Gecube X800Pro Adventures Pt1

[eva2000]

Bought a Gecube X800Pro from Below-0.net last week but it had a faulty fan, so got my RMA replacement today thanks to speedy disty for Gecube in OZ, Kingmax Melbourne office

The cards' pics are uploaded here. The pics are the original card, but it's virtually the same as the RMA replacement, only difference is the last 4 digits of the serial number and that the replacement card's fan works



System
P4 2.8C SL6Z5 3343A746 March 18, 2003
Abit AI7 17 bios
2x 256MB Kingston HyperX KHX3200K2/512 BH-5
80GB WD 800JB
550W Antec TrueControl PSU

256MB Gecube X800Pro
Official Cat 4.6 drivers from old 9800PRO install
WinXP PRO SP1 latest updates

Benchmarks

All stock - cpu stock, ram stock speed, card stock speed

2.8C @200fsb
ram @ 200mhz 2-2-2-6

3dmark2003 v340 = 9905



3dmark2001 = 19782



ignore the cpuz reports 1:1 divider as 5:4 when AI7 enables PAT via GAT.

Aquamark3 = 53,663



ATI Control Panel Overdrive Temp @ idle



1. For some reason when i first boot into windows, ATI Tool reports my X800Pro's core/mem clocks @ 472/445. But when i hit default button, they are corrected to 474.75/450 ?? Overdrive ain't enabled so shouldn't my core always be @ 475mhz ?

2. in 3Dmark2003 cpu test 1 and test 2, the image quality or edges seem to be jaggedy or kind of blurred on the edges compared to the rest of the tests in 3Dmark2003 ?? I'm using Samsung 152T LCD monitor with Analogue connection to my Aten CS-84A 4port kvm switch. Is this a catalyst 4.6 bug ?

--------
Overclocking & Temps

Lazy way to get an idea of what the card does = ATI Tool 0.0.20

Find Max Core Speed with ATI Tool Temp in System Tray displaying

Core Temp idle = 36C
Heat Up
Phase 1 = 51C
Phase 2 = 55C
Phase 3 = 57C
Phase 4 = 61C
Phase 5 = 64C ended up artifact free = 576mhz on the Core

I know 3dmark can go higher without artifacts so at least that's a starting point.

Find Max Mem Speed = not sure if I should try given the ATI Tool 0.0.20 bug not being able to properly detect max mem clock so ATI Tool clocks mem way beyond what it can handle and burning out the ram. ATI Tool 0.0.21 lists the fix for this bug though.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probing temps under load
Got a nice infra-read thermometer from coolpc.com.au which I originally got for measuring the back heater of my Mach2 prommy so decided to probe around the X800Pro while it's loop 3dmark2001

The hottest part of the copper heatsink is the back end part facing towards the back of the video card = 37-38C under load. While the mid section of the heatsink was still only 32-34C under load. Meanwhile ATI Tool system tray temp is reporting 57-62C once i stop looping.

The hottest ram chips seem to be
1. the back side top 2 ram chips ~36-38C under load
2. the front side back 2 ram chips ~36-39C under load

While
1. the backside back 2 ram chips ~33-36C under load
2. the front side top 2 ram chips ~34-36C under load

Overclocked @ 550/600 the temps above you can add 4-6C to all measured spots on the card while under 3dmark2003 Nature test looping for 30 mins. The hottest part of the copper heatsink is still the back end part of the heatsink facing towards the back of video card. Hottest point on the PCB seems to be the clear PCB space between the front side back 2 ram chips measuring 43-45C

While @ 550/600 looping 3dmark2003 test 1-4 and stopping it after 10 loops each, ATI TOOL in systrem tray reports 62-64C

Would be nice if ATI TOOL, like MBM5 had a function to log to txt file at user defined intervals the GPU temps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.... more updates to come ...

[eva2000]

Here's the card overclocked @ 550/604 with 2.8C still at 200fsb stock speeds

3dmark2003 = 11,511
edit managed to tweak a bit more @ 558/600 = 11,551 haven't even oc'd the cpu yet!



3dmark2001 = 20,839



---------------------------------------------------------
Now time to overclock the cpu and ram while keeping the X800Pro @ stock speeds of 475/450 to see what I can get

3dmark2003 = 10,585



3dmark2001 = 24,392



Last but not least is overclocking both cpu/ram and X800Pro

First score with oc'd cpu/ram + video card and already hit first page of the Orb in 13th ranked spot

2.8C @ 280fsb
5:4
2x 256MB KHX3200K2/512 BH-5 @ 224mhz 2-2-2-6

Gecube X800Pro @ 550/600
3dmark2003 = 12,259

ranked #13 for WHQL approved driver users :p



3dmark2001 = 25,593



all i need to do is

1. fresh winxp install
2. cat 4.7 beta drivers
3. up the GPU core from 550 to 600


Update:
Just removed cat 4.6 official drivers and installed cat 4.7 betas - no wonder everyone is using them you get around 500+ extra pts in 3dmark2003!

Gecube X800Pro @ 557/604 = 12,983



13k yay!

Gecube X800Pro @ 560/604 = 13,014

[althes]

let the good times roll.

[SuperDude]

thats a weak 01 score, i even hit that on my amd and 9800 setup.

[eva2000]

It's weak because 3dmark2001 is system dependent too and my system is @ stock speeds only the card is oc'd

[Çhrist0ph]

wow, very impressive post and even more impressive results

[eva2000]

updated 2nd post http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...277#post472277 to include cpu overclocked while X800Pro @ stock speed benchies

[All Kill3r]

very nice eva. I like how your showing us all your steps

[Minnyboy]

eva2000,

Good to see that Kingmax in Melbourne were so helpful to ya...

Nice little clocks there mate. Keep on pumping!!

Pity I don't have a valid 3DMark03 key, otherwise I'd be up there in the fisrt page or 2 with my x800pro (x800xt bios) @ 590/590 iirc..

Got a nice little score of 12,474 me thinks...At work atm so can't get my scores...

Only 1K difference if that & my rig is running at 4.05Ghz...

DAMN!!

Anyways, good to see everything was sorted out quickly & you having your new little toy back.

Cheers,
Minnyboy

[eva2000]

first page on the Orb doesn't seem that hard - decided to oc both cpu and card this time

2.8C @ 280fsb
5:4

Gecube X800Pro @ 550/600 = 12,259

ranked 13# on the Orb

all i need to do is

1. fresh winxp install
2. cat 4.7 beta drivers
3. up the GPU core from 550 to 600

[r3b0rN]

nice eva and good luck.

[Djuice]

ncie...

[eva2000]

thanks guys.. lets end tonight on a high note

Gecube X800Pro @ 560/604 = 13,014

updated 2nd post with screenie etc ...

[eva2000]

here's my full run.. managed to increase my score too at same clocks

Gecube X800Pro @ 564/605 = 13,087

[Djuice]

Whats some 01 SCores..

[eva2000]

will do once i do a fresh install of winxp and use non 4.7beta drivers heh

anyone read tweaktown's latest 3 way comparison of Powercolor, Gecube and Asus X800Pros ? Gecube X800Pro was slightly faster than the other 2 cards at same stock speeds in more than 1/2 the benchmarks and tests

[Minnyboy]

eva2000,

updated my scores...

P4 3.0c@3.75Ghz, XMS3500@250 (2-5-2-2 GAT @ t,e,5,e,e), IC7-G with Vmem/Vtt mods, x800pro (x800xt bios) @ 598/598, Catalyst 4.7 beta, Vapo PE Ti CPU Cooling, Asetek Waterchill GPU...

13,198 3DMarks...

Might try again after...

Pretty much a new install of XP with not as much stuff as my 12,474 score... Just used "msconfig" & turned off all the services & startup progs...

You're getting mighty close there eva...

Still wondering why my score is so low...

Cheers,
Minnyboy

[eva2000]

yeah only trolls lair and nature is separating us Minnyboy can you do a full run of all tests and compare our fill rates

[Minnyboy]

Just ran the test again with the full test set except the sound tests as I disabled my soundcard whilst doing the tests.

Final score of 13,148 3dmarks running 250fsb 1:1...

Got a humungous gain when upping my fsb to 270fsb but running 5:4 divider for my XMS3500 A Mighty 13,303 3dmarks...

Got a whole 155 3dmarks for an extra 300mhz lol

Cheers,
Minnyboy

[eva2000]

guess Minnyboy forgot about a full run hehe

thought i'd change my ram from 2x 256MB BH-5 to 2x 512MB BH-5 and do a 2.8C @ 250fsb 1:1 benchie to see how I compare (430mhz less cpu power than my 13,087 full run)

2.8C @ 3.5ghz
Gecube X800Pro @ 567/604 = 12,939

[Minnyboy]

Wish I could do the same & try my 2x512mB sticks but can't atm...

1. They only clock to 240 1:1 & don't like 5:4

2. Lent them to a friend & he's interstate atm... Damn

Not much of a difference when running 20mhz more is it??

I did have to relax my GAT settings from "turbo" to just "auto for the 5:4 run... Might be 100pts in that me thinks...

How's about putting that powerhouse in your AMD64 rig??

Might give you better scores even though it don't (your AMD64 3000+) clock too good compared to your 2.8c...

eva, you got any of them OCZ EB or that new Samsung 2-5-2-2 stuff yet??

Cheers,
Minnyboy

[eva2000]

got 2x 256MB OCZ PC3500EB here but as you know for intel 2x 512MB yields alot more bandwidth but will try once i do a fresh winxp install later this week

might be able to get my hands on some XMS3200XL to pit against BH-5/6 and other ram I have here to see how they go... OCZ EB will beat XMS3200XL anyway at >215-220mhz speeds anyway

[Minnyboy]

Cool, maybe you can write up a comparo pitting the EB against BH5/6 & those new things that has made my BH5's lose value ...

Do you still prefer BH5/6 compare to the EB & Samsung TCCC4 stuff??

I'll be modding my X800pro soon & then I'll be back for some more benching action....

Stuck a spare temp probe from my Vapo PE to the core of my X800pro... Must admit, the Catalyst CP does a good job of measuring the temps.

28c celsius reported by the probe & 30c Celsius reported by the Control panel...

Sorry bout taking this off topic...

Cheers,
Minnyboy

[eva2000]

BH-5 will go up in value thanks to OCZ DDR Booster and 3.9v allowance BH-5/6 with >3.1-3.3v vdimm BH-5 still reigns supreme over OCZ EB and new Samsung TCCD 4ns stuff

but OCZ EB really does fill the void left by BH-5 at all ranges but I'd hold that comment until I see what OCZ EB newer sticks do since Micron has changed die revisions on OCZ without notice...

Samsung TCCD 4ns is good to replace

1. ch-5/6 @ upto 215-220mhz 2-2-2-5 vs 2-3-2-6
2. hynix d and c d43 revisions @ 233-250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 vs 3-4-4-8

So there is a market for them just if you have BH-5/6 and an OCZ DDR Booster you really don't need anything more than a good motherboard/bios and cpu

can't wait to get OCZ DDR Booster so can get my 2.8C@ 280fsb now boosted to 2.8C @ 300fsb and run 5:4 on mach2

[eva2000]

Well changed cpus and redid my last few benchies before i do a fresh winxp install.

Gecube X800Pro
@ 564/605 = 13,582
@ 475/450 = 11,622