ATITool is a terrific overclocking utility for NVIDIA and ATI video cards. It uses the method of incrementally increasing clock speed and scanning for artifacts to determine the maximum stable speeds of the GPU and RAM. This program also accounts the effects of heat buildup and can be configured to properly heat up the video card and all related cooling components to ensure the most stable overclock.

Once the maximum speeds have been determined, saving them to a profile and having ATITool launch that profile the next time you start gaming will enable the overclocked speeds. Or, simply run the overclocked speeds at all times.

By far, this is the easiest way to get a stable overclock for your video card. See also, coolbits, RivaTuner and NVClock for other methods.

Compatibility with NVIDIA

For some time, ATITool was specific to ATI video cards. However, starting with .25 beta (considered to be stable) NVIDIA support has been added.

From the Developer

ATITool is an overclocking utility designed for ATI and NVIDIA video cards. Design target is to write a light-weight application for the enthusiast - so no questionable registry tweaks. Sorry.

Main Features

• No limits overclocking.
• Finding maximum core and memory overclock by rendering into a Direct3D window and scanning the output for visual artifacts.
• Temperature monitoring and fan speed control (on supported cards).
• Removal of Catalyst overclocking lock for the 9000, 9200, 9550, and 9600 series of cards.
• Artifact scanning mode for non-ATI cards - use together with a 3rd party overclocking utility.
• Loading a predefined clock profile on Application/Windows startup.
• Hotkeys that can be used any time to load clocks from a profile.
• 3D application detection (Direct3D 8, Direct3D 9, OpenGL) to overclock your video card only when required.
• Gamma control.

ATITool will only work on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 2003 Server for both 64-bit and 32-bit platforms.

How to use

Overclocking a video card with this tool is fast and easy. There are one major consideration you need to think about first.

The major factor in any overclock is heat. Before you begin this step you may want to consider cleaning your case from any dust build up on fans or grills, changing any fans to high performance models, reducing the temperature in the room and the things like these. Excessive heat will limit the overclocking ability and can potentially destroy your card. Using a tool like ATITool seriously reduces the risk of damaging your card but it does not eliminate it. You are responsible to monitor the temperatures and watch over your card.

ATITool includes a handy temperature display that is compatible with most modern video cards. Keeping an eye on this will tell you if your efforts to increase cooling were successful and also when you should stop trying to overclock.

Processors, whether CPU or GPU have a higher potential clock speed the cooler they are. Anytime you'd like to increase your overclock you have to think about how you can lower the temperature of the processor. We don't recommend overclocking video cards to the point where the temperature exceeds 75 °C (167 °F). Some stock coolers will heat up to 80 - 95 °C (176 - 203 °F) while gaming and that is the temperature limit we recommend. So, keep a close eye on your temps. If you aren't happy there are many excellent GPU coolers available. Also, we recommend the use of RAM sinks for all video card overclocking.

 Installation

First use the external links section below to download and install the program. Note, report is recommended after installation to ensure the driver is properly installed. Once you have completed the install and verified you are able to launch the program you may proceed to the next step.

Initial Core overclocking

ATITool's Find Max Core feature.

Simply use the 'Find Max Core' button to start the process. See the screenshot for a sample of what you should see once the process starts. Note, this step may take anywhere from a few seconds to more than an hour to run. This is dependant on major factors such as, cooling and temperature, maximum potential overclock of your core, custom settings in the configuration and more.

Once this process starts you can see the current core speed in the upper right corner of the display. This number should gradually increase until artifacts are discovered. At that point the core speed is considered unstable and will begin lowering until a stable speed is found. Monitoring the display in the lower left showing 'No errors for ??:??:??' will show how many hours, minutes and seconds since the last artifact is detected. For a completely stable overclock we suggest you let this detection run overnight but basic stability testing can take as little as 20 minutes once the maximum core speed is found.

Initial Memory overclocking

There is no fundamental difference between overclocking the core and the memory. Please see the section on core for information on what procedures to follow.

Note that many modern video cards arrive with no cooling on the video card RAM. This can lower the potential overclock of the RAM in some cases. If you feel that your video card ram isn't overclocking as it should increasing cooling of the ram will increase the potential overclock.

After running ATITool's "scan for artifacts" feature for at least 20 minutes, you may wish to check the temperature of the RAM chips on your video card. If they are significantly warm to the touch, consider the installation of RAM sinks. Also, using a fan to blow air over the ram chips will lower their temperature. A fan combined with the ram sinks will increase the maximum potential overclock.

Custom Settings

Many users find it helpful to use the settings button to customize ATITool for their application. Starting ATITool with Microsoft Windows and having it detect 3D applications starting then loading a 3D overclocking profile is one common customization.

Operating System compatibility

Windows Vista is supported with version .27, beta 1. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Linux and Unix are not supported.

See also

For those needing additional guidance on 'how to' overclock their systems using these (or other) methods, please post a request in our forums. Assigned moderators and other users will provide prompt support.

External links

• Homepage for ATITool
• download links
• ATITool Beta version downloads, most current
• ATITool Wiki

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