overclocking the HD 3870 x2

Falconoffury · 06-27-2008, 08:33 AM

I need some advice on how to overclock this video card safely. I found out that a program named Riva Tuner will allow me to adjust the fan speed. I have already done that, but the fan does not increase speed until windows loads up. I haven't tried overclocking the card yet, because this doesn't appear to be a safe method of keeping the card cool. Wouldn't I burn it out if I hang around in BIOS setup too long?

I have not been able to find a 3rd party heat sink and fan designed for this card. It is actually two video cards on a single board, and two cores need to be cooled. Anyone know of any? This would be a solution.

Is there any way to program the fan to run faster the instant the card powers on?

wrench97 · 06-27-2008, 11:17 AM

As for your fan question as long as the fan is running it should not overheat while you are in Bios because there is no load on the card as it is basicly displaying VGA mode, When Windows loads the video drivers as is comes on the fan will run at the speed specified by Riva Tuner.
Are you having a temp or overheating problem?
If you are using this in the system shown in your sig your PSU is a little lite for that card.

Falconoffury · 06-27-2008, 11:40 AM

The computer in my signature was my old one. I deleted the signature and put all the specs into "my system" in my profile.

lazareth1 · 06-30-2008, 02:46 AM

RIVA tuner is designed more for nvidia cards rather than ATI. The better one to get for ATI is ATI tool.

06-27-2008, 08:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Falconoffury Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 183 OS: XP Professional sp2 My System	overclocking the HD 3870 x2 I need some advice on how to overclock this video card safely. I found out that a program named Riva Tuner will allow me to adjust the fan speed. I have already done that, but the fan does not increase speed until windows loads up. I haven't tried overclocking the card yet, because this doesn't appear to be a safe method of keeping the card cool. Wouldn't I burn it out if I hang around in BIOS setup too long? I have not been able to find a 3rd party heat sink and fan designed for this card. It is actually two video cards on a single board, and two cores need to be cooled. Anyone know of any? This would be a solution. Is there any way to program the fan to run faster the instant the card powers on?

06-27-2008, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,318 OS: XPSP2	Re: overclocking the HD 3870 x2 As for your fan question as long as the fan is running it should not overheat while you are in Bios because there is no load on the card as it is basicly displaying VGA mode, When Windows loads the video drivers as is comes on the fan will run at the speed specified by Riva Tuner. Are you having a temp or overheating problem? If you are using this in the system shown in your sig your PSU is a little lite for that card.

06-27-2008, 11:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Falconoffury Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 183 OS: XP Professional sp2 My System	Re: overclocking the HD 3870 x2 The computer in my signature was my old one. I deleted the signature and put all the specs into "my system" in my profile.

06-30-2008, 02:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
lazareth1 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hong Kong, previously Fife in Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,055 OS: Vista SP1, Ultimate My System	Re: overclocking the HD 3870 x2 RIVA tuner is designed more for nvidia cards rather than ATI. The better one to get for ATI is ATI tool. __________________ "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted" JAFFA KREE!! Peace Through Power!!