I used to use PowerStrip for this, but alas it is not compatible with my system. So, I'm using nV control panel with latest WHQL + nTune. I am able to change the clock and memory settings, but when I reboot, it's back to default. What's the method for this? Many thanks in advance,NoelQX9650 @ 4.0GHz/1.285 vCore / 8GB PC-800 Mushkin (cheap!) / evga 8800GT @ 660Mhz / 2xSATA 2 drives /

Try out RivaTuner. It's a more powerful tool. It'll O/C and maintain that O/C with a click or two. I've been playing round with the 88s fan speed control. Riva lets me set the fan to stay spooled down (quiet) at idle, then ramp up at a (more aggressive) preset temp. Seems to work pretty well. Riva's temp monitor tab really helps too. I can get a 3DMark run going on one monitor and watch the GPU temp and the fan battle it out in real time on a second monitor. I got a couple 3DMark runs in at 750Mhz/core. It wasn't stable, but 700 looks doable if I can get the fan ramped up in time. I don't think you'll get that kinda control or monitoring capability anywhere else.

OK, I will check it out.Sam, what's your take on the 3870x2 solutions? I am fantasizing 2 of them for CrossfireX. I know not all games benefit, but me thinks more and more will since the card might be becoming popular. I still prefer the IQ on my x1950Pro. For sure the 8800GT has excellent IQ as it stands, in fact visibly better than my 6800GT. But compared to the Radeon, it really is just less sharp.

@ ~ 700Mhz, my 8800GT runs right with the 3870x2 at higher resolutions. For instance: I just did a 3DMark06 run. My 8800 gets 4921/SM2.0 and 4203 HDR.SM3.0 scores at 1920x1080. 3870x2 gets 4494/SM2.0 and 4476 HDR.SM3.0 scores at 2560x1600 http://www.pcstats.com/NewsView.cfm?NewsID=64516That's pretty comparable. I don't think there's much difference in performance at all. It's real likely a 8800GTS at 775-800Mhz would clean the 3870x2's clock.SLI/Xfire? I'm not a fan, for 2 reasons. I am totally spoiled with multiple monitors. SLI can only use one (sans THtG). Second, I'm not video card limited. 3DMark06 rips along at 40-60 FPS at 1920x1080. Crysis and COD4 run fine. I'm not even really sure where they're set. Whatever it is, my hardware is finally transparent. The games are smooth, crisp, clear and great fun on the 42" big screen. In the sim, I have almost everything on high, except autogen and AI. Those two are entirely CPU dependent. With AI and AG off, I'm getting 50FPS in the P51 and any of the default airplanes. It's that darn PMDG 744 that just kills the sim, and of course, that's totally about the CPU. It seems to me that the 8800GTX (and now the $200 GT) has always been enough Vcard for this sim. What we need is a 6ghz single core CPU to make Any further headway. Even SLI (crossfire) won't help. Pretty much, this is it 'til FS11's fully functional multicore capability arrives.

You have a nice way of summarizing key points. Well, at this point it simply would not be worth the money as I think from what you say teh main rationale would have to more be about my perceptions of IQ than performance issues per se. And the 8800GT is certainly decent as far as IQ goes. If you want to see how my x1950 looked versus the GT simply do a nice screenshot in FS9 (or X I guess), copy it to Microsoft Photo Editor (great old simple program), then run the sharpening utility at about level 3 on the slider. This the difference to my eyes when I fly FS9. I prefer it, but probably not for double price in a 3870x2. Perhaps I'll wait a while and see what happens in the IQ/performance department in future solutions from ATI. I hold no hope nV can improve the IQ unless they change chip processors or whatever hardware components are responsible. It IS NOT a driver issue.Hmmm. Can't run PMDG 744 in FSX even at 3600? I like those birds so much I have to keep FS9 on my machine. Plus, I am in NO WAY interested in having poor performance after experiencing such stellar performance with the new rig. What are you getting in the way of frames in Cyrsis, and at what settings? I have settled on 1600x1200 2xAA 16xAF, and have in-game quality at medium, plus highest water quality. I am getting 30-50 frames on these settings and IQ is very good. In fact with DX9 I find the higher settings don't look so good. Is that a function of DX10 features involved?Noel

Hi Sam -I have an 8800GTS 640 and I used Riva to kick it up to 702 with no problems. Fan gets to 80% but it's still at a noise level comparable with my big case fans.I didn't bother with o/c the memory as I've read varying thoughts that it really doesn't make that much of a difference.What's your take on o/c the video memory?I'm getting a 28" LCD today that runs at 1920 so I'll be interested in comparing your 3Dmark scores and see if I can keep up.Since I have most of my sliders at or near the top I can easily kick them down a bit if I have any FPS issues.Right now running a 22" at 16something x 1050 and constant 20fps max.VicQ6600 G0 CPU 2.4 o/c 3.65Evga 680i A1 with P31 BIOS 2G XP2-8500 DDR2 1066FSB Mushkin 996535 RAM 5-5-4-12-2T320G 7200 HD partitioned for XP/Vista/Programs 2 - 74G Raptors in RAID0 500G 7200 HD for backup SATA DVD burner Evga 8800GTS 640 PCIx 169.13 betaKandalf LCS case w/ built in liquid cooling 850W Thermaltake power supplyVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comhttp://www.hifisim.com/banners/hifi-supporter-sigbanner.jpg

Memory O/C won't do much. I bumped mime up to 925, well, 'cus it was there, I guess. But the amount of memory might be a different story. I'm a bit concerned 512 is not doing the job. I'm still searching for a Vcard memory usage monitor. Sure does strange things sometimes.Interestingly, the new 9600GT is benching right in between the 8800GT/256 and 8800GT/512. I figured those two would run the same at lower resolutions. It'd be interesting to see a 3Dmark06 with the 640GTS. That 3870X2's a tough sell though. $475-500 for a card that runs neck and neck with a $200 8800GT. Very tough sell.