OverClocking the 8600gt ddr3

>>Resource Thread for Overclocking the 8600m gt ddr3<<




You might be interested in this thread if you own a

>XPS m1530
>Asus g2s
>Mac Book pro 15.3'

Suggested Forceware usage:

While Ive tested many drivers, while other people have tested many many drivers, theses are the few that I gather to be the most stable, fastest performing drivers, every driver can be found @ Laptop2go.
(There are specifically built modded ini files depending on which computer you own on laptops2go and online, using specifically designed mod ini will improve driver stability)

Different Drivers will yield different heat output and performance, for example


My recommendations:

174.31

This driver came Dell Recommended for their XPS m1530 line that utilize m8600gt ddr3, it runs cooler than other drivers and thus more stable @ higher overclocked speeds

- vista 32
- vista 64
- Xp 32
- Xp 64

174.74

This driver boast high performance coupled with good stability although it's still susceptible to heat and overly clocked GPUs

- vista 32
- vista 64
- Xp 32
- Xp 64

175.16

Runs cooler than 174.74 with slightly reduced performance for many

- vista 32
- vista 64
- Xp 32
- Xp 64


177.35

This driver boast the highest 3dmark06 scores, although its performance is mixed depending on the game you're running. You might get anywhere from low - very good performance.
(note you'll have to use 177.26 modded ini or one of the more specific designed modded ini on the original 177.35 driver site, there is also this thread that contain viable ini files here)

- vista 32
- vista 64
- Xp 32
- Xp 64

So Now that I have the driver, I'm DONE right?

not exactly

I heavily suggest visiting all of the below links b4 attempting your own OverClock, most of these setting/rudimentary hardware tweaks will increase performance and reduce heat output prior to Overclocking and thus enable you to produce much better results later on.

+I would definately read the Forceware tweak guide and Cooling guide first.
+Undervolting maybe an option to reduce heat output while gaming, however it should be tested with each clock tweak

Tweaking Guides:

Overclocking guides



Beginnerings OC guide

Forum OC guide :

Forceware Tweaks


Forceware Tweak Guide:


Cooling Solutions:


NBR Cooling Guide

NBR Undervolting guide



So Now You're wondering..whats the point of reading all that if I'm still running into problems with Overclocking

Typical Problems and Typical Solutions

Downclocking Issues

This is due to a combination of high heat output, mismatched game-driver related performance issue, Way overclocked for driver bios

Solution

>> Invest in a Cooling pad
There are a wide variety of cooling pads to use, all produce average-great results, NBR forum has a great guide


Heat is the enemy of all hardware and puts the GPU under considerably more stress. Reducing Temperatures gives higher yield curves and increases stability under your current settings. There are a few more things you can do to decrease the likelihood of downclocking or increase your OC clock threadhold.
this method is called..
CPU Underclocking
+ this tweak will reduce your performance in cpu intensive games but raise your performance in gpu intensive games

You will need Rightmark CPU Clock utility, get it here

Steps:

1) Start BIOS on your computer: F2/F10/F11/F12 when starting

2) Since im using a xps m1530 I go to the Performance Tab of my bios, it will be be different for other laptops but basically youhave to search for Speed Step and --> DISABLE

3) the description of that option goes something like: improve multicore function by managing core speeds, in actuality its just a overall system powermizer that effects CPU. If you turn it off, your core speeds will be reduced to a 1.2ghz constant. This speed runs @ much lower voltage, and at the same time unlockes your fan to be CPU independent, which means that your fan will run @ full irregardless of the task you are performing.

4) Restart your computer, you will notice that Rightmark have diagnosed your current CPU speed as 1.2ghz

5) Overclock your GPU normally and game test for 2 hours, you should not experience downclocks and should notice a FPS increase despite much lower CPU speeds

Advanced Cpu downclocking

After testing the above method, you might be able to OC to higher clocks stably. At one point, inherent artifact oc barrier comes in and in order to boost performance you'll have to slow increase your CPU speed back up. 1.2->1.4->1.6->1.8->2.0->2.2 ....

1. Enable Speed step in BIOS
2. Enter Rightmark, in profile, select performance on demand.
3. Enter performance on demand sub tab under profiles
4. Click 'use p-state transitions' -> this opens up the multipliers 8x SLFM, 6x to 12x
5. Depending on what CPU clock speed you want to use, you can select one of the multipliers and set it up run under performance in demand profile. Higher multiplier correlate with higher CPU speeds
6. Many people will find that 7x/8x multiplier with 630-640 core 850-880 memory gfx overclock will be stable without other cooling solutions.

Other Downclocking/stuttering causes

Many games have inherent technical flaws that become amplified under certain drivers or certain graphics card. Many cards have SLi support issues and render horrible fps with the setup, oo you can probably imagine a driver like 175.80 doing very horribly with certain games.

If you realize that heat and Overly - overclocking aren't the culprits to stuttering, crashes and downclocking
You'll want to

> Check game manufacture website for technical support
> Game modding community for software fixes, chances are that someone has the same issues as you
> Using different forceware drivers
> Using a game specific tweak guide @ tweakguides.com
> Stop using software such as Nvidia control panel/NVTweak to force hardware performance options, select: let application decide 3d performance

> Disable background programs
> run scan disk, registry cleaner/defrag, disk speed up, Ccleaner, Spyware remover for a faster and more efficient system

Other problems always arises and one guide will not have all the answer. Your best bet when luck runs out here is to use other forums to gain perspective. Chances are that at least ten people will have the exact same problem under the exact same game with the exact same setup, so keep searching online for advice!

 

use GPU-z to check default speeds and OC'd speeds. Rivatuners monitoring is a little messed up

 

475/700 is the stock speed for 8600M GT GDDR3s. I can overclock up to 600/900, but you might probably want to try something lower.

 

What cathy said, those are the 8600 GDDR3 stock speeds... Now if you want to overclock don't go 600/900 in one jump... Go step by step... Try 500/750 and go up from there testing stability.. Every card is different so what might be an stable clock speed for me might not be stable for you and viceversa... you need to find your own system peek...

 

475/700 is stock DDR3 8600M GT. No problems there. The card is an awesome OCer, you will get good results if you use the OCing properly...

 

Dont forget to monitor heat... use rivatuner or a similar program to keep track of it.

First monitor where you are at at stock after some heavy gaming.
Then try to keep it around there... if you see heavy spikes after a specific overclock, turn it down.

 

Even tho OC'ing the 8600GT does not increase temps much at all. I would still suggest investing in a good laptop cooler.

 

715/900 here stable on 3dm06 and crysis for over 8 hours

i've undervolted my processor to 1.0875v so that helped with the temps alot


here's a tip

i've found that most random restart is caused by the processor, not the video card. when it transitions between different frequency id's (FID), it switches between preset VIDs. if the voltage isn't stablized before it hops to another step, you will expereince a restart. to fix this, install RMclock and follow the undervolting guide here to set up rmclock.

then on the advanced cpu settings page, set the FID/VID transition stablization time to something like 50us.. and then somewhere in settings or something (i forgot where it was exactly) look for p-state transition method, and set it to single step transition only.

i had constant restarts previously (after 10-15 min) with 715/900, which i thought was the result of overclocking my video card too much. but after i played aroudn with the p-state transition stablization things, i've had no restarts ever since

 

How you manage to over clock it to 715, thats insanely high, Im overclocking mine to around 600 and it stops there. What program/forceware did you use, or did you mess around reg files on your own?

 

using 174.74 with rivatuner


heres the 3DM06 orb result (it's at 711/901 - i didn't rerun 3DM06 after boosting to 715 - didn't think it'd make a difference)

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=6517472

 

See sig....

 

I believe you can try the ntune provided by Nvida.
It is because you can set which application program you want to oc, then set other one that when the program stops, go back to stock clock.

For example, if u play Grid or Cysis, set it to oc. When stop playing those two games, set that to stock clock for other low demand games, like Wow or COD4.
Once you set, it will work until you change.

 

What kind of 3DMark06 score did you get with your OC?

 

And I thought my 600/900 clock was badass.

 

I got 5121 with my old processor...T7500. Haven't tried the T9300 yet. Probably won't affect it that much.

 

Higher processors help quite a bit actually... 200-250 per processor rank in the T7x00 series of C2D. This is due to the "processor only" tests. (the most synthetic portion or 3dmark06, as your processor already affects the other tests)

The DDR3 should make it to between 900-1000 (x2) provided they used decent stuff...

The core at 625-ish is pretty common... but 715 is a very impressive OC for an 8600.

What was the temperature after that 715 overclock and 8+ hours of crysis?
Were you using a cooler?

 

711/901 stable - 5869 3dmarks

 

The T9300 should greatly increase your score under simliar settings.

 

That's good to know. I run a benchy sometime next week after I reformat.

 

Yeah do that. I am mulling around a upgrade from a 7250 to 9300.

 

What is the best thing to use to overclock? Rivatuner, ATItool?

Also, that undervolting thing RMclock. Does the program always have to be in memory for the voltage to be lower?

 

RivaTuner, ATITool, and nTune are all pretty simple to use. RivaTuner is a favorite around here and there is a nice guide on how to use it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=219954

I know very little about RMclock so I can't help you with that one.

 

Just changed up my clocks to 680/900, and its actually running stably. 3 hours of mass effect on high 1280x800 native @30avg fps with temperatures below 80!

Havent tried 3d mark yet. Will do soon.
Final Comment: 174.74 rocks

 

Rivatuner seems to be better than nTune.

Yes rmclock needs to be on for the undervolting to be in effect. RMclock only takes up like 1,600kb memory

 

you could try to put your meory at 950/975 and get even more

 

Remember, OCing stresses components and will DEFINITELY shorten the lifespan of the GPU. It doesn't matter if the heat is under acceptable limits.
The more you push it, the less it will last.

 

But keeping it under 80degrees helps, right?

 

yeah it helps but your gpu will definitely last less longer. But dont worry it will still last for years and prob longer then you will be using your laptop btw mine stays under 65 even oc'ed at 660/900

 

HOW?>!! TEACH ME

 

FWIW, I've had O/C'ed systems running 24/7 for years, and never had a GPU, CPU, or memory failure.

 

What res are you running at? If I OC to 655/905, and 1280x800 resolution, I get 6055 Marks on '06.

 

well yeah oc'ing on desktops affords more cooling options and it can get pretty elaborate depending on the cooling system. On laptops, you're much more limited in cooling options, and therefore there's more risk involved...no doubt shortening lifespans of its internal components in some cases.

 

I get 6050 marks with 640 / 892 at default settings 3dmark06.

 

No you get 6050 @ 1280x800 (again not the default settings).

Most of us would have to plug into a monitor to run the Default 1280x1024

 

Quick question all,

Currently running some tests to see how far I can push her.

System @ Default with clean install of Vista
174.31 Drivers 3dMark 2006:4731
CPU reached 71degrees, GPU reached 72degrees.
GPU usually sits around 55-60degrees.

My question is, when overclocking in Rivatuner do you link the core and shader or leave the shader alone. Most people seem to only post their core and memory clocks?

 

Yeh, you link them together.
And Tusin, I think 90% of the people who say there ran 3dmark at default resolution, that this means the default resolution of HIS/HER'S particular laptop, not of the 3dmarks.

 

reminder...

-3dmark06 scores are pointless unless you include the actual resolution the test was run at.

-Most people compare at the default 1280x1024 resolution and thus those are the scores you see most often. Since there are more scores to compare at 1280x1024, it will give you the best results comparison-wise.

-3dmark06 heavily biases towards processor as it has a processor-only test AND requires the processor for every GPU/CPU test as well. in the C2D 7xxx series, each 200MHz adds 200-250 3dmarks or so due to how the test is set up.

 

Well yeh, we already know that 3dmark06 is an inaccurate benchmark and absolutely no replacement for testing in real games. Though that the fact of the matter is, it's the easiest way people can compare graphics performance and "show off" so to speak. This thread implies all of those things.

 

Its not so bad actually... note unless the "game benchmark" is done EXACTLY the same, 3dmark06 is actually a better comparison due to its methodology.

This is not to say 3dmark06 doesn't have weaknesses (as I already listed some)

Note any ONE benchmark (even a perfectly exectued game benchmark or 3dmark06) is not a real indication either... Some cards/hardware combos just hate certain games and will never run them well.

3dmark06 is an easy and quick comparison... if compared correctly and taking in its weaknesses into account it gives a reasonably good idea of general dx9 game performance and a reasonable way to compare systems.

As long as you understand the limitations of the tool you use, 3dmark06 is a decent tool.

 

Oh well all said and done here are some initial results. Fairly happy.

Dell XPS M1530
15.4" 1440x900 AUO
T9300 , 8600M GT DDR3
4Gb DDR2 RAM
WD 320 GB HD
Clean Install Vista

3dmark2006 @stock: 4730 @174.31 drivers
3dmark2006 @625/1250/820: 5811 @174.31 drivers

Core#0 Max 66degrees
Core#1 Max 68degrees
GPU Max 72degrees

By no means finished but will certainly do for now till I get some on game tests done.

 

I get 6200+ marks in 1280x800, 174.31, 700/1000 OC on 8600GT DDR3, T9300. My score is posted somewhere on the Dell forum.

 

Please if you are going to post a 3dmark score just list the resolution you ran it at. Alot of us on our laptops do run it at less then 3dmark's default res, which is fine. But unless you list that, people are going to be comparing apples to oranges.

 

Hows everyone doing with heat? Since everyone probably have tested at least 5 or more drivers, which version lets you OC at higher speeds with highter stability?

I had been using 174.74 a while now ands its worked great, but ever since I started playing mass effect I cant OC past 550 without problems with that driver.

What do you guys think, driver problem or game problem? any suggestions?

And i just want to add that the 8600m gt ddr3 is an amazing card. Ive had so much fun with it and its giving nothing less than top notch performance for its specs. Thats why I want to compile a list of 3d marks for this card and post it on my initial message, so if you can help, please list your score (stable score please! none of those lucky 1 shot 3dmarks) specs and forceware version. thanks!

 

We've got the message that you love the card - it's about the 3rd time you've said it. And the list of 3dmark scores will be a waste of space. The 8600GT DDR3 is an old card now and in a month or too it will be surpassed by the superior 9000 series meaning the list will be useless since it won't be on the market anymore.

 

Ej dude.. so f*ckin' what? Just because there's a new GPU on the block, the 8600m GT DDR3 isn't awesome anymore?

And let the guy love his GPU.. I've got it as well and couldn't be happier


*hehe*

 

Sounds like someone is jelous? Yes the 9k series will surpass the 8k series. But you do know the 9500 is the same as the 8600GT correct?

 

The 9500m GS (DDR2) isn't as fast as the 8600m GT (DDR3) - but it's close.

 

It's not even that. It is the SAME card. Seriously lol. The DDR2 version will = the DDR2 version of the 8600GT.

 

the 9600GT is slower then the 8600GT since they gave it ddr2 memory again scores 3900 in 3dmarks

 

I thought the 9600GT is faster? Because that is a different card then the 8600, it is the 9500=8600