ATI 9800np overclocking - slightly disappointed

[Homebrew]

Thanks to AT forums I picked up a ATI 9800np from Circuit City @ $199, replacing my GF3 ti200.
Heck of a deal and fit my price/performance requirements well (refuse to pay >$250 for vid card).

Great performance so far but Im foolishly stuck on the overclocking aspect. This card does about 360 core, 315 mem (infineon 3.0ns)
stable and thats it.
Black boxes, system freeze etc. after that.
Been reading about 400+ core being the norm for 9800np cards and worried I might have a "dud".

Is this normal for these newer 9800np's?

Definitely happy with it and don't want to appear unsatisfied but still tempted to return the card for another as it will be about two years before I upgrade the video again and want as much breathing room as possible.

Thanks for any tips/advice.

 

[nCred]

360mhz core seems a bit low, but far from all cards can do 400mhz.
I´m running my 9800 with Infineons at 380/325.

 

[tallman45]

The core should go higher regardless of the mem. What watt power supply do you have ? You may need to get more juice to the 9800

 

[pelikan]

That's just how some of them are. I have a 9800 pro that doesn't overclock at all without artifacts.

Also, I think that's a good point about the psu. You want the 5V rail giving you 5V+. The only accurate way to check is with a digital multi-meter at a molex.

 

[Homebrew]

Hm, PSU?

That would definitely explain things. Have a Enermax 330w, oldest component in the system.

It's powered 4 different systems over the last three years, so replacing that will probably be my next move.
Currently running 4 drives, 3 fans, P4 etc.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[pelikan]

Your psu may be okay. I'd get a $10. digital multi-meter and check out the rails. You just stick the leads in a molex.

 

[BlueWeasel]

My 9800NP from CC can do 380C/325M with Infineon RAM. However, I've got a Card CoolerXT blowing right down on top of the 9800.

How's your case temperatures?

 

[Nebor]

Find the guy that promised you the card would overclock to Pro speeds and make him give you a refund.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Find one of the hacked 9800p BIOSES @ 380/325 or 360/300 (if you can find one) and see if that gives you any better results.

As said before - it's the luck of the draw on 9800np's and Infineon memory sucks.

My 9800np (3.3ns Samsung) did 445/385 so YMMV.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Here's a link to an article that has the Infineon 3.0ns BIOS

I'd be very hesitant to flash your 9800NP card with this BIOS, though. This flash will increase the core to 380 and the memory to 325, and will also loosen the memory timings (from what I've read).

The loose memory timings could help the card to go further, but I personally would make sure the card could do 380/325 before I flashed. Otherwise, you could permanently screw up your card when you flash it.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Find one of the hacked 9800p BIOSES @ 380/325 or 360/300 (if you can find one) and see if that gives you any better results.

As said before - it's the luck of the draw on 9800np's and Infineon memory sucks.

My 9800np (3.3ns Samsung) did 445/385 so YMMV.

That's faster than my 9800 Pro. :Q
I think it's my cooling though... :frown: