Are Notebook GPUs basically underclocked Desktop GPUs?

What I mean is, do nVidia and ATi just get the core graphics processor from the desktop version and then underclock & undervolt it to get it to run in a Notebook? Or do they change more of the fundamental core design to convert it to a Notebook?

The desktop ATi HD2600 Pro is clocked at 600mhz with 500mhz DDR2 RAM, but the Mobility version is 500/400. If the core processor in the Notebook GPU is basically an underclocked desktop core, then would it be safe to assume that as long as the temperatures are good, then I'll not damage the GPU running it at desktop speeds?

According to AMD's GPU tool 0.7, my temperatures tend to be around 35-45 degrees. Gaming doesn't make much of a difference to the temperature, the fan RPM just increases and it is off a lot of the time when not gaming. I have gradually overclocked to 574/468, which hasn't made a noticable increase to the temperature.

Do you think it be safe to run the Moblility version at the same speed as the desktop HD2600? Has anyone experienced damage from overclocking notebook GPUs?

Thanks

 

You could potentially run your laptop GPU at desktop specifications with the only real hold-backers being the heat and voltage. Heat for maxing out, voltage for temps being alright but not enough voltage through device to keep it stable at those clocks. I took my HD2600 to 750/450 before and it was good, this thing loves to have a good core speed increase, I'll definitely go back to see if I can get more on the mem some time.

 

I plan on overclocking my 8800m GTS as soon as I find a utility that will let me, ntune is a no go and Riva tuner same.....

 

It's too new right now, or you just don't have OCable drivers for that 8800 yet.

 

Not sure what your talking about Ntune does allow overclocking, already been tested.

 

I can't imagine my HD2600 getting upto 750mhz. I have been gradually increasing the speed in roughly 10mhz increments and then running at that speed for a while, but it doesn't seem any less prone to causing the screen blank out and ATi drivers to reset then when I overclock the DDR2 memory, (which definately isn't going to get to 750mhz). Any tips?

Did you get the screen blanking out occasionally when setting new speeds with the AMD GPU Clock Tool?

Overclocking at a fresh start-up seems to help, but it will sometimes blank out even when going back to the default speeds.

 

I've started now only using ATI Tool .27 beta 4 as that won't cause my comp to hang (just artifact if I go too high).

 

So you recommend that I change to ATi Tool? I wasn't sure that it supported the HD2000 series, is 0.27 a new version?

I've got the clock speeds up to 594/495 now, which is great. I'm definately not pushing the DDR2 RAM any further, it seems a lot for DDR2 RAM. After playing The Witcher for 30 minutes, I exited and checked the temperature, and it was only at 35 degrees, which is cooler than it was earlier at the default speed when browsing the net (with my Zalman notebook cooler set just below medium RPM). The Witcher plays smoothly in the swamp now at 1280 x 800 at the medium graphics preset (no AA, 2x AF), which is all I wanted, so I'm happy.

 

You may as well keep pushing the RAM (and core) until it starts to artifact just so you know how high you can go. Yes, the .27 beta 4 supports the 2600 and it doesn't hang your comp like AMD GPU Clock Tool can. Remember that what we're doing is only software level OCing, so you will need to apply it every time you want to OC, but I assume you already knew this.

 

The 86/700M GT are undervoled 8600GTS. The 8800Ms are undervolted 8800M GT.

The Hd 2600 are undervolted/shader crippled / bus crippled HD 2 900

 

The 8800m GTX is shader crippled compared to the desktop 8800GT. There is nothing strange with notebook manufacturers underclocking their cards. It has to do with the limited cooling the notebook can output, simple as that. The notebooks are a fire hazard compared to the desktops since notebooks use a different alloy for their chassis compared to the desktop counterparts. That´s the reason I see it, that the notebook manufacturers doesn´t want your laptop to burst into flames.

Also the 8800GT desktop gets really hot even at stock speeds and when overclocked even hotter, now imagine overclocking a 8800m GTX or GTS, I would like to see the 8800m cards reach desktop speeds and see what temps they output when the cards gets really stressed.

 

They can't be the same core as the 2900 as the 2600 series is 65nm (on Notebook & Desktop) but the 2900 is 80nm. The notebook 2600 appears most similar to the desktop '2600 pro' to me. Does anyone know the shader speed of the notebook HD 2600? The desktop HD 2600 pro's is 600mhz, is the notebook version likely to be less?

 

I thought it was that ATI cards have the same core/shader speed (dam their crippling!) so they should be 500 (default) as well.

 

Hmm, well I have a question related to this, my Vostro runs between 60~65 depends on the surrounding temp and if I am OCing or not. Is it safe for me to Volt mod it? will the heat out put increase dramatically?

 

Can you overclock the sharders aswell?

You mean to increase the voltage? From what I have heard, overvolting is quite a bit more risky than just plain overclocking.