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    How low can the X1600 go?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Greg, Oct 17, 2006.

  1. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'm curious about this...I'm trying to minimize the heat on my notebook by underclocking the GPU. By default, my drivers have a 209/135 clock as power optimized...but I'm hoping to go lower. Can anyone report how low their X1600 is STABILY running at?
     
    Greg, Oct 17, 2006
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  2. Notebook Solutions

    Notebook Solutions Company Representative NBR Reviewer

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    Well this is actually a matter of trying. A forum member Ivan once downclocked to 100 MHz (X700 128 MB) and it was stable during Windows, but when starting a DVD it all crashed. So I think your default settings are very good, and I would not change them actually.

    Maybe another forum member can help you, I don't have much experience with the X1600.

    Charlie :)
     
    Notebook Solutions, Oct 17, 2006
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Downclocking the video card does not really do much more than PowerPlay does. In addition to lowering the clocks, PowerPlay also undervolts the video card.

    On battery, my X700 downclocks automatically to 280:264 core:mem. I have successfully underclocked to 100:100 and it is stable, although even that drastic of an underclock does not change the temperature a noticeable amount, nor does it add much time to the battery life.

    I believe letting PowerPlay do its thing is your best course of action.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Oct 17, 2006
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  4. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    I must say that powerplay is screwed up on my notebook. Performance setting is LOWER CPU/MEM than the optimized battery. So in my case underclocking down to 100/100 showed better results in battery times than powerplay. Actually with 6.8 powerplay doesn't work at all in NHC.

    I agree with Chaz - if everything is OK with Powerplay - leave it on. But if it makes your overclocking attempts impossible or you are having other issues - disable it and underclock it through ATT or NHC. It makes at least some difference (as it can be seen in my sig graphs).

    I must admit that I haven't seen any considerable heat difference in underclocking or powerplay modes. It is still much warmer than the idle CPU - making the fan go on after a while.

    Also video issues and instability are present with extreme underclocking - it also depends on drivers used. Play with it if you want and do some tests. Decide what is best for you.

    Cheers,

    Ivan
     
    ikovac, Oct 17, 2006
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