XPS 8300 Radeon 6850 OC

[Halewafa]

Hi guys, I tried searching the forums but couldn't seem to find the answer anywhere (I found plenty on the 6850, just couldn't find one specifically for the XPS 8300). I've never overclocked anything before, but was wanting to OC my 6850. I just had a few questions. I'm downloading 3DMark right now to test everything out. I'm a little worried about using the catalyst control center for OC'ing because of the whole warranty thing that pops up (its a new computer with a 3 year warranty, don't want to lose all that just because I click the unlock button). I read that there is that MSI Afterburner program, would using that make it so that if anything went wrong they couldn't detect that I overclocked the card? Since I never clicked the unlock button on catalyst control center? I don't want to push this card THAT hard, I've been reading about some decent sweet spots. Right now it looks like mines at 900 MHz/1050 MHz, was just going to push it to around 950 MHz/1100-1150 MHz. Anyone have any recommendations? Thank you!

[Halewafa]

Alright, well I ended up unlocking the AMD Overdrive, lol. I ran 3DMark11 at the stock speeds and then again with them increased. The results went up, but I'm not entirely sure how to interpret them...

At 900MHz/1050MHz
Graphics: 1241
Physics: 8053
Combined Score: 1578
3DMark11 Score: X1388

At 925MHz/1150MHz
Graphics: 1290
Physics: 8065
Combined Score: 1640
3DMark11 Score: X1441

Is there anyone out there that could explain what these results mean? Also, the temp on my card was around 68°C at the end of the OC test (is that an alright temp?). Thanks!

[overclocker]

you overclocked you graphic card a little and gained a few FPS in games or this benchmark you ran.

Welcome to tpu btw.

[HossHuge]

Which 6850?

Don't forget to fill-in your system spec in the user cp.

Welcome to TPU Halewafa!

[Halewafa]

Originally Posted by overclocker

you overclocked you graphic card a little and gained a few FPS in games or this benchmark you ran.

Welcome to tpu btw.

lol, well I gathered that part. I just didn't know if the results were that substantial. I was reading that you should stop increasing the OC once the marginal gains aren't significant. I can't really tell by those numbers if it's significant or not... Is there a program that I could run in the background while I play games that can detect my FPS? That might be better....

Originally Posted by HossHuge

Which 6850?

Don't forget to fill-in your system spec in the user cp.

Welcome to TPU Halewafa!

Just did, not sure which one... I'll open up the case to see if I can figure that out

Thanks for the reply guys!

[Halewafa]

I just pushed it up to 950/1150 and played crysis for about 45 minutes on max settings. When I exited, Catalyst Control Center showed the temp at 76°C, is this running too hot?

[AthlonX2]

not bad at all.

[Halewafa]

Originally Posted by AthlonX2

not bad at all.

Thanks Athlon, any idea of a temp that it should get to before I start worrying?

[HossHuge]

Originally Posted by Halewafa

I just pushed it up to 950/1150 and played crysis for about 45 minutes on max settings. When I exited, Catalyst Control Center showed the temp at 76°C, is this running too hot?

That sounds about right. My Asus 6850 will do about 915/1150 and my Saphirre does 1010/1250. Both with a voltage bump. You will be fine with those temps. Personally, I try and keep under 80°C.

[Halewafa]

Originally Posted by HossHuge

That sounds about right. My Asus 6850 will do about 915/1150 and my Saphirre does 1010/1250. Both with a voltage bump. You will be fine with those temps. Personally, I try and keep under 80°C.

Cool thanks! I am not able to increase the voltage amount with AMD Overdrive, would you recommend MSI Afterburner? Or if its running stable at this setting does it even need more voltage?