Lost noob needs help overclocking

[LkyOldSun]

I tried to read the thread on flashin bios, and I tried to read the thread on soft-mod, but it doesn't make any sense to me. I am confused now.

Does someone want to walk me through this. This is my first time overclocking a video card ever. I wouldn't mind trying to overclock the ATI 9600NP in my box now. I also have a Saphire 129mb 9500 on the way.

I also searched this site for 1/2 hour (with no luck) to find software to clock the ram and core of a memory card. I have no idea if my 9600 is a NP or a pro. The box said NP, but windows says it's a pro.

[n00bular]

First of all, OCing a video card is very simple. The first thing you do is get the right program. There are 2 things you overclock on a video card. The core and the memory. You overclock both for the performance gain. Start by overclocking 1 then the other. If you overclock both at once, you will have a hard time distinguishing which one is producing artifacts (distortions on your screen). You can overclock your video card until it starts artifacting then back down 2-3mhz down.

Seeing as you have 2 ati cards, you should get the following programs:

w1zzard's atitool (http://atitool.ocfaq.com/) Rivatuner download (http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner/)

Atitool gets the maximum overclock on core and memory. This is a pretty acurate program to see where you maximum is.

Rivatuner is what you can actually set the clock speeds. Atitool does it too, but if you don't really want to use atitool then you can use this.

My advice is to run atitool and see where your maximum speed is around. Then just use rivatuner or atitool to set the desired speed. Run 3dmark 2001 and 3dmark 2003 for a couple loops each and look for visual distortions (artifacts). If you see distortions, lower your overclock by 2-3mhz and continue until you see no artifacts. Then you are basically done. Remember to save your changes, otherwise once you quit the program/reboot your video card will be set back to stock speeds.

Good luck

;) ;) ;)

[LkyOldSun]

I DL the wizzards, but when I try to run it, it says
the application has failed to start because d3d9.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

I'll try to DL again (dial-up)

OK, I downloaded again and I get the same message when I try to run the ATItool. :lost:

[DDR-PIII]

Originally posted by LkyOldSun
I DL the wizzards, but when I try to run it, it says

I'll try to DL again (dial-up)

OK, I downloaded again and I get the same message when I try to run the ATItool. :lost:

ah yes!, i can help you out ;)

I had the same problem, and you know what it is, you need to download and install DirectX 9.0b :), after I installed that ATItool worked :).

i know its a long and painful downlaod on dial-up cause thats what i was on when i downlaoded the 31Mb re-distrib version, but you can also download the web setup version, which is 300 or 900 KB to download, i cant really remember, but the total downlaod size is 9.XX MB :)

[n00bular]

I believe that d3d9.dll is a file for Direct3d. I think you need direct X 9. You can get that off microsoft.com. Its a bit late here and I need to get to sleep (probably only 3 hours b/c I have class in the morning). Install Direct X 9 and you should be able to run it. But remember that once you install direct x 9 you cant go back a version without reinstalling windows.

[LkyOldSun]

thanks for your help!

I need to get to sleep too.

I'll set my box to DL the DX9 while I am catchin ZZZZZzzzzz's, cuz 9 mb will take 'bout an hour (OLD phone lines)

[harryinny3]

Alot of the 9600NP cards were locked from the factory.

At 3dGuru or guru3d cant remember, theres a download there under downloads, Overclocking, ATI that will essentialy unlock your card.

Correct me if im wrong here, but I remember reading alot on this awhile back at Rage3d.


Harry

[DDR-PIII]

yeah ots www.guru3d.com

[LkyOldSun]

Originally posted by DDR-PIII


ah yes!, i can help you out ;)

I had the same problem, and you know what it is, you need to download and install DirectX 9.0b :), after I installed that ATItool worked :).

i know its a long and painful downlaod on dial-up cause thats what i was on when i downlaoded the 31Mb re-distrib version, but you can also download the web setup version, which is 300 or 900 KB to download, i cant really remember, but the total downlaod size is 9.XX MB :)

I wish that it was that easy for me.
I reviewed my previously installed Windows updates, and among the 700 or so of them, I found:
DirectX 9.0b. (no wonder I could not find it among the updates available for download and install). Maybe it's not working? Or maybe I need to DL and run that 9600 unlocking program. I dunno. I had to work 15 hours today, and I am beat and need to go to bed. Life sucks when there is no free time to enjoy it!

[harryinny3]

Goto your All programs, Accessories sp?, System tools, System info. Then the drop down and do the directX Diagnostics. See if theres a conflict with files. First page or second should show it. It will also tell you Exactly what version of DirectX your running.

If all else fails, You might have to redownload it again. Ill find the link to the Program for the 9600 and post it for you. Just wish i knew how to name it like you all do LOL. Ie: HERE, LINKY. LOL But ill learn.

Heres the link, But you also need riva tuner to use the script. I dont know but maybe the new rivatuner has the script already in it. If not just DL rivatuner and follow directions On this page to install the Antioverclocking protection script into your rivatuner Overclocking utility.

http://download.guru3d.com/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=680

Get rivatuner here: http://download.guru3d.com/rivatuner/

Harry

[LkyOldSun]

in System info, where do I find it. I tried doing a search for DirectX- no luck. There is a LOT of stuff in that system info, a lot of things expand and expand and expand. I spent 10 minutes looking for directx9 and could not find it.

I tried to install the 9600 unlocking script. There are no instructions,. I just pointed it to the file it was asking for in windows\system32\drivers. It said that windows WLP or something like that will likely restore the file to original state.

and rivatuner said "No supported drivers detected for this display adapter".


I DL like 38 MB of MS ***** last nite, including some ATI drivers from 12/03. When rebooted my machine in the mornin, the display would not work., I had to go to safe mode and rool back the ATI drivers to get the card to work.

I wish this was easy.

[The_man27]

Originally posted by LkyOldSun
in System info, where do I find it. I tried doing a search for DirectX- no luck. There is a LOT of stuff in that system info, a lot of things expand and expand and expand. I spent 10 minutes looking for directx9 and could not find it.


start>run>dxdiag
:)

[LkyOldSun]

AHA!

I DL and install DX9b via MS, but it did not take!

dxdiag lists me as using dx8.1

I'll post when I get the 9b up and showing.

[LkyOldSun]

so I finally get done DL the dx9b (over dial-up!) and install and reboot, and I get no display. Blank screen. I remove my second video card (pci mx440-se) and then try and boot and the login screen comes in finally, but at VGA res!. Devide manager says 9600pro could not start.
WTF!
Thank GOD I have a second computer.

OK, I just uninstalled/installed the 9600. I have my screen back.

Gonna try and see if I can run ATI tool now.

[LkyOldSun]

WHOA!!!

I opened ATItool (after running the script for unlocking my 9600) and then I clicked find max core. My PC froze. Then Screen goes blank. Then it comes back in VGA, and says that my card failed.

WTF!!!

[harryinny3]

I have no answers for that. Im not all that familiar with the 9600NP. Just knew that most were locked. If i were you id try the rivatuner again, And Dont software OC, but theres a Option when the riva comes up to do hardware overclocking. Try that.

Hope this all works out, Maybe the card isnt supported by the ATI tool.

Also, Forget the Updated driver from MS. Goto ATI and get the real one and uninstall your old one completely. Then defrag and install the new one. ALSO, I think, but am not sure, but the 9600 series cards require that fastwrites are enabled in the driver. That can be found under smartgart in the advanced display properties.


I really hope this works out.

Harry

[LkyOldSun]

Uninstalled/installed drivers again, and my card works again.

I was hoping to use ATItool to find the max and then just set the card a few mhz below that with rivatuner, but so far, all I have been able to do is mess up my display.

[LkyOldSun]

well, after a buch of heartache, I am able to OC this b!ttch!

Thanks for all your help, guys!

Now to find that darn wall.

[LkyOldSun]

well poop. I hit the 490 max that RivaTuner will let me clock the core. It doesn't have a setting that I can see to get past 490. 3dmark03 almost 3k with stock ram speed.


1.6 volts to AGP, stock passive heatsink,
I think this chip has more to go, but how can I get there? Any ideas?

EDIT: after it warmed up a bit, I started seeing artifacts at 490. I have a 9500NP on the way, and so I prolly will be selling this card, but what kind of OC'er would I be if I didn't find it's wall before doing so?

I was thinking about bumping the AGP voltage to 1.7 and see if that gives no artifacts at 490 core and maybe a little head room in the ram clock dept (a measly 270)

1.7 volts with stock cooling (passive HS)
whaddayall think 'bout dat?

[harryinny3]

COOL! Glad it all worked out. And 490 seem a bit high. Try bumping that way down, Maybe 20mhz above stock, and raise the memory up 20mhz and try the bench.

Your getting a 9500np? Cool, with L shapped memory pattern? If so, please download the omega drivers for it. It has the softmod in them already, that will make that puppy a 9700. They are greay drivers. If you need any help with them let us know.


WTG Glad it all worked out.

Harry

[LkyOldSun]

I thought 490 seemed high too.

It ran at 470/270 1.6V all night (and I didn't even apply AC3) no artifacts that I could see in the mornin (but DANG was that HS hot).

Gonna bump core to 235 and try increasing mem over 270