Gah, my HD 4870 can't overclock past 800MHz on the core

[ghost_recon88]

I've tried the Asus TOP BIOS, the Diamond XOC BIOS, tried increasing the vGPU in RBE, nothing helps :( I'm stuck at 800MHz for the core, anything higher than has artifacts in ATItool. I see a lot of people have hit 850MHz on stock everything :confused:

I've replaced the stock TIM with Creamique, and my idle temps are in the 50s, full load is 68-70c. I'm still using the stock cooler, and the 8.10 final drivers.

For testing, I'm using Overdrive to increase the clocks, GPU-Z to monitor the temps and fan speed, ATItool to scan for artifacts, and the OpenGL furry donut to put the GPU under load.

[SeanBest]

I got to 825, anything higher artifacts. Running ASUS Top Bios on my MSI 4870s as well. Still only run at 800 though, with the newer 8.10 and 8.11 betas, My once stable 825/1100 is no longer stable, anything past 800/1050 artifacts and crashes and VPU just locks up the computer.

[AsusLover]

Whats fan setting at? To get to my max OC i have to use 100% fan all the time to make it happen...and or 60% and move he computer to an open window late at night up here =) things stay very nice and cold =)

[ghost_recon88]

I got to 825, anything higher artifacts. Running ASUS Top Bios on my MSI 4870s as well. Still only run at 800 though, with the newer 8.10 and 8.11 betas, My once stable 825/1100 is no longer stable, anything past 800/1050 artifacts and crashes and VPU just locks up the computer.

But you were able to run 825 with a driver set older then the 8.10 and 8.11s?

Whats fan setting at? To get to my max OC i have to use 100% fan all the time to make it happen...and or 60% and move he computer to an open window late at night up here =) things stay very nice and cold =)

I'm not trying to find the max overclock, I just want it to be stable at the default clock speeds of the Asus Top BIOS.

Edit: Also has anyone tried this BIOS? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3236290&postcount=37

Seems to be pretty good, and also increase the voltage a little.

[korruptedONE]

Edit: Also has anyone tried this BIOS? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3236290&postcount=37

Seems to be pretty good, and also increase the voltage a little.

I am using that BIOS currently on my Diamond 4870. Default GPU speed is 795 and I can run that just fine. I've had it higher while gaming, 815-820 or so. I say give it a shot. I want to keep faith in ATI Tool's artifact tester but I artifact instantly at stock settings with it so either the tool doesn't agree with my system or there is another issue somewhere, but it hasn't killed my card or affected my gaming so I don't stress it.

[jason4207]

You probably just need to get the temps lower. Not that your temps are dangerous or anything, but these cards just need low temps to remain stable at higher speeds.

The core in the 4870 is the same as the 4850, and I can get higher than 800 (820 or so), but that requires my HR03GT, and ~1.36v. I'm content w/ 800 and 1.315v. With water-cooling I could probably pull off 850+ for 24/7, and 900 for benches.

[Craxbax]

My Powercolor HD4870 PCS+1gb doesn't like it above the reference 800/925. Auto-tune says 840/925 but it locks up in games like COD4. Doesn't appear to be tempertaure related as GPU/mem temps are 63c/72c max with the OC.

[jason4207]

It may not seem temperature related, but I've seen that adding more voltage doesn't seem to help much at all unless you can get temps down into the 50's under load...the cooler the better.

[nightelph]

Edit: Also has anyone tried this BIOS? http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3236290&postcount=37

Isn't that the same spec as the asus top bios? 795/1100, 1.276v? I use the asus top, but can't get the core higher than 800, only 40% fan (its just too freakin loud). I might try applying AS5 to the core. Does removing the cooler ruin the memory contact TIM?

[Craxbax]

This is a quote from the OCC review of a 512mb PCS+: "Speaking of the GPU, there is a thermal paste that comes on it to begin with, but the paste seemed very liquidly and also seemed like it was not going to be able to transfer the heat very well, so I went ahead and replaced it with some of the Arctic Silver 3 thermal paste that I had laying around which will also help with lowering the temperatures of the GPU." He was able to OC the card to 860/1100 with load temps of 53-55c. I don't think you will get the memory that high but replacing the thermal paste with AS5 sounds like a good idea.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/powercolor_4870pcs/2.htm

[Rattle]

i got lucky, got both my 4870's used from these forums, one guy ran his 790/1000 he said and that was enuff for me. The other dude never oc'd his. I bought them seperately, one a sapphire and one a visiontek, flashed both to asus top bios, both run 875/1100.... both die at 900. I am still pretty damn lucky i figure.

[nightelph]

Thanks Crabax, I still want to make sure I don't ruin the memory TIM though.

[Craxbax]

Thanks Crabax, I still want to make sure I don't ruin the memory TIM though.

Well, some of the RAM heatsinks are copper bars and are non removable. The heatsink at the back of the card is push pin type that could be removed. Replacing this TIM might be worth while.

[ghost_recon88]

Yea I finally figured out ATItool doesn't like to play with these new cards. I ran 3DMark06 @ 1440x900 with all the details cranked up and 8x AA for an hour loop with no crashes, artifacting, or any other kind of problems. Rock solid with the Asus Top BIOS on there :D

[jayfella]

i usually find a good crysis bench or a race driver grid test is usually the deciding factor... I know it doesnt make sense, but i dont think 3DMark06 really tests it to the brim on these new cards...

I use 3Dmark06 as a reference, then game/bench with crysis and see how that pans out, with rivatuner's graph in the background to see the temps when i quit the game.

The level with the big huge thing on the ship on crysis is usually the killer for me.. Can send you a savegame of that point if you dont have it at hand.

[ghost_recon88]

i usually find a good crysis bench or a race driver grid test is usually the deciding factor... I know it doesnt make sense, but i dont think 3DMark06 really tests it to the brim on these new cards...

I use 3Dmark06 as a reference, then game/bench with crysis and see how that pans out, with rivatuner's graph in the background to see the temps when i quit the game.

The level with the big huge thing on the ship on crysis is usually the killer for me.. Can send you a savegame of that point if you dont have it at hand.

Well I've also been playing my way through Crysis at night. As soon as I get my 24" replacement back (should be later this week), I can try cranking up the res past 1440x900 :clap:

[Rattle]

I have found over and over that ati tool is garbage, i use fur and games, and yes i rename the fur exe :)

[ziggo0]

Rivatuner/Overdrive/AMD GPU Tool, just don't use ATITool

[Joe Camel]

ATT (Ati Tool) was a great program back in the day but after the x1900's it has fallen way behind

RivaTuner works on "most" Ati cards these days

enjoy your 800Mhz :D

[Rattle]

with 8.10's and asus top bios you dont need any 3rd party proggies anymore, its awesome, i just use gpuz to monitor temps and usage....

[jason4207]

I still use ATI Tool as 1 of my tests for stability, but I never OC w/ it.

[vixro]

with 8.10's and asus top bios you dont need any 3rd party proggies anymore, its awesome, i just use gpuz to monitor temps and usage....

Have a 1GB ASUS Top bios? :shrug:

[WonderingSoul]

I use RivaTuner to get my cards overclocked and handle my fan speeds and use FurMark to test for stability... I only have my ASUS 4870 @ 790 on the core simply because I can't be messing around with it right now since it is my only card I have other than a 6600GT as a backup...

[ghost_recon88]

Have a 1GB ASUS Top bios? :shrug:

Asus doesn't have a HD 4870 1GB out yet. If you want a "Top BIOS", check out this Powercolor one (http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/21365/Powercolor.HD4870.1024.080819.html).

[Rattle]

Have a 1GB ASUS Top bios? :shrug:

sorry 512' s here