Vid Card Question

Un4given01

Member
Aug 15, 2010
121
0
71
OK, i'm kinda new to tweaking out my vid card, so i have one question. Currently in the system im on, i have a evga 7950 GT KO. Now it says the GPU Clock should be at 560 Mhz, and the memory clock should be at 1450 Mhz. Now with Evga Precision, i have it monitoring in my desktop, and my Core Clock says 570 (which is fine), but my memory clock says 722.3 Mhz. Now, with that being said, obviously if you multiply it by 2 it's at around 1450. So is that how it's read?

Also, on another note, at idle my 7950 is at around 50 degrees celcius. Now for a card at idle, with the fan speed set at 100%, that's kinda high, so any recommendations to bring that temp down?

Thanks for the help in advance.
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
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GDDR1-4 transfer data twice per clock cycle. So the frequency is often (but not always) represented as the effective frequency (2 * base frequency) rather than just the base frequency. In this case EVGA Precision is reporting the base frequency, which is why you are seeing 722.3Mhz instead of 1450MHz. This is purely cosmetic; either way is appropriate.
 

MrK6

Diamond Member
Aug 9, 2004
4,458
4
81
Yes, you're reading the clocks correctly. The KO edition probably has a slight overclock (or you did it yourself in Precision). The RAM is actually running at 722.3MHz, but it's reported as double that it's Double Data Rate RAM, and sends data on both sides of the clock signal, so its "effective" speed is double that of normal (old school) SDRAM.

For the temps, try cleaning any dust out of your card. If you want to get some work in on your card, try replacing the thermal interface material (TIM) if you're up for it. If you want to go even lower, you can also try underclocking the card on 2D.
 

Un4given01

Member
Aug 15, 2010
121
0
71
Are there any tutorials to do this? It's one thing for me to deal with my processor and the heatsink to deal with it, but i've never broken down a video card before, and if i do it, i don't want to screw it up. But something isn't right for a 7950 GT KO to be a 75 degrees celsius after an hour of playing Counterstrike Source.
 

Dark Shroud

Golden Member
Mar 26, 2010
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If you decide to replace the TIM use a quality product.

Arctic Silver Ceramique is one I would recommend since it's non-conductive.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Before changing the thermal interface, see if there is any dust built up in the heatsink of the card. Use compressed air to blow it out.