8600 GT: Interesting, OC, better performance, and lower temps: My theory on why

So I just upped my 3D Core Clocked speed from 475 to 500. And the RAM from 400 to 425.

When playing HL2, my temps were 1 to 2c less than last test. I then jumped on 3D Mark 06 immediately after to see if it was down clocking, but the score was about 100 points higher.

What I believe is happening is, that since my peak temp usually doesn't reach over 80c, the fan never has to max out its speed. However, by raising the core clock speed, just 25 mhz, it allowed the card to heat up just enough that the fan sped up to more than cancel out the effects of the increased heat.

Can anyone else duplicate this? Any other possible theories?

 

Theory 1 is the one you said about the fan.

Theory 2 is lower room temperature or maybe different surface you have the laptop on.

 

Kind've off topic: You using XP or Vista for overclocking the 8600m?

 

What's the matter for this??

 

Well I can overclock in Vista, but XP resets to default after pushing Apply.

X_X

 

Could be drivers' problem..

In vista with drivers 16x.xx I can't oc..The bars just go back after applying sto I use older drivers..

 

That's very probable. It is IDENTICAL to what happened on my Alienware laptop. I actually put the clock back down because I didn't really want to risk it (its fragile enough as is). You could theoretically find a fan speed program to set the on speed at a lower temperature and thus save yourself even more heat. Raising the computer up slightly on bottle caps improved cooling further. I find this is a cheap and easy solution for anyone, put something under your computer like bottle caps (on the four corners) and the additional air flow will often lower temperatures!

Also, as was mentioned before, room temperature plays a very large part in computer temperature. A drop in 1 degrees Celsius in the room might result in a similar drop in your computer.

Congrats on your hyper efficient overclock. I think the 8600m gt is a very solid chip.

 

That's what I'm assuming, too. I've been trying a bunch of drivers, but with no luck. So, I'm asking around to people who overclock to see if they can in XP, and if so, which drivers they're using.

 

Yeah, I still set mine back for now. I don't feel like doing anything to the card this early on in owning it. Maybe six months to a year down the road I will really put this thing to the test but despite the great results, I think I will run it at stock settings.


Edit: Vista