Coolbits...? wtf?

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nitromullet

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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So I got the second half of my SLI twins yesterday, and I was all excited to try out SLI AA. So, I pop open the control panel, and I can't find the SLI AA option anywhere... hmmm... Hit google, find some Mad Mod Mike thing on NV's site that shows you how to enable SLI AA and overclocking by adding the Coolbits registry key with a lot of fanfare about how "you can do it all with NVIDIA". Well, that's all fine and good - I can use regedit, I guess... If I have to...

Flip back a few months... Earlier this yeah I had a CrossFire setup for a while, and as much I don't like the .net requirement for the CCC, ATI has some good functionality in the CCC. For instance, if you want to overclock, you just click a box and agree to the terms. Your Overdrive clocks are remembered when you update your Cats. Want more AA? No problem with the CCC, you just get more options on your AA slider when you enable CrossFire. Easy Peasy... So, why does NVIDIA require us to edit the registry to get the same?

My hope with this thread is that other SLI users will chime in with their agreement that they'd also like to see a more user friendly ForceWare driver that doesn't require you to edit the registry to enable the "advanced" functions, and that the remaining closet AEG members (I'm sure you still exist) might report this back to NVIDIA. What I don't want is for NV to come out with some goofy driver with a whole bunch of bloat and overhead (like the CCC). They can leave the control panel as it is, just give me an "advanced" radio button that enables the coolbits functions so I can enable SLI AA and overclocking without editing the registry AND have my settings migrated to new drivers.

Another thing I don't want is an AEG flamewar thread, that isn't the point.
 
M

Madellga

Senior member
Sep 9, 2004
713
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The SLI AA option is there. Use the advanced settings, go down under and there is an option SLI-Rendering AA.

Go up and select AA 8X SLI.

I've never edited my registry or used coolbits for enabling that.

Unfortunately I am not running SLI anymore, so I can't produce a screenshot for you.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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can't you just download a registry file that does the work for you? that's how coolbits used to work
 
F

FalllenAngell

Banned
Mar 3, 2006
132
0
0
I think you're mistaken about the coolbits, Nitromullet. You just download coolbits_forceware.reg from somewhere like Guruof3d, click on it, and it installs for you.

There's no need to edit the registry manually.

I believe people's main problem with CCC is that you have to install .net first, and that it locks down large amounts of memory, so the situations aren't really comparable. (atr least to me)
 
G

Gstanfor

Banned
Oct 19, 1999
3,307
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First off you in no way require coolbits in order to utilize SLI mode. Secondly, I always enable coolbits from within nVhardpage (if the Extreme-G drivers I prefer using haven't already enabled it for me).
 
nitromullet

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
can't you just download a registry file that does the work for you? that's how coolbits used to work
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. The point is why do I have to do that..? Downloading the file itself isn't a big deal, but you still have to know about it. Why not just make it standard?

Originally posted by: Gstanfor
First off you in no way require coolbits in order to utilize SLI mode. Secondly, I always enable coolbits from within nVhardpage (if the Extreme-G drivers I prefer using haven't already enabled it for me).
Click to expand...

This is third party software on third party modded drivers. I understand that there are third party tools that will make life easier, my point is why should I need them?
 
G

Gstanfor

Banned
Oct 19, 1999
3,307
0
0
Yes, it's third party software, but it's competently written, useful, non system intrusive third party software (that goes for nHancer as well - just because it uses .net, doesn't mean it's necessarily a resource hog unlike ATi's effort).

I view standard nVIDIA reference drivers like plain (not even vanilla) icecream. They form a solid base, but, should be "flavoured to taste".
 
erikistired

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
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Originally posted by: nitromullet
Originally posted by: ElFenix
can't you just download a registry file that does the work for you? that's how coolbits used to work
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. The point is why do I have to do that..? Downloading the file itself isn't a big deal, but you still have to know about it. Why not just make it standard?

Originally posted by: Gstanfor
First off you in no way require coolbits in order to utilize SLI mode. Secondly, I always enable coolbits from within nVhardpage (if the Extreme-G drivers I prefer using haven't already enabled it for me).
Click to expand...

This is third party software on third party modded drivers. I understand that there are third party tools that will make life easier, my point is why should I need them?
Click to expand...

you don't need them. run ati. then you don't have to worry about it.

i don't know why they would be required to make it easier to void your warranty in their reference drivers.
 
T

thilanliyan

Lifer
Jun 21, 2005
12,045
2,261
126
Originally posted by: Gstanfor
Yes, it's third party software, but it's competently written, useful, non system intrusive third party software (that goes for nHancer as well - just because it uses .net, doesn't mean it's necessarily a resource hog unlike ATi's effort).

I view standard nVIDIA reference drivers like plain (not even vanilla) icecream. They form a solid base, but, should be "flavoured to taste".
Click to expand...

Nitromullet obviously doesn't really wanna use 3rd party software. If he used CCC instead of say ATI Tray Tools when he had Crossfire then why would he use 3rd party software now??
 
dug777

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
Why not just have a button that lets you enable it? disclaimer laden as always ;)
 
M

Madellga

Senior member
Sep 9, 2004
713
0
0
Originally posted by: fisher
Originally posted by: nitromullet
Originally posted by: ElFenix
can't you just download a registry file that does the work for you? that's how coolbits used to work
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. The point is why do I have to do that..? Downloading the file itself isn't a big deal, but you still have to know about it. Why not just make it standard?

Originally posted by: Gstanfor
First off you in no way require coolbits in order to utilize SLI mode. Secondly, I always enable coolbits from within nVhardpage (if the Extreme-G drivers I prefer using haven't already enabled it for me).
Click to expand...

This is third party software on third party modded drivers. I understand that there are third party tools that will make life easier, my point is why should I need them?
Click to expand...

you don't need them. run ati. then you don't have to worry about it.

i don't know why they would be required to make it easier to void your warranty in their reference drivers.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, with X1900 you need to run ATITOOL to reduce the infernal noise that the fan makes. Much better than Nvidia.

 
M

Madellga

Senior member
Sep 9, 2004
713
0
0
Originally posted by: Gstanfor
Yes, it's third party software, but it's competently written, useful, non system intrusive third party software (that goes for nHancer as well - just because it uses .net, doesn't mean it's necessarily a resource hog unlike ATi's effort).

I view standard nVIDIA reference drivers like plain (not even vanilla) icecream. They form a solid base, but, should be "flavoured to taste".
Click to expand...

The original coolbits.reg is available at Nvidia's website. It is just for enabling the o/c tab.

I also use the standard driver, no need for tweaks.

Dug777 is just teasing people. Oh, it is Friday!!
 
Thor86

Thor86

Diamond Member
May 3, 2001
7,888
7
81
Just install and run nTune, straight from nVidia, so you know it's legit.
 
B

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Why not just make it standard?
Click to expand...

By Microsoft's stated standards an OC tool included in the drivers means you auto fail WHQL certification(by allowing hardware to run outside of specification). WHQL turned into nothing but a MS tax long ago- clearly they do not even care about basic DX functionality in their drivers anymore.

Also- for nVidia by including the OC tab they are putting their OEMs into a tough spot if they don't want to support the headaches that come when crooks start OCing. We see it here all the time, some low life will push something too far and then steal our money by RMAing it.

Last I was aware, you need only install it once as long as you don't do a driver clean between every update. Coolbits will remain active in your registry throughout your updates.
 
V

vanvock

Senior member
Jan 1, 2005
959
0
0
Last I was aware, you need only install it once as long as you don't do a driver clean between every update. Coolbits will remain active in your registry throughout your updates

Since it's recomended to uninstall drivers before updating I always do & have to re-inable CoolBits. I use a value of 3 but I've also seen reference to 1 & 8 I think. The max temp threshold won't let me change it & I wonder if I need to use a different value to get this or other functions? Has anyone checked the registry to see what value is set by the auto config deals?
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,398
8,566
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now... is there a way to get the high AA modes without having an SLI setup? i mean, wouldn't it be ridiculous to be able to access SLI AA with a 6600 vanilla SLI setup and not on a 7900GTX?
 
G

Gstanfor

Banned
Oct 19, 1999
3,307
0
0
Originally posted by: ElFenix
now... is there a way to get the high AA modes without having an SLI setup? i mean, wouldn't it be ridiculous to be able to access SLI AA with a 6600 vanilla SLI setup and not on a 7900GTX?
Click to expand...

Sure there is - use nHancer

EDIT: (you can't use SLI:AA on single cards)
 
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