Sapphire Rad 9800np safe overclocking?

[ltj311]

Did some searches but couldn't find anything on my card in regards to oc ability.

Default speed for 9800np is 324/580. What is a safe overclock for stock everything? And where do I look to see what kind of memory I have? 2.8ns, 3.0, 3.3 etc.

I've also read stuff about flashing the bios to pro speeds. I don't get this. Don't you just overclock with Rade 3d Tweak or another program like it?

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ltj311 on 08/30/03 05:20 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[scottchen]

You can tell what memory by reading what's on the actual memory, because the 9800 non-pro has locked bios, it doesn't allow you to overclock using programs, you have to flash the bios to a 9800pro bios first.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[scottchen]

Don't except too much from that card, your core may get to 9800pro's speed, but your memory won't. They've been severely down-voltaged from the pro version. A voltage mod would change that but the thing is are you willing to risk that.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[ltj311]

Thanks for the replies. So how would one go about flashing the bios of a 9800np? Is there a website which has more info on how to do this and where to get the bios flash?

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson

 

[scottchen]

I think the <A HREF="http://www.driverheaven.net/downloads/index4.htm" target="_new">omega drivers</A> unlocks the bios and it has a overclocking utility with it.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[ltj311]

Hmm, well that's convenient considering I've got the omega's installed right now. And I see the overclocking utility, I just don't know what would be a safe overclock.

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson

 

[scottchen]

It has a program called artifact testers, since you're using stock, first off, keep pushing the Core up by 10mhz at a time, every time u do this do an artifact check, when it says you have artifacts, then back off by 5mhz, keep doing this until you find the highest possible stable frequency. 2nd is the memory, overclock your memory by 5mhz(5x2 since it's DDR memory) every time same thing with the core, keep doing this until artifacts has been detected, back off a little bit. After you've done this, run 3dmark03 the 4th test with full AA and AF with 1600x1200 resolution and also on infinite loop, keep your computer on the whole night. When you get up in the morning, if 3dmark03 is still running without artifacts, then it's perfectly stable, if 3dmark03 closed, means computer crashed and restarted. If it crashed, that means you don't have enough cooling, so back down the core and memory a little bit, just keep doing this 'til you find the highest frequency you could get to.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[scottchen]

Tell us how far you could get with that card.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[ltj311]

Well I've used the OC utility in the Omega drivers and for some reason the increment in which to raise core/mem speeds is outta whack. Instead of letting me notch it up or down in say, 1mhz increments, it goes up by 13.5mhz, then 20mhz, then back to 13.5mhz. So it was hard to get an exact increase in oc speeds but I was able to get this high so far using artifact tester 5 and 3dmark01 and 03 with no artifacts:

Default - 324/580

'01 - 12117
'03 - 4671

Oc'd - 364.50/634.50

'01 - 12451
'03 - 5070

Keep in mind I haven't tried to go any further yet. Will continue to push card until I start getting artifacts.

I was happy to break 5k in 03 but I'm wondering if the real-world performance increase would be justified.

And scottchen, do you know how I can change increment? Or should I get another oc program like Rage 3d Tweak?

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson

 

[ltj311]

Just got it to near 9800pro speeds with no artifacts:

Oc'd - 378/675
9800pro - 380/680

'03 - 5269

Ok, I ran 03 again with these oc speeds and found some artifacts in Troll's Lair but Mother Nature and rest of bench ran without artifacts. I'm not really sure what this says but I don't intend on leaving it at this oc.

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson

 

[scottchen]

Artifacts basically means the components in your card aren't holding, so turn them back down, until you get no artifacts.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Gold 2x256 3700EL memory @ 256mhz 2.5-3-3-7 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Well judging by what im seeing from others the core should be able to reach up to 360 or even 380Mhz. 9800pro speeds.
3.3ns memory though is only good for 310(620) or 315(630).

If you have a look at your ramchips they should have nubers and letters on them.
write them down and ask us
e.g. 2A at the end means 2.86ns chips (which are good!)

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Regards,
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[Conehead]

If your card has the Samsung memory chips, you should be able to overclock to pro speeds (even though its only 3.3ns). The problem lies with the Infineon ram, even the 3.0ns ram (which should do 333mhzx2 = 666mhz) doesn't seem to like going over 325mhzx2 = 650mhz.

"There is no God but God!"
- Iraqi civilian woman after being bombed by the US.

 

[scottchen]

DON'T INSULT INFINEON, My old 9500pro with Infineon 3.0ns memory did 334.8 for me without artifacts with artifacts it did 339mhz.

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Conehead]

I'm not bashing ALL Infineon memory, just the kind used on the Sapphire 9800 np.

Who lives in a pineaple under the sea?!
Spongebob Squarepants!

 

[scottchen]

Ok, then fine, any 9800np use Samsung memory?

-Intel PIV 2.4C @ 3.84G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800pro @ 490/780 -SB audigy -80G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 Ultra ATA-133 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[Conehead]

Yes, some Sapphires use Samsung, others use Infineon...I have a Samsung one in the mail as we speak!

Who lives in a pineaple under the sea?!
Spongebob Squarepants!

 

[TWC]

I have a BB ATI 9800np with Samsung 2.86ns ram.

"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

 

[scottchen]

there's no such thing as Built by ATI non-pro cards, ATI only make pro version of cards.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800np @ 432/760 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[biotekguy]

Ok, let's clear this crap up: In a clear and concise paragraph, would SOMEONE sum-up HOW to OC a NON-PRO 9800 to PRO performance (and indicate what MEMORY TYPE and SPEED is needed)! Please specify what is POSSIBLE for O/Cing and where to obtain the O/Cing programs/software/etc. Thanks everyone! THis will be VERY helpful to many of us.

L8

"You Gotta Pay The Cost To Be The BOSS!"

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Scott actually that is incorrect. Sorry to tell you man just take a look at ATI's own e-tailer site;

<A HREF="http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespccdn.html" target="_new">http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespccdn.html</A>

R9800np = $449 CDN and it's in stock.

R9600 is out of stock thankfully, 'cause @ $299 it's a rip-off!

There's also

R9200 = $149CDN in stock

R9000 = $129CDN in stock

Just thought to let you know.


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<b>-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</b>

 

[scottchen]

What?! Oh ok, I thought ATI only makes pro cards. Oh well, man those are overpriced, I could get a Radeon9800pro for less than 400.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -XFX 5900 128meg 450/900 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah, but remember it is ATI's store, they're stilling the R9600non-pro for about $60 more than I can get a pro in local retailers. Most of these prices don't change from day 1 (although the R9600Pro was $299 when I bought mine from them [stayed that way for 3-4 weeks, then got a price hike with the addition of the R9600non-pro]).
Heck look at this; the pro costs more than the XT @ their online store!

<A HREF="http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespccdn.html" target="_new">http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespccdn.html</A>


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

<b>-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</b>

 

[Crashman]

WTF! D00D, just quit talking, all the pro cards overclock without flashing BIOS, my AIW 9600 Pro does 500/770 with any driver revision and no BIOS modifications.

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<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Crashman]

All my Pro cards (and everyone else's I've talked to) overclock fine. Now, I just installed a 9600 Non-Pro in a friend's computer, and the Catalyst driver would reset the clock to stock speed whenever a 3D app was launched. I tried to install a patched driver file, and DOH! it didn't work. So I tried overclocking the BIOS and DOH! the Catalyst driver didn't even recognize the card. Turns out ATI is doing tricky things in their latest Cats, I read that anything newer than the 3.4's have this "feature".

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>