Go 7800, overclocked w/ no problems

What's up everyone...I took a leap this morning and downloaded the newest X-treme Forceware driver for the Go 7800 on my E1705. After installing and allowing the nvidia display tool detect optimal settings, I was at clock speeds of 365 (core) and 861 (memory). I don't have 3DMark ot anything installed, so I ran the test sequence on F.E.A.R. and saw my FPS jump from an average of 48 to 70!! This is with everything on maximum, FSAA turned off and filtering at 4x.

The tempurature, according to the nvidia desktop tool, is at about the same levels, that being up to 82C before the fan kicks it down to about 72ish or so. Does anyone know a tool I can use to better read my systems temp? or is the nvidia tool sufficient? If anyone else has overclocked their card, I'd be interested in seeing what improvements/issues you've had.

 

You can download I9kfangui. With this program you can control when your fans kick on and what speed they will run at. It also reports temp very accuratly and takes almost no resources to run.

 

I9kfangui can't work with the e1705/i9400 ath the moment. There should be an update soon though.

 

I say the nvidia tool is sufficient at reading the GPU temp. Everest reports the same temps. If you're also interested in knowing your cpu and hdd temps, you can download the free version of Everest here. Once installed, just click on 'computer,' then 'sensor' in the everest program. You can't change when your fan turns on/off with Everest, though.

As far as improvements with optimal OC'ing -- 2k extra points in 3dmark05, but since I don't have anything more demanding than HL2, I'm running stock w/ no OC'ing in hopes that I'm doing my GPU some long term good.

 

Any chance you'd be able to install 3DMark05 and run the default test? I've been waiting 3 weeks to see what the 7800 does!

 

I just received my 1705 this morning and am in the process of downloading 3dmark right now. Already OC'd and cleaned up the OS to get rid of all the fluff.

I can say that WoW looks butter smooth and very pretty. And I am used to a widescreen LCD already running the dell widescreen 20 inch screen on my compuetrs at home Anyway, I'll post an update in a little while.

 

Just got the run done. Using all the default 3dmark05 settings and resolution, using the Nvidia overclocker to determine the best speed, I received a score of 5459 3D marks. mind you, this is with the slowest CPU on the laptop, the 1.6 Core Duo and 1Gb of RAM.

 

Excellent! I've been waiting 3 weeks to find out how the 7800 goes. Any chance you'd be able to publish the project and give us your compare URL?

 

Had to re-run it and all since I didnt save the results anyway, here ya go

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1843407

 

Thanks for that! Futuremark are indentifying your video card as an "NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX", it's actually a GeForce Go 7800 (vanilla) right?

 

Correct. I am not running the Dell drivers though, rather the latest Nvidia ones using the laptopvideo2go sites updated INF file.

 

Got a link to those drivers are at?

 

Sure do, and here it is:

http://www.tweaksrus.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=163&Itemid=41/

The driver I'm currently using (and am SO happy with) would be the first one on the list.......enjoy!!

 

Okay, so since reducing the under clock, I've ran a few 3DMark05 tests on the system....here's what she did:

Stock clock speeds - 4700

Overclocked - 5507

 

So theoretically, based on those numbers, if you OC'd the 7800 go to 450MHz (which it should be able to handle) you could get a 6100 3Dmark 05 score.

I think temps would be a problem at that point though... even if you were able to change the fan speeds.

 

you know, I'm not real sure heat would be a problem...the temps didnt change when I made the move to its current set up (367/889).....after an hourlong session of BF 2, I immediately pulled up my nVidia desktop tool, and the temp was reading 64*C.......so it's no where near its 93* threshold. Interestingly enough, I get higher temps just using the internet.....anyone know what that's all about? Are the fans just not kicking in cause the GPU isn't being worked?

Anyways, I'm not gonna be the first yahoo to try and clock his brand new GPU to 450 though...if someone has done this and not blown anything up....let me know how that went....maybe post some numbers

Note: Tweaksrus.com just posted a new 84.xx driver......I've downloaded this and will run a new 3DMark05 score once installed....

 

as long as you dont start artifacting i dont see much problem with your temps.

 

My E1705 came in the mail today but no1 was home so they're coming back today... i wanna be fully prepared, does that new driver tell you the temps/Mhz or memory your running at or should i d/l something else like off cpuid or something?

 

I downloaded the new drivers last night, fired up BF2 and immediately, there was something different. Prior, I think I was using the 83.9 drivers and was completely content. After installing the new 84.xx driver, I was getting all sorts of glitches in game play. It was still running pretty smooth, but there would be portions of the map where no textures would show....or portions of the sky or clouds would be black.....so I've reverted back to the 83.9 drivers for now.....if anyone else was having the same issues, I'd sure like to know.

Also, Burrito (awesome name bay the way), the nVidia desktop tool gives the core tempurature of the GPU...there are a number of programs out there that you could DL to gt the CPU or memory temps though...

 

dude, that means you OCed too far!! You are getting artifacts, this is a common sign that you need to back your GPU/memory down a bit.

you better fix it soon or you might have permanent damage!!

 

Lol thanks, should i just download CPU-Z is the nVidia tool available off their site? So to OC ur graphics card all u did was download the driver/forceware?



PS- My laptop came, its sitting on my lap right now

 

Jengo - That's what i was assuming, but all I did was use the "optimum settings" on the nVidia tool....so I went back to the 83.90 drivers, as I've never had problems with those...

Burrito - Yes, all you have to do is download the forceware drivers and intall them (though, if you've never done this before, I suggest using the tutorial listed on tweaksrus.com). However, I would NOT use the new set of driver released, the 84.xx drivers, use the 83.90....

 

kk, should i uninstall the 84. one? and install the 83.90... have you had problems with the 84?

 

I would go with the 83.90 drivers for now...the 84.xx just came out, so whether or not they're any good remains to be seen. The 83.9's are pretty solid though.

 

I'm using the 84.12 drivers from XtremeG. No issues so far. They seem to be an improvement over the 83.9's, games aren't smoother but the performance is more 'reliable'. I had problems with the 83.90's and stability.

 

Chaz, what sorts of reliability issues? I've been using the 83.9's with no problems....of course, i do realize that each system is different and certain drivers just don't mesh well with certain setups, but I try to learn all I can about any issues that occur, you know, in the event that something starts showing up on my system.

 

Basically, graphics instability. Games were great, when they worked. Sometimes I would go into a game, and it would horribly stutter, as if only the CPU was doing the work - a restart fixed it.

Yesterday, I believe the driver installation finally got messed up, as the customary restarts weren't working, so I d/loaded the 84.12's and now everything is good. Going to run 3DMark a little later.

 

Ok, i finally found out where you guys were talking about when you were saying the nVidia tool, but i read the statement... would it be a bad i dea to OC my 7800 cuz i dont rly want to void my warranty

 

If games work fine right now with the stock settings, then there is no need to overclock.

 

yea lol, but ive only tested one game on it so far(Grand Theft Auto vice City)... runs rly crisply on the highest settings. Trying to get my wireless internet to work again. Once that is back ill test others, like WoW.

 

I'm with Burrito,I don't want to void my warranty, so.... will overclocking it void my warranty and could I conceivably cover up any overclocking should I need to send it back to Dell if and when it blows.

2. How much shorter of a lifespan would the 7800 go have if I overclocked it, because here in Malaysia, it costs a pretty big sum just to get that laptop... so... I really want it to last =)

 

Yes overclocking voids your warranty. You may or may not be able to reverse/erase evidence of doing it... if you fry the video card, it will be kind of hard to boot the machine and remove what you've done.

Generally speaking, overclocking does not shorten the lifespan of a card, if treated properly.

Like Chaz and I have said before:
If it does what you need it to do, then you don't need to overclock it.

 

Lets see,what if I say the lightning killed it or maybe.... Ill just pour some.... water in it and start the thing up. Maybe I can get it back through completecover

But anyway, how would I treat it properly. This is because I could possibly run games like ut2004 at max settings but with no AA or AF. When I turn AA or AF on in the nvidia control panel.... the game begs for it's life(8x and 16x in the nvidia control panel)

 

Treating it proper means not overclocking too much and making sure it is getting enough cooling.
Do you really "need" to run the max AA and AF settings?
I can't tell you whether to OC or not, that's up to you. Will it help you run max AA/AF? probably not.
Overclocking is not a magical switch that makes all your games run at the highest settings. It's for getting the best possible, yet stable, performance out of your hardware.

 

When it comes down to it, overclocking WILL void your warranty, but in most cases, unless you are getting crazy with it, it will not cause any problems. And even if something happens, Dell probably won't find out (they really don't look into your system much when something goes wrong anyway).

Whether or not you do it is really all up to you. On the 7800, I can definitely say I would, since I still feel bringing the card up to its intended clock speeds isn't exactly what I would call "overclocking" it. But just know that there are risks, and don't try to go too far with it. Stick to a small overclock for now, and see how that works for you. i'm sure your card will be fine, and it will run much better. But I take no responsibility for anything that goes wrong!!

 

Hmmm... i have almost the same computer as u loongy like the same spec and my computer runs AA at the highest settings and reso. I wont OC my card until i stumble upon a problem. The only game that i normally play that i havent tested yet is WoW, all the others have been fine.



PS- Wrong AA i was talking about the game Americas Army

 

8X and 16X AA? That's what is killing it for sure. 8X AA and 16X AA should only really be used on SLI systems, such as in a desktop with dual graphics cards. I wouldn't go more than 4X AA on a single card - that's just me.

What resolution are you running at? If you're doing 1920x1200, that's high already, and then you start adding AA . . that's going to bring you down.

Always up the resolution before you add AA.

 

By the way, I do play Americas Army =) Name in-game is Loongy22. Wonder what telepathic abilities you have

Hmmm, one problem is, the AA and AF(in nvidia control panel) dont seem to change the in-game graphics much, I can't even see it! So, I'll stick to my stock drivers and keep the 83.90 setup just in case

Although.... I do have on problem with a game, Rainbow Six Lockdown which lags pretty badly when I put it to 2xAA and 2xAF =( Anyone played this game and know how badly it runs? ><

 

Loongy - try the 84.12 drivers from www.tweaksrus.com. I am finding them very stable on my Go7800GTX, better than the 83.90's. I had instability issues with those.

 

I just overclocked my 7800. Check sig for 3d marks. nVidia seems very responsive to OC'ing. =)

 

have had my i9400 for a month, cleared all the **** off it and installed 83.90 mobileforce drivers.
1.83ghz duo-core; 2 gb 533 mhz; 7800go

3Dmark05 4025 @ 250/658mhz (stock setting)
3Dmark05 5603 @ 366/887mhz (best detected)

Temps run around 63*c sitting on my lap. 58*c on a cool table. Goes up to 78 or so after some heavy gaming. Played a lot of games this month, everything runs smooth and flawless.

Too bad Dell is low on the 7800's or I'd buy a i9400 for my wife. Can't get it in them right now.

Fraps showed without overclock on Battlefield 2 with max settings was around 58 FPS; Overclocked it was 74 FPS... I really couldn't tell the difference, besides the number fraps was showing, but maybe someone a little more anal retentive could spot something.

Honest opinion: Stock from Dell, after you remove the bloatware, clear your startup and registry, clocked at factory settings, the 7800go is perfectly fine. If overclocking is your thing, go for it, if your cautious or nervous, don't bother overclocking. Simple as that. Cause it is really not necessary. The only difference I ever noticed is the score 3dmark05 gives me.

 

Correct me if Im wrong, but graphics wont change in a game unless you change them yourself. Rather than an increase in FPS, you could increase your settings and continue with 58 fps. But yes, your right, its not bad stock.

However, if Dell underclocks the card, why not bring it up to its potential(or close to it).

Im currently at 358/872.

 

Teslan,

What are you using to test your FPS?? Is there an option in BF2, or are you using a seperate program? I've been looking for ways to see what kind of performance I'm getting...

 

You can download a program called FRAPs. You can google it, it will tell you what your FPS are in real-time.

 

Thanks, AF Dude. here's another question, I play BF2 in full screen mode, will the FRAPS program be running in the background (where I'd have to ALT-TAB to see it) or does the application run in front of the game screen?

 

Loongy, my in game name is Extreme_Burrito.. i think im gonna OC my 7800 cuz BF2 is running ****ty... making me want to take it bak =/ (BF2 that is)

 

All you have to do is start + minimize it, it will stay in the system tray. The counter will appear in the game in the designated corner (you can set where it should appear). I use FRAPS, it's a great, simple program.

 

I think it may be the forceware 84.20 that is the problem, has anyone else tried to run BF2 on the 84.20 w/ a g0 7800? I think ill try the 84.21 got released yesterday

PS- i couldnt get the 84.21 to run becuase it says it cant find any compatable hardware or something. Does that mean that its not recognizing my gfx card?

 

I played BF2 with all the settings on high, maybe I should have specified, I was looking for frame stutter and distortions. I didn't notice a difference between what dell set the 7800 at and the settings I used on the mobileforce drivers. By no difference, I mean there was no lagging frames, stutter or distortion differences in the two settings on the same program at high settings and the same resolution.

I'm not arguing the point for or against overclocking, I'm just stating that with the simple observations I used on my own machine, I didn't notice a difference in gameplay. It played smooth and looked great whether it was overclocked or not.

 

how do i overclock the go700gtx vid card i want to do it just a bit, now i am still using the lates dell drivers cus i cant not install anyother drivers cause it will say that it can not detec hardware..?