RivaTuner

I have this programme on my computer but I am not sure what it does or how I use it.
I am a gamer with an Nvidia Geforce 8600GT

 

What Riva does is allow you to get your card running faster than it was designed for, but that means increasing voltages and clocking devices which also means extra heat generated. Unless you have studied everything/ get expert help and/or don't mind making your video card into a brick then go ahead.

I have a feeling that you don't want to do any of those things. Overclocking some things is good depending on what one wants it for. Just as an example, I fold proteins for medical research and the faster something works, the faster the science gets done though up to a point. All my video cards(3) are OC'd(overclocked) and both my CPU's are too. Others do it to speed up games for free but again only by so much.

However, I take precautions to make sure things don't overheat or are over-volted which could make toast of a valuable piece of ones computer.

 

Thanks Augiedoggie,
You've mentioned a lot load of stuff I definitely don't want to get involved with so I'll leave well alone.
Thanks for the tip.

 

Riva Tuner, a great Tool........
Here's some info...

 

Asus,
thanks for your helpful post. As you can see from the above, I am, at least for the time being working on the principle that " a man needs to know his own limitations"!
However, I like to play games (CoD etc) and have a pretty mediocre card (GeForce 8600GT) so I have bookmarked your link to Guru and filed it under "I'm going to get my head round this"

 

Asus,
If you have some time could you please consider the below. I have already noticed a very considerable improvement in the graphics on Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and CoD MW2.
Using RivaTuner, apart from switching on the overclocker, is there anything else a newbie needs to do.*
*I went to main>driver settings>system setting>overclocking Tab> clicked on 'enable driver-level hardware overclocking. Then I left Standard 2D in the drop down box.
In the 'Fan' Tab I selected 'auto control'

 

Overclocking consume much of your time because you have to increase GPU/MEM clock step-by-step and benchmark to make sure your card haven't any glitches.

Use it with care, check temperature and not impatient.

 

Always use caution when OCing

Keep an eye on temps, better cooling or even R & R HS with some good thermal paste
Ati tool good for checking for artifacts
check performance gains with some 3Dmark tools

 

Thanks guys for your help.

 

What a shame it does not work with GTX480 as yet.

 

What about eVGA's Precision?

 

Just a personal thing, i don't like eVGA plus Riva offers more tweaks.

 

Hehe, I like eVGA because of the no fuss/no muss and no intricate changes needing a tech level course to even understand. I just boost the shaders to the limit and as long as I don't have EUE's or a too hot card, I'm fine with that, quick and dirty OC'ing. More power to ya Bill!:major:wine

 

I believe you are running Asus Augie so this might interest you in place of eVGA,
It came with my new GPU but you can download it free.

Info and specs

http://www.asus.com/999/html/share/2/icon/11/index.htm

Download

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3505-asus-smartdoctor.html