3870 and ATITool/Rivatuner??

[pauloz!]

Hi, i just wanted to see whether anyone else is having problems with the auto fan speed settings in both ATI Tool and Rivatuner??

It seems as if whenever i put it on auto control (Rivatuner) or dynamic fan settings (ATITool) the settings that i put in don't come into effect...is this the same for you guys?? btw if i choose to lock it at one speed it works fine

[pauloz!]

awww come on...i don't usually bump threads but 190 people have viewed without commenting anything...all i need is conformation....thanks

[Webby]

If you don't get a reply before, I will test when my 3870 arrives (ordered today ) which since I was not bothered as to when it arrives will be here by this time next week!

I don't know if this is the same thing or not but I have heard of the fans on the 3870 and 3850 for that matter not throttling with temp properly so they stick at say 39% (arbitrary figure since I can't remember) which can be potentially fixed with a bios update. However, rivatuner or atitool should override the bios's onboard fan tables so that is perhaps not the issue.

[Pob255]

Also depends which 3870 you have. it is a stock cooler? what make is it? what BIOS it's useing.

Not heard about this problem on the stock cooler but some of the others . . . the Powercolour one for instance is fixed at 100% and cannot be reduced with any software.

[pauloz!]

Well i have a HIS 3870 and yeh it sometimes gets stick at 44% when i set it at say 50 or 55%. If its stuck at like 44% and i wanna drop it to say 30% i have to set it at 100% then drop it down to 30% or else it will be stuck at 44%. Confusing i know...but i really want the auto function to work. Right now i have it set at 45% fixed.

[Jesse]

Hi All,

Fwiw I installed my new ASUS 3870 under Vista and found it was extremely hot. I subsequently wiped Vista off the machine and installed XP and it is running a lot cooler. I read on a few forums that there is a BIOS update you can apply but given it is not officially released by ASUS I don't think I'll be rushing to void my warranty anytime soon. If the board overheats due to their lack of ability to provide a bios update that is clearly available then I guess I'll just have to get them to replace it under warranty.

Anyway, it seems to be doing nicely under XP. I'll be loading Vista back on again soon so if the temps skyrocket again I'll let you all know. Hopefully it will be under control and I can start trying to puch the OC (the ASUS board is factory overclocked but I believe it can be pushed a little further).

Jesse

[NightshadowUK]

Hi, i just wanted to see whether anyone else is having problems with the auto fan speed settings in both ATI Tool and Rivatuner??

It seems as if whenever i put it on auto control (Rivatuner) or dynamic fan settings (ATITool) the settings that i put in don't come into effect...is this the same for you guys?? btw if i choose to lock it at one speed it works fine

I reckon it's just compatibility atm as the card is new. Most people currently set the fan speed to a constant 55% or so in Rivatuner, as it's all but inaudible.

Or you could do what I did with mine and fit a Zalman VF900, load temps dropped by 25ºC and that's on the slowest speed setting.

[pauloz!]

Okay well i started this thread a LONG time ago when i first got my HD 3870 and just yesterday i decided to look for a solution and i found one. It only took me around 5 mins - All you have to do is flash your BIOS.

I did it successfully and i have found that the cooling table is much much better:
Idle: 37*C
Full Load: 58*C

I removed both ATITool and Rivatuner and with this new BIOS the fan speeds up and slows down automatically with no problems (which was exactly what i was looking for when i first started this thread). The 3870 never goes above 60*C with this BIOS update as compared to 80-90*C with the stock BIOS settings. I was also getting artifacts with this card which i put in another thread but after a acouple hours of gaming yesterday i found that they no longer happen. It may be just me but i have found that the card's performanced has incereased slightly...maybe due to the card running cooler.

For anyone who is still interested all the info can be found on these pages:

- http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/24...heat-bios-damn

- Here is where you can get the new BIOS:
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33912408

- Here is where you can get ATI WinFlash:
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads...h_2.0.0.2.html

- How to flash your BIOS (works with the 3870):
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=461151

[ajones]

The power of the forum search engine strikes again! Many thanks for the instructions on updating a 3870 BIOS. Sorted me out!