Trying to OC 7950 again... Can't enable Unofficial Overclocking in MSI Afterburner!

[Techhog]

EDIT: I got the memory thing resolved, but now I need help unlocking unofficial overclocking. I made the necessary edits to the configuration file, but that didn't do anything. Help?


So, I'm trying yet again to push my 7950 to the limit, and I'm getting weird results. In Valley (ExtremeHD 1080p), I get ~1730 with 1100/1250 (stock mem speed), but only ~1660 with 1100/1325! The score increases to ~1750 at 1100/1400, but for such an increase in memory speed that seems weird. Any idea what could be going on?

 

[Silverforce11]

1. vram error correction, if pushed beyond their capability they will run slower.
2. poor memory timings in the BIOS for that particular clock speed range, if you nudge it a bit higher to 1350 or 1400 you may see a large jump in performance.

Test some more and you'll find a nice clock.

 

[Techhog]

1. vram error correction, if pushed beyond their capability they will run slower.
2. poor memory timings in the BIOS for that particular clock speed range, if you nudge it a bit higher to 1350 or 1400 you may see a large jump in performance.

Test some more and you'll find a nice clock.

Hm. Okay then. Also, how can I get the core past 1100MHz?

 

[Silverforce11]

More vcore.

 

[Techhog]

More vcore.

No, I mean that MSI Afterburner and CCC have a hard limit there.

 

[Termie]

See this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2301435

A few data points from HD 7870 and HD 7950 overclocking are provided.

 

[Techhog]

See this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2301435

A few data points from HD 7870 and HD 7950 overclocking are provided.

I see.... I managed to hit 1500MHz on the mem and that seems stable, but that's such a small boost that I'm not sure if it's worth it.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

It probably isn't. The 7950 has plenty of bandwidth. Go to max out the core first, then go for a memory overclock. The only card I've ever had that benifieted from a memory overclock was my hd 7770.

 

[Techhog]

It probably isn't. The 7950 has plenty of bandwidth. Go to max out the core first, then go for a memory overclock. The only card I've ever had that benifieted from a memory overclock was my hd 7770.

True. Plus, I'm limited to 1080p. I think I'll just stick with 1100/1250 and call it a day.

 

[Techhog]

As much as I know I shouldn't do this... How do I get past the 1100MHz core limit? I know Trixx can do it, but last time I tried that I gopt weird results because I think there was a conflict due to Afterburner being installed. Either that or the power limit was reset and I didn't see a power limit option in Trixx. So, I want to do it in Afterburner instead so there's no conflict.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

You have to enable unofficial overclocking. There are posts about it because it's kinda lengthy. (7950 should hit ~1150-1200.)

 

[KingFatty]

There is a configuration file for afterburner that you edit, and change the zero to a 1 where it says enableunofficialoverclocking=0 or something, maybe about voltage. But yeah, I think it's that easy, just edit an ini file or something in the afterburner folder, then after you do that, you are able to check the box for the option in afterburner itself? Been a while but that should work.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I think you have to paste in some text that says you agree to the EULA.

 

[Techhog]

There is a configuration file for afterburner that you edit, and change the zero to a 1 where it says enableunofficialoverclocking=0 or something, maybe about voltage. But yeah, I think it's that easy, just edit an ini file or something in the afterburner folder, then after you do that, you are able to check the box for the option in afterburner itself? Been a while but that should work.

I think you have to paste in some text that says you agree to the EULA.

It's not letting me save the file as .cfg

Also, one of the guides I read said that you need to edit something in the registry as well if you have an AMD card.

 

[KingFatty]

Try saving the file as a new name, then use file explorer to rename the old file to "backup" or something, and rename the new file as the proper name.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

You have to enable unofficial overclocking. There are posts about it because it's kinda lengthy. (7950 should hit ~1150-1200.)

Yep. cfg edits worked for me. New limit was 1200. Some 7950's can go well above 1200, mine stops working well at around 1180.

 

[Techhog]

I edited the file, but I can't find the option

 

[Techhog]

Bump with new title so that people can see the current issue

 

[KaRLiToS]

First, what version of MSI AB are you using and also, where did you install MSI AB?

It's best to install it in another folder than program files, its even better to install it another Hard Drive, it will be much easier to have the rights to modify the config.

If it's not the case, please uninstall MSI and download the most recent versions here.

Then after installing it, add this to the CFG.

[B]UnofficialOverclockingEULA[/B] = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it.
[B]UnofficialOverclockingMode[/B] = 1 (I prefer to put mode "[COLOR="Red"][SIZE="4"][B]2[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]")

You can also use Overclocking mode "2"

**Note on the mode setting. Some new games are causing clock conflicts with Powerplay creating flickering on the desktop. You can avoid this by choosing 2, instead of 1.

And then change this in the MSI AB options.

Unlock Voltage Control

 

[Techhog]

First, what version of MSI AB are you using and also, where did you install MSI AB?

It's best to install it in another folder than program files, its even better to install it another Hard Drive, it will be much easier to have the rights to modify the config.

If it's not the case, please uninstall MSI and download the most recent versions here.

Then after installing it, add this to the CFG.

[B]UnofficialOverclockingEULA[/B] = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it.
[B]UnofficialOverclockingMode[/B] = 1 (I prefer to put mode "[COLOR="Red"][SIZE="4"][B]2[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]")

You can also use Overclocking mode "2"



And then change this in the MSI AB options.

Unlock Voltage Control

It is the latest version (2.3.1) and is in the program folder, but I've already edited the file and nothing happened. I guess I could try installing somewhere else (though i only have one drive)

 

[KaRLiToS]

It is the latest version (2.3.1) and is in the program folder, but I've already edited the file and nothing happened. I guess I could try installing somewhere else (though i only have one drive)

Install it on a seperate Folder outside of Program Files and proceed with everything I mention in my post above.

 

[Techhog]

Installing somewhere else did nothing. Even restarting my computer did nothing... Something is really wrong here. Maybe it's a problem with the card or the driver?

 

[Techhog]

Okay, it looks like the problem was that I tried to keep my profiles... Well it works now. Thanks!

 

[Techhog]

Starting to hit uncomfortable VRM temps (will likely hit mid-high 80s in heavy gaming with somewhat high ambient temp) at 1150 though since I have the voltage pretty high by that point. I want to go to 1200 if I can, but since this cooler uses passive VRM cooling. I game at 1080p though, so I'd only use clocks that high for really demanding games. When should I start to worry about VRM temps?

 

[Bubbleawsome]

VRM temps get iffy at 110c. 80c is fine.