Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools??

mgray · Dec 17, 2008, 10:55 AM

So I installed the Omega drivers, and they came with ATI Tray tools. As I was installing Tray Tools, it said it wasn't recomended to use overclocking with notebooks, and so I chose to turn it off. But now I can't seem to find out how to turn it back on. Do I have to reinstall?

But most importantly, why is it not recomended, and can I do it? I'm new to overclocking, but I've heard it can ruin things if you don't know what you're doing....and I probably don't. But I need to sqeeze everything the X1600 can give me. Help please?

Thanks

edit: Not sure why my Signature didn't show up, but here are my specs

Asus Z96j
T2500 2.0ghz
2gig RAM
ATI X1600 512mb

Neshi · Dec 17, 2008, 02:29 PM

overclocking isn't recommended with notebooks because everything is cramped in that little thing as it is, and the cooling provided doesn't count on overclocking the components. Even a slight increase in the temperature in that little box could cause things to fail.

ET3D · Dec 17, 2008, 02:35 PM

I think that the main reason to be careful when overclocking a notebook graphics card is that if you damage it, you can't replace it. Another issue is that you have less control over cooling, so you can easily reach too high temperatures, and with everything close together, you may cause damage to thing even if the graphics chip is okay.

So just do it slowly and carefully. Add a little speed at a time then use the notebook for a while (say, a day). Check temperatures to see things look okay.

Judas · Dec 17, 2008, 03:28 PM

typically most notebooks with higherend gpu's intergrated such as the x1600 have been thoroughly tested and checked to meet the maximum thermal output of the laptop without causing considerable problems.

It's always best to never overclocked laptops.... it's just not a good idea. I quite often come across many laptops that are already on the brink of crashing due to the stock values.

Some have a thermal control system, overclocking sometimes can disable this sevearly threatning your laptop to the point of causing physical thermal damage.

Or some thermal control system will remain working, but working irratically due to overclocking causing the gpu to heat up and cool down, producing more stuttering or not so smooth gameplay while overclocked vs left stock.

dawgXdenta · Dec 17, 2008, 04:40 PM

I second and third the motion, don't do it! In many standard PC's overclocking will reduce lifespan especially if taken to voltages nearing breaking point. Laptops are the epitome of technology trying to be small yet powerful, taking that into account if you do it (like nike), its your Laptops funeral. Muhahahaha

mgray · Dec 17, 2008, 08:45 PM

Ok, well I definately don't want to break this laptop!! The only sensors I have for temp(thru NHC) is processor and HD. Is that what I would have to watch as my only idication of temp problems? Is there any way to get GPU temp?

And last but not least, has anyone overclocked the X1600 with success, and can offer some safe values??

Thanks guys

Judas · Dec 17, 2008, 09:55 PM

safe values are the stock ones..

as for the temp sensors..... some do not actually include a sensor that is able to give you exact temperatures... instead it is based on it's own fanspeed/temp capabilities...

this makes it much more difficult to safely overclock.

mgray · Dec 18, 2008, 12:47 AM

bah, humbug! overclocking's for pussies anyways

can someone help me unlock it anyways? I selected "disable" at the warning screen that popped up during install, and now I can't seem to find how to reactivate it. This is for the latest version of ATI Tray Tools

mgray · Dec 31, 2008, 03:21 AM

Hey what about overclocking my processor? Since I have a fan and can monitor temps, is doing that ok? Or is it the same answer as above?

Liqourice · Dec 31, 2008, 03:37 AM

For a laptop yes. Everything in it is built to handle what's in there but not more. There's headroom to allow the cpu and gpu to work at full capacity at stock speed but the fan and air intake is just not adapted for anything more. Sure, you can try, but it won't take much overclocking to push it to far and things will overheat. If you want a faster laptop, buy a new one. You're taking to many risks overclocking.

Dec 17, 2008, 10:55 AM	#1
mgray DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? So I installed the Omega drivers, and they came with ATI Tray tools. As I was installing Tray Tools, it said it wasn't recomended to use overclocking with notebooks, and so I chose to turn it off. But now I can't seem to find out how to turn it back on. Do I have to reinstall? But most importantly, why is it not recomended, and can I do it? I'm new to overclocking, but I've heard it can ruin things if you don't know what you're doing....and I probably don't. But I need to sqeeze everything the X1600 can give me. Help please? Thanks edit: Not sure why my Signature didn't show up, but here are my specs Asus Z96j T2500 2.0ghz 2gig RAM ATI X1600 512mb

Dec 17, 2008, 02:29 PM	#2
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,386 Rep Power: 183 System Specs	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? overclocking isn't recommended with notebooks because everything is cramped in that little thing as it is, and the cooling provided doesn't count on overclocking the components. Even a slight increase in the temperature in that little box could cause things to fail. __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Dec 17, 2008, 02:35 PM	#3
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? I think that the main reason to be careful when overclocking a notebook graphics card is that if you damage it, you can't replace it. Another issue is that you have less control over cooling, so you can easily reach too high temperatures, and with everything close together, you may cause damage to thing even if the graphics chip is okay. So just do it slowly and carefully. Add a little speed at a time then use the notebook for a while (say, a day). Check temperatures to see things look okay.

Dec 17, 2008, 04:40 PM	#5
dawgXdenta HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gabz Posts: 1,995 Rep Power: 135 System Specs	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? I second and third the motion, don't do it! In many standard PC's overclocking will reduce lifespan especially if taken to voltages nearing breaking point. Laptops are the epitome of technology trying to be small yet powerful, taking that into account if you do it (like nike), its your Laptops funeral. Muhahahaha __________________ Today's world is of public opinion and the fates of nations are determined through its pressure. Once the tools for building public opinion are obtained, everything that you asked for can be done. --- Osama bin Laden when relating how global media has the minds of the masses. ______________________________________ http://dawgxdenta.deviantart.com/gallery/

Dec 17, 2008, 08:45 PM	Thread Starter #6
mgray DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? Ok, well I definately don't want to break this laptop!! The only sensors I have for temp(thru NHC) is processor and HD. Is that what I would have to watch as my only idication of temp problems? Is there any way to get GPU temp? And last but not least, has anyone overclocked the X1600 with success, and can offer some safe values?? Thanks guys __________________ Asus Z96J T2500 2.0ghz 2gig RAM ATI X1600 (256)512mb

Dec 18, 2008, 12:47 AM	Thread Starter #8
mgray DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? bah, humbug! overclocking's for pussies anyways can someone help me unlock it anyways? I selected "disable" at the warning screen that popped up during install, and now I can't seem to find how to reactivate it. This is for the latest version of ATI Tray Tools __________________ Asus Z96J T2500 2.0ghz 2gig RAM ATI X1600 (256)512mb

Dec 31, 2008, 03:21 AM	Thread Starter #9
mgray DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? Hey what about overclocking my processor? Since I have a fan and can monitor temps, is doing that ok? Or is it the same answer as above? __________________ Asus Z96J T2500 2.0ghz 2gig RAM ATI X1600 (256)512mb

Dec 31, 2008, 03:37 AM	#10
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,724 Rep Power: 98 System Specs	Re: Why was I warned NOT to overlock my X1600 when installing ATI Tray Tools?? For a laptop yes. Everything in it is built to handle what's in there but not more. There's headroom to allow the cpu and gpu to work at full capacity at stock speed but the fan and air intake is just not adapted for anything more. Sure, you can try, but it won't take much overclocking to push it to far and things will overheat. If you want a faster laptop, buy a new one. You're taking to many risks overclocking.