Underclocking a video card?

[simkuriakose]

Hai guys!

I have a big issue.. Probably not that big but its big for me.

Here is my problem. I have this 640mb XFX geforce 8800 GTS XXX Graphics card at factory OC'd @ 600/1500/1900.

I when on load its touching 80 C.

I am a bit concerned about this. I would like to run my PC 24/7. But with this clock speed and Temperature there is no way I am gonna risk frying my Card.

One of my friend suggested that underclocking the card could solve the problem. But unfortunately neither him or I dont know how to underclock a card.

Can I under clock a factory overclocked card using some utility like ATI tool or Riva tuner or similar tool to stock speeds and run for 24/7.

I am not talking about permanent underclocking through BIOS flashing. Just a temperary Underclock so that I could run my system 24/7.

So when I game, I could turn off the software ( ATI Tool, etc) to change back to overclocked speeds.



Is it possible? Or is it just a stupid Idea of me?

Please help guys!

looking forward for your Urgent replies.......

Regards
Sim K Kuriakose

 

[spittledip]

yes u can using a clocking program

 

[PCTC2]

Yes you can use ATiTool or RivaTuner, but 80C under load is well below the thermal threshold of the card, which is around 130C.

 

[simkuriakose]

so you guys saying like I can underclock my card (With speed in BioS flashed with 600/1900) with softwares temperarely and exiting the software will change back to default 600/1900 ?

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you tell the application to set the clock speed at windows startup then you will always have the clocks you set inside the program. If not, then they will default when you exit.

 

[kmmatney]

The card should be running at lower speeds when just running windows, and not 3D applications. If it is running at 80C all the time, then that seems way too hot. Is it 80C under load or just when running everyday windows Apps?

 

[n7]

*sigh*

We've went over this before [in other threads]...

80C is nothing to be worried about.
nV has designed their driver to kick the fan speed up to essentially maintain an 80C temperature.

So if you have high ambient temps, your card may idle @ 80C (mine does).
But you'll notice it also tends to rarely increase over 80C, since this is the temperature nV has their drivers bump up the fan speed.

In short, don't worry about it.

If you are still concerned, you can install Rivatuner & manually adjust fan speeds.
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

 

[simkuriakose]

only when load i get that kind of temps.

When Idle its like 55 - 60

 

[simkuriakose]

Temp is only one of my concerns.

Please note that I am not a hardcore gamer. But I usually game a lot. But I have a lot to download and my system will be 24/7 almost all days of a month.


So when I am not playing games i dont need the overclocked speed. Just want to run my system in low power consuption state.

Thats why I asked about software underclock so that My system dont use heavy power and apparently it will generate less heat and gives me a less concerned about the product.


One more thing I talked to a XFX rep and he told me if I am gonna get the warranty I have to return the product with stock cooler along with the thermal pads.

I will be Installing my third party cooler. If I do that How in the world I am gonna put back the thermal pad which I have to remove for installing the Thermal Right HR-03 PLUS?

Is he nuts or I just want to put back the stock cooler before RMA ing the product??

 

[n7]

No, he's not nuts.

The fact XFX even allows you to modify your cooling solution & still retain a warranty is very good on their part (they're one of only two companies i know of who officially allow that).

Here's my question for you?

If you're not overclocking heavily (the general reason for buying better aftermarket cooling), why are you getting the HR-03 Plus?

Sure, it's a beast of a cooler, but the stock one works just fine & runs quietly...

 

[simkuriakose]

Correct me if I am wrong. Is it XFX and EVGA are the two companies that you are refering?

And for your information Mr. n7, My card is heavily overclocked one. Its core is at 600 mhz and memory 950mhz (1900). SO definitely want one.

What if something happens to the card? I have a 3 year warranty but what concerns me is the time it take for RMA. I am a Graphics Designer and my system is running on a ASUS P5K deluxe motherboard.

This motherboard do not have an onboard VGA. If my Card is out, There is no display. So its better to keep the Card in better condition than to Rma when something goes wrong since this card is heavily overclocked.

Thats why I ordered TR HR-03 PLUS. What worrying me is How can I return the card with the Thermal pads ?

I will only receive the TR HR-03 PLUS next week. Untill then I am forced to use my graphics card with its stock cooler. And when I receive the HR-03 PLUS, I have to remove the left over thermal pads inorder to efficiently fix the TR HR-03 PLUS on the card.

The BIG question is If I do that i wont be having the stock thermal pad. So I guess XFX is indirectly preventing me from using third party cooler. Am I right?

I think this is a serious Issue. So before I do anything to the card, I have to make sure i do nothing to prevent warranty.

So Please consider this issue very seriously and reply.


Regards.
Sim K Kuriakose

 

[n7]

600/1950 isn't a heavy OC, sorry.

I can do over that easily w/ my stock cooler, & i have a poorly OCing 8800 GTX...many do much better.

I don't know exactly how the HR-03 mounts, so i'm not exactly following your question with the thermal pads...

You could obviously keep them w/ the stock cooler so it can at least be re-affixed if an RMA was necessary.

Others who have that cooler might be able to help better, sorry.

 

[electronicmaji]

I thought BFG also allowed you to modify your cooling solution?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: electronicmaji
I thought BFG also allowed you to modify your cooling solution?

BFG words their warranty quite vaguely, so while i interpret that to allow me to switch cooling solutions, they don't word it specifically that way like XFX/eVGA, so i can't say that for certain (not that that would stop me from switching coolers)...

 

[MarcVenice]

Simkuriakose, you are worrying about nothing. The card is doing just fine. If it's going to die, it's going to die running at 80c, or at 70c with the HR 03 installed. It's factory overclocked though, so those guys at XFX are fairly certain the card is going to hold up just fine. You should try moving up the fan speed using rivatuner. If that puts your card at 75c under load, then you shouldn't worry, coz 75c is what most if not all 8800's hit under load.

 

[simkuriakose]

Thanks Marc but its too late. I already paid for HR-03 PLUS two days before. Since its an expensive cooler, I am not going to receive it and see its beauty.

I would certainly use for my Card. All I am worrying is If one day I need to RMA the Card how am I going to refix the stock cooler with the thermal pads which I will remove when I use TR HR-03 PLUS?

Any IDea? Or I could simply put the Stock cooler back without the thermal pad and send it to RMA?

 

[uncleezno]

Let me apologize; I'm no expert on video cards but I felt obligated to respond. Simkuriakose, your original question was how to underclock a card you thought was running too hot. You were told that it wasn't running too hot and not to worry, but were also given instructions on how to underclock it. A suggestion to increase your fan speed on the stock cooler was also provided, along with assurance that your warranty was fine, that your card wasn't outrageously overclocked, etc. You even admit that when idle, your card's temp is 55-60. If you had read the numerous postings about 8800gts temps, you would know that that's fine, great, wonderful, not in need of a fix.

All you respond with is poorly spelled entries full of capitalization and grammatical errors, and you never once thank people for helping you out. I guess I don't mind the spelling mistakes or grammatical stuff; lots of posts are concise, and not everyone has time to edit everything they write. It's also unfair to assume that English is your first language. I just can't stand people who post multiple questions in a single thread and never take the time to say 'thank you'.

Your card isn't too hot, you've been told how to underclock it, you've been told the warranty is fine.

 

[simkuriakose]

Buddy uncleezno !

I dont want to be rude. I dont think people help guys by responding to posts for just receiving thank you.

Well I am at a serious issue and I am asking my friends to help. It doesn't matter whether a topic is hot or not. I trust my friends here at anandtech. Okay?

 

[simkuriakose]

And one more thing Mr.Uncleezno This topic is far from over. Once its over I thank everybody. Look at my other topics. I never forget to say thanks when a topic is over.

 

[simkuriakose]

Please anybody here can help , please help me in this present issue.

If one day I need to RMA the Card how am I going to refix the stock cooler with the thermal pads which I will remove when I use TR HR-03 PLUS?

Any IDea? Or I could simply put the Stock cooler back without the thermal pad and send it to RMA?

 

[zagood]

If you need to RMA and you're really worried about it, you can purchase thermal pads for fairly cheap.

-z

 

[simkuriakose]

Thanks zagood!

Thanks everybody who helped me and others by responding to this post. Thank you guys, really appreciate it.

Regards
Sim K kuriakose

 

[CloE]

I knew all the answers for your situation.. I have evga 8800GTX, idle 80C, don't like it, spend $50 on hr03+, installed, very happy idle 45c load 55c. as of RMA concern, i pick EVGA because they let you use your old cooler and allow overclocking if I remember it right. so when i need to RMA mind, i just put the stock cooler back on without even worry about reapply paste or pads.

as underclocking, ati tool 0.27b works well, i set it at 400/1600 when not in game, save that setting so i can load it in just 1 clicks. watch video and do pretty much everything smoothly under vista. when i need to game, another profile setting at 650/2000.

the thing i hate about hr03+ is their memory heatsinks which won't stay on the memory chip cuz the sticky pads don't hold up good when the card face down against gravity. so i suggest find out better gluing pads to secure the tiny heat sinks.

 

[Fayd]

to my knowledge, XFX uses thermal grease, not pads.

at least...when i sent mine (7900 GT) back in for repair, i'd had a VF-900 on it. they never asked if i had modded it in any way, so i didn't say. and they didnt question me at all about my use of arctic alumina as a TIM.

i know the 6800 i got from PNY used a grease and not a pad. thought that was kind of funny.

 

[bfdd]

my 8800 GTX runs all day at 620/2160 and underload I barely hit 80c with the fan constantly 100%(set in rivatuner) and I idle mid 50's usually. You have NOTHING to worry about on your cards heat it's not THAT hot. If it gets to the 100C mark you should start to worry. It doesn't even heat up my CPU the stock cooler is quite efficient.