Spunky

3 hours ago, HarryPothead said:

 

Heaven_vBIOS: Core: 1240 +100 Offset / Mem:2505 [NoMemOffset]

 

Heaven_vBIOS: Core: 1240 +100 Offset / Mem:2505 +200 Offset

 

As per my previous post - I'm using a rather aggressive set of Voltages on the GPU (for stability) and it gets throttled back from 1340MHz back to around 1200~1300MHz - I'd need to create a graph on Inspector. You have to remember, that the benchmark is absolutely tanking the card - and really peaking the temperatures.

 

I've not really spec'd the Voltages any higher than 1240MHz, really - They're all set to the same range; or odd ranges. I need to refine the CLK Voltage stepping to ensure the card runs stable when switching frequencies - especially when using the core offset. It's time consuming to modify each individual CLK voltage.

 

P.S

I'm also running ThrottleStop [similar to the Xtreme Tuning Utility from Intel] in order to stop the PROCHOT signal from being sent.

2

GPU starts throttling at 85C(Starts reducing voltage and since one of the boost clock reasons is Vrel, it reduces boost clock) . You can make custom FAN curves using the MSI Dragon Center, however, maximum RPMs are 6000.

I am using stock vBIOS overclocked by MSI afterburner

+135mhz CORE only (click "load full resolution" to see clocks and temps)

+135mhz CORE / +250 Mhz Memory. (click "load full resolution" to see clocks and temps)

You are getting nearly the same results but 10C higher temps.

The problem with overclocking is that you are getting really small % increase in the exchange of high temps and voltage. I gave up overclocking mobile GPUs. 

11 hours ago, HarryPothead said:

**NOTE**

@Klem - Sorry to tag you, but you keep popping up around here - You appear to be, "The Authority" on BIOS modifications [Apart from another chap called Svet - you guys both seem to be the gurus]. 

 

Please leave any comments as you feel free. You don't need to reveal any secrets if you don't want to - I guess that would ruin your mystery/magic/mojo! 

 

INTRO: 

I've had this laptop for a couple of years and decided to squeeze some more juice out of it - I was bored and playing some Nintendo games via emulator and noticed that I was getting less-than-stellar performance when compared to my desktop PC [which has an original GTX Titan of which I've heavily modded the BIOS (+30% performance)], so decided to do some tinkering.

 

I don't know "The Rules" when it comes to posting up pictures of Maxwell BIOS Editor configurations or ROM files - But I won't publicly link to my BIOS or settings online in this thread, until I know The Rules.

 

If I'm allowed to post up configuration photos as a rough-guide, please let me know. I will not link to my BIOS, personally. I won't be held responsible if you manage to fry your laptop.

 

If you haven't used compressed air for a while - or ever - I highly recommend it before you start considering modding your BIOS, you'll be surprised at two things:

1. How much dust actually comes out (and remember, how small the fins are here)
2. How much extra heat is exponentially generated by ramping up the Voltage. 
   1. I'm not new to BIOS modifications, or overclocking, but if you are, then you have a lot to learn about heat - it is the devil! 

 

POST:

Hey, a thread - with lots of replies - with my laptop in it!  As you can guess, I've just edited my BIOS using the Maxwell BIOS editor - Yes, it works [woohoo]. I'm still in the testing benchmark stages, so the below values are privy to change.

 

I've been testing these values against Unigine Heaven:

 

Preset: Custom

API: DX11

Quality: Ultra

Tessellation: Extreme

Stereo 3D: Disabled.

Multi-Monitor: Disabled.

Full Screen: No

Resolution: 1920x1080

 

I've currently got a stable BIOS-level P0 OC of:

 

Core: 1240MHz

 

It runs at 1200-1300MHz; including +100MHz offset. Yes, I'm setting an offset against my modded BIOS default of 1200MHz - There's a reason.

 

The frequency actually jumps around thanks to the thermal limitations generated by the insane heat in this little chassis. Strangely, the 'default' clock is 1240MHz but runs at 1230MHz, so a +10MHz is a must. 

 

Memory: 2505MHz [Offset to 2705MHz (+200MHz)]

 

@Klem can correct me if I'm wrong, but on NVIDIA cards, video memory Voltages are "set-in-stone" - you can't really modify them? I haven't spoken to any NV engineers about this, but I imagine that it's hardcoded from the chip supplier (Samsung, Hilinx, et al.)

 

If the above is correct, increasing the memory clocks it can generate extra heat, regardless, because we can't under-Volt the memory. You may not always need an extreme memory OC either, it can result in diminishing returns, for instance:

 

A 500MHz overclock on your memory may only net you +5FPS, whereas a 150MHz OC on your core could net you +10FPS (This is a wild example, but is the expected norm)

 

A balance is required here, but your GPU-core comes first and any memory OC is a bonus. 

 

Vcore: V1.031 (@1200MHz)

 

This jumps mainly down to between V0.993 and V1.018 - this is partly due to the settings I've created in the BIOS, but is most likely down to some low-level trickery that NV have instilled as protection. Regardless, my GPU still runs at 1200-1300MHz.

 

There is some very clever (electrical and thermal protection) work being performed by NVIDIA (and will require some serious fine-tuning, which I don't have the time for just now).

 

I haven't explored the possibility of modifying the MSI (EC?) BIOS to amend the fan profiles - Therefore, I'm not aware if we can improve the cooling further by forcing the fan to run at an even higher Current (higher RPM).

 

Let me know if anyone is interested in either the settings of the BIOS or learning how to edit their BIOS.

 

Conclusion:

My 970M has these stats, as a rule of thumb - thermal throttling at 85C:

 

Core: 1200-1300MHz / 0.981-1.018V

Mem: 2705MHz

 

N.B.

As per above, there is probably some Voltage tuning that can be performed, but that takes a lot of time, please don't expect me to mess around with that in depth. 

 

I've got two BIOS' set up insofar, one which is rather aggressive up to the thermal limit and one which will sit under (or near) that target. 

 

There isn't a lot of GS60 6QE information around, so I'm going on my own research here. 

 

P.S

With these numbers, the performance should be closer to a GTX 980m. But even with the Voltage at V1.xxx it's hitting 85C under Unigine Heaven - You'd probably not want to push it much harder than that, especially not 1.2V. 

 

I haven't attacked the BIOS with a hex-editor, and I don't particularly want to. This card in this chassis is pushed to the extremes with the Maxwell BIOS editor.

What score do you get in FireStrike or Heaven with the overclocked GPU?

Hello @Klem,

Would you unlock the vBIOS of my MSI GS60 6QE (GTX970m 6Gb RAM).

I have extracted the BIOS using GPU-Z. The ROM file is attached below.

Thank you!

970m6g.zip

Many thanks to Klem for helping me unlock my vBIOS.

I have the Core clock and the voltage unlocked.

Now I need to find the optimal settings for the 860m.

All the best!

Hello Klem,

What do I need to send you in order to help me unlock my 860m(Y50)?

Best Regards!