Help with GTX 260 overclock

[saint19]

Hi guys.

I know the basic things about overclock, even I already had my CPU overclocked @ 3.8, not a big thing but I'm waiting to Xmas for build a custom LCS.

Now my problem is this: I'm working in my old GTX 260 (core 192) that comes with 620/1080 stock. With those settings, PhysX, CUDA disable and my CPU @ 3.8GHz I get 40068 marks on 3DMark 2000. When I run 3DMark 2000 again, with 710/1200 same settings my score drop to 38000 range. I disable V-Sync and set the GPU to single display and maximum power for performance.

My CPU is overclocked from BIOS and my GPU is overclocked with Afterburner. I know that is something wrong because I see some 8800 and 9600 get better score, so, What is the problem? What i'm doing wrong?

Rig specs:

Phenom II X6 1090T @ 3.8GHz
Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5 Rev. 2.0
MSI GTX 260 core 192 896MB O.C
2x2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer 1600 8-8-8-21-2T (the default timings are 8-8-8-24-2T)
Windows 7 x64

Thanks for your help

[[XC] Oj101]

Your number one problem is 3DMark, 2000 is so outdated it's not funny. Grab 06 or Vantage and re-run

[Kanabanoid]

+1

[saint19]

On 3DMark Vantage (Performance settings) I get P13107 marks with PhysX and CUDA enable @ 750/1200. On 3DMark 06 I get 18984 marks with PhysX and CUDA enable too @ 700/1200. Even I think that both 3DMark Vantage and 3DMark 06 are low too.

The main reason to use 3DMark, is because i'm joined to a contest that only use 3DMark 99, 2000 and 2001 SE. I see a 8800 GTX with a E8700 @6.0GHz with CUDA, PhysX, openCL and DirectCompute disable get 83524 marks.

Is the 6GHz against 3.8GHz making the difference?

[[XC] Oj101]

20k for 06 is reasonable

As of the older 3DMarks, well yes CPU speed will make an immense difference as even a 6600GT has more power than they can use. It's all about the CPU.

[saint19]

Ok, now another question. I'm trying to get the max OC, but sometimes the test goes freeze and I must to rest the rig. Does that mean that I need more voltage? If i'm right what voltage do you think that is the max that I can set to the GPU? I'm running a Thermaltake V9 with side panel (one intake fan and two exhaust) and stock cooling in the GPU. Ambient temps are among 11ºC and 22ºC.

[Ccaution]

Start here -> http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=256635 and be back with questions. Cheers

[saint19]

Thanks Ccaution for the link, but my GPU is a GTX 260 not GTX 460.

[Ccaution]

Jesus, I never seize to amaze

Sorry for the above post, I'll be back with some helpful links asap

[saint19]

Ok, I will wait for it.

[Ccaution]

Well assuming that you have a reference GTX260 192c you should be able to bumb the vcore by a minor bios modification -> http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=66296 or by flashing your card with an appropriate (192 core) bios with a standard higher voltage. Take a look here -> http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/i...e=&memSize=896

Happy O/Cing

[saint19]

My GPU says "A2" revision and stock settings are 620/1080/1296. I check the links and I can find the same model with the same setting and other two models with different setting. Should I update to that BIOS version? How do I update the BIOS version?

Thanks a lot for that links, I can rise the voltage of the GPU with Afterburner. Do you think that is ok use it?

[Ccaution]

Sure, afterburner is a nice and easy way to start and see how you card scales to voltage increase... give it a try, it's such a good application, you can have profiles and custom fan settings as well. If you wanna get the voltage bump permanent, through bios, pick the one of those EVGAs bioses with a voltage you desire (you can tell by the description) or modify your's with nibitor.

Here is the tool for flashing the new bios -> http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads...ashing/NVIDIA/ . You might need to re install the drivers after the bios update. Cheers

[saint19]

The stock voltage is 1.125 and I rise it up to 1.160 I did some test with 3DMark without problems, Can I assume that is ok right?

My GPU is MSI brand, can I use the EVGA BIOS? As far as I know if I use a different brand BIOS, this can kill my GPU.

Do you mean reinstall the GPU driver right?

Excuse me the lot of questions, but I don't want kill the GPU and have to change it before Xmas, since I want upgrade it to that time.

[Ccaution]

The voltage you're about to set is totally safe. You can't cause the gpu any harm at all, as long as you don't have any temp issues already.

Yes, you can flash another's brand bios to your card, as long as they both are reference designs & yes, I mean that after you flash the new bios, a fresh installation of the nVidia's drivers is in order. So what's the worst case scenario here? In case you flash a totally wrong bios to you card (216core or one from a totally different card i.e. GTX280) you'll most probably "brick" your card. That means that you won't be able to post your pc with that card, and you'll need a second vga, to bring the GTX back to life with an appropriate bios reflash. Do not panic, if you choose carefully the bios you're about to flash, bricking is kinda out of the question Good luck!

[saint19]

I did it, the old clocks was 620/1080 the new one are 655/1050 with same voltage I will read a lot and maybe I can get a good overclock, thanks Ccaution you give me the time that I need until Xmas for the upgrade.

[Ccaution]

Sweet - that's very nice. GTX260 is not state of art gpu - but, tbh, you can have a lot of fun out of it, until Christmas for sure. Happy to be of some help saint19

[saint19]

I man, come back with problems.

Two days ago my voltage option was blocked and I can't unlocked again. I had tried everything, but doesn't works.

Additional question. How can I know what EVGA BIOS can works with my GPU?