xd_1771

Anyways I learned that the new drivers (ForceWare 195.62) have a lot better CUDA support and should offer better performance than my current ForceWare drivers (191.07). I know that in order to reinstall drivers properly you will need a driver cleaner... I haven't really used one before, and in fact there were times that I've installed new drivers on top of old drivers without a problem, but I'm a bit concerned... so does anyone know a good driver cleaner, and also how long will it take to work one?

I'm also very interested in overclocking my GPU, however I'm a total n00b to overclocking and I don't really like taking too many risks (most esp. considering my parents will not replace this card if it shorts out somehow, lol, though I do have a backup 3450 on my old comp)...
I know the basics of overclocking [I overclock my CPU]. I've seen people bring up this card to 800/1900/1200... the most I've seen others bring this up to is 900/2000/1300, but I know it varies per card. I tested my temps/stability with furmark, and with default settings of 750/1836/1120, my maximum temperature averages at around 66, but reaching 67 occasionally. People have gotten this to run at up to 75 degrees quite stabily. I don't know the maximum temps for my GTS 250, but I *could* lower this temperature by taking a few further steps: 1. set the fan on my GTS 250 to spin faster (currently 35%, target 80%) and turn around the side fan so that it intakes, and not (apparently) exhaust. I'm planning to use eVGA Precision to do all this, along with FurMark for testing.

Also, for reference, my GTS 250 is the BFG one that has small OCs to the core/memory. It has 512MB of memory on it, and is equipped with the 55nm G92b core. I output DVI to my 1680x1050 monitor.

I know that for this to work, you push your card until you see artifacts... is there anything worse that could happen than just seeing artifacts? Like I said, I don't like taking very big risks...
I'm not an avid gamer at all [though I play some games, and I'm planning to introduce myself to Crysis soon], but I think that overclocking could improve my CUDA render times...
Also, will updating the driver [which I'll be doing soon] override or screw up my overclock settings? I was thinking of getting started on overclocking now and then maybe updating the driver later...

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CPU-Z - YouTube - MSN

Dilyn

Driver Sweeper in safe mode is what I use.
Uninstall drivers.
Safe mode, driver sweeper.
Reinstall drivers after a reboot.


EVGA Precision is great for OCing the GPU. Just push it little by little (like, 5-15mhz pushes) on the core (still locked to shader). After you get artifacts, go back till you don't get any. Unlock shader and overclock that till you see artifacts. Same thing for memory.

Then stress test in Furmark, if it goes over 95C I'd drop the clocks. (Start with core IMO).

Then after it passes a Furmark stability/burn in test for a while, test it in games.

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xd_1771

Alright, sounds good, but I just edited my post to include one further question [about driver reinstalls after overclocking]. Any word on that?

I just bought Crysis, so I'm thinking of using that to test it. I also have an 8400GS currently running on another PC and using a daisy-chain transfer method I plan to bring that to my PC as a PhysX card [oh, one more really dumb question: does Crysis use PhysX? lol]

Oh and one more thing: my GPU downclocks when idle. Will overclocked settings mess with that feature? (It does for CPU, I have to disable cool'n'quiet before overclocking)

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Dilyn

With EVGA Precision, upgrading drivers shouldn't screw up your overclocks or anything.
The program itself controls it, and isn't touched by the nVidia Control Panel.
If you overclock with the nVidia Control Panel, probably a different story.

Oh yes. Overclocking your GPU is pretty much the same as overclocking the CPU as far as adverse effects go. Just don't let it surpass 100C and you'll be fine

The 8800GT is the earliest card to support PhysX. I don't think your 8400GS will cut it

Not sure if Crysis covers PhysX, but I'd say it does. That's just me ^_^

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TwoCables

I recommend using Driver Sweeper. It doesn't take that much time to use at all. Here's how to use it properly once it is installed:

1. Use the Program Features control panel to uninstall the NVIDIA display driver.
2. Reboot into Safe Mode (hold F8 during the transition from the POST to the loading of Windows).
3. Open Driver Sweeper.
4. Select "NVIDIA - Display".
5. Click "Clean" (it takes like 2 seconds).
6. Close Driver Sweeper and reboot normally.
7. Install the "new" driver.

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xd_1771

I didn't even think you could overclock with the nVidia control panel.
At stock settings I'm at 66-67 degrees so at this point I think I'll be fine... and with potential to improve those temperatures too! :P
And nuh-uh, I don't think so.
@TwoCables: Thanks, I'll do that tomorrow when finished the overclock.

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TwoCables

You could get NVIDIA System Tools, but I strongly recommend avoiding it. Instead, I recommend something simple like EVGA Precision. Or, if you're into more advanced stuff, then RivaTuner is the way to go.

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xd_1771

Well, I already did say I would be using eVGA precision, but thanks anyway.
Also, will adding a PhysX card reduce potential overclock? (SLI can reduce this sometimes)
And, my board is x8-x8... my PCI-E slots are down to x8 if I use the PhysX card. Will this adversely affect performance?

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CPU-Z - YouTube - MSN

Dilyn

With 100% you could probably hit load with 50C then
I cleaned out my card (holy cow dust bunnies) and now I idle at 49C and max at 63C while folding. It's awesome. Used to hit 95C on Darkest of Days.
And I had no idea! That's awesome. Definitely make it a PhysX card. Even if it IS just for the lulz

FTW

But it gave me problems, so I stick by my guns and go with EVGA Precision

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xd_1771

EVGA precision looks like a really nice program to use. Anything over 82% and my GPU fan is just too loud, so I'll default at that.
Wish me luck!

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CPU-Z - YouTube - MSN