Low 3dmark score

Sounds like you tried benchmarking while using battery power.... Try plugging your laptop in next time (just a guess).

the other thing that might be more of and idea if it isn't that it was unplugged, is that you may have a bunch of dust inside. Doesn't sound like it would do it, but many people, including me saw a huge drop in scores just from the dust build up inside. I ran 3dmark05 when I had my 6800U installed and I was getting like a 3300 when it should have been closer to 5100-5300. I took everythign apart and found a couple nice size dust balls inside. Put it all back together and I gained the 1800-2000 points back. I would try cleaning out the dust if you haven't already, and then give it a try again.

make sure AC powermizer settings are set to maximum performance

...display properties, advanced, /7900/powermizer

You cannot overclock using the overclocking utility, the Clocks are locked on the card BIOS. YOu need to install a modified BIOS to increase the clocks.


Since you are having so many issues I would run a Nvidia driver cleaner, reinstall the stock Dell drivers & confirm that you are recieving average scores for your card. If you are, run the driver cleaner again, reboot & install the new drivers & test again.

If you are still getting low scores with the Dell drivers installed you need to make sure the card is not overheating during the testing.

FYI use a hosting service like imageshack to host the pictures, when you post a pic ike that it screws up the page formatting and puts ads right in the middle of your post.

As a general rule, ALWAYS benchmark on AC power....

You can o/clock your card using the drivers from laptop2go, - this does not require a volt mod on the bios. However you can only run up to a max of around 360/900 without using the volt mod. Above this the card requires more voltage to allow it to O/C further. Check on these forums to see how to do this volt mod if you are really keen on o/cing the card.

If you run the bios volt mod then ensure you don't fry the card as the 7800 tends to run hot ayway, just keep an eye on the temps. I'm getting around 3115 with 3Dmark06 with the 7800, temps get up to around 75 - 80 deg. Also use I8KfanGUI to assist with controlling the temps - also when running a mark like above, turn off all programs like firewalls, anti virus etc as these will use some resources and may lower your score.

Hope this helps

Philby, you cannot OC via the overclocking utility, the values WILL reset. The core/memory speeds are locked in the BIOS & as I and any other forum member here will gladly point out you can only modify the values by modifying the BIOS. This has been gone over many times in the forum.

True - but if you simply want to o/c to run a 3Dmark score then this is the easiest way. I have used Rivatuner and this has allowed the o/cing to be held on re-boots but the Nvidia drivers won't.

It's just that the volt mod while the best way to go also tends to run this card hotter, so I only o/c using either the drivers or rivatuner as I don't really want to fry the card - mind you I/m now looking to fit a 512 7900 GTX card in as soon as the wifes not checking out the credit card statment

More I read, more I think if he should do any ocing.....

I will suggest you just leave it at default speed.... Do yourself a favor.
Unless you will do some more research before asking.

...Did you ever monitor your temps (as I posted earlier) while running these tests to rule out throttling?


-Philby: What are you talking about (in regards to volt mod on the BIOS-there is no such animal) You are just changing the default core & memory clocks in the BIOS. That's all you need to do (if he needs to do that at all considering his level of knowledge right now)

Not trying to be harsh, I've just seen more thn a few people come back screaming "my screen is blank, what do I do!"

Quote from Peter pan -

"Bios Flashing 7800 and OC to 500/1000Mhz
Its your own risk... and follow the instruction to backup your Bios first.

Needed Tools:
Nvflash 5.13 ( only this version works)
NibiTor 2.17 Bios Modding Software
Templogger for Nividia Card


Start here:
1.) Make a backup of your Bios
a.) download nvflash and put it to the root c:\\
b.) Boot from cd and go to DOS prompt
b.) c:\ vflash -b backup.rom

2.) Change the Voltage
a.) open Nibitor load your Bios file
b.) change the Voltage to 1,3 volt in the 3D Mod - see picture
b.) save the file as you want --> oc.rom


.........
Before you flash the bios --- PLEASE MAKE an Emergency Flash Disk -- Like this http://www.mvktech.net/content/view/415/37/
1.) Edit the autoexec.bat
2.) put this command in it --> nfvflash backup.rom
3.) Change Boot parameter in the bios CD-->IDE

Flash your modded Bios
1.) boot from CD
2.) Dos prompt
3.) c:\ vflash yourmoddedbios.rom


And now install tempLogger and check your temperatur of your card.. It runs with the orig Core of 250/658.
Now it ist possible to change the Core to 450/900 or something more. To overclock use Coolbits or RivaTuner.

Please post your results.."

- Basicly the current limit with the stock voltage is around 360/900 - however running this volt mod in the bios will aloow you to o/c further. From what other people are reporting it looks like you can increase the core voltage up around the V1.2 from the current V1.0 - not that I've tried as I just use rivatuner or the Nvidia drivers to run a max of 360/900 - but I've thought about having a play I'm just not to keen on melting something down.

Also I belive if you run these higher voltages then you need the 130W power supply and 9 cell battery to allow the extra current to be pulled.

I stand corrcted on the 7800 volt mod in the BIOS, but there is absolutely no need to modify the voltage for somone with this level of knowledge. You are walking him strait into the jaws of video card death.

He just need to know why he is not attaining normal performance levels.