All kinds of gadgets for personal computers did not come up with lately. Some of them have already been told, however, this list is not exhaustive. Today we look at another device that connects to your computer via USB, and thus, unlike the others, can not only beautiful flashing lights, but also overclock the video card! Ironically, it is true. How well Zotac Nitro to cope with its purpose, we learn later, and now look at the bundle and the appearance of the device.
The device comes in a transparent plastic blister pack, which does not hide the look of the product. The front panel is closed gadget sticker with a picture of the display, so that even a first glance, gives a completely adequate idea of the purpose and main features of the device.
On the reverse side of the package, we can again see the image display device, this time with the notes, as well as USB-cable to connect to your computer.
Accessory kit is small and looks like this:
We conducted tests on a standard PC, which was installed the video card GeForce 9800GTX. Initially there were some concerns that the Zotac FireStorm and Zotac Nitro will require the availability of video production exclusively by this company. But at the Zotac «greedy" did not, therefore, utility, and the device safely work with any video cards Nvidia.
Connecting the Zotac Nitro is very simple. Begining with the included bundled disk to install on a computer program Zotac FireStorm.
In the window shows the current frequency of the GPU videkarty, shader, memory frequency, operating mode and temperature of the cooler GPU. Moving the sliders one way or the other side, you can change the operating frequency, and then have to click Apply, the changes to take effect. And the Reset button to reset all settings to their original state. Actually, in this respect, the utility Zotac FireStorm is not much different from other similar tools. Note that the default Zotac FireStorm enables independent control of frequency shader GPU with respect to the fundamental frequency (blocks texture and ROP).
Options for Zotac FireStorm bit, just two – to run the utility with Windows and use the change in frequency at the start.
However, in comparison with the benchmark programs for overclocking – utility RivaTuner, Zotac FireStorm actually nothing special can not boast, but this is understandable. Zotac FireStorm need for gadget Zotac Nitro. Next, we describe how this happens.
Once you have installed and run the utility Zotac FireStorm, it's time to get out of the box stand, install it and connect the Zotac Nitro gadget USB-cable into an available USB-port. Screen of the device once come to life and shows the current frequency of the video card GPU temperature and fan speed.
Below the display Zotac Nitro are three buttons. They have not been signed because, depending on the mode of their appointment is subject to change. The current function is indicated labeled buttons at the bottom of the screen.
In standard mode, the left button «Set» is responsible for the switch to set the frequency. The first press of this button allows you to specify the frequency of GPU. The other two buttons are denoted by "" and "-", they can be used to increase or decrease the frequency, respectively. Step change in frequency – 5 MHz. Long-term retention of keys "" / "-" leads to the inclusion of auto-repeat so you do not have to click 20 times to change the frequency to 100 MHz. But be careful, especially with increasing frequency – the frequency change takes place immediately, without further evidence, but this process is delayed by a couple of seconds. All this time, "clicking" on autorepeat accumulate buffer, so that the desired frequency is easy to slip and pererazognat GPU, which can lead to crash your computer.
After setting the GPU press «Set» again and you can specify new values for the frequency of video memory. Installation of all other frequencies are similar. When you set all the frequencies, it is enough to leave the Zotac Nitro to stand for some time (~ 10 seconds), and the display returns to standard display mode. The right button «Defaults» is used to reset all values to their original state, similar to the button Reset.
Button «Profiles» – a key point in usability Zotac Nitro. The device supports multiple profiles. This makes it possible, for example, make a profile for the 2D-mode (working with documents, Internet, etc.) with a minimum frequency and a small video card fan speed, thus the temperature of the video card and the noise will be minimal. Another profile can be made specifically for use in games, when the frequency and maximum graphics performance. Of course, the same can be done with the help of the support profiles in RivaTuner. But inexperienced users to use Zotac Nitro, in our view, will show a much more simple and convenient. Also, if you have already run the game and remember that it is not switched the video card in maximum performance mode by Zotac Nitro to fix it in seconds without having to switch to another application.
Another obvious advantage of the Zotac Nitro is a display of the GPU temperature and fan speed video in real time. To do this, are semi-circular 20-segment LEDs. GPU temperature is measured in degrees Celsius, each segment corresponds to the range of 5 degrees. Starting from a temperature of 40 degrees, the segments are colored orange, and from the GPU temperature 80 degrees – in the red. The last segment on the display lights up the GPU temperatures when the core temperature exceeds 100 degrees. It is clear that the change in temperature above these values will not be displayed on the display, however, and up to 100 degrees GPU temperature is better not to bring. So if you were attracted by the game, and suddenly began "friezes," a look at the Zotac Nitro will determine – whether the blame for this video card overheating.
As for the fan speed indicator, it is measured in relative terms – percentage of the maximum speed. Of the 20 segments, each indicator corresponds to 5%. Clearly, if you set the video card fan speed manually, the indicator will not change. But when the fan control is set to Auto, the indicator will show the change in fan speed, which can sometimes be useful.
Now let's see how well the Zotac Nitro sets a rate for the GPU. It is known that the step frequency of the GPU on NVIDIA graphics cards are not equal to 1 MHz, and a few more. At the same time, the job step frequency at Zotac Nitro is 5 MHz. Monitor the accuracy of the frequency reference will be using RivaTuner. Below are screenshots, which simultaneously shows the utility box and Zotac FireStorm RivTuner.
This screenshot the GPU using the Zotac FireStorm was set at 760 MHz. However RivaTuner shows that the exact GPU frequency is 756 MHz. The discrepancy is small, but it is. Shader Clock, we have not changed here, Zotac FireStorm reported frequency of 1750 MHz, while the RivaTuner shows only 1728 MHz. However, this difference is less than 1.5%, so do not give it too much.
Next, we use Zotac FireStorm increased the frequency of this one step further, to 765 MHz. But, as you can see from the screenshot, the actual GPU frequency increased to the level of 771 MHz, due to the discrete set of frequencies of the GPU 9800GTX. However, in this case, the discrepancy between the given and the real frequencies slightly less than one percent.
After some time communicating with the device, and Zotac Nitro utility Zotac FireStorm, especially in conjunction with the utility RivaTuner, it has been suggested that they use the same mechanism of control frequencies. Or rather because – Zotac Nitro, and Zotac FireStorm use a mechanism very similar (if not the same) as that of RivaTuner. An indirect confirmation of this is the next screenshot.
Pay attention to the level of the minimum frequency limitation for Zotac FireStorm and RivaTuner (highlighted with red boxes) – they are exactly the same. Do you think this is a coincidence? I doubt it. For verification, we have established a set of proprietary utilities NVIDIA System Tools.
Frequency range allowed by the utility firm NVIDIA, is markedly different, in the minimum frequency value is two times lower. Interestingly, after the installation on the same computer is a different video card – 8400GS, whose operating frequencies are very different, the minimum frequency that can be set, the Zotac FireStorm and RivaTuner again coincide.
By the way, if you installed another video card into a computer, it is necessary to create new profiles for the Zotac Nitro.
However, older profiles will be saved, and as soon as the old card back in place, they will again be available. Such concern for the convenience of the user is definitely commendable.
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