Compal HEL80 Geforce Go 7600 OC Results

OVERCLOCK AT YOUR OWN RISK...Do it carefully and don't push it to the absolute max...leave some headroom.

Default is 350/350 which produced a 3DMark05 score of 3,109

OC'd Core 480/Mem 369 provided stable results in:

3DMark05 of 3,683
3DMark03 of 8,531

Strange that Memory would not take any more, but it becomes unstable at anything above 369 even with the Core at 350.

Instructions for Over clocking the HEL80:

"For overclocking an Nvidia video card I use a program called Coolbits. My reason for choosing this is the fact it is already in your system, though it may be hidden. It also offers auto-overclock, which is nice for people that are just beginning, and it gives a solid starting speed from which to start tweaking.

To enable Coolbits click Start, then Run. Type “Regedit”, and click ok. This should bring up your registry. Make your way to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak. Once there right click and create a new DWORD value. For the name call it “coolbits”, then right click and modify it. Set the value to “3”. Once done you may exit the registry editor.

To get to coolbits, get into your display properties and go to the settings tab. Click advanced, then select your card from the tabs. Now you will see a Clock Frequency Settings option. I start by using auto-overclock, and go from there. Once it decides what my overclock is I test it. I usually set up a run through of 3DMark05. If it fails to pass due to heat or too high of an overclock, I drop the overclock a few MHz and retry. If it passes, I raise the clock speed some. Once I find the highest clock speed, I will back down a few MHz and then test a game for a while with that clock speed. If it holds up, that is my overclock. I’d recommend finding either the core first and then the memory, or vice versa."

This is from http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Video-Cards/Video-Card-Overclocking/1/ where you can go to see some results of using this method to overclock.

If anyone else has other favorite utilities for overclocking please lay it on us.

OVERCLOCK AT YOUR OWN RISK...Do it carefully and don't push it to the absolute max...leave some headroom.

 

sweet, great OC, how hot is it after the OC? is it usable or is it a heating pad?

 

I should have mentioned that.

The only real warmth...not heat...is coming from the hard drive area, both on the left palm rest and underneath the computer.

Also, the fan is almost whisper quiet.

We were amazed

 

Thanks for listing the numbers and yes the memory kinda doesnt like to OC of course individual result may vary

 

To me, these are all just numbers.. (uh oh, n00b alert) how much of a performance gain can I expect to have, if I were to OC my 7600, on games such as Oblivion? In other words, will OCing make a big difference? Is it worth it?

 

Good question, hopefully this helps, the graphics cores now a days are pretty much CPUs just more narrow in their job. Like a CPU to more MHZ you can get out of it the faster it will do it's job. Now like a CPU the memory bus is prehaps the biggest bottleneck in a system so there is a fine balance between core performace and what memory bandwidth is avaible. In the 7600's case the memory really does need to go high or you get diminished returns on the GPU so if you can clock the memory 50Mhz higher the CPU will see better returns up to something around the 75MHz OC range. Example, if I OC the core of a GPU from a stock 350MHz to 450MHz but I don't overclock the memory then I might get a 2-4% performance difference though I increased the clock by something like 25%. However in the same example if I could overclock the RAM from 350Mhz to 400Mhz I would more then likely see somewhere around 7-10% which is pretty big honestly. Of course you aren't likely to get the whole 25% performance increase but the memory will deffiantly hold you back abit. Hope that helps answer some of your question.

 

I don't know how much worth it.. but when it comes to Oblivion.. my friend using a desktop with an Nvidia 7900 still has some difficulties at max settings.

 

3DMark05 of 3,109 is 84% of 3,683 = 16% increase.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you will get a 16% increase on everything you do, but is it a strong enough increase to make a difference.

 

Ok got a weird question for a gamer but if i am not going to be playing the newest and most graphics intensive games is there a way to underclock in order to save battery life?

 

^yes you can underclock battery life, infact many do in order to lengthen the battery life and lower heat

 

so is there an easy way to underclock the 7600 or is that only for pros... like is there a tool to do it or do i have to do something in dos and all that jazz


sorry i used the lesser form of potty words to not offend anyone too...

 

Sure, there is an easy way to underclock.

Unfortunately I do not respond to posts with potty words in them. Please edit your post without the potty word and I will be happy to point you to the key to the kingdom.

 

Ah yes...much better - Thank you

The answer has already been posted at http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1438772&postcount=47

 

i looked and am not sure what the easy way is. Is it the coolbits thing that you mentioned?

 

That is correct...follow the instructions in the coolbits post.

 

From Xotic PC review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=63572
Overclocking at these rates will give you about an extra 10 frames. Which is pretty darn good. How how is the gpu running at these settings, and the temp at stock. What is an unsafe temp where you start damaging the gpu? If I start overclocking will it start burning out the transistors thus making it slower? Explain!!!!!! Thanks

 

Is it possible to put the AS5 later on down the future?

 

If you do the OCing gradually and test after each change you will be ok. What we did was increased the core/memory clock gradually and ran 3D Mark 05 and Prime 95 to ensure stability. If you read some of the later posts on page 4 of our review you will see we noted the temps on the OC. It only went up about about 3-5 degrees C on the full OC. Once you see signs of instability in 3D Mark or Prime you will know that you are OCing to far. Once you see this just take the OC down a couple notches and re-test. We used a program call powerstrip to do all of the gpu ocing. I cant state it enough, as long as you gradually overclock and test after each increase to the core/memory you will be ok. Dont push it to the max, always leave some extra room.

We are checking with compal on the exact thermal compound they use on the GPU. As far as what i have seen, the GPU is further under the chassis than what is accessible through the removable panels on the bottom.

 

how do you determain if its unstable? or see these signs? and how much is it?

 

It will throw artifacts all over your screen...you will know you overdid it instantly.

The trick is to just use the OC numbers that we did in the first post in this thread.

 

These numbers concern me a bit. The Asus A8Jm and W3j both got normal,
non-overclocked benchmarks of around 4000 on 3dMark05. But the HEL80 is only getting 3100? That is almost 25% less--a noticeable different when gaming, right? But the graphics cards they're using are virtually identical. So what's the reason for the varying scores?

 

It has to do with the Compal being underclocked, for some bizarre reason they gave it 350core 350Mhz memory so it is abit speed challanged. It will still play Fear and Prey fine just don't crank up the AA or AF. The core though doesn't seem to have a problem running at 450MHz though the memory won't run much past stock. Just for reference, the x1600 in the s96j is clocked at 425core 425 memory

 

also, the a8jm has the 512mb dedicated 7600go. also, i have a sneaking suspicion taht the hel80 uses ddr2 vram (has this already been covered?)

 

weird, i thought the A8jm got a mid 3000s?
the closest rival to the HEL80, the Z96 gets 3500s
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread162862.html

 

if only omega was still making drivers for nvidia... i bet a good set of drivers from nvidia would do wonders, but their 91.33's kinda suck.
screen resolution effects the 3dmark score, right? if so that would be a difference between wsxga+ and wxga's like w3j or s96j.
any benchmarks been done on the WXGA hel80?

 

Well, the screen resolution wouldn't affect the benchmarks. I am using the 91.31 drivers, they are problem-free so far. I got 3,045 3DMarks.

But remember that benchmarks aren't everything. My X700 256MB OC'ed beats the Go7600 in 3DMark05, but when playing games, I can feel this is faster and better at handling games, newer ones especially.

 

Chaz, i had a thought last night. posted it on Xotic PC's review.. heres what i said:

Earlier i suggested use the forceware 91.33. but those are beta, and are not for the 7600 go, but for the 7600 desktop version. there is a special set of drivers at NVIDIA.COM for the 7600go, which are 84.63 which were released july 5th. Also, since the 91.33 graphics, which are for the desktop and not the go version seem to work just fine... do you think trying out the last Omega release (early april) of nvidia drivers, which coorespond to desktop drivers 66.93?

Those might be worth trying, no? Im guessing the go drivers might make it slower since they are 'mobile' drivers.. but who knows.

 

That has happened before with some of ATI's drivers . . if you're unhappy with your 3D performance right now, it's worth a try to get older drivers. I wouldn't go as far back as 66.93 though.
Give the 84.56 a try. LaptopVideo2Go has them.

 

I installed the 91.31 drivers on my HEL80 and overcolcock to PN's number 480/369 and set framerate to 0 follow the tip that was given above. Now every time I start my laptop I get a yellow balloon saying that SLi Multi-GPU rendering has been disabled because one of my cards has been removed. Have just ignored the warning because I do not have multiple GPUs. Dooes anyone else get this warning and should I be concerned about it? And, is there a way to get rid of it? Thanks.

Gary

 

Gary, please uninstall the 91.31 drivers and reinstall the drivers that came with it. Then you can overclock according to our specs.

Please abide by the old saying that if it ain't broke...don't fix it.

 

Will do that. Thanks.

Gary

 

Seconding this. I recently switched back to them because the 91.xx are not good for overclocking the HEL80's GPU. They work find otherwise.

 

I also get that SLI balloon popup when i start windows now too, but its with a 6600GT which i have heavily overclocked (590/1.13) on my desktop, not my soon to be delivered HEL80. though, i think people should try the 84.whatevers that are on Nvidias website under graphics drivers > geforce go 7 series drivers... they are made for the mobile gpu.

 

so which drivers are reccomened on use with this lappie?

 

Apparently both Chaz and I agree...just stay with the drivers that came with it.

 

I'll throw in my 2 bits..

I OC'd mine up to the settings Palladin posted, and then played some Day of Defeat. Crazy artifacts. So I tried a little less, still some artifacts it just took longer to happen. Maybe it's because I live at altitude(5,000ft or so) but my HEL80 did not want to be OC'd.

So now I'm running stock 350/350 and everything is fine. The games look fine and run fine, I just don't have uber FPS or anything. Idon't need the crazy FPS in the net_graph, I just want a smooth game. Which I have with the card set to stock.

So to those that are going to try OCing their vid cards, remember to go up in small steps, and try the settings before you apply and reboot.

 

artifacts?

 

Artifacts are crazy blotches on the screen. Believe me, when you see them you will know

 

Donald,
Are you steping the Vcore while overclocking or is just using stock voltage?

Also do you know the difference between the Vcore for the X1600 and the Go 7600 could be the difference between how both can be clocked differently.

I might be talking noobish though since my first laptop is still with you out in Nevada. I know it can be done with desktops might not be the case with laptops, will find out though when mine comes in.

BTW the Crowns are not being held up for anything are they?

 

We STRONGLY recommend against overclocking the processor in any way on a laptop.

I am not familiar with stepping the Vcore in a video card, so maybe someone can educate me on that. I don't think there is such, but I am ready to learn if there is

Crown P 15:2 WSXGA+ are sold out until the week of the 24th, but I believe we still have inventory of the WXGA version. email or call me about your specific order...

 

If you have to do more than change the clocks on the video card to get it to overclock, I would say it is not worth it . . .

 

Yeah I can understand not wanting to overclock the processor. With Intel they lock the multiplier (or at least the last time I checked). So the only way to increase the speed is to increase the FSB (front side bus). Inceaseing the FSB will effect all attach devices to the computer's FSB with more stess possible resulting in damage to the device. So great care is needed when overclocking the FSB.

Sorry I was tired last night and I was thinking about CPU vCore. But you can so the same thing with a video card with Vcore and a Vmem Mod. The key here is you have to modify the Video card and in doing so I bet that the warranty is void and if you mess up even in the slightest you can fry the chip meaning the entire notebook is gone.

Vcore and Vmem is somewhat simple though. All that you are using is Ohm's law V (voltage) = I (current) * R (resistence). so inorder to change the voltage for the Vcore also called Vgpu for video cards, first you need to identify the current. Then get a varrible resister (screw type) and calculate then measure the appropriate Ohms or resistence so that the Vgpu is about 0.01 volts higher. you never want to step higher than 0.01 volts at a time or go above I think it is 10% of the orignal voltage. More voltage means greater stability at the cost of heat. Dealing with the fact that you are unable to increase the speed of the mem before artifacts I would likely guess that the voltage is causeing the problem. Most likey in the case of the X1600 and the Go 7600 if you could get the specs I would say that the manufactor set the Vgpu and Vmem higher on the x1600 leading to better mem and gpu speed.

!!! Reguardless Vmoding on a notebooks is highly dangerous and is not recommended !!!

 

vcore = voltage to the core.

it's worth keeping in mind that all chips are not created equal, and won't OC the same, as well. While it sounds like most are fine at Donald's speeds, inevitably, some won't be.

 

Ohm's law is V=IR, unless it is different for this subject, although I might have misread what you wrote, it looks to me like you wrote V=I/R.

 

my mind was on current I = V / R thanks for the correction. also I put 0.1 volts when you up the voltage needs to be 0.01 volts. (sorry I am a noob)

that is very true. there is a difference between different makers of chips (x1600 and go 7600) and between the same chips. I remeber when I had a 9800Pro there was a difference between the R30 core and the R50 core (not sure about the numbers) the R30 doesn't overclock well at all while the R50 did wonderfully. Both cores were in the 9800PRO

 

Yes, and there is even variation in the same chips. Like how higher end chips fail at high end speeds and so are sold at lower speeds in some other graphics card. As long as it will run stably at the speed they sell it at, they'll sell it at that speed, even if it overclocks unusually badly.

 

stable 3D overclock for me
core @ 485 mhz
memory @ 366 mhz

I also notice that I can overclock or underclock the 2d. Do you think I can get better performance if a overclock 2d or save on batterie life if I underclock the 2d ?

 

Great thread. Started with the settings in post 1 and ended up stable at
480 core, 360 mem. Gave me about 4-7 extra fps in oblivion. Any explanations why the mem on this card is so sensitive to OC'ing?

Slave, personally i don't think there is any benefit to overclocking 2d. (if someone out there disagrees please dont hesitate to explain how it helps, i am fairly new at this) currently my 2d is underclocked to extend battery life

 

Not a clue

 

could it be that because compal not only underclocked but also undervolted the gpu? if its going to be underclocked then undervolting it along with it would make sense to decrease heat and power useage.