Do you recommend RIVATUNER ?

[vois2]

Hi everyone. I'm about to make my first dabble into overclocking a video card. First I'm going to take some days to try and get a lock on what the "normal" temps are of components in my machine, using SpeedFan. (Including normal temps at 100% CPU usage, although I have yet to figure out how to trigger the machine to 100% usage, monitor it at 100%, or make it stay at a 100% CPU usage...)

After that, I'd like to try my hand at overclocking a 6800 GS PCI-e which is stock at 425/1000.

I was wondering what are your thoughts on RivaTuner for this purpose...

Are there better utilities you would mention?

Also, is there any GRAND WARNING you would give to me about nuiances in overclocking a video card? It can be technical or generic.

I appreciate your help. My specs are below.

Dell Dimension 8400 / 3.0 P-4 630 HT / 3G PC2-3200 (ddr2-400) RAM / 350W PSU / eVGA 6800 GS 256MB stock 425/1000 PCI-express

 

[mwmorph]

if it artifacts, stop.
rivatuner is a fine program nbut i;d just use coolbits. rivatuner uses up system ram while coolbits is in the driver.

 

[Yreka]

Ill second Coolbits for overclocking. As for temp monitoring, check out NVtemplogger. Lets you plot to a log file, and displays a reading in your taskbar like speedfan.

 

[Art Vandaleigh]

Yea i too use coolbits for overclocking, and rivatuner for temp/sensor monitoring.

 

[zagood]

Good generic guide for overclocking video cards:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/fma/overclocking__graphics_card2.htm

-z

 

[BW86]

You can test an oc for artifacts with atitool, it works with nvidia cards.

 

[vois2]

Thanks to you all VERY much. I'll look into everything you've written.
I'm including my consolidated notes below, for the next noob.

Forceware Coolbits 2.0 ------ http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=815

NVTempLogger v3.37 ------ http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1194

Good overclocking gfx card guide ------ http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/fma/overclocking__graphics_card2.htm

ANANDTECH.com

if it artifacts, stop.
rivatuner is a fine program nbut i;d just use coolbits. rivatuner uses up system ram while coolbits is in the driver.
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Ill second Coolbits for overclocking. As for temp monitoring, check out NVtemplogger. Lets you plot to a log file, and displays a reading in your taskbar like speedfan.
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Yea i too use coolbits for overclocking, and rivatuner for temp/sensor monitoring.
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Good generic guide for overclocking video cards:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/fma/overclocking__graphics_card2.htm

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You can test an oc for artifacts with atitool, it works with nvidia cards.
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