53TA BIOS? The option may exist in there. It'd be great to give the iGPU 1 GB of RAM to match the dGPU.

 

So then there's no reason to buy 1600 ram if it can't utilize the speed boost, correct? You don't have any problems using 1600?

 

I'm not using 1600MHz, only 1333 G.SKill.

 

I'll test it tomorrow and see. If it does support 1600 Mhz then it's only good news for us, as Llano receives a big performance boost going from 1333 Mhz to 1600 Mhz RAM.

I wonder if I can adjust the SPD timings at least, I should be able to run the 1600 Mhz RAM @ 7-7-7 timings at 1333 Mhz Speeds vs. the stock 1333 Mhz Samsung that comes with the k53 that runs at 9-9-9 timings.

 

Normally tighter timings do help. But I'll have to find the article where they tested an A8 desktop CPU with 1333 and 1600 MHz RAM and 1600MHz made a significant difference in performance with the iGPU compared with timings. But I'd be interested in seeing your results.

 

Yea, increased ram speed helps A LOT for these llano APUs, and better timings do offer some performance increase too. I was looking at buying this memory for its good timings (CL7):

Amazon.com: Kingston Technology Hyper X 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL7 DIMM (Kit of 2) KHX1333C7AD3K2/8G: Electronics

I'd much rather be able to use 1600 memory though, if it were possible. I suppose thats where paying more for the premium a6-x series APU comes in .

 

I also heard this said in the DV6 thread in regards to the llano APUs and timings:

 

Actually Disgustipated (or anyone else who is running DX well) if you could trouble yourself and post your Catalyst settings, K10Stat profile and full game settings, I would really appreciate it. I haven't had trouble in my benchmarks, so my machine is theoretically working normally. At the same settings it should run normally.

 

Do you adjust your CPU speed only when gaming?

I've currently got mine set to 2.0 GHz for tasks and was wondering if that was safe for everyday use.

I see a lot of you running in excess of 2.3 GHz for gaming, what sort of CPU Temps are you running and what would be considered an acceptable Temperature. Not interested in burning this laptop up anytime soon.

Thanks

 

Well if you set your K10Stat profile appropriately, it will vary speed based on CPU usage. Plus if you go in your advanced power profiles and set minimum and maximum CPU usage to like 5% and 90% it will never use that top end power profile P0.

I do that for my balanced power profile, then have my high performance profile set for min/max CPU @ 100% so it never varies down.

 

it almost feels like it just hovers around my set preset speed, I don't see it spike to 2.3 unless I open a program or something

I had Adobe CS5, CIV V running, three videos playing and the cpu speed hardly moves.

I included a pic of my K10Stat Settings...

I feel I should just set the speed depending on what I feel like doing

1.8 for desktop apps
2.0 for gaming


BTW This feels pretty fast in 2.0 GHz speed why are you guys going past 2.3 ?

 

Here you go:

 

does anyone have the stock cpu settings for k10stat at 1.4 ghz

please post

 

Hit Default.

 

doesn't work... found this instead, I believe it's a little off but will do... thanks

 

Thanks Disgustipated. Vsync was causing my framespikes and stuttering. I turned it on because someone in an earlier post said it was necessary in crossfire. Game is running fine now, averages 40-50fps, occasionally drops to under 30 when loading an area. I can totally live with that.

 

is this safe for extended game play ???

85 C at 2.2 GHz

 

No problem. Switching to Dual Channel RAM should help, and once 11.8 is overclockable (or 11.9), should get even better FPS. Drivers and patches will increase performance on the game but it's very smooth.

Too high. I hit like 73c @ 2.2 Ghz. You probably set the voltage way too high.

 

heres my settings, is the voltage too high

 

the amd chip can run up to 100 C.

whether prolonged use at 85 C will cause damage is unknown.

I would assume not, though, since 85C is within spec.

 

NOTE

ATK Package is needed for Power4Gear which I found K10Stat is dependent on for overclocking, without it, you can't overclock

 

AMD Llano shuts down AHCI and USB 3.0 when overclocking

i found this article about usb3 throttling down to usb2 when overclocking.
the difference is that they're trying to raise fsb, while we're changing just the multiplier.

i don't know if this affects this chipset, but does anyone have any usb3 external devices they can test while overclocked...... to see if you still get usb3 speeds?

 

Here's my best gaming overclocks so far, with picture proof and settings/data:



2.6 Ghz @ 1.15v, fully stable under IntelBurnTest

Incredibly impressive from a mobile CPU... I'm sure I could go to 2.8-3.0 Ghz, but I'll need to repaste the CPU to keep the temps down. Deus Ex: HR runs stable as a rock (around 73-75c) with these high OC's, and the game LOVES CPU increases, so the jump from playing at 2.2 Ghz to 2.6 Ghz is very substantial. Tom's Hardware just did a performance comparison of various frequencies/core usage on the game's performance:



Check out Phenom II's performance boost from 2 Ghz to 2.5 Gh: 12 FPS avg, 11 FPS minimum gained! Incredible.

I'll update my results after I repaste. I'm going to shoot for 3 Ghz stable gaming overclock.

 

Wow! That is impressive.

 

Ok, I've gotta rescind my recommendation to use Crossfire on Deus Ex: Human Revolution (or at least when heavily overclocked). After benchmarking Crossfire on vs Crossfire off, I've found that Crossfiire Off (only using the dedicated 6650m) results in 2-5 FPS better overall, and it doesn't have the weird slowdown that occurs when entering new scenes.

Why? I can only hypothesize that the iGPU takes away precious resources from the CPU (and this game IS heavily CPU dependent) and also saturates the memory bus so that the game has to fight for RAM for both the CPU and iGPU when loading up various parts of the level. Hopefully new drivers and CAP profiles will allow even better performance using A-Crossfire.

Whatever the case may be, I'm getting about 40-60 FPS average on DX HR @ 1600x900 (using my HDTV, not the laptop screen). 1600x900 with no AA looks better than 1376x768 with AA to me AND offers the same performance, so that's why I switched over to using my HDTV. It also takes some of the load off the CPU and places more onto the dGPU. However, @ 1080p it takes a roughly 10-15 FPS performance hit vs 1600x900, so 1600x900 is the sweet spot for this game with these particular hardware specs and this game.

Still gotta test out Bad Company 2 and see what works best for that game.

 

I've also found that for CPU intensive operations, Crossfire can have a negative effect on performance, but I didn't think Deus Ex is that CPU dependent, at least can't figure out why it would be. Although I do get a 2-5fps boost from using Crossfire in Bad Company 2 which stresses the CPU to its max.

Regarding 2.6GHz @ 1.15v, I can get the same, but once I get in game with something that's CPU intensive (like BC2 or SC2) the temps reach 90-92c, clearly in the danger zone.

And I can't stress this enough, IntelBurnTest is NOT a clear indicator of stability or pushing temps similar to a resource hungry game. What I found works best is Prime95 + Kombustor. I just don't want you guys to fry your machines. I was all excited first time I was getting stable overclocks with IntelBurnTest then I played some games and kept locking up. That's when I started using Prime95.

 

Sorry if this has already been asked, I still have a few pages of catch-up to read through, but have you done any testing or benchmarks to confirm that 1600 MHz DDR3 memory actually made 20-30% GPU difference? It was my understanding that this laptop only supports up to 1333 MHz, so any higher speed memory would just end up clocking down.

Just curious -- If it does make that sort of difference I'd happily swap mine out.

___________________________________
Update!: My apologies, this has been beaten to death. Now I'm just hoping someone can post their experience with 1600MHz DDR3. It would be thrilling if it ends up working out.

 

Has anyone figured out a way to test the stability of the lower P states? [email protected] is rock solid for me, but the other ones have caused some application crashes and some system crashes. Currently have everything set to 2.3 for stability, but I would want to have a good speed ramp like normal. Setting the P state using k10stat only holds it for a little while.

Thanks

 

click on each of the four cores at the speed you want, then click apply. That will hold the speed of each of the cores at that selected speed. So you can test this way.

 

I think the dual channel was more responsible for the speed up than any great increase in timing of 1600 run at 1333.

 

Ok just got my laptop in, what are the first things I should be doing to this thing other than removing bloatware?

 

Make sure to remove the trend antivirus is comes with. Install AVG or microsoft security essentials, then make recovery media. Then update your BIOS. Then install some games and test the heck out of it. Once you're sure it's a solid stable machine, you can start reading up on overclocking the CPU or GPU here, and on upgrading your drivers as well. No hurry on driver upgrades, the stock ones work fairly well.

 

I was doing this at first, but while viewing CPUZ while running Cinebench, the clocks went back to normal after a few seconds. Haven't tried it again... should I?

 

Use Lock P-State by right clicking K10Stat in the system tray.

 

Are you using HWInfo to monitor clocks? It seems the best since it's real-time and accurate.

When running Cinebench, did your temps exceed 80C? There seems to be some sort of firmware that will throttle the CPU down as temps approach 80C.

 

I was actually going to post that as well. Although I was able to get solid fps in crossfire with the right drivers and settings, I got better fps with just the 6650. I also noticed you updated your gaming profile. I'll probably try mine at the same since your machine and mine seem to have the same range, while other volts I've tried on recommendation BSOD'd.

I think the comment made way back in the thread about CPU core OCing taking throughput needed for the 6520 in crossfire was correct. I also think the benefit in most games from the CPU overclock makes better overall frames without crossfire than the added GPU core does at stock clocks. Hence the better frames without.
I've confirmed this in Crysis 2, RIFT, Alice: MR, Fable III, Deus Ex: HR and Fallout: NV. Some of those are DX11 games and some DX9, but they all run better with single over crossfire, though the difference is less if running crossfire and stock clocks in the DX11 games.

 

I have a similar situation, when testing my temps are low 70s, and core #3 gets an error in Prime95 (rounding error) when I try to drop the voltage down to 1.075 at 2200; however it works on IntelBurnTest. I get no errors at 1.0875 and 1.1v at 2200, in either Prime95 or IntelBurnTest, so those seem to be, for my CPU, OK voltages.

What frequency and voltages, paired with 2.1,2.2 and 2.3 GHz are you trying when core #3 fails?

It's been a while since I've overlocked, things have come a long way.

 

If SiSoft Sandra says I have 2 memory channels, am I running in dual channel? I bought the cheap gskill memory stick from newegg. CPUZ didn't have anything in the dual channel field.

Thanks!

 

any cooling modifications ? ? ?

anyone know what sorta access we have to the cpu for thermal coating?

 

Finally got my cores stable at 2.2Ghz. Had to crank the voltage up to 1.1 to get core 3 to be stable. I played a good hour of BC:2 and it performed fairly well.

Thanks for the tip on locking the cores when testing Wingnut.

Now to mess around with this GPU mess.

 

It shouldn't be running hot at the proper voltages. I'm running mine at 2300/2600 when gaming and not breaking 73C. Several other people have gotten even higher speeds at lower voltages.
If you're running at similar settings to other successful ones you've seen here and your CPU is still overheating, you might consider exchanging it at the store.

As to pasting, hold on, I'll shut down, flip it over and take the panels off and find out.
EDIT: I would not recommend opening the casing on this laptop. I got the back panel off, but the plastic could have easily cracked at several points with the slightest slip. Once the board is exposed, the heatsink doesn't look too difficult to remove. Looks the same as any other laptop heatsink. I didn't actually remove it because mine is running just fine, so I don't want to break the seal. If your CPU is running too hot, it's not worth voiding the warranty by leaving evidence that you opened it up.

 

I have [email protected] stable, and after an hour or so of COD4 it will hit upper70's lower 80's...you think that's normal? and How can I stress test my GPU? I haven't had any problems at 700/1000, so should i keep bumping it up and playing games until it locks up?

 

The CPU is rated up to 100C, so you aren't doing damage. If it's causing throttling, it's a problem, but if it's running fine with no BSODs, you should be okay. Mine stays under 75C, but I could be in a cooler environment with better airflow and running less demanding settings on my games.

As for your GPU clocks, from what I've heard 700/1000 is the sweet spot. That's the other reason yours is hotter, I'm running 11.8 drivers so I'm at stock GPU clocks.

 

Honestly, don't even bother with Prime95, it seems to be an anomaly. I stresstested my newest overclock of 2.73 Ghz @ 1.185v with 3DMark11 (which WILL fail any unstable overclocks very quickly) and 6-7 hours of Deus Ex: Human Revolution and it was absolutely fine. Temps were at 75-80c.

I think Prime95 just has a really weird issue with these CPU's... if everything but Prime95 is stable (and several things that tax the CPU even harder than Prime95) and it's that same Core #3 failing... I really think it should be dismissed as a strange anomaly and error. I'll go test my 2.73 Ghz overclock right now with Bad Company 2 and see how she does, but I'm guessing it should be stable .

 

There's an easy way to prove if Prime95 works properly. If Prime95 shows no errors at stock settings, then it's not an error with Prime95.

The danger of dismissing Prime95 as faulty is that the laptop may slowly corrupt data over time.