Overclocking 7900gs

Can someone explain to me what overclocking really is and how its done. Also is it worth it, will it make much difference? How much hotter does it get? Does it affect my warrenty? Does it make it louder? I dont know if the system im getting is already hot or not, its a dell 9400 with 1.83 ghz core2due, 7900gs, 2 gigs ram, 120 gb 5400 rpm hd.

 

Alright, overclocking is a way of increases the performance of your GPU by increasing the speed of you GPU and its memory. It is just like overclocking a CPU or overclocking your RAM. Usually it is worth it. Especially for lower to mid-range cards like my ATI x300. I get pretty significant performance in gaming. It does generate a bit more heat too though. I always use a cooling pad when OCing and I also have applied Arctic Silver 5 to my GPU and its memory banks. It doesn't really make anything louder, you fans just should be all the way on, but assume you are gaming, you won't here them anyway. To do overclocking you need to get an overclocking utility. For ATI cards, I use something calles ATI Tray Tools, I am not sure what to use for Nvidia, but I am sure you can find it on the forums somewhere. Overclocking you card will void your warranty with Dell if they find out you did it. Also, your card is so powerful in the first place, why do you want to OC it? Lastly, there are numerous threads in the board devoting to overclocking you may want to search them out and check them out. Some great information around here. Hope that helps a bit!

 

Well to bump the graphics a bit more lol. But i odnt want to know since id have to get a cooling pad and artic silver.

 

You don't neccesarily need AS5, but you definately want a good cooling pad. The 7900GS is a beast though, personally I wouldn't worry about overclocking it too much. I have a 7950GT in my desktop and I have been running FEAR with everything at max with no problems. I would expect you could do the same.

 

Well desktop cards are more powerful and people say i wont be able to max it out but ill be able to run on high. But it will still look awsome.

 

Can someone explains to me what the search really is and how it works? Also is it really worth it using the search?

Link about overclocking the 7900gs in a dell 9400 that has been posted dozens of times

How much hotter does it get? up to 85c-90c during gaming
Does it affect my warrenty? yes, but the only way dell will find out is if you tell them. If your card does break, they'll have to search for a bios image and notice that you changed the bios. Very unlikely that will happen.
Does it make it louder? More heat + more fan usage = quieterlaptop??!?!?!?!? Of course it'll get louder since your fan will be in use more...
I dont know if the system im getting is already hot or not, its a dell 9400 with 1.83 ghz core2due, 7900gs, 2 gigs ram, 120 gb 5400 rpm hd. - there's a couple of programs people use to monitor temperatures, notebookhardware control, ik9fangui, and coolbits. Search around for those please, and if you can't find any info on this then ask. Please don't ask questions before you use the search. This information is readily available so please look around before you ask questions.

 

If you goal it to get absolute max out of the card overclock it by all means, definately check out that thread.

 

There are plenty of threads in the Gaming forum that deal with what overclocking is and how it is done, and there is a huge thread dealing with Go7900GS overclocking around here somewhere. Please use the search function.