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    Underclocking Video Card?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by nathanhuth, Feb 10, 2006.

  1. nathanhuth

    nathanhuth Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    http://laptoplogic.com/resources/detail.php?id=14&page=6

    Has anyone ever underclocked their video card to extend battry life? This is a guide which underclocks your video card until you run a 3d app. When you close out of 3d, it underclocks your video card again. This seems smart. How well does this work, has anyone tried it? Also, since mine is integrated, underclocking is not an option? Thank You!
     
    nathanhuth, Feb 10, 2006
    #1
  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I do all the time, I get a notacibly longer battery life.

    My 256MB X700's default clocks are 351:331 - I can underclock them all the way down to 100:100 with no issues. Keeps the GPU about 5* cooler, and keeps the battery life up.

    If I let PowerPlay do the underclocking for me, it only goes to 260:180.

    I'm not sure about your card and whether or not it can be underclocked - download and install ATI Tray Tools, see if you can change the core speeds. You probably won't be able to change the memory on your V2000Z, since it is shared.

    Cheers
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Feb 10, 2006
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  3. cbrviper

    cbrviper Notebook Guru NBR Reviewer

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    yep same , i use ATI tray tools, clock in at 120:120 when im on battery and not gaming, i also devolted the processor a little bit, with everything combined the batt life is very good!
     
    cbrviper, Feb 10, 2006
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  4. Flav_cool

    Flav_cool Notebook Consultant

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    I'm pretty sure powerplay does more than just lower the clocks. On my X300, I can't underclock as much as powerplay does w/o getting artifacts on the screen.
     
    Flav_cool, Feb 10, 2006
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  5. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Yeah; your card is better than mine is at power management. Mine has 256MB GDDR2 dedicated memory, that really drags down the battery life.

    When I go on battery, my GPU also undervolts itself I believe. So it does a bit more than just lower the clocks. ;)
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Feb 10, 2006
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  6. nathanhuth

    nathanhuth Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    I don't think it'll work on integrated products. Since the GPU is part of the motherboad, I don't want anything to go astray. I am not going to do, unless someone tells me that integrated GPUs can underclock safely too.
     
    nathanhuth, Feb 10, 2006
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  7. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    Hi guys,

    Ati x700 128 MB DDR works nice on 100/100. On 60/60 I got BSOD. I didn't check in between.

    Cheers,
     
    ikovac, Feb 11, 2006
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