Member Avatar for tom_oxygen

Hi!
Recently I heard that you could clock your video card and make you graphic more smooth and faster speed.
Can anyone please teach me how to do that!
thx!

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A concise addendum based on the thread: is right to advise caution. The RADEON 9200 SE (128MB, AGP) is an entry-level card with limited overclocking headroom, so any practical frame-rate gains for The Sims 2 and Call of Duty will usually be small. Because already dropped in-game detail with little change, investigation of system-level limits and safe procedures will be more productive than aggressive clocking.

A short safety checklist and workflow:

  • Record a baseline: note current driver version, default clocks (if visible) and idle/load temperatures, then run a short real-game session to capture typical behavior.
  • Backup and safety: create a system restore or full backup; be aware overclocking can void warranty and increase wear.
  • Power and cooling first: confirm the PSU capacity and connectors, clean dust, improve case airflow, and consider refreshing the GPU thermal interface if the card is old.
  • Monitor and validate: use a reliable GPU monitor and a stability routine; make only conservative changes and validate each change with extended real-game testing (for example, 30–60 minutes under the title the user actually plays).
  • Stop criteria: visible artifacts, driver resets, freezes, reboots, or excessive temperatures — revert immediately to the last stable settings.

Troubleshooting and upgrade notes: persistent instability at stock clocks usually signals driver, power, or failing hardware rather than a clocks issue. If a noticeable, reliable boost is the goal, replacing the card is the most effective route — check slot type (AGP vs PCIe), physical clearance, power connectors and driver support before buying. For learning and short-term gains, the conservative, well-monitored approach recommended by is the safest path.

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Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Yes, you can "overclock" your card, pushing the graphics processing unit and onboard memory past their stock speeds, resulting in higher performance, higher operating temperatures and a reduced lifetime.

As you can tell, some careful thought is required before diving into the process. What system do you currently own? What games are you trying to play faster? Are you willing to take the (long-term) risk of overheating your card and possibly damaging it?

Member Avatar for tom_oxygen

Hi!Thx for replying!
I am currently using

Chip Type: RADEON 9200 SE AGP (0x5964)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(500MHz)
Memory Size: 128MB
Adapter String RADEON 9200 SE Family (Micrsoft Corporation)
Bios information BK-AMI VER

And can you please tell me what is the average life of my video card and by clocking the video card, how long of the life will it cut, plus what kind of damage will it make by overheating the video card?
Thx!

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Well, many enthusiasts overclock their hardware willy nilly, fully confident that by the time their components die through excessive overclocks, they will have replaced them long ago with new technology. However, every piece of hardware is different, so while the above rule of thumb (i.e. it'll last for as long as you'll need it) may apply to many, the risk that something will give out early is always there (since video cards consist of many separate components - memory chips, GPU(s), voltage regulators, capacitors, etc).

With that out of the way, lets look at your video card. You have a 9200SE which, I am sorry to say, is at the very bottom of the performance ladder for video cards currently on the market. Thus, any overclock you apply may not result in a satisfactory performance increase since the card itself is held back in several other areas. What exactly are you trying to get faster frame rates in?

Member Avatar for tom_oxygen

I am trying to enhance the speed and graphic of the sims 2 and call of duty.
I cant say it is very lag when I play it but it is not above satisfactory.

And one more thing, can you please also tell me what video card is currently best to buy at the lowest price? :D

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

I am trying to enhance the speed and graphic of the sims 2 and call of duty.
I cant say it is very lag when I play it but it is not above satisfactory.

I don't think you'll get much of an increase with an overclocked card - have you tried tweaking the display settings and graphics detail levels for each game?

(as you can see, I'm counting o/cing as a last resort)

And one more thing, can you please also tell me what video card is currently best to buy at the lowest price? :D

Depends what your budget is. For the latest gaming, I would recommend at least a 6600GT ($180 US).

Member Avatar for tom_oxygen

I don't think you'll get much of an increase with an overclocked card - have you tried tweaking the display settings and graphics detail levels for each game?

(as you can see, I'm counting o/cing as a last resort)
Depends what your budget is. For the latest gaming, I would recommend at least a 660GT ($180 US).

I have tried everything i could to smooth up the speed but even if i set everything to the lowest not much will change.It seems that i really need to change my video card......i give up my idea on clocking my card. :sad:
Thx for all your help.

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Well, I might as well tell you how, but you undertake it all at your own risk. ;)

Download a proggie like ATI Tool, and start increasing your memory and GPU clockspeeds. Say an increase of 10-20Mhz at first, and then level out to 5Mhz increments. Test your overclock every step of the way, using the built-in tool or a looping demo of 3dmark 2001/2003. When everything goes pear-shaped and graphical artefacts start appearing (you'll know them when you see them), clock back down until they disappear. Find that "sweetspot", and you'll have an overclocked video card.

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