4870 Overclocking Thread

[Mr Roboto]

I had my Visiontek 4870 up to 840\1100 but it just gets way to hot. 790\1100 is no problem though with the fan set at 75%. As soon as a program comes out to control the fan speed\clocks independently above what CCC offers I think we're going to some great overclocks on these cards. Unfortunately I don't have the knowledge to flash a modded BIOS but am reading up on it. I just worry about having to try to recover from a bad flash.

Seeing what someone said in this tread about RAM degrading I have had no artifacts or crashes so far when pushing the memory to 1100Mhz. Likely its more card\memory manufacturer dependent than anything.

[Eastcoasthandle]

Is anyone having problems with drivers crashing in games when overclocking the card? I have it completely stable and artifact free in ati tool for 5 mins


like after playing a game for 2 minutes the drivers crash and have to recover or the system reboots. I'm wondering if its an issue with my power supply.

Your vregs are getting to hot (more then likely, something else). You are going to need a different cooling solution if you want those clocks.

[keninishna]

Your vregs are getting to hot (more then likely, something else). You are going to need a different cooling solution if you want those clocks.

I could see that happening but why wouldn't 5 min of ati tool not cause a reboot or driver crash and the first 3dmark 06 test not cause it but not until it gets 2 seconds into firefly forest. I can actually run 3dmark06 at those core clocks but I have to downclock my ram to 800 mhz.

[Psitech]

How high do you guys think I could take this? I'm at 870mhz with the fan set at 45% and I'm my average temp is 57c under load. I know that heat shouldn't be an issue since it runs around 80c idle with the default fan configuration. I haven't screwed with the bios or have any volt mods. So what do you guys think? How high should I try?



Update: Well this isn't as stable as I thought. I think maybe the problem is my psu. It's running f@h just fine loaded out at 870mhz, but as soon as I try to run furmark my machine reboots. I'll dial it back a bit and try again and update in just a bit.

Update #2: 850/1100 is stable with 3dmark06 and 57c load.

[keninishna]

How high do you guys think I could take this? I'm at 870mhz with the fan set at 45% and I'm my average temp is 57c under load. I know that heat shouldn't be an issue since it runs around 80c idle with the default fan configuration. I haven't screwed with the bios or have any volt mods. So what do you guys think? How high should I try?

Update: Well this isn't as stable as I thought. I think maybe the problem is my psu. It's running f@h just fine loaded out at 870mhz, but as soon as I try to run furmark my machine reboots. I'll dial it back a bit and try again and update in just a bit.

your problem is probably your voltage. 870 is a lot for the core on stock volts. Download and run ATI tool to scan for artifacts if you see any yellow spots your clock is too high and of course furmark is good for load stability testing.

[Viilutaja]

What do you think guys. Should i buy HD4870 or HD4850? I'm gona do the vmods anyway. But just wanted to know if extra 100$ is worth it? Almost every HD4850 will get 900mhz+core and 1200mhz mem with volt mods and decent cooling (i have Thermalright HR-03 GT already on table waiting). How much higher will the HD4870 core clock with better power phase go? I know that GDDR5 is quite good when OC, but so is GDDR3 @1200 and low timings.

[babalouj]

How high do you guys think I could take this? I'm at 870mhz with the fan set at 45% and I'm my average temp is 57c under load. I know that heat shouldn't be an issue since it runs around 80c idle with the default fan configuration. I haven't screwed with the bios or have any volt mods. So what do you guys think? How high should I try?

Update: Well this isn't as stable as I thought. I think maybe the problem is my psu. It's running f@h just fine loaded out at 870mhz, but as soon as I try to run furmark my machine reboots. I'll dial it back a bit and try again and update in just a bit.

Update #2: 850/1100 is stable with 3dmark06 and 57c load.

Furmark is rebooting alot of machines with 38XX and 48XX series cards, it even reboots mine at stock speeds. Google it, its a common problem. Until the problem with furmark is solved I wouldn't use it for stability testing.

[Psitech]

Furmark is rebooting alot of machines with 38XX and 48XX series cards, it even reboots mine at stock speeds. Google it, its a common problem. Until the problem with furmark is solved I wouldn't use it for stability testing.

That is good to know. I'm stable at 850/1100 with 3dmark06 (will try vantage later) and the temps are under 60c load with the fan at 45%. I'll go back and try 870 again and check stability with 3dmark06 and vantage and see how that goes. I'll probably run the crysis benchmark to check for stability as well. Thanks for the info.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

ugh guys bad news, both my voltmodded 4870's work but my PSU just died stupid tx750 is great for everyone else except me, i have had 3 of them die. the guy at tech support said that he has less than 1% of the 750's returned so that means i probably makeup 75% of that 1% with my returns alone

[keninishna]

ugh guys bad news, both my voltmodded 4870's work but my PSU just died stupid tx750 is great for everyone else except me, i have had 3 of them die. the guy at tech support said that he has less than 1% of the 750's returned so that means i probably makeup 75% of that 1% with my returns alone

heh that sucks... you might be maxing out that psu and killing it?

[Waxking1]

heh that sucks... you might be maxing out that psu and killing it?

Sounds like there could be a problem in your line.

My 4870 clocked to 870/1250 with no problems using ATI tool.
As soon as I started to play Crysis it crashed. I had to back down to a max of 820/1175 to be able to play without crashing or artifacts.

[painkilla]

even though i got load temps of 44C @ 825/1050 with my hr03 on 4870 i just cant get any higher. Core 830 gives some artifacts and memory @ 1075 give artifacts after some time I really think its a voltage thing. I guess it isnt possible to get any higher with bios editing?

[Kondik]

A couple of times in AMD GPU Clock Tool i saw someone here with

PCIE Status :
Link Width : X16
Link Speed : 15GT/s
ASPM : None

Is there a way to change it ?
My CF 4870 are on 5 GT/s Link Speed and i don't know if it's allright or no
Because i feel that scoring 19750 Marks in 3dM06 is a bit low isn't it

Thanks, any help welcome

[painkilla]

A couple of times in AMD GPU Clock Tool i saw someone here with

PCIE Status :
Link Width : X16
Link Speed : 15GT/s
ASPM : None

Is there a way to change it ?
My CF 4870 are on 5 GT/s Link Speed and i don't know if it's allright or no
Because i feel that scoring 19750 Marks in 3dM06 is a bit low isn't it

Thanks, any help welcome

with my single 4870 i get 5GT/s link speed so think your alright.

[dennismagic]

A couple of times in AMD GPU Clock Tool i saw someone here with

PCIE Status :
Link Width : X16
Link Speed : 15GT/s
ASPM : None

Is there a way to change it ?
My CF 4870 are on 5 GT/s Link Speed and i don't know if it's allright or no
Because i feel that scoring 19750 Marks in 3dM06 is a bit low isn't it

Thanks, any help welcome

My AMD GPU Clock Tool only show me 5 GT/s Link Speed!
How this guy can turn it to 15GT/s? Wow, 3 folds of our Link Speed

[dennismagic]

even though i got load temps of 44C @ 825/1050 with my hr03 on 4870 i just cant get any higher. Core 830 gives some artifacts and memory @ 1075 give artifacts after some time I really think its a voltage thing. I guess it isnt possible to get any higher with bios editing?

Yes, the limit of the 4870 core should be around 870 even i can keep the temp as low as 30C full load. it should be more than 950 if some voltage is added. RBE bios editor showed default voltage is 1.263V!

If voltage increased to 1.3V, it should be stable at core 950!
hope someone here to discover how to increase voltage successfully through the bios modification^^

[v0dka]

Core tops out at 850 (Atitool artifact test), memory can do 1100 easy.

Has anyone noticed whistling caps on their 4870? My Sapphire 4870 has been doing that since day 1.

Cooled by MCW60 and 90mm fan blowing over ram & vregs.

[korrupted]

That is good to know. I'm stable at 850/1100 with 3dmark06 (will try vantage later) and the temps are under 60c load with the fan at 45%. I'll go back and try 870 again and check stability with 3dmark06 and vantage and see how that goes. I'll probably run the crysis benchmark to check for stability as well. Thanks for the info.

Crysis is good to use in terms of giving the GPU a good thrashing short of Vantage.

If you haven't done any BIOS modding, how are you setting your fan speed manually but going over 790 mhz on the core? From what I've gathered through XS and various other sources, the only way to use AMDGPUTool to clock higher than Catalyst Overdrive will let you, and keep your fan profile settings, is to mod the BIOS to set your fan speeds properly. Maybe I missed something but I wanted to be sure.

[Kondik]

Core tops out at 850 (Atitool artifact test), memory can do 1100 easy.

Has anyone noticed whistling caps on their 4870? My Sapphire 4870 has been doing that since day 1.

Cooled by MCW60 and 90mm fan blowing over ram & vregs.

It's kinda normal on modern cards, even my old 8800GT whistled from time to time. But it was only while Loading Crysis and 3Dmarks. My 2x 4870 whistles too , i think it's pulse not Caps

[Psitech]

Crysis is good to use in terms of giving the GPU a good thrashing short of Vantage.

If you haven't done any BIOS modding, how are you setting your fan speed manually but going over 790 mhz on the core? From what I've gathered through XS and various other sources, the only way to use AMDGPUTool to clock higher than Catalyst Overdrive will let you, and keep your fan profile settings, is to mod the BIOS to set your fan speeds properly. Maybe I missed something but I wanted to be sure.

I overclock with the AMDGPUTool and then load the fan profile via the ATI icon. Just right click on it and then activate profile. This will allow you to overclock and have the fan without the CCC overdrive screwing it up. It might now work for everybody but it works for me.

[Psitech]

Testing again with 840/1100 - Crysis bench - temps under 60c (fan 45%)

1280x1024
7/23/2008 5:23:58 PM - XP
Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 1280x1024, AA=16x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=2, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
================================================== ============
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 41.40s, Average FPS: 48.31
Min FPS: 37.98 at frame 145, Max FPS: 58.16 at frame 1024
Average Tri/Sec: 48400716, Tri/Frame: 1001831
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.91
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 38.81s, Average FPS: 51.53
Min FPS: 37.98 at frame 145, Max FPS: 58.16 at frame 1024
Average Tri/Sec: 52203632, Tri/Frame: 1013077
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: 0.90
TimeDemo Play Ended, (2 Runs Performed)
================================================== ============

Completed All Tests

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

7/23/2008 5:23:58 PM - XP

Run #1- DX9 1280x1024 AA=16x, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Last Average FPS: 51.53


1600x1200
7/23/2008 5:31:48 PM - XP
Beginning Run #1 on Map-island, Demo-benchmark_gpu
DX9 1600x1200, AA=16x, Vsync=Disabled, 32 bit test, FullScreen
Demo Loops=2, Time Of Day= 9
Global Game Quality: High
================================================== ============
TimeDemo Play Started , (Total Frames: 2000, Recorded Time: 111.86s)
!TimeDemo Run 0 Finished.
Play Time: 58.40s, Average FPS: 34.25
Min FPS: 28.79 at frame 146, Max FPS: 42.61 at frame 987
Average Tri/Sec: -36564428, Tri/Frame: -1067650
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -0.86
!TimeDemo Run 1 Finished.
Play Time: 53.03s, Average FPS: 37.71
Min FPS: 28.79 at frame 146, Max FPS: 44.15 at frame 1009
Average Tri/Sec: -39789028, Tri/Frame: -1055075
Recorded/Played Tris ratio: -0.87
TimeDemo Play Ended, (2 Runs Performed)
================================================== ============

Completed All Tests

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>>--SUMMARY--<<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

7/23/2008 5:31:48 PM - XP

Run #1- DX9 1600x1200 AA=16x, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Last Average FPS: 37.71

[korrupted]

I overclock with the AMDGPUTool and then load the fan profile via the ATI icon. Just right click on it and then activate profile. This will allow you to overclock and have the fan without the CCC overdrive screwing it up. It might now work for everybody but it works for me.

Gotcha; still haven't managed to have that work out when I tried it. Fan speed drops back to stock.

Vista x64 + Diamond 4870 + Cat 8.7

[flopper]

850/1000 biosflashed.
no modds.
watercooled temps around 36cidle and 40c load.

cant go higher than 850 but there it has been fine with games and 3dmarks.
a volt modd is likely needed to get where I wanna be

[M-XXXX]

I have huge problems with LOD and 3DMark06:
I got some weird results: Same 790/1000 and Q6600@4000mhz and I get with SAME clock from 16300 to 18255 points. What is the problem? And LOD doesn't work sometimes (I use Ati tool) Any body knows where the problem is?

[AriciU]

Does AMD GPU Clock tool work with two cards and 8.7 beta? I get SET CLOCK FAILED for the second card.