Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock

GohanBurner · Nov 3, 2009, 11:03 PM

I understand that the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3670 is supposed to be running at 680mhz for a core clock. Mine is currently running at 400mhz flat and I have no idea why. How do I make it run like it was supposed to run?

SeraphicSorcerer · Nov 3, 2009, 11:15 PM

Well, is PowerVR coming on?

Could be Power VR, reducing clocks, have you checked it while in a 3D app, have you tried switching the power plan?

OldBuzzard · Nov 4, 2009, 01:25 AM

What you are seeing is quite common.

ATI cards generally only run at the "rated" speed when they are doing 3D applications. The drivers, or most likely the BIOS throttle them back wjen in in 2D mode to: a.) save power. b.) cut down on the amount of heat generated.

Now, there are certain contractual obligations that ATI are under when it comes to netbooks, and it's the netbook maker that determines what 'speed' they want their GPU's to run at, and most likely whether or not they 'ramp up' when in 3D, and order that driver/BIOS to meet their specification.

That's why most notebooks can not use the monthy CAT releases, and why if you want to use them you need a tool like the MOBILITY MODDER to modify the 'official' CATs so that they will install on a netbook.

If you had 2 monitors, you could have a 3D application open on one, and CCC displayed on the other, and you would see the change. This is what I see in 2D, and then when IL2 1946 is running. 2D is on the left, 3D on the right.

GohanBurner · Nov 4, 2009, 06:39 AM

Yes, I am currently running 9.10 after using the Modder tool. If I recall correctly, even with the 9.7 release with and without the modded versions it still ran at only 400mhz. For some strange reason I cannot run any kind of monitoring/overclocking tool because I get an error about some "Kernel Driver" not being able to be initialized. I run everything with administrative rights as well, so I'm stumped.

Off-topic: I was wondering, how do you add an avatar because I cannot find any option to do so in the User CP.

xProg · Nov 5, 2009, 01:09 PM

try to unistall the current driver and install catalyst 9.3 or 9.6 or 9.9..

PS:You need to have a big number of posts to add an avatar.

GohanBurner · Nov 10, 2009, 05:28 AM

Nothing seems to be working...this sucks.

OldBuzzard · Nov 10, 2009, 05:36 PM

It's working the way the MFG wants it to work. No doubt the BIOS is flashed to keep it at those settings for enhanced battery life. That is a low-mid range GPU, and it's not meant to be used for playing Crysis at ultra-high settings.

It's enough GPU to do what is expected from an average laptop. If you want "gamer performance", you are going to have to get a 'gamer' lappy or a full-blown desktop system.

GohanBurner · Nov 16, 2009, 06:22 AM

So what if I just get the earlier BIOS and re-flash it? I'm guessing that'll work...but then again there are so many I don't know which one to try. I mean, it plays games decently I guess...but the core is 280mhz lower than it should be! I think that is cause for concern seeing how this is a Dell Studio XPS computer and I thought that the XPS line was meant for gaming.

Nov 3, 2009, 11:03 PM	#1
GohanBurner DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock I understand that the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3670 is supposed to be running at 680mhz for a core clock. Mine is currently running at 400mhz flat and I have no idea why. How do I make it run like it was supposed to run?

Nov 3, 2009, 11:15 PM	#2
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 156 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock Well, is PowerVR coming on? Could be Power VR, reducing clocks, have you checked it while in a 3D app, have you tried switching the power plan? __________________

Nov 4, 2009, 01:25 AM	#3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock What you are seeing is quite common. ATI cards generally only run at the "rated" speed when they are doing 3D applications. The drivers, or most likely the BIOS throttle them back wjen in in 2D mode to: a.) save power. b.) cut down on the amount of heat generated. Now, there are certain contractual obligations that ATI are under when it comes to netbooks, and it's the netbook maker that determines what 'speed' they want their GPU's to run at, and most likely whether or not they 'ramp up' when in 3D, and order that driver/BIOS to meet their specification. That's why most notebooks can not use the monthy CAT releases, and why if you want to use them you need a tool like the MOBILITY MODDER to modify the 'official' CATs so that they will install on a netbook. If you had 2 monitors, you could have a 3D application open on one, and CCC displayed on the other, and you would see the change. This is what I see in 2D, and then when IL2 1946 is running. 2D is on the left, 3D on the right. Attached Thumbnails __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY Last edited by OldBuzzard; Nov 11, 2009 at 08:45 PM. Reason: added pics

Nov 4, 2009, 06:39 AM	Thread Starter #4
GohanBurner DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock Yes, I am currently running 9.10 after using the Modder tool. If I recall correctly, even with the 9.7 release with and without the modded versions it still ran at only 400mhz. For some strange reason I cannot run any kind of monitoring/overclocking tool because I get an error about some "Kernel Driver" not being able to be initialized. I run everything with administrative rights as well, so I'm stumped. Off-topic: I was wondering, how do you add an avatar because I cannot find any option to do so in the User CP. Last edited by GohanBurner; Nov 4, 2009 at 06:46 AM.

Nov 5, 2009, 01:09 PM	#5
xProg Beatmaker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Moldova, Chisinau Posts: 301 Rep Power: 31 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock try to unistall the current driver and install catalyst 9.3 or 9.6 or 9.9.. PS:You need to have a big number of posts to add an avatar. __________________ ¿ pɐǝɥ pǝuǝʞɹɐǝɥ ɥʇıʍ pɹıq ɐ ǝʞıl ƃuıʞool noʎ ǝɹɐ ʇɐɥM

Nov 10, 2009, 05:28 AM	Thread Starter #6
GohanBurner DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock Nothing seems to be working...this sucks.

Nov 10, 2009, 05:36 PM	#7
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock It's working the way the MFG wants it to work. No doubt the BIOS is flashed to keep it at those settings for enhanced battery life. That is a low-mid range GPU, and it's not meant to be used for playing Crysis at ultra-high settings. It's enough GPU to do what is expected from an average laptop. If you want "gamer performance", you are going to have to get a 'gamer' lappy or a full-blown desktop system. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Nov 16, 2009, 06:22 AM	Thread Starter #8
GohanBurner DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Mobility 3670 not running at spec core clock So what if I just get the earlier BIOS and re-flash it? I'm guessing that'll work...but then again there are so many I don't know which one to try. I mean, it plays games decently I guess...but the core is 280mhz lower than it should be! I think that is cause for concern seeing how this is a Dell Studio XPS computer and I thought that the XPS line was meant for gaming.