7900GTX/M1710 Overclocking for Idiots Bootdisk Included! *DOUBLE FAULT* Destroyed!

Okay, I'm only doing this again because I was initially confused myself, and had a helluva time trying to get this to work again...this is weird because the machines are not that different, and the OS's are identical (WinXP)...at any rate, here are the new instructions for those of us who are 'slow' on the uptake:

First, download this file (sorry about the size...it's over 6MB):

http://rapidshare.de/files/21461894/7900BOOT.iso.html

EDIT: Here's a mirror on my filefront account in .rar format: http://dodownload.filefront.com/5098...0bcfcbd65fe122

It's actually pretty easy...do you know how to burn an .iso file in Nero or something? That's the only thing I really can't help you with...burn the .iso normally to a CD-ROM...once you have the CD burned, you just stick it in yer DVD drive and boot from it...

To do this, whack the F12 key at the first screen that pops up when the computer is started...it says 'DELL' in big letters and has a loading bar underneath...you have to time it correctly, 'cause it goes by quick....anyhow, you'll get a little menu...select CD/DVD-ROM drive boot...

Okay, here's where it gets *slightly* different:

-----Skip-able----------------------

Before, with the 7800 in the XPS2, I advised you to choose option #1 at the prompt for 'max compatibility'...well, that's changed, now, likely because the version of NVflash that is required to flash the 7900 uses more memory. If you chose the first option now, when you try and run the new NVflash (included on my boot .iso), you will get the error:

*DOUBLE FAULT*

along with some gobble-de-gook.

-----Return to instructions----------

At any rate, long story short, to avoid this:

Choose option #2 at the prompt (max memory)...you can just whack the 'down arrow' key and hit 'enter.'

For those who used to overclock their 7800's, the rest is the same, but I'll include it here for 'pure' newbs as well:

Another prompt will pop up with a question...just hit 'Enter' or click 'OK'...

The disk will then automatically spit you out at an 'R-drive' prompt...then you type:

dir/w

to look at the files on the drive...you need to do this in order to see which .ROM files are available for flash, since you need to type the exact .ROM filename (FYI, there are not too many BIOS .ROM's on this one...I was kinda lazy...the file labeled 'ORIGINAL.ROM' is once again the Dell default clocks of 500/600)...

Next, find the file you want to try (core speed is the first number in every filename, followed by a 'C' and then the memory clock speed in non-DDR...so 600C700.ROM sets your core to 600 and your memory clock to 700 (1400 DDR))...

Anyhow, when you've found the file you want to flash, type:

nvflash 600C700.ROM

or whatever filename that represents the speed you want to try...nvflash will pop up and ask if you really want to do it, you press 'Y' and wait...when it dumps you back to the R-prompt, it's finished (only takes about 5 seconds), and you're done! Hit ctrl-alt-delete to reboot and let it get to Windows and start testing (i.e. run 3dmark05 then play some games)...if you crash or freeze, repeat the above steps with a different filename for the flash (one that is lower than whatever caused your crash)...

here is the current state of my testing for those of you that want to start trying stability tests right away...please post your own stable clocks once you're reasonably certain what works...also, posting UNSTABLE clocks will also help...just indicate in which application the crash occurred:

M17107900
Clocks--------------3DMARK---------------STABLE?
500C600--------------8606---------------ORIGINAL CLOCKS SET BY DELL
550C700--------------9336---------------?
550C730--------------9026---------------?
565C735--------------CRASH---------------x
575C720--------------9587---------------ARTIFACTS
600C700--------------9779---------------Currently Stability Testing in Games
600C720--------------9800---------------ARTIFACTS
600C725--------------9290---------------ARTIFACTS
600C750--------------ARTIFACT---------------2D-Artifacts
620C700--------------9867---------------Freeze in Oblivion after ~15 minutes
625C700--------------CRASH---------------x
625C725--------------9216---------------ARTIFACTS
630C700--------------CRASH---------------x
650C700--------------CRASH---------------NO

--------------------------TIPS FOR BURNING THE ROM-----------------

Okay, people have been having trouble getting the bootrom to work correctly. The first tip involves 'finalizing' the disc so no more data can be written...your DVD drive may not recognize the disc as bootable if you don't perform this operation during the burn...in other words don't leave the disc 'open'...'close' it so nothing further can be written (DO NOT burn it as a multi-session disc)...most burning programs have some checkbox or something you have to hit in order for this to be done during the burn process, so make sure it's selected before you try burning.

Finally, here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this using UltraISO, which is (IMO) the easiest burning program out there...it also has a host of great features and very little 'bloat' like Nero for example...anyhow, download UltraISO and install it from here:

http://www.ezbsystems.com/ultraiso/download.htm

Try the following once you've downloaded and installed UltraISO:

ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO BURN BOOT CD:

1. Install UltraISO from the site above.

2. Download this file:

http://dodownload.filefront.com/5099...0bcfcbd65fe122

3. Download and extract the .iso inside this .rar file:

http://dodownload.filefront.com/5098...0bcfcbd65fe122

4. Run UltraISO and load the 7900BOOT.iso, or simply double-click on the 7900BOOT.iso file to start UltraISO with the file pre-loaded...all the files to be burnt should appear in the right-hand window, now.

5. Across the top menu (starts with 'FILE' etc.) you will see a function called 'Bootable'...left-click on this and select 'Load Boot File'...navigate to and select the other file you downloaded (the .bif file)...nothiing will appear to happen, but don't worry.

6. Click on the Burn Disc icon and burn the sucker.

7. Go through the tutorial above, whacking F12 & choosing option #2, etc.

-------------

Sorry guys...been out-of-town for the holiday weekend with no internet access.

To the people who keep asking about flashing the 'GS' or other versions of the card: I know nothing about this, since I don't have one. If you try to force-flash the BIOS, you may screw up your card. I thought I saw somewhere on the board that Joker was offering a separate bootdisk for you GS-people, so maybe he'll enlighten us on the subject some more.

@sensesfusion: thanks for the instructions...i did get it to work eventually...didn't realize you had to have a 'boot image' to place during the format, and I was just formatting and then putting likely files from my bootdisk on there manually...

Great job on yer overclocks, everyone else!

Wait, what? Why are you upset? Are you having trouble with yer own overclock? Post questions and we'll try and help!
Edit: Oh, wait...I see you have an M170...go ahead and threadcrap, then, I understand...I sold my M170 and bought the 1710 ONLY because I saw the results of overclocking...stock scores are only ~8500, and you can easily get ~7500 from o/c-ing the 7800GTX...$2500 is not worth ~1000 3dmarks...it is EASILY worth ~2750 3dmarks, IMO...

@everyone else: I've noticed that you get a much bigger jump by holding your memory clock steady at around 700-715 and upping the Core instead...if you look at my chart on the first post, you'll notice I eventually jacked up the core to ~600 and left the memory at ~700...this consistently results in scores of ~9700, whereas something like 575/720 gets ~9500 and usually results in artifacting...

I think both numbers have a 'point of diminishing returns' where large increases in Mhz result in minimal performance gains at a certain 'leveling off' point in the curve...someone who's more 'math-minded' should do a bunch of overclocks vs 3dmark05 scores and plot both curves on a graph in Excel (i.e. one curve holding Core steady and increasing Memory Mhz; one curve holding Memory steady and increasing Core Mhz)...theoretically, the inflection points of each curve should describe 'ideal' values for a conservative overclock, right?