Problem in Overclocking XFX 6600GT AGP

[zachig]

Hi!

I've just purchased a new XFX 6600GT AGP.
I'm running it on an EPOX 8RDA3+ mobo with Barton 2500@3200 (200x11), 512MB (2x256MB) Mushkin PC4000 6-2-2-2 with Thermaltake Purepower 480W (True Power).

I tried to overclock the card and tested the performance with 3DMark03, 3DMark05, and tested as well the temperatures on heavy load with "Masaki Kawase rthdribl DEMO".

Here the results:

Stock 500/1000:
3DMark03 - 7650
3DMark05 - 3165
Temps: Idle-54C, Load (after 10min in the rthdribl DEMO)-76C

O.C 550/1100:
3DMark03 - 8365
3DMark05 - 3706
Temps: Idle-55C, Load (after 10min in the rthdribl DEMO)-78C

O.C 570/1150:
3DMark03 - 8649
3DMark05 - 3849
Temps: Idle-55C, Load (after 10min in the rthdribl DEMO)-79C

I'm running the Video Card with STOCK COOLING.

Now...I've noticed that after running 3DMark03/05 and viewing the "System Information" within 3DMark the Memory Clock stays 1100 (or 1150), but the GPU/Core Clock DROPS DOWN TO 300 (In the Nvidia Advanced Settings is keeps showing a GPU Clock of 570).

Running AGAIN 3DMark with the already-dropped-down GPU Clock, I get the same Good results in 3DMark.

So, my question is: what could be the problem, is it related to power supply? Did I overclocked too much, or is it just a MISREADING of the 3DMark Application.

I must say that i don't encounter any instability issues nor artifacts or freezings when overclocked.

What do you recommend? Should i keep the 570/1150 overclocked settings and just ignore the 3DMark reading???

Please advice!!!

[silenze]

Should just grab Rivatuner -- it can monitor your gpu/mem clocks, voltages, and gpu/ambient temperatures in the background and show a graph to see if everything is working correctly.

In my experience, RTHDRIBL doesn't engage the "3D" clock settings, just uses the "2D".

(3DMark could read it while nothing accelerated is running and that would make sense for it to be 300, because that's the "2D" clock.)

[zachig]

10x. I'll try it.

[fstroupe]

I have relevant info in these three reviews:

http://www.ocia.net/reviews/6600gt/page1.shtml

http://www.ocia.net/reviews/vf700/page1.shtml

The results were that my 6600GT doesn't overclock worth a crap.

[paulxmn]

I have the same card, set at 505 and 105, I use Riva Tuner to monitor as everyone else suggested, my 3D Mark 03 score is 8446. Idle is 49 and load is 70. The core runs at lower clock speed in 2D and accelerates in 3D, but the
memory remains the same, that is normal. Monitor your temperatures with Riva Tuner very carefully, change the thermal paste, and as in the articles on this site you should consider changing the fan with an Artic Cooler if you are going to OC all the time.

I use the above settings, play SH3 for hours without any problems.

Best

Paul