4850's core question

[accu]

i just got the palit's 4850 and fairly new to ati-amd. rivatuner reads my 4850's core @500 while idle but during gaming it turns right back to 625 which is the stock setting. is this normal or is it better for me clocked @625 all the time?

 

[dagger]

It's normal, newer ATI cards downclock in 2d mode to save power and decrease heat. There are ways to lock it back up to 625, but as long as it increases when entering 3d, it's fine.