Underclocking Radeon HD3870 using ATI Tools?

axlryd · Apr 13, 2008, 03:56 PM

Hi there!

I am one of those who suffer because of the "atikmdag.sy_ has been recovered" error that there are possibly a million solutions (none of who have worked in my case, read about it in Vista and 7.3 Display driver atikmdag stopped responding error)

For some users that problem has been solved by underclocking the card slightly using software like e.g. ATI Tools or Rivatuner. Since I got an ATI Radeon HD3870 that was overclocked at the purchase (OC Edition computer), I figure this could actually be the solution for me.

I only have one problem. When I run ATI Tools (version 0.27 beta 3), and try to adjust the "clockmeter" under "Core" http://www.repairyourpcnow.com/image...950-before.jpg , and use the command "Set clock", it automatically goes back to the default clock rate.

Now, this is the first time I try to over- or underclock a graphics card, so if you can provide me with any help, please explain it so that a newbie like myself can actually understand it

Also note that the reason I'm not using Rivatuner is because it refuses to work on my Vista x64. When I install it, it just says that I can't because the driver isn't digitally signed. Rivatuner tries to correct this by removing that limit in Vista and rebooting the computer, but it doesn't work. Hence, I'm using ATI Tools.

My system specs:

Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3
RAM: 4096mb
OS: Vista x64 Home Premium
Graphics card: ATI Radeon™ HD3870 512MB DDR4 Dual DVI HDCP PCI-E OC
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 GHz
Power supply: Zalman ZM500-HP High Efficiency

Greately appreciate any help with this! Thanks in advance.

tcman · Apr 14, 2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axlryd

Hi there!

I am one of those who suffer because of the "atikmdag.sy_ has been recovered" error that there are possibly a million solutions (none of who have worked in my case, read about it in Vista and 7.3 Display driver atikmdag stopped responding error)

For some users that problem has been solved by underclocking the card slightly using software like e.g. ATI Tools or Rivatuner. Since I got an ATI Radeon HD3870 that was overclocked at the purchase (OC Edition computer), I figure this could actually be the solution for me.

I only have one problem. When I run ATI Tools (version 0.27 beta 3), and try to adjust the "clockmeter" under "Core" http://www.repairyourpcnow.com/image...950-before.jpg , and use the command "Set clock", it automatically goes back to the default clock rate.

Now, this is the first time I try to over- or underclock a graphics card, so if you can provide me with any help, please explain it so that a newbie like myself can actually understand it

Also note that the reason I'm not using Rivatuner is because it refuses to work on my Vista x64. When I install it, it just says that I can't because the driver isn't digitally signed. Rivatuner tries to correct this by removing that limit in Vista and rebooting the computer, but it doesn't work. Hence, I'm using ATI Tools.

My system specs:

Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3
RAM: 4096mb
OS: Vista x64 Home Premium
Graphics card: ATI Radeon™ HD3870 512MB DDR4 Dual DVI HDCP PCI-E OC
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 GHz
Power supply: Zalman ZM500-HP High Efficiency

Greately appreciate any help with this! Thanks in advance.

But if I were you I would just rma/return the card and get a working one (maybe a HD3870 of other brands or even an product of the competitor), since it does not work out of the box. You have the right to do so even it's a pre-overclocked videocard. It should work perfectly without any problem according the description (including the pre-OC) on the box and according the specification by the manufacturer (what their website said). If it doesn't work in a normal situation, then it's a defect. Why underclock it if using an overclock utility (even you are underclocking the card) will void the warranty on the card?

Good luck!

RatusNatus · Apr 19, 2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcman

But if I were you I would just rma/return the card and get a working one (maybe a HD3870 of other brands or even an product of the competitor), since it does not work out of the box. You have the right to do so even it's a pre-overclocked videocard. It should work perfectly without any problem according the description (including the pre-OC) on the box and according the specification by the manufacturer (what their website said). If it doesn't work in a normal situation, then it's a defect. Why underclock it if using an overclock utility (even you are underclocking the card) will void the warranty on the card?

Good luck!

RMA? Whys that? You cant RMA a card just becouse it wont OC...
The OC only work for 3870 cards with Catalyst Overdrive and none of then OC more than 10%.

tcman · Apr 20, 2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RatusNatus

RMA? Whys that? You cant RMA a card just becouse it wont OC...
The OC only work for 3870 cards with Catalyst Overdrive and none of then OC more than 10%.

Why? Because his gfx card is a factory pre-overclock card which should work without problem according manufacturer description, i.e. labled as "OC" version (see the site of the videocard manufacturer). If it does not work properly, then it does not correspond to the specs (i.e. the extra clockspeed) that the manufacturer gave to the factory pre OCed gfxcard (OP assume underclocking his factory pre OCed gfxcard would cure the problem he's having now). As a consumer you have the right to return the card if the gfx does not work as it should be, in this case at the factory pre clocked speed. Also most factory OCed gfxcard got a higher pricetag, so you already have paid for the pre-OC. If you have paid for something then you wantto get it to work like it should be, right?