Radeon8500LE O/C (full modd)

h0ly0ne · Jul 16, 2002, 12:51 AM

Ok ... this will grow to a rather long post, so take some time and coffee (or caffeine ..

). Maybe it would be also some sort of guide for ppl that want to do the same in near future.

This weekend I took the my second O/C attempt to squish the rest of performance out of my R8500LE (built by ATI).
After reading some FAQs and Postings in this Forum I decided to change everything possible on my lovely R8500LE.

* Replace StockHS
* Add Passive Coolers to the Memory Modules
* Solder Variable Resistors to control Memory and GPU Voltage

First of all, I should clarify the standings ... my R8500LE ... sweety little thing ...

.

R8500LE (64MB) Built by ATI
Default Clock @ 250/250
3,6ns Hynix Memory (if need I could post the exact name)
7008 BIOS (Retail Clocked @ 250/250)

A) Replace the StockHS

The first thing I changed was that stupid StockHS. Tried some methods on my old TNT2U (yes, I was an NVidiot before I got my baby ...

). Best way to remove such a HS seems to be the Refrigerator Trick. Simply put the R8500LE into a antistatic foild and stick that thing for 15-25mins into the Freezer of your refrigerator. In the meantime drink some coffee ...

Then take your baby out, remove the foil, take a credit card (or some other plastic-ware) and a screw-driver. Put the credit card between the HS and the board, and use the screw-driver to softly push away the HS. When you hear some scratchy noise (and you have everything right!!!) you have broken the old EPOXY between the GPU and HS.
Now I used a Razor-Blade to remove the EPOXY left on the GPU to have a clean and flat surface on the GPU. (I also removed the ATI Logo and the Text on the GPU to have FULL thermal conduction!!!).
Now clean the GPU with some alcohol (not to aggressive !!!).
Finally I took my BlueORB HS and some Arctiv Silver Adhesive (not too much !!!) and put that thinggy on.

B) Add Passive Coolers to the Memory Modules

This step was rather simple. I bought two ThermalTake Passive Cooler Sets. Use a saw to make 8 little squares (I divided the ThermalTake Passive Coolers into 2 halfes) and put them on with the ThermalPads included into the ThermalTake Passive Cooler Set. (if you need better conduction use some Arctiv Silver Adhesive ... but the Pads worked really well for me)
One important thing is that the Passive Coolers are not too big, 'cause in some cases (memory on the top) the place is really small ...

(also got some problems with the fixture-unit from my AGP Slot ... so take a look first on all coniditions, before you fix the Coolers finally!!!)

C) Solder Variable Resistors to control Memory and GPU Voltage

This was one of the most difficult things in modding my little baby. 'cause using an solder-iron with is not the best way to torture your R8500LE ..

Some ppl want to make a Pencil-Mod but I don't really like this way to change the resistance, 'cause after a period of time, the Pencil decays ... and you have to do the whole process all over again.
So I decided to solder new resistors to my little baby ...

I changed the Resistors described in the Modding Report @ http://www.modds.de.vu ... 'cause the have to increase the resistance to get higher voltage, and not like all the other Reports, where they have to lower the Resistance for getting higher volates.
So I measured the Voltages at the Measuring Points before I changed anything. Got 1,32V @ GPU and 3,14V @ Memory ... not really good values for Retail Speed or higher ... =)
Then I soldered out the first resistor (memory) ... measured it ... 1,5kOhm ... and then the second resistor (gpu) ... measured it ... 820Ohm.
The next step would be to solder a new Resistors in (with higher Resistance Values) but I wanted more ...

So I soldered a combination of fixed and variable resistors to change the voltage on the fly.
I combined a 1kOhm fixed resistor with a variable 250Ohm resistor to reach a maximum of 1,25kOhm for the GPU and a 1,8KOhm fixed (2kOhm would be better, but found nothing in my resistor box ...

) with 250Ohm variable to reach a maximum of 2,05Ohm (or 2,250Ohm with 2kOhm fixed).
To finish up this thing, i soldered some wires to the points where the resistors were located, and connected the new combined resistores to them.

Finally I got 1,25kOhm (maxed) for GPU and 2,05kOhm (maxed) for Memory.

So but my little baby back into the AGP slot, power ON, and measured the Voltages ... 1,91V on the GPU (too high, but works) and 3,95V on the Memory (acceptable, but not maximum possible).

Next step was to flash my overclocked 7008 Retail Bios (300/300) and run some test. Everything worked flawlessly with a noticeable speed gain (around 1000-2000 3DMarks) (getting now around 9500 3DMarks with my rig ... details follow if you wish).

Now I stepped up the GPU and Memory up to 320/320 ... but System hanged in 3DMark Scene2 ... *argh* ... k ... make it slow ... 305/305 ... 3DMark worked ... but no noticeable speed gain. Changed to 310/310 ... System hanged ... *gulp* ... maybe the Memory is the problem ... 310/300 ... system hanged .... *grml* ... k try it the other way ... 300/310 ... worked flawlessly ... tried 300/320 ... worked flawlessly ...

in the end I was stable to get the Memory stable @ 325 (with NO artifacts) ...
but the core is maxed out @ 305 ... WHY ? I don't know ... thats the point where I ask YOU what could be the problem ?

Hope some of you now have some more RL information how to do a full mod of their R8500(LE) and post their findings in this topic ...

Maybe also someone is able to give me some tips, HOW to increase my core clock to a higher value .... 325/325 would be my DREAM ...

(without WATER cooling ... :>)

As far as I can say, it seems not to be a temperature problem, cause temperature in the case is normal room temperature (around 25°C) and the Coolers on the Card are not getting hot or something else ...

One last thing to mention ... I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY for all things YOUR are doing on your R8500 described here ... if you modd your Card, you void all warrantys provided by your card manufacturer and seller ... SO if you DAMAGE your card, don't blame ME for that ... it is YOUR own fault, if you damage your card ... :|

Happy Modding ... =)

h0ly0ne · Jul 27, 2002, 12:54 AM

*bump*

DaSnIpE · Jul 28, 2002, 06:28 AM

Nice guide, I read it b4, it's awesome.

Right now, I'm waiting for my dam Crystal Orb to dry to my core.

Jul 16, 2002, 12:51 AM	#1
h0ly0ne DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	Radeon8500LE O/C (full modd) Ok ... this will grow to a rather long post, so take some time and coffee (or caffeine .. ). Maybe it would be also some sort of guide for ppl that want to do the same in near future. This weekend I took the my second O/C attempt to squish the rest of performance out of my R8500LE (built by ATI). After reading some FAQs and Postings in this Forum I decided to change everything possible on my lovely R8500LE. * Replace StockHS * Add Passive Coolers to the Memory Modules * Solder Variable Resistors to control Memory and GPU Voltage First of all, I should clarify the standings ... my R8500LE ... sweety little thing ... . R8500LE (64MB) Built by ATI Default Clock @ 250/250 3,6ns Hynix Memory (if need I could post the exact name) 7008 BIOS (Retail Clocked @ 250/250) A) Replace the StockHS The first thing I changed was that stupid StockHS. Tried some methods on my old TNT2U (yes, I was an NVidiot before I got my baby ... ). Best way to remove such a HS seems to be the Refrigerator Trick. Simply put the R8500LE into a antistatic foild and stick that thing for 15-25mins into the Freezer of your refrigerator. In the meantime drink some coffee ... Then take your baby out, remove the foil, take a credit card (or some other plastic-ware) and a screw-driver. Put the credit card between the HS and the board, and use the screw-driver to softly push away the HS. When you hear some scratchy noise (and you have everything right!!!) you have broken the old EPOXY between the GPU and HS. Now I used a Razor-Blade to remove the EPOXY left on the GPU to have a clean and flat surface on the GPU. (I also removed the ATI Logo and the Text on the GPU to have FULL thermal conduction!!!). Now clean the GPU with some alcohol (not to aggressive !!!). Finally I took my BlueORB HS and some Arctiv Silver Adhesive (not too much !!!) and put that thinggy on. B) Add Passive Coolers to the Memory Modules This step was rather simple. I bought two ThermalTake Passive Cooler Sets. Use a saw to make 8 little squares (I divided the ThermalTake Passive Coolers into 2 halfes) and put them on with the ThermalPads included into the ThermalTake Passive Cooler Set. (if you need better conduction use some Arctiv Silver Adhesive ... but the Pads worked really well for me) One important thing is that the Passive Coolers are not too big, 'cause in some cases (memory on the top) the place is really small ... (also got some problems with the fixture-unit from my AGP Slot ... so take a look first on all coniditions, before you fix the Coolers finally!!!) C) Solder Variable Resistors to control Memory and GPU Voltage This was one of the most difficult things in modding my little baby. 'cause using an solder-iron with is not the best way to torture your R8500LE .. Some ppl want to make a Pencil-Mod but I don't really like this way to change the resistance, 'cause after a period of time, the Pencil decays ... and you have to do the whole process all over again. So I decided to solder new resistors to my little baby ... I changed the Resistors described in the Modding Report @ http://www.modds.de.vu ... 'cause the have to increase the resistance to get higher voltage, and not like all the other Reports, where they have to lower the Resistance for getting higher volates. So I measured the Voltages at the Measuring Points before I changed anything. Got 1,32V @ GPU and 3,14V @ Memory ... not really good values for Retail Speed or higher ... =) Then I soldered out the first resistor (memory) ... measured it ... 1,5kOhm ... and then the second resistor (gpu) ... measured it ... 820Ohm. The next step would be to solder a new Resistors in (with higher Resistance Values) but I wanted more ... So I soldered a combination of fixed and variable resistors to change the voltage on the fly. I combined a 1kOhm fixed resistor with a variable 250Ohm resistor to reach a maximum of 1,25kOhm for the GPU and a 1,8KOhm fixed (2kOhm would be better, but found nothing in my resistor box ... ) with 250Ohm variable to reach a maximum of 2,05Ohm (or 2,250Ohm with 2kOhm fixed). To finish up this thing, i soldered some wires to the points where the resistors were located, and connected the new combined resistores to them. Finally I got 1,25kOhm (maxed) for GPU and 2,05kOhm (maxed) for Memory. So but my little baby back into the AGP slot, power ON, and measured the Voltages ... 1,91V on the GPU (too high, but works) and 3,95V on the Memory (acceptable, but not maximum possible). Next step was to flash my overclocked 7008 Retail Bios (300/300) and run some test. Everything worked flawlessly with a noticeable speed gain (around 1000-2000 3DMarks) (getting now around 9500 3DMarks with my rig ... details follow if you wish). Now I stepped up the GPU and Memory up to 320/320 ... but System hanged in 3DMark Scene2 ... argh ... k ... make it slow ... 305/305 ... 3DMark worked ... but no noticeable speed gain. Changed to 310/310 ... System hanged ... gulp ... maybe the Memory is the problem ... 310/300 ... system hanged .... grml ... k try it the other way ... 300/310 ... worked flawlessly ... tried 300/320 ... worked flawlessly ... in the end I was stable to get the Memory stable @ 325 (with NO artifacts) ... but the core is maxed out @ 305 ... WHY ? I don't know ... thats the point where I ask YOU what could be the problem ? Hope some of you now have some more RL information how to do a full mod of their R8500(LE) and post their findings in this topic ... Maybe also someone is able to give me some tips, HOW to increase my core clock to a higher value .... 325/325 would be my DREAM ... (without WATER cooling ... :>) As far as I can say, it seems not to be a temperature problem, cause temperature in the case is normal room temperature (around 25°C) and the Coolers on the Card are not getting hot or something else ... One last thing to mention ... I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY for all things YOUR are doing on your R8500 described here ... if you modd your Card, you void all warrantys provided by your card manufacturer and seller ... SO if you DAMAGE your card, don't blame ME for that ... it is YOUR own fault, if you damage your card ... :\| Happy Modding ... =) __________________ Buy cheap, r00l hard

Jul 27, 2002, 12:54 AM	Thread Starter #2
h0ly0ne DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	bump __________________ Buy cheap, r00l hard

Jul 28, 2002, 06:28 AM	#3
DaSnIpE Driverage Snipe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada or NYC, USA Posts: 372 Rep Power: 0	Nice guide, I read it b4, it's awesome. Right now, I'm waiting for my dam Crystal Orb to dry to my core. __________________ Antec SX1030 Case - Enermax 431 W Whisper PS - 4 Case Fans -ThermalRight AX-7 With Panaflo Ultra Fan - Sb Audigy / Logitech Z-560 Speakers / Sennheiser HD497 Headphones WD 80GB 7200 rpm HD - Samsung SyncMaster 955DF - LG 16x10x40x Burner / Pionner 16x Slot DVD View my rig http://nl.dodhq.net/Rig/