Experimenting with FX5200

[Valkillmore]

I would like to do some experimental work with my ancient graphics card since I don't know much about improving performance on video cards besides using Ati tool/RivaTuner to control fans and change clocks. I use a BFG Tech 7900 GT in an HP (wasted money...), but I'm quite hesitant to experiment with it until I have a decent understanding of how grfx cards respond to tweaking.

The card is a BFG Tech FX5200 256 MB AGP. First, I suppose I'll ask how to remove the HSF: I've removed the push-pins but it won't come loose. Do you have to remove the screws on the actual HS (they don't look like they're screwed to the board)? The cooler needs a serious Isopropyl dip and some basic maintenance as well. I've done minimal research on BIOS flashing and attempting to open pixel-pipelines, but I'm pretty sure this board doesn't have any to open. Taking suggestions.

[Mathersalan]

No just get some tweezers and grasp the small black things on the bottom of the video card while you are pushing down on the white buttons that has springs under it and it should pop off.. And if you damage the small black connectors no worries.. Theres a method.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6664/imgp0448smalllj9.jpg

^^ When the spring popped off the white button and could not find them! haha

[nd4spdbh2]

No just get some tweezers and grasp the small black things on the bottom of the video card while you are pushing down on the white buttons that has springs under it and it should pop off.. And if you damage the small black connectors no worries.. Theres a method.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6664/imgp0448smalllj9.jpg

^^ When the spring popped off the white button and could not find them! haha


i have that same exact POS fx5200 somewhere.... definetly a huge HUGE pos!... i may put it to use in a fully passive system ima build this summer.

[Mathersalan]

haha had it since early 2003 and still kicking inside my old AMD 2400+

[Valkillmore]

Oh, it's most definitely a POS, but that's why I want to play around with it. Back in my newb days I thought this would help me play Doom 3...but I was a newb so it may be forgivable? I'm having no problem removing the push-pins, but the sink just sits as if attached with epoxy to the GPU core. I'm hoping that isn't the case.

[nd4spdbh2]

Oh, it's most definitely a POS, but that's why I want to play around with it. Back in my newb days I thought this would help me play Doom 3...but I was a newb so it may be forgivable? I'm having no problem removing the push-pins, but the sink just sits as if attached with epoxy to the GPU core. I'm hoping that isn't the case.
its just the stock TIM... give it a good twist.

right now on my fx5200 sits a hs off a socket 370 celeron 466... lol it works perfectly but a lil to small for passive use.

[AsusLover]

humm, sometimes they can be attached with thermal adhesive....throw it in the freezer for awhile good 12 hours then see if you can take it off.

[Mathersalan]

I did play around with that FX 5200 that I posted a pic of. I popped the HS off and made it so the old passive heatsink from my VERY old PNY Geforce mx440-8x AGP vid card.. It go REALLY hot for operating conditions with AS5. So I put that broken original with AS5 and it OCed a good 10+ more on the core and 30 on the ram that was about it.. This was just a "I'm bored" project while my defected PSU was being RMAd for my main rig

[muhon_zen]

Hi, I have the same GeForce but from XFX. I'm looking forward to look to your results, as I am experimenting myself too with this card... however, my financial status makes this card my main for my rig, but it is ok as I only play Lineage 2 and Ragnarok Online. My Overclock only goes to 310/400 in stable (I still am learning, so I don't know).. I also don't know the effect of rising the AGP voltage in the mobo. Also, I noticed that somehow the max stable RAM clock depends on the FSB you're running on the motherboard.

[nd4spdbh2]

i was able to get my fx5200 up to 325/477 before it pooped out... went from 15 to 19fps in bf2 all low settings lol.

[AngelfireUk83]

I am fiddling round with my old FX5200 for my brother he's had a G4 MX440 in his PC for 4 years and it's crap I am going to take off the alumminum HS and replace it as well.

At least it's a sort of upgrade I could of giving him my 6200 non Turbo cache card but I sold it for £25 on Amazon. As he's family he reckons it shud be free to him bol**ks I said you pay your way in the world.

[muhon_zen]

I am fiddling round with my old FX5200 for my brother he's had a G4 MX440 in his PC for 4 years and it's crap I am going to take off the alumminum HS and replace it as well.

At least it's a sort of upgrade I could of giving him my 6200 non Turbo cache card but I sold it for £25 on Amazon. As he's family he reckons it shud be free to him bol**ks I said you pay your way in the world.

Let us know your mods/overclock/temps/voltages so we can learn from your experiment.