Going to OC a 9600 pro but...

[OK]

...what should I raise first: Memory clock or core clock? What will give the most performance increase? Also, how do I know when to "stop"?

Thanks.

[bblqj78]

memory first. Keep popping it up about 5-10 at a time.....and then run a test on it for five minutes...eigther game...or 3dmark etc.
Kepp going until you see a wee bit of distorsion on the screen...lines...flashing.......U WILL Know. As soon as you see artifacts ....know the speed back donw about 10. And run for 30 minutes or so looping 3dmark to make sure its ok. Do same again for core speed.

:t

[$1500-P4 gamer]

I don't think mem helps as much any more. With current gpu's I mean. Look at CPU's. The p4 it helps. The Xp it don't. Similar-I'm guessing. The Geforce FX mem speed is #1. The new ati's I see a trend. It starts with the Radeon 8500. Its 3.3 hynix. O.K thats fast. Then the 9500pro. 2.8-3.3 depending on brand lot etc. The 9600 (SAME). The 9700(same) the 9800(same) The SE (same) the 9800PRO 2.8ns. Hmmm. All those can run and be sold with 300mhz rated mem. Performance gains are there. But from gpu alone. Any how just a thought, not saying Im 100% right. The 9600 does alot with gpu clocking alone, Ive seen it on benches. The .13 fab that gpu is made from makes its low heat and low power. With good performance. :t

[too_much]

First, which type is it? Is it a standard ATI? Because mine is Tachyon, and that ships with the memory overclocked by 25mhz anyway, so you can't really bump it up more than 10mhz or it spazzes out. Plus it uses slower 3.6ns memory which is a big factor :(
The core however is a beast.
Stocks on mine: 400/600
O/C to: 525/610 totally stable and voltages and temps are fine. But as the guy said above, don't be in a hurry, spend a long time going up in little bits :)

[Bigjakkstaffa]

http://www.sysopt.com/articles/VCOGuide/index.html

Shoudl provide a good starting point. The card will more or less tell you when its going too high, in the form of visual errors and artifacts

--Jakk:t

[too_much]

ah, a review written by a true pro ;)
I learned my first stuff on gfx cards from that article :D

[OK]

Thanks for the replies. It's a Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro, btw.