Problems with 3870 oc :(

[entilza]

Ya so that answered the question about the 2d Speed didn't it? It looks like your version has no "powerplay" feature. A feature which I kinda like since it keeps temps down but obviously this manufacturer has changed the rules.

Hmm.

So I'm not sure if this is causing CCC to get confused.

Ok so did you try rivatuner yet? You are able to overclock in that program as well. I use rivatuner to set my fan speed.

 

[sandyman]

Just installed rivatuner, and it seems to be overclocking, when i hit test and it is testing is it supposed to show the clock speed as 769.5?

 

[sandyman]

Hmm ok i test it and it seems to past the test of higher clock speeds, but as soon as i click apply it jumps back down to default.

 

[entilza]

In Riva tuner after you select "use low level hardware overclocking" Then set a speed there and apply it should change it immediately. The next time you go into CCC the stock speed should be the new setting. Since CCC seems to be somehow resetting your clock I would not go into CCC after setting up in Rivatuner, atleast for you

You can use the HW monitor in Rivatuner to monitor your clock speed, do you see how to get that graph?

What I did notice is using Riva Tuner overclock seems to override the powerplay feature, so that the card is running at the overridden speed at all times... Just to caution those who like the feature as I do!

So try setting the card to 825, then keep the core graph monitor going, then run a 3d app (some game) and go back and see if it recorded the core speed at 825 and stays there...

 

[sandyman]

Closed CCC, applied overclock, even though it seemed to drop back down, opened hardware monitor, ran crysis, clock speeds for core and mem didnt budge at all!!!!!

 

[Nitro-Max]

I know the answer to this its the bios its tottally locked off my first 3870 was a triplex Im pretty sure yours might be the same but the card ran at full 3d speeds all the time it had no 2d mode set in the bios and it would not overclock in ccc panel you'll have to try riva tuner or somthing.I didnt get to try it though because it died 2 days later and i had to rma it.

you can view the triplex card by Parasouls here http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-cards-monitors/131373-triplex-parasouls-hd-3870-a.html

I Think they might have done away with the 2d mode because of the change in pcb design and dissabled overclocking because theres no ram sinks.

 

[sandyman]

I guess im just going to have to live with it, unless it dies like yours did ^^ It still runs really well, its just a shame its constantly running at 775. Thank you all for you help. if there could any other soltuion let me know, rivatuner does same thing as rest, jumps back to default when i try to OC it.

 

[sandyman]

Although, saying that, the guy in that link managed to OC his card!

 

[Nitro-Max]

very true mine wouldnt though and it was the same card.

 

[sandyman]

Do u think CCL would take it back?

 

[Nitro-Max]

Did you check your model number / version with his? its clear enough from the images.

 

[Nitro-Max]

Do u think CCL would take it back?

I dont know m8 they might send a replacement but i dunno about a refund.

 

[trog100]

cat drivers and CCC can do some weird things.. i have just tried to install a gigabyte 3870 card with gddr3 memory on board in crossfire with normal 3870..

i pulled the first card and popped in the gigabyte card.. i expected the cats to recognize it and still work.. they didnt i got the drivers to install but the CCC wouldnt work.. i put the old card back and the same thing happened.. it took me hours of pissing about to get the CCC to work..

when it did it wouldnt let me overclock.. jumped back when i hit the apply button.. but now it does let me overclock.. i dont recall doing anything but it does let me overclock before it didnt..

i would keep trying.. i think its how the cats have installed.. safe mode remove all traces of old drivers and anything ati related.. driver clean.. whatever.. i think it will work in the end..

trog

 

[sandyman]

Well i'll keep at it, with a bit of luck it might work!
Checked model number / version with his and it is the exactly the same, we shall see!
I'll keep ya'll updated with it!

Thanks once again!

 

[sandyman]

Tried as much as i could ealier to get CCC woking but no luck. Just got back from work and tried the 8.3 cat drivers, guess what! Still no damn overclocking!! Oh well!!

 

[trog100]

is it really a power colour card as the picture depicts.. in a power colour box for example.. ??

trog

ps.. if there is no power play and the card does run at full speed all the time this opens up a question i ask the other day.. just how far can a partner deviate from the ati reference design and still call the card an ati 3870.. powerplay and energy savings are a fundermental part of the card design.. the ati website tells u so.. he he

i got one the other day with gddr3 on it not gddr4.. it seems to be its becoming pot luck what u get when u buy an ati 3870 card.. not good..

 

[sandyman]

No it isnt a power colour, it is a random make, its was the cheapest 3870 card on CCL, (would give a link but its not there any more!) , named: Triplex Para-Souls HD 3870,

I totaly agree with you there trog, if they can change the card that much then it isn't a 3870 anymore! I think im going to argue this with CCL, because no where in the description of the product did it say it would be missing powerplay functions. Think iv decided that this is going back, after all its not what it says on the tin!!!

 

[sandyman]

There we go, just sent a beefy email to CCL! Will let you know what happens!

 

[trog100]

this problem is made worse by e-tailers posting the wrong bloody pictures as well..

OC/UK do this.. two examples spring to mind..

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-020-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=416

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-078-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=416

both quite clearly show ati reference type cards.. both are false pictures.. the own brand one is pot luck.. the gigabyte one is about as far removed form the reference design as possible.. in fact it could be called an overclocked 3850..

they get around the legal aspects by somewhere in the sites small print.. it says "illustrations are for reference purposes only".. yeh but the "illustration" should at least refer to a similar product not an entirely different one.. as they say.. "a picture is worth a thousand words"..

ask for an rma dude on the grounds "product not as described".. both parters and sellers are taking the piss.. and ati are at fault by letting the parters have too much free reign with 3xxxx series cards..

trog

ps.. this CCL brand 3870 show a powercolour card.. but is it..???

https://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=20372&category_id=479

 

[sandyman]

I bet my bottom dollar that the CCL brand one isnt a power colour at all! It really is annoying and something really needs sorting here, some sort of ground rules.

Got a RMA issued from CCL, however no explanation to what they're going to do when they recieve the item back!! So i'll be ringing em tomorrow to get full story, will push them for a decent deal, or atleast try get them to sort out the website pictures!

I used the "product not as described" line in that the picture was wrong and that it didnt have some of the key features of 3870, with posh words inserted for good measure!!


Will keep this updated.

 

[trog100]

i poked OC/UK with the false picture thing.. they just aimed the small print "pictures are for reference purpose only " back at me..

but legally i think they are on dodgy ground when the picture is way off.. but ati set these partner rules.. with the 1900xtx card i bought they would not let the partners alter them at all.. with the 3870 card it seems anything goes..

the buck basically stops with ATI..

trog

 

[sandyman]

Iv never had a good experience with OC/UK, never deal with them any more for previous issues. I might have a stab at seeing what ati have to say about it, and if its in our favour i will put it forward to e-tailers. I cant see how it can be legal because what u see is not what you get, complete false advertising.

im guessing there must be a lot more money in giving the middle men more free reign with these cards.

When i ring up tomorrow i'll put forward this issue, always best to speak to someone real to get results at the end of the day.

 

[trog100]

Iv never had a good experience with OC/UK, never deal with them any more for previous issues. I might have a stab at seeing what ati have to say about it, and if its in our favour i will put it forward to e-tailers. I cant see how it can be legal because what u see is not what you get, complete false advertising.

im guessing there must be a lot more money in giving the middle men more free reign with these cards.

When i ring up tomorrow i'll put forward this issue, always best to speak to someone real to get results at the end of the day.

keep us updated.. i kept my odd 3870 card out of laziness.. i mostly cant be arsed to complain too much.. but there does seem to be a problem with these cards.. and not being sure what u are getting..

trog

 

[sandyman]

Hey there, sent it back and CCL were fine about it and gave me a full refund, a pretty helpful company! Gonna get the postage to return it back as well seeing as it was so high!! Decided to spend a 10er more on the HIS ICEQ3 version!

Iv emailed ati a few times to different email address and still have got nothing back on the issues of e-tailers, will keep pestering though!

A question for you trog, seeing as ur a wiseman! Will i be able to change the bios of the HIS ICEQ3 to the HIS ICEQ3 Turbo (has better default clock speeds)?

Thanks

 

[DanishDevil]

To answer your question, don't just flash the card straight away. You need to use a tool like ATiTool to overclock the card to make sure it can handle the Turbo BIOS.