X1800 series experiences / overclock results etc.

[Rammsteiner]

? XT's only use 1,3V? You mean in 2D? I thought they use 1,4V in 3D .

 

[Hypersonik]

Just a quick question: Can anyone tell me why when using the Overclocker I cannot choose between 2d or 3d clocks, they are all blanked!
Using an ATi X1800XL, Skt478 P4, Albatron px915p4c mobo. Was wondering if sticking a sapphire BIOS on there might help with my overclocks?

 

[pheoniXfury]

I haven't looked into if there's a change in voltage for the XT...I know for sure there's a speed change.

A flash to a Sapphire BIOS wouldn't change anything because the change between 2D and 3D is only done on XT version of the card...not XL. You don't have to worry about the 2D/3D. I would actually recommend using the beta version of ATI Tool (beta 11). Overclocker tool messes with the memory timmings or something...it gets u higher clocks but lower scores.

 

[Hypersonik]

Well, since I got my XL from ATi and its going to cost me >£30 to do an RMA, i've ordered another one, a sapphire one. Going to swap the cooler and RMA it and ask for a refund, its cheesing me off now

 

[Rammsteiner]

I haven't looked into if there's a change in voltage for the XT...I know for sure there's a speed change.

A flash to a Sapphire BIOS wouldn't change anything because the change between 2D and 3D is only done on XT version of the card...not XL. You don't have to worry about the 2D/3D. I would actually recommend using the beta version of ATI Tool (beta 11). Overclocker tool messes with the memory timmings or something...it gets u higher clocks but lower scores.

I always stick to just one OC utility, and thats Atitool . But my core dont OC all that high (1,5V and 725Mhz wont work), but I tried to lower the Vcore and its doing ATM 711Mhz @ 1,375V . Still wondering how to OC the memory (dont know how many Volt is safe for VDD and VDDQ. I know Samsungs specs are 2.0V +/-0.1, but thats what Ati did )

 

[pheoniXfury]

I think usually vRam = 2.1 and vRam IO just below vRam is pretty good...the memory OC scales with vCore...which is why I haven't actually got over 700 on my 1.4ns ram.

 

[Rammsteiner]

I think usually vRam = 2.1 and vRam IO just below vRam is pretty good...the memory OC scales with vCore...which is why I haven't actually got over 700 on my 1.4ns ram.

Will the memory be very responsive to Volt? I mean not in overclocking, but if it dies or something .

 

[pheoniXfury]

well...if u can keep it cool...I'd say run it at 2.2...and if ur really extreme...2.3...but I don't think that will gain u anything at all.

I've seen ppl running 2.2 already without problems. Samsung rated these modules for 2volts...so if u have RAM sinks with good air flow over it...u can safely go to 2.2. I think since u got to 700Mhz...which is the rated max...more volts on the core might not help as much now...so upping the vMem might be the way to go (I have heard of ppl doing 800 on these).

Just don't push ur luck by going over 2.3-2.4v...I can't say what'll happen then if there's insufficient cooling. These modules may actually get slightly dmged and cause artifacts.

 

[wtf8269]

Are there any aftermarket air coolers for these things? I saw the new Arctic Coolers on the front of the page, but those won't be out for awhile and I'd prefer a non-ducted heatsink because of my side fans.

 

[Rammsteiner]

well...if u can keep it cool...I'd say run it at 2.2...and if ur really extreme...2.3...but I don't think that will gain u anything at all.

I've seen ppl running 2.2 already without problems. Samsung rated these modules for 2volts...so if u have RAM sinks with good air flow over it...u can safely go to 2.2. I think since u got to 700Mhz...which is the rated max...more volts on the core might not help as much now...so upping the vMem might be the way to go (I have heard of ppl doing 800 on these).

Just don't push ur luck by going over 2.3-2.4v...I can't say what'll happen then if there's insufficient cooling. These modules may actually get slightly dmged and cause artifacts.

My RAM is rated for 800Mhz, but that doesnt matter. Well, I certainly need some watercooling. Might quit thinking about casemodding, just have a fast PC . I'll make some custom memory sinks and also will change the VRM sink with a bigger one. And ofcourse make one for the MOSFETs .

 

[pheoniXfury]

I believe kits designed for recent nVidia cards might fit nicely. I'm a little skeptical about the mounting wholes...they may be a few millimetres off as I found out while putting on my waterblock.

LOL...custom sinks...I like the way u think If my card didn't have the bug...I'd do the same...but I have no reason to now.

 

[Rammsteiner]

What waterblock do you use?

 

[pheoniXfury]

it's the block in the Kinwin AWC-1...all copper block...load temp of 49C when OC'ed.

 

[Rammsteiner]

Thx, but I think I might get something else . Anyway, anyone know if the Silverprop Cyclone Fusion SL fits on X1800XT?

 

[TooFast]

love it!!

 

[Rammsteiner]

love it!!

You mean it fits? .

 

[OneCool]

You mean it fits? .

What about this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835116017

Not to mention these are coming soon http://www.techpowerup.com/?7730

 

[Dillinger]

were can I get that 3D mark program

 

[EastCoasthandle]

Keep those mosfets cool

Anyone else besides a handful of folk finding good success with cooling the mosfets of the x1800xt

For example use copper and not aluminum

 

[Rammsteiner]

I put a fan (stucked between wires ) after the VGA, pointing on the MOSFETs. under load they're like 55~60 degrees .

 

[EastCoasthandle]

I put a fan (stucked between wires ) after the VGA, pointing on the MOSFETs. under load they're like 55~60 degrees .

put some copper ram sinks on those mosfets and then put a fan on it. I bet that thing would ROCK
You-><-heat

The one thing I realize is the cooler the mosfets the less fluc in the current, the less fluc the more stable the video card becomes...The more stable the VC is at the very least, the less likely you see dips in frame rates..IMO

Although this is nothing to brag about:

136.58 FPS in CS:S stress test, everything on high (I Don't think HDR actually works) at 1280x1024

80.79 FPS HL2: Lost Coast...this has sound enabled with HDR, everything on high at 1280x1024


In these bench results nothing is overclocked. I only added 6 aluminum ram sinks for the 6 mosfets.
If you are not sure where to find copper ram sinks, try here: Swiftech MC14 BGA Memory Ramsinks

 

[pheoniXfury]

maybe the OCZ flower heatsinks on them...they're copper...cools well...and should be a good size for the card

 

[EastCoasthandle]

maybe the OCZ flower heatsinks on them...they're copper...cools well...and should be a good size for the card

Swiftech MC14 BGA Memory Ramsinks or OCZ Copper BGA Ramsink
is there another kind?

 

[Rammsteiner]

You're right about cooling them It will indeed have more solid framerates as result. Well, still looking around for cooling, but Ive a broken arm so probably not able to install .

 

[Rammsteiner]

Its still a mystery for me how the card reacts to Volt. Higher VDD results in faster artifact detection, higher VDDQ keeps it more stable, but VDD has to be stock. Too high VDDQ results in fast detection, too less VDDQ (but above stock) results in fast detection. Man, this is making me crazy . The core can go higher because it only locks up, no artifacts. But Im not willing to go 1,4V+ with stock cooler.