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    Nvidia Systems Tools OC vs Turbo Mode

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by DoktorSleepless, May 1, 2009.

  1. DoktorSleepless

    DoktorSleepless Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I discovered something interesting about overclocking my GX630's cpu (QL-62). Turns out you can manually set the cpu clock speed using Nvidia Systems Tools. I set the fsb at 230 (10 multiplier) to get the equivalent clock of turbo mode. I checked cpu-z to make sure it worked and the core speed was indeed at 2300 mhz. Using super pi, turbo mode and the System Tools overclock performed exactly the same as I expected. There was one difference though. The System Tools OC was significantly cooler. So I opened up prime95 to heat up my cpu some more.

    Stock at 2000mhz: 68C max
    System Tools OC at 2300mhz: 72C max
    Turbo Mode at 2300mhz: 80c max

    So what exactly is it about Turbo Mode that makes it 8c hotter? I checked the voltage using CPU-Z and it was always at 1.125 for both overclock methods. Also, turbo mode made the fan run faster and it was still hotter for some reason.
     
    DoktorSleepless, May 1, 2009
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  2. Silicon Chip

    Silicon Chip Notebook Evangelist

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    The voltage changes, at least in mine.
     
    Silicon Chip, May 2, 2009
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  3. DoktorSleepless

    DoktorSleepless Notebook Enthusiast

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    Maybe cpu-z is just reading the voltage wrong. I guess that's the only logical explanation, although coretemp also has it the same. So am I causing any harm to my cpu by overclocking it this way? As long as it's stable, you would think the low voltage would actually be more beneficial in the long term due to the lower temperature. Unless I'm missing something.
     
    DoktorSleepless, May 2, 2009
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  4. Silicon Chip

    Silicon Chip Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually mine @ 2.4Ghz is 1.2V bt @ 2.7 is 1.09V.

    Suprising, isn it?
     
    Silicon Chip, May 2, 2009
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  5. DoktorSleepless

    DoktorSleepless Notebook Enthusiast

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    Actually, I just noticed that at stock 2.0ghz, the voltage is also at 1.2V and alternates to 1.125V every now and then, but at 2.3ghz it stays at 1.125V. Weird.
     
    DoktorSleepless, May 2, 2009
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  6. WARDOZER9

    WARDOZER9 Notebook Consultant

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    Its not weird, its vdroop. With the higher setting it draws more power consistently so your voltage will stay near the min more often.

    I too am liking Nvidia System Tools over the OC button as my temps are about 4* - 6* C lower under load vs using the Oc button :p
     
    WARDOZER9, May 2, 2009
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  7. DoktorSleepless

    DoktorSleepless Notebook Enthusiast

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    Heh, with the turbo mode on, I further overclocked it to 2.6 and it's stable. It gets another 6 degrees hotter on prime95 so I won't be running it that high obviously. Nice to know though.
     
    DoktorSleepless, May 2, 2009
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  8. Silicon Chip

    Silicon Chip Notebook Evangelist

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    Can i use nvidia system tools to OC.
    I dont hv nvidia.
     
    Silicon Chip, May 2, 2009
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  9. DoktorSleepless

    DoktorSleepless Notebook Enthusiast

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    You need nvidia drivers to use it so that's a no. There might be other cpu overclocking software out there though.
     
    DoktorSleepless, May 3, 2009
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  10. Silicon Chip

    Silicon Chip Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks anyways.
     
    Silicon Chip, May 3, 2009
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