When do I need more volts on my 8800?

[emp]

Ok I'm buying a new cooler for my 8800GTS 320 in order to OC more and I'd like to know when does temperature stop being a limiting factor? I want to go as high as I can with stock volts, but I'm not sure of how do I tell how high I can go before voltage is the limiting factor. I'm almost sure the answer to this question is that "You never know until you try", but wanted to ask before I did anything.

 

[raven_87]

Temperature stops being a limiting factor when your GPU is not overheating =)

As for voltage; that is really a tough call. I've seen 8800's with alot of flux, and. then I've seen some that can handle voltage increases well. And when you start talking about voltage increases you risk the life of your components. So if you plan to give it the juice, make sure you go slow.

 

[emp]

So just put the thing on properly, keep OC'ing until it crashes and then will I know when I'll need more juice right? That's what I thought, but wanted to double check... Most likely won't be juicing it anytime soon. Maybe when the release date on the GF10/HD4K is close I might start XD

 

[raven_87]

until it crashes? no... maybe until you get artifacts yes...

 

[Evilonigiri]

I'm willing to believe that the highest core clock on stock voltage is around 675MHz. My system crashes on that setting

No artifacts btw.

 

[emp]

right now on stock cooler at default fan speeds my best stable clock is 621/1566/945 (Can't do 648), however if I turn on to 100% I can do 648/1620/972 as long as it's not stressed to the max (Crysis... ran it for about 10 min before it croaked). So I'm guessing with new cooling I can reach 675/1674/999 on stock volts like u said... Who knows... (**hoping**)

I know I have a pretty decent Rev A2 core compared to others.

 

[Valtiel]

right now on stock cooler at default fan speeds my best stable clock is 621/1566/945 (Can't do 648), however if I turn on to 100% I can do 648/1620/972 as long as it's not stressed to the max (Crysis... ran it for about 10 min before it croaked). So I'm guessing with new cooling I can reach 675/1674/999 on stock volts like u said... Who knows... (**hoping**)

I know I have a pretty decent Rev A2 core compared to others.

I thought most of the Cores for the past 3-4 months are A2 revs?

back on topic, how are you planning on changing voltage? through software means? or by physically soldering stuff/ pencil mods?

if its through software or a simple pencil mod, i'd like to know because I have my 8800GTX with HR-05+ sitting here at 44c idle and 53c load but only 648/1560/999. no gains to overclocking by cooling it from 75c load temps

 

[emp]

If I was to volt it (Not planning to), I'd most likely do it by software. Let me looking around the web and I'll let you know.

 

[emp]

Nevermind. It seems it's not possible through BIOS modding? Anyone got any insight?

 

[raven_87]

rivatuner, ATI tool...

 

[cnumartyr]

Nevermind. It seems it's not possible through BIOS modding? Anyone got any insight?

Get a soldering gun and a resistor pot and make sure you have steady hands!


Hard mod is the only way.

 

[Valtiel]

Get a soldering gun and a resistor pot and make sure you have steady hands!


Hard mod is the only way.

Eh, i wouldn't know where to start. First I'd need to know where to solder, then I'd need to know what kind of resistor, I'd need a good soldering iron, and then i would need solder. doesn't seem that worth it to me. Maybe if someone helped me out, whaddya say CNUmartyr? If I kill my 8800 that'll just give me a reason to buy a 3870X2

 

[cnumartyr]

Eh, i wouldn't know where to start. First I'd need to know where to solder, then I'd need to know what kind of resistor, I'd need a good soldering iron, and then i would need solder. doesn't seem that worth it to me. Maybe if someone helped me out, whaddya say CNUmartyr? If I kill my 8800 that'll just give me a reason to buy a 3870X2

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168788

 

[Valtiel]

Should have specified better, I have an 8800GTX

 

[cnumartyr]

Should have specified better, I have an 8800GTX

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=169712&highlight=GTX+Volt+Mod

 

[Valtiel]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=169712&highlight=GTX+Volt+Mod

ah yes, I think I read that thread before, anyhow thank you for supporting my laziness!!

Edit: also found this one http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4296 a bit old but its pretty informative. Just need to figure out where ground is on these cards (I only got a 'd' in my electrical engineering class )

 

[cnumartyr]

ah yes, I think I read that thread before, anyhow thank you for supporting my laziness!!

Lol.. I think it's a waste of time to potentially turn a $600 card into a brick. I don't need 3D Mark competition..

 

[Evilonigiri]

Lol.. I think it's a waste of time to potentially turn a $600 card into a brick. I don't need 3D Mark competition..

Cause you own them all? :lol:

 

[Valtiel]

Lol.. I think it's a waste of time to potentially turn a $600 card into a brick. I don't need 3D Mark competition..

You're right but I might do it when it gets on in its old age :lol: just because it would be a fun and I'd learn something too .

 

[emp]

Yep that's exactly what I was planning to do... Get good cooler now and play with it on stock, when I'm about ready to buy a new card, then juice then one to the max before purchasing a new one XD