Possible to underclock/undervolt a 6800GS?

[Ken B.]

Is there some way I can safely and simply underclock or undervolt my 6800GS card? (256MB, PCI-ex)

I'd like to be able to have full power when I play games (very infrequently), but otherwise, I'm probably just wasting watts because I mostly just surf the internet or do audio and video work.

Thanks!

[doublejack]

Well, there is already a different profile in 2D and 3D. So the card automatically clocks lower when you're not gaming. Beyond that I believe you can underlcock the 2D profile even more, but there have been reports that this actually increases idle temps. Further, there's not much to gain since the card basically underclocks itslef already. It's in 3D mode that they become energy hogs.

-edit
undervolting is probably not a good idea. That would probably lead to lockups and stability problems. Same goes for underclocking the memory (which I've heard can actually damage the card too).

[dfonda]

Also the electric savings would be very very small. We are talking a pack of gum or less a month.

[Ken B.]

Thanks, guys.

[Ken B.]

Is it possible to add more fan rotation speed states than just a single state for 2D and a single one for 3D?

Seems like the Zalman HSF is doing more than adequate for the 2D state, so I could probably make it spin lower to make it quieter. Yet I still want it to spin faster if the workload gets heavy or goes to 3D.

[dfonda]

I don't know the answer to that one... if there is a way to control fan speed without installing a POT.

"Fan always on" is not checked off is it.?

My gpu fan is the quietest one in my box. lol

Maybe someone else knows this one.

[dfonda]

Is it possible to add more fan rotation speed states than just a single state for 2D and a single one for 3D?

Ken B. Maybe this would work for you.

Speedfan

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php