Got a question bout ATI!

[d3phton3x]

Hey im pretty new to the "overclocking" scene. I really have no clue what I am doing. But, I just got a band new set up. With the set up, I got a Sapphire Radeon 9800 Atlantis 256 MB 128 Bit. Now, I see a lot of overclocking articles about 9800 PROs and 9800 SE....I am just wondering if I have an SE or not? Cuz, on the box right in front of me now, it says nowhere "SE" or "PRO".

My New Set up:

AMD Athlonxp 3200+
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Atlantis 256 MB 128 Bit
512 MB RAM 400 Mhz
Onboard Sound and NIC
160 G HDD + 40 G HDD

I would love some help on overclocking my computer, cuz I would like to increase my performance in games. I got this new comp. so that I could play some high-end games like HL2 and CS: Source. But in those games, I cant even run High Texture quality without getting crappy fps! Maybe this is a n00b post but help would be appreciated. I would like to OC my video card AND/OR my processor. I dont have any Overclocking programs for the processor, but I do have Omega drivers for my 9800, which allow me to enable Clock Rate Changing.

Thx!

 

[gunblade]

you are seriously bandwidth limited with 128bit memory bus.

It most likely is a 9800se.

 

[d3phton3x]

So I am bandwidth limited? Does that effect my options for OC'ing or what??

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: d3phton3x
So I am bandwidth limited? Does that effect my options for OC'ing or what??

Welcome to the forums.

I doubt it will effect how far you can OC the core, however, you will be extremely limited by the 128bit memory bus. No matter how high you manage to clock the core and memory, you'll still fall short of a full 9800 Pro 256bit card.

 

[gunblade]

for gfx OC, I would recommend you focus more in overclocking the memory than the core frequency, since you are bandwidth limited in almost all but the most shader intensive cases.

FOr cpu oc, I suggest you to read more articles on different website. I don't know your mobo and ram so I can't say how high you can go, but generally getting to 210-215Mhz FSB should be feasible depend solely on your ram and mobo.

 

[d3phton3x]

So do you have any ideas for me about what I should do? Do I need to modify any hardware or buy anything to OC my card or processor speed??

 

[d3phton3x]

gunblade, how do I overclock the memory like u suggest??

 

[naruto1988]

people still buy 128 bit cards? =O

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: naruto1988
people still buy 128 bit cards? =O

The 6600GT is a 128 bit card, and it's by far the best value/performer at $200 MSRP?

 

[SneakyStuff]

overclock the memory on the card, that increases bandwidth. The further you can push the memory, the better performance you'll yeild. Someone needs to correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought the 9800SE's came in 128 bit memory, 8 pipeline core, and 256 bit memory, and 4 pipeline core.

 

[d3phton3x]

I am not sure....thats why I am asking! Know any sites that can show me how to overclock my memory? I would like not to ruin anything! K thx

 

[HappyNic]

you can use a program call ATItools to overclock your videocard. Don't worry about your CPU for now as it is still very fast and will not bottle neck you on any game that is currently out.

What resolution are you playing your game at?

 

[d3phton3x]

I usually try and play HL2 and CS:Source at 1024 by 768 with all the default settngs it chose for me. But, in order to get a decent frame rate I will play 800 by 600 (cries).

 

[d3phton3x]

I want to OC the memory on the card but I dont know how

 

[d3phton3x]

I guess noone is gonna help the n00b!

 

[Rage187]

if you dont know what your doing, then dont do it.

 

[w00t]

there is such thing as a 9800
and than there is SE
and pro
and xt

 

[w00t]

this is your card? http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-102-383&depa=0

 

[HappyNic]

after you check how far you can overclock gpu/mem with the program ATITools,, you can then use a program call RAdlinker to overclock your card to those setttings.

You current gpu is at 325mhz? and memory at 290mhz,, that's the same as a 9800non-pro, but you also have only 128bit instead of the normal 256bit.

You gpu/core should have no problem at pro speed of 380mhz, but I can't say much on the memory,