8400M GS-Overclocking for the first time

I'm planning to overclock the 8400M GS to get better performance. However, this is the first time I will be doing this, so I've done a fair bit of background research and searched this forum for answers (and found a great overclocking guide). However, I'd like to clarify on a few things, as well as get a good idea on just how much I can expect to overclock by (I know that every card is different)

1. I'll be using nTune, and I was wondering if the changes I make to the speeds will be permanent (assuming that I don't change them back). eg. I've read that some applications only temporarily OC your GPU, and the effects stop after you close the program/app and I'll have to launch the program to apply the OC'ed settings everytime.

2. OC'ing the GPU will increase the temperature by a bit, and I was wondering which temperature range is stable (under heavy load)? I don't want to be damaging other parts, as Notebook parts are irreplacable. So if I go overboard, not only may my GPU blow up, my CPU may also explode with it (not literally of course)? Could someone provide me a good temperature range for BOTH the CPU and GPU?

3. Since here it's winter, should I OC to a lower stable clock? I mean, when it gets 10 degrees hotter during summer, it could be that extra difference that screws up my computer....right? For example, I find a stable clock for now to be 500/600, but since it is winter, I'll lower it to 480/550 or something since temps will undoubtedly rise in summer

4. The basic steps for overclocking that I have interpreted are:

-Adjust the Core speed by 10 Mhz at a time, then running 3DMark06 to ensure stability. Monitor temps while doing this.
-Keep on doing this until artefacts or anomalities start appearing on screen, then lowering the clock speed to a point where 3DMark06 can be run with no problems.
-Record the clock speed, and revert back to factory settings. Do the same with the Memory clock.
-Apply both new clock speeds, and then run 3DMark06 three times to see how it goes. If errors start appearing (most likely due to the pressure from having both the core and memory overclocked), lower speeds by a bit and run 3DMark06 a few more times.

If there's a tiny bit I missed out on, then PLEASE let me know. I want to get this right, so even a minor step that I missed out could cause consequences. I want this to be as safe as possible.

5. According to the steps I listed above, how do I actually monitor the temperatures. nTune's built-in temperature monitor/graph works fine, but to find out the temperature of the GPU when under load is a difficult task, seeing the application (3DMark06)is pretty much full-screen, except for the few milliseconds or so when it runs a new test. Any tips or advices on monitoring the temperatures?

6. I've read that if 3DMark06 fails for whatever reason, the PC will reboot. This kind of relates back to my first questions-will the settings still be there? This is assuming I'm still in the process of checking clock speeds etc etc. And if my computer crashes due to the GPU or CPU being overworked, will the last stable setting be applied? (assuming I've "saved" my settings and applied them already, and something goes horribly wrong) I mean, it will be horrible if I can even start up my computer to change back my settings because the changes are permanent.

7. I know that there is no "best" driver, but which one is the most stable/reliable (for overclocking) and offers reasonable performance? I've done a bit of research and heard that the Laptopvideo2go drivers work well, especially the 169.09 drivers (which I am currently using).

8. I also know that all GPU's are different, so the rate of overclocking is also different. But It would be great if people with the 8400M GS could post their OC settings for me to compare. I'd like to have a general idea (such as the average OC speeds) of how much I can overclock my GPU.

9. This is more of a general question, but I was wondering around how many points of an increase in the 3DMark06 score will be noticeable during gameplay?

Please answer as many questions as you can, as 90% of these are general overclocking questions not related to the 8400M GS. Thanks in advance. I want to be as safe as possible when OC'ing, and I figured that I'll definately need more help from the forum. The Overclocking Guide on this forum gave me a kick-start, but did not answer all my questions.

Thanks in advance.

 

jeebus thats long. since your from syd and i have the same gpu, ill help

Im not sure about Ntune but with rivatuner you can set the clocks and close the program. The OC will be in effect till you restart your notebook.

Below 80c for both CPU/GPU would be fantastic

Adjust accordingly with your temps. I noticed up to 5c difference on temps on summer/winter.

HWmonitor will show your CPU/GPU/HDD's current, minimum and peak temps. So download this and keep it running in your background so you know the highest temps reached.

Yes pretty much. Also playing actual games to test stability is just as good as 3dmark. As a matter of fact 3dmark doesnt push and put prolonged load into the GPU.

It will revert back to the last stable settings. None of the settings that caused the crash will save. Anyway theres safemode to flush all that crap out.

youll have to find the best ones yourself, different systems yield different results. What notebook do you have?

550/1100/750mhz

Youll notice the fps difference. Gain anywhere from 10-20fps depending on the game.

 

When I want to check system stabily, I run wPrime (intensive multicore-CPU) and Furmark (intensive GPU) at the same time, that gives the system a good work out. Also I run them both for about 10min's, and record temp's; laptop and ambient.

72oo

 

Lol, it's long because I'm worried that I might screw up, so I'd like to be well-informed before I start OC'ing. I'm using a HP Pavilion dv6839tx.

So, everytime I restart my computer, I'll need to adjust the clocks again, since they revert back to stock everytime the computer shuts down right?

 

Yes, with Rivatuner this is the case. Im not sure about Ntune. Use GPU-z to check the clockspeeds.

Btw the last OC'able drivers for HP is 169.04, any higher and your clocks will just reset everytime you try OC. Dont ask why.

 

Too add on a question: Can you over clock Core AND memory the same time?

For example, instead of overclocking just the core by 10Mhz and run 3dMark06, then go back and raise the core by another 10Mhz until the highest, then start raising the memory by 10Mhz until the highest, Is it OKAY to Overclock core AND memory, then run a 3dmark06 test?

If not, then how about overclocking the core by 10 then overclock the memory by 10 instead of overclocking only the core until the highest?

Thanks

 

I know the answer for once. You can. But it's not advised, since you need to find the highest stable settings for both the memory and core clock.

 

Holy s***. As soon as I installed the 169.04 drivers and restarted, my laptop's screen has gone black. No I have no idea how to undo it. Any help? The screen's just completely black...

 

As in before you even attempted to overclock? Does it show a blackscreen as soon as you power on?

Try taking out the battery pack and AC power.

Hold the power button for 30 seconds or more

then only plug in the AC power and try powering up again

 

Yes. I just installed the 169.04 drivers, and it asked me to restart. So I did, but as soon as the desktop was fullly loaded, the screen went black. I've fixed the problem now, by taking the battery out, and getting the prompt for safe mode to pop up and did a system restore.

Is this a driver compatiblity issue? I'm 100% sure that I downloaded/installed the correct driver from laptopvideo2go, and replaced the inf and all the other tasks etc etc