VAIO F12: Overclocking the GPU...

My Rig:
Sony VAIO F12
- 6 GB DDR3 RAM @ 1333 MHz
- Intel Core i7 840QM @ 1.87GHz w/ Turboboost up to 3.20GHz
- NVIDIA GT 330M 1GB DDR3
- 500GB Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid SSD @ 7200 RPM

I overclocked my GPU...check out my clock speeds. They're stable. No game crashes. Was playing Counter-Strike: Source Maxed out @ 1920x1080 over 60 FPS. And was playing Just Cause 2 @ 1280x720, High Texture, Medium shadows, then AA 4x and AS 16x...at an average frame rate of 37 FPS.

Default clock speeds: 575/790/1265
OVERCLOCKED CLOCK SPEEDS: 730/930/1550

It's great! If the card is not overclocked, it's impossible to play JC2.

I ran a stability test using FurMark for OVER AN HOUR. NO artifacting, NO freezing, NO locking up. Everything was perfectly stable! My max temp was 71C!

I'm using nvidia's latest drivers from nvidia's website. -- 257.21

And I used NVIDIA System Tools to overclock: NVIDIA SYSTEM TOOLS 6.05

 

Hi,
Is it possible to post a step by step tutorial for this overclock? ( I have never overclocked my GPU)
Thanks!

 

is it just me or does that seem like too much of an overclock? i know you played games fully stable but did you run any benchmark programs? i remember when ocing my ati card on my desktop ati had a program that checked for artifacts etc.

also do you any temps before and after the overclock?

 

Temps? Stability? In-Game crashes? Sony underclocks AND undervolts, and although the GT330m is easily overclockable, I have my reservations. That's a pretty wild overclock if it's stable.

 

My max temp is 68C. Some people get higher temps with less of an overclock! Also, when not playing a game, the temp is 52C or lower. Usually 52C. Before the overclock idle was about 48C, and max temp was about 62 maybe 63C.

I have not run any benchmarks...however, Just Cause 2 was the game that would freeze if it was overclocked too much, and now that game is fully playable.

Plus, I have not noticed any artifacts. I'm sure I would've noticed them as I know what they look like since I've overclocked GPUs for years. What do you recommend I benchmark it with? 3D Mark?

 

FurMark: Graphics Card Stability and Stress Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

i think you should download that run it for half an hour and see how stable your oc is...i remember ocing my old graphics card which would be fine in games but would fail the furmark test..

 

Sounds good. I will do this tomorrow and let you know my results.

 

I didn't benchmark anything, but I run a stability test using FurMark...

I ran it for over an hour. My max temp was 71C. It was perfectly stable. No artifacting no freezing, no nothing.

I think I've had a successful overclock. I might try higher...those temps are not that high considering everything...

 

Is it ok to use these numbers at my VAIO F with an i5 proc.?

 

Your card probably came from a really good batch. I can't achieve those numbers. Furmark rose to 94 degrees within 5 minutes before the display driver crashed.

 

That's insane! 94 DEGREES !?!

Did you update your BIOS from the overheating issues with the F11?

 

You must be setting yours on an A/C vent to get that low of temps with that cpu and overclock...

 

Nope. I'm actually in my basement and we don't have an AC down here...it's definitely at least 70+ degrees down here. I have an extended battery which tilts the laptop upwards, letting more airflow at the bottom...but that's about it. I had it resting on a ping pong table.

 

EDIT: It was climbing up as well.

yeah i've updated the BIOS and i'm also using the 258.96 drivers. In a non-oc'd condition, I have just about the same kind of temps as everyone. I am however able to maintain an OC of 625/800/1430 in the low 80's with Furmark's for half an hour.
Also, i've done 3d Max renderings that have taken 15-20 hours at a time with stable and relatively cool temperatures. (non OC)

 

How is it possible that I can maintain these clocks and temperatures?! Hahaa.

 

Good batch or batch from heaven, they're still 40nm GPU dies. One may run a couple of degrees cooler than another one, but with a Quad-Core NON-ULV i7 and (!) an Nvidia GeForce GT330m, something has to be up. Only Apple gets to use the term "magical"...

Can we get a video of this? I don't mean to call you out or anything, but my eyes pop at that overclock AND those temps.

 

how would you like me to take a video of it? haha...I guess I could use my blackberry or something...i guess i'll have FurMark run for an hour again and then take a video...

or will a screenshot suffice? I should've done that.

 

yeh running furmark for half an hour or so and then taking a screenshot will do no need to film it..

lucky son of a .

 

Hi Nuggstein,

I have a Sony Vaio F12, i7 740QM,GeForce GT 330m, 8gb ram, 128gb ssd, (EU).

I attempted the same overclock as you and I think I have similar results. Tested with furmark stability mode 1920x1080 resolution for 10 minutes - I got bored waiting longer because the temperature seemed to settle very quick at 66 or 67 degrees.

I am very impressed so far.

 

Ran the test again for over an hour...achieved even lower temperatures. Never even turned off my laptop from yesterday. Temps immediately went to 48-49C once I exited FurMark.



And for kicks...my desktop background in case you were wondering what was behind the windows.

 

VERY interesting. I may have to look into an F. Every time I see them at BBY I have to restrain myself. This may be my next Vaio. Those temperatures for that hardware are amazing. Very nice Nuggstein, very nice indeed!

 

I'm not disagreeing with this, just curious as to the reason. Why is the furmark test in this scenario even necessary? If the overclock runs the games fine but fails furmark, why does that matter? So furmark stresses it more than the games, but you don't run furmark for fun, just for benchmarking. If the games do fine with the overclock (low heat, no artifacts), isn't that okay?

 

Well, I still like to have stability during games. Even if the overclock seems to run games fine, what if while playing, the game crashes before you can save it? That pisses me off royally. Furmark shows you ANY instability in your overclock, therefore letting you avoid ugly situations.

 

Well one thing that I have noticed is that the two people that have had success with this amazing overclocking is that they both have SSD's, does anyone know if that would help in this situation? Do SSD's dissipate heat?

This is some what off topic but I am going to purchase a f12 this week, with

Core i7-840QM
8GB ram
Nvidia 330M 1G
Full HD display
Fresh Start

My question is should I get the SSD that they offer 256GB (256GBx1) Solid State Drive (Reg. price $525.00)

I am some what of a noob. Can you take it to a shop(or do it yourself) and put another compatible drive in?

Is it true that SSD's were out fast?

Does anyone know if the SSD that they offer crappy? or Good?, etc.

I am purchasing the lap top either Thursday or Saturday.

Does anyone know if you can upgrade the GPU?
And what Networking card does the F12 come with?( cant find this answer anywhere. Even tech did not know)

Thanks in advance.

 

The SSD wouldn't have anything to do with overclocking. And in my experience, an SSD will run a little cooler than a HDD most of the time, but not really anything radical. Also, on a machine that's $2000+ (for the SSD models), yes, the SSD's are pretty good quality.

The GPU is NOT upgradable, it's soldered to the MoBo.

And it depends on what networking card you order it with. If you don't go the Intel wireless route, then it's probably going to be an Atheros card. Now for the wired networking, IDK, but it will be Gigabit capable.

 

When I selected all of customizations there is no option for to choose which networking card networking card, so I was just curious as to which networking card it came with.

Thank for the quick reply.

I currently have a VCN-FW245j but it cant even run Star Craft 2 on anything but low settings, so its time for an upgrade.

I know the SSD does not have anything to do with overclocking itself, as I was referring to the temperatures, as some people where getting high temps and others low.

 

@xWORLDBREAKERx, I am not running an SSD. I have a 7200RPM hard drive which is a 4GB Hybrid SSD. Nothing too special, just speeds things up a tad. But nothing compared to a legit SSD.

 

i entered to nvidia system tools but couldn't find where to make a overclock ?

 

nVidia Control Panel > Performance > Device settings. I think it comes up with some terms and conditions that you need to accept the first time you go on it,

 

^ Yes, that's correct.

 

Nah, no need for a video. Several users posted stress tests results w/ CPU + GPU running @ 100% for 20 minutes with very cool temperatures in the F owner's thread. To my knowledge, the i7 quad F_Series have one of the best thermal management w/o throttling the CPU or GPU when plugged like for the_Envy's & all.

For example, with the notebook sitting flat on a desk, no laptop cooler, not propped up, I ran the free standalone (meaning no install needed) trial Everest Ultimate v5.50 (only 10 MB) for it's OSD (including fan speed) and CPU 100% stress test + the free standalone Furmark stress test with GPU @ 99% for 20
minutes on my Vaio_F11 i7-720QM and see the temps & CPU speed in this screen capture (1.729 MHz x 4 core) (w/o overclocking):

 

Maybe That is a problem? What if you should not update BIOS? Nuggstein, what is your BIOS number?
Otherwise what MOTHERBOARD drivers do you have Guys?? What if it is a problem

 

You must be living in Alaska. Am I right? I managed to 700 Core, 948 memory (the totally max), 1540 Shader and after 25 minutes I saw 77 degrees C (76-77 for about 10 minutes). Besides Is it normal for usig with this temperature for all time?

 

I live in New Jersey. It was really hot when I ran these tests, and I don't have an AC in my basement.

 

I wouldn't be concerned about consistent usage at 77 degrees. Still lots of room before you hit throttling temperatures.

 

Thanks. I will remember. Meanwile by simply thing - taking tablecloth away from table where laptop was situated, on previous settings (700,948,1540) temperature in furmark flew down to 72-73 max. After 34 min on 730,948,1540 it is 74 degrees.
However it increased FPS on Crysis (1600x900 all medium except water) on 4-5. Became 28-29. I hoped it increase at least couple more.

 

No the BIOS update is very minor on the F11_and_F12 and does not underclock/overclock anything contrary to the most recent BIOS update for the Envy_17" who got their CPU & GPU choked when plugged & overheating because of poor thermal management design.

Several of the 100% CPU + 100% GPU stress tests made by several F owners posted on the previous page are on machines that got their BIOS updated, including mine.

So keep on searching Dr. Watson.

"...taking tablecloth away from table where laptop was situated" - Did you try running the test on a shaggy rug too so to block the vents even more? Try propping the back of the laptop by 1" - 2.5cm or more using any object instead.

 

Oh come on! You can't say to your grandchildes that your life was full of happiness if you never "ran the extreme test with your Sony Laptop on a shaggy rug so to block the vents even more"
If seriously tablecloth is not so exotic thing under laptop. It is not made from fur after all!) But please tell me where to buy that EXPENSIVE AND STYLISH NOTEBOOK COOLER?!? IT LOOKS EVEN BETTER THEN NOTEBOOK ITSELF! ) IF I WILL NOT HAVE ANOUGH MONEY I WILL THINK ABOUT SELLING SONY VAIO F FOR THIS
I'm not an overclocker so I finished it after results I posted above. My advise to everyone: make profile rules in Nvidia Control Panel so graphic card will overclock automaticly when you turn on some games and turn off when you stop gaming.

Additional question: How do you think will it be ever necessary to clean vents disassembling notebook? I did it with my previous Compaqs

 

You can buy compressed air cans at stores for like $10-$15. Use the compressed air to clean the vents. Just be careful not to directly or purposefully spin the fan with the air.

 

I wil remember that. Thanks.
In my previous notebooks on the internal side of air outlet array were so many dirt and dust that it made some type of carpet because of thin wholes in it. They are pretty identical with VAIO's so I just thought if anyone met highing temperature because of this. But anyway it's not so urgent I think.

 

I have been looking for a notebook cooler just like yours ... can you give me the Sony part # or possibly a link to the listing on the Sony Style site.

Thanks

Bronsky

 

I have been running some tests with this prototype made with 2 desktop fans I had lying around + 2 old sticks. Speed is modulated by changing the voltage from a cheap "Universal" AC/DC adapter. 3v is perfect & quiet.



Preliminary findings (YMMV depending on ambient temperature):

- 2cm single stick in the back helps cooling. Pros: easy to install & green because no power needed. Lowers the F's fan idle speed by 100-150 rpm as reported by Everest v5.50.

- 2cm elevation in front w/ 5cm in the back brings down the idle fan speed about 250 rpm

- 2cm elevation in front w/ 5cm in the back + the 2 fans brings down the idle fan speed and additional +- 100 rpm if the fans are positioned under the 2 bigger air vents as seen in the illustration in the previous post.

- If I would live in USA, I would not bother & simply get this recommended by users in the F owner's thread because of the movable fans: Cooler Master U2 for $17 shipped (anseio reported the F sticking out on each side by 19mm - .75") or the bigger Notepal U3 w/ 3 fans for an additional $10-15. See pics w/ a 17" lappy here.

But then it would not be as fun.

*****

 

I have the extended battery so it already lifts my laptop up.