underclocking my 7800GTX?

[papaschtroumpf]

I took my old 7800GTX (256M) and added it to my linux server.
95% of the time it only serves to drive the 1600x1200 flat panel, so that card is a bit of overkill.
The rest of the time my kid plays Guild Wars (using Wine) where I might actually want the full power.

My problem is the card is hot enough that even sitting idle it will raise the internal temp of the case by 5 degrees C, so raise the CPU temp accordingly.

I don't want to invest in a new case of cooling fans for the case, so I was thinking about underclocking the card (at least when not playing games) to get it to run cooler.

I've never underclocked a video card. is it even possible? are there any rules of thumb about how to go about it?

 

[Leyawiin]

I underclock my 8800 GTX while its in 2D by about 30% (using MSI Afterburner). No ill effects. Probably Rivatuner would allow you a greater range of adjustment.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Rivatuner. Learn it, live it, love it.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

...running linux 🙂

nvclock seems to be fairly powerful though, even if not as friendly.

this article seems like a good starting point though: http://www.overclock.net/linux-unix/504832-how-nvidia-overclocking-linux.html

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

...running linux 🙂

nvclock seems to be fairly powerful though, even if not as friendly.

this article seems like a good starting point though: http://www.overclock.net/linux-unix/504832-how-nvidia-overclocking-linux.html

Heh, oh yeah, I should have noticed that you're running LInux when you mentioned Wine... 😳

Whichever utility you use, there are no issues that I know of when underclocking a video card.

 

[Caribbean Geek]

If you underclock the card but don't undervolt it, it won't help much.