Couple of quick overclocking questions

I apologize if these have been asked before, but trust me, I've tried searching.

I'm getting ready to try overclocking my 8600m GT in my Sager, and I have a couple questions. I have both RivaTuner and ATITool. No matter which one I use, they show speeds for 3 different modes, 2D, 3D low, and 3D performance. I haven't tried messing with the sliders yet, but when I do start overclocking the card, do I keep all three the same speeds, or do I only overclock the '3D Performance'?

I like ATITool as it has the artifact scan right there, but I can't find the gpu temperature on it. Does ATITool show temps, or can I have RivaTuner open showing the temp at the same time?

When I use ATITool, do I check the box "Apply clock immediatle after moving slider"?

And lastly, can I use either program to change the fan settings, or do I have to use something else? I haven't messed around with either a ton, but so far I haven't noticed the ability to edit the fan settings.

 

Yes, only change the 3D speeds, not the 2D as it makes your notebook take up extra power, and run hotter when your not running games.

Last I checked you can have both ATITool and RivaTuner open at the same time.

Don't check the immediatly apply clock box ! You always want to have to press apply unless you have a steady hand!

You can edit the fan settings in RivaTuner most of the time.

 

Thanks a ton!

So if I change both 3D speeds, do I change them both by the same amounts? The default on my card is 275/200 and 475/400. Would I say for example, clock them to 375/300 and 575/500? I'd still want to keep the 3D low power lower wouldn't I? Or do I make both 3D modes the same speeds?

 

Like the other poster said, only change the 3d speeds, and you don't have too change them both is up to you. If you want to overclock both, then overclock both. If not, you don't have too.

 

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to my own question, but I'll ask anyway to be safe: the 3D low power mode would be when using the battery on a lower power setting, correct? When the laptop is plugged into a wall outlet, the 3D low power settings don't apply?

 

You truly only need to OC the 3D Power setting. 3D low power, goes to low power graphics, things that don't really need that much. So unless low powered 3d items are giving you trouble, no reason to OC.

Make sure you monitor ALL the tempertures of your notebook while OCing the card and that you look up others who have previously OC'd the card to find the safe level.

 

Just change the higher one, it's pointless to change the lower one becuase I doubt you will ever use it anyhow, and if you do, then you'll want it to be that low to save battery power.

The lower one is there to save power when not in full screen 3D, or power save mode, most people even try to lower that more, but that can cause just as many crashes as overclocking too high.

 

And also, I think this was kind of already answered, but I have to click 'set clock' after moving the slider for the new speed to take effect, right?

How fast should I increase the speeds, and in what incriments? I was thinking 5 mhz at a time? Do I have to wait a few seconds inbetween each new incriment? Should I also do both the core and the memory slowly together, or do each completely seperately.

 

The power options in the control panel are what control that, 3D Low Power is exactly that. It's simply for programs that don't need as much juice to run. It is possible that your PC might down clock the card to low power 3d, but I doubt it.

 

Yet another questions.

Should I have it set to overclock on boot-up? I don't see why I wouldn't want these settings changed all the time, since it only effects when I'm gaming.

 

I dont know about ATiTOOL? but i recommend powerstrip. i have used it for a while now and havent had any problems. it is SUPER EASY. Try it out if you wanna but if u dont that is ok too cause i hear good things about ATiTool and Rivatuner...

 

I like both ATITool and Rivatuner, so I'll stick to those.

I would still like to know though, should I have my overclocked profile load at windows startup?

 

No! not yet! make shure your pc handle it for several days before making it auto OC at boot up.

If you screw it up, then your PC wont load windows, and you'll have to load into Safe mode and manually uninstall and reinstall ATITool or rivaTuner if your OCing on that. Or worse, have to reinstal your OS..


In other words, MAKE SHURE YOUR OC IS 100% SAFE before deciding to keep it.

 

Will do.

Thanks again guys for all the help.

 

No prob.