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Overclocking a Sapphire 7970

zoomee

zoomee

zoomee

Soldato
Joined
15 Dec 2004
Posts
5,756
Location
Hudds, UK
Hey guys,

I've never been one to overclock my graphics cards above and beyond what the stock drivers (i.e. CCC overdrive) will let me do, so not really experienced at this tbh.

Just thought I'd see how far I could push my 7970 seeing as its now under an EK FC-7970 waterblock. Temps wise I'm looking at 28 Idle / 48 Load using CCC maximum - 1125/1575. Before I got the waterblock I couldn't push the memory further than 1500 without crashing etc.

Sooooo - I tried the Trixx utility from sapphire first of all - got nothing but either lock ups or triangular thingies all over the screen whilst trying to run 3dmark 2011 if I try to up the voltages (no matter what the mhz on the gpu above 1125)

Which version of afterburner should i be using? do I need to flash the asus bios? I don't know...

and also one thing thats beginning to irritate me a tad is the loud squealing noise the card makes when its overclocked and under load. If I don't OC it - it doesn't make any noise - As soon as I OC it - it squeals like a stuck pig :(

any advice appreciated - would really like to hear from some sapphire owners too. thanks.
 
1175/1600 @ 1.2v - Max 40Degrees C Load during 3dmark 11

Going any higher doesn't really give much benefit - Can't seem to hit the magic 1200Mhz figure no matter how much voltage I try (upto 1.3v) ah well. Tried and tested - back to CCC overclocked settings - much easier lol.
 
I replaced my faulty MSI for a Sapphire. Currently its clocked at 1150 / 1600 at default volts with trix. I've read on other forums that too much voltage will have the reverse effect while clocking. Maybe try 1175?
 
Thanks mate, Does the sapphire make like a crackling / squealing noise when its under load and overclocked?

I can only hear it because I have a seriously quiet water cooling setup - couldn't hear it before when it had the stock air cooler so you may need to get up close to it.

thanks,
 
Made a vid of the sound.
Starts @ 16seconds when 3dmark11 starts the first test:


Its not cap whine as that higher pitched (had cap whine on a couple of previous cards so I know exactly what that is!) - This is more of a crackling sound.

Any other 7970 users getting this?
 
""its now under an EK FC-7970 waterblock""

Why are you even bothering with the fan if you have a water block? It sounds like a wire touching your fan (seen it in many cases), open it up and see if all is good with fan connector/wire
 
MAK360 said:
""its now under an EK FC-7970 waterblock""

Why are you even bothering with the fan if you have a water block? It sounds like a wire touching your fan (seen it in many cases), open it up and see if all is good with fan connector/wire
Click to expand...

sounds like this!

I am also all too familiar with the capacitor whine :), though I can only tell at night when the birds aren't making similar sounds ...
 
LOL - What you talking about guys? I don't have a fan on the graphics card!!!! Like I said it has a waterblock - no need for a fan :)
 
This sound is not actually from the graphics card but your PSU... does the clicking/whining speed alter with FPS??? Is definitely a resistor or a feedback wine from the PSU... some do it mine does it nothing to worry about...

[EDIT] do me a test please run Heaven with Vsync and then hear the sound and switch Vsync off does the sound alter in frequency and pitch?? report back...
 
Last edited:
Will do mate tonight. I'm about 98% sure its coming from the front of the graphics card (towards the monitor ports) and not the PSU.

No it doesn't alter in pitch depending upon FPS - It kicks in as soon as the card comes under load. Some quick tests last night revealed it gets quiter/louder depending on how high my overclock is. I also note that it now makes that sound even at stock (but not as loud as when its overclocked using CCC).

On a couple of other forums a couple of other users have reported the same noise now that I've managed to record it - hmmmmmm.
 
hmmm the sound not altering with FPS is starting to rule out your PSU... try me one last thing put your graphics card on your other rail of your power supply does it quieten down sometimes they will squeal if they not getting enough juice from a faulty rail...
 
just tried it - same again mate - tried using all 6 different PCI-E connectors on my Corsair 850-TX.

The noise is eminating from the front of the card (closest to the monitor ports)....

Anyways - I opened a support ticket with Sapphire and they've asked me to RMA the board via the supplier. pooo!

If the supplier gives me an immediate swap - I'll take it, but if they don't I cba being without a gfx card for 2-3months whilst sapphire turn it around - apparantly they take ages :(
 
Mr. May said:
doesnt watercooling void warrenty ?
Click to expand...


That would depend. If you need to break a warranty sticker to apply the block then yes, it would. I know my 7970 has a sticker over one of the X plate screws.

On the GTX 275 I have though? well there was nothing. So when I took it apart and cleaned it (god those cards are a reet bugger !) it didn't look like it had ever been apart when I'd finished. I even used Zalman TIM which is the same stuff Nvidia have been using for ages (that odd silly putty like stuff that cures).
 
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