What to overclock to optimize your PPD

[jakegub]

Hey,

Do we have an overclocking guide on the forums for how to optimize your graphics card for folding? I have an 8800gt and I thought I remembered reading that overclocking the _____(memory, core, shader) didn't help at all so you should leave it alone and overclock the ____(insert correct term).

[DaIceMan]

Memory and core have no real effect on Folding. To increase your ppd, you will need to increase your shader clocks. Be sure to keep a close eye on the log file as you look for your maximum shader to be sure you don't lose work units to UNSTABLE_MACHINE or EARLY_UNIT_END. This generally means the overclock is too high and the client is unstable. If this happens, lower your clocks until you reach stability and work units are able to complete.

[Apoptosis]

I suggest EVGA Precision 1.3.2 for overclocking as it's super easy to use, free and works on brands other than EVGA... You can download it from here - http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVGA_Precision_d6021.html

On my GTX 260 I don't even mess with the memory clocks, but I do bump up the core and the shaders to the max that they are stable. Every card is different, so you'll need to increase things slowlyafter a moderate bump to find the max.

[Sporg]

So what do you use with two cards not in SLI? I have two of those 9600's on my wife's new rig. I think the EVGA precision tool only works on one card, unless you are in SLI. But to fold you can't have SLI turned on, right?

[DaIceMan]

You can use Riva Tuner. It "sees" both cards separately and allows you to overclock each of them separately. It's a bit of a learning curve to figure out where you need to do the overclocking, but if you get stuck, post up after you install it and I'll try to guide you through as best I can.

[Sporg]

Cool, thanks. I'll take a look at it.

[edit: Seems to be working fine. I think I need to pop a hole in the case to get my card temps down though. The fan on one of the cards is annoying the heck out of me... grrrr ]

[jakegub]

Speaking of SLI,

will it ever be possible to run two instances of the GPU client to have both of your graphics cards folding? I know it's possible for the CPU client.

[DaIceMan]

Yes, very possible, although it's not actually SLI. You have to disable SLI so that the cards are viewed separately.

I'm looking for time to try to write up the guide, but haven't had luck finding it yet. There are guides on other forums [H], but there are a couple spots that are a little fuzzy (or my ADD is flaring up when I read them), but they will get you through the process if you have patience.