Radeon HD4850 Underclock

[MrDiSante]

I recently bought an HD4850 and am very happy with my purchase: the one problem I have though is that it runs pretty hot and its fan is pretty loud (although I expected it). I've underclocked the GPU clock to 500 MHz and memory to 750 MHz using Catalyst Control Center's Overdrive whenever I'm not playing.

The temperature and fan usage came right down, however I'm still interested in underclocking a bit more (I use a different profile when gaming) and want to decrease voltages. Is there any way to do so? ATI Overdrive doesn't let me further lower my clock speeds and gives me no control whatsoever over voltage. Also, if I do lower the voltages/clocks a bit more, I'd like to have some control over the fan speeds - is this accessible as well?

Also, if it is possible to lower the voltage, I obviously wanna put it through some paces to make sure it's fine, aside from 3Dmark and Folding@Home is there anything you guys can recommend?

 

[Sylvanas]

This all happens automatically with 2D and 3D clocks- when you are not using a 3D app it will go into 2D mode which lower clocks, voltage and temps. Honestly theres nothing to worry about temps....modern CPU/GPUs are designed to run up to 100c in most circumstances. If you really want to though, you need to download RBE Bios editor and you can adjust 2D voltage when in 2D mode- see XS/Techpowerup for more info on this.

 

[MrDiSante]

Thanks for the tip about RBE and Techpowerup, however I'm not sure the 2D/3D modes are applicable to myself: I'm running Vista with Aero turned on, so I'm pretty sure it will have to stay in 3D mode even when I'm just browsing the internet or checking my mail.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: MrDiSante
Thanks for the tip about RBE and Techpowerup, however I'm not sure the 2D/3D modes are applicable to myself: I'm running Vista with Aero turned on, so I'm pretty sure it will have to stay in 3D mode even when I'm just browsing the internet or checking my mail.

No, it goes into 2D mode when on the desktop- doesn't matter about Aero on/off- this has been in existence since the X1800 and 7 series for Nv. You can see this under 'current clocks' in Overdrive and GPU-Z. The new Catalyst 8.8 is due in a matter of days and rumor is that it reduces power consumption/heat among other things (it's called 'Powerplay 2.0) there is a beta floating around but best wait for the WHQL.