PS3 Project RSX Boost: Overclock your Retail PS3 RSX Speeds (ps3 cfw only)

[cha0shacker]

40nm Nvidia GPUs are perfectly fine up to 92C. Remember that the flaw that you guys describe was about the 90nm RSX which had the broken underfill that started to desintegrate over 70C.
Silicon can withstand high temperatures without any problems (if there isn't a design flaw). The Cell being a SOI design has a slightly lower up to number of 80C.
I know these numbers sound scary, but it's perfectly fine. My PS3 is 14 years old and will most likely survive another 14.

 

[Succ]

40nm Nvidia GPUs are perfectly fine up to 92C. Remember that the flaw that you guys describe was about the 90nm RSX which had the broken underfill that started to desintegrate over 70C.
Silicon can withstand high temperatures without any problems (if there isn't a design flaw). The Cell being a SOI design has a slightly lower up to number of 80C.
I know these numbers sound scary, but it's perfectly fine. My PS3 is 14 years old and will most likely survive another 14.

that maybe true but the lower the temperature is, the lower of a chance the components will start to break. They will wear out more slowly at lower temps

 

[Tanzu15]

Honestly, 750/900 is already impressive for a FAT (even for a frankie I'll say), and it's always risky when nearing 1000MHz.

@Tanzu15
Installation process successfully passed ! (I was so scared haha. It's not the console that will explode, it's my heart !)
Now I must see how it works in game.
View attachment 43186

EDIT : After ~30 minutes on Crysis at 69/70°C with an OC of 850/900 : Freeze.
No artifacts at all though.
I return to 800/950 and will test it more.
That's why testing at high temps is important.
At 60°C MAX maybe it would have worked like a charm, but can we consider this stable (and viable) ? Personally, it's a huge no.
View attachment 43187

EDIT 2 :
Artifacting (?) at 800/950, temps reaching 70°C.
I will try 800/900, then 750/950 if it's still there.

Spoiler

https://youtube.com/shorts/V0kGuI1AN8c?feature=shared

Still there at 800/900 but I need to check something.

EDIT 3 : Okay it was not artifacting, it's just... the game.
Even at 500/650 it persist, so I'm just paranoid.

Tips : If you suspect artifacting in game but you're not sure, take a screenshot (in-game : PS button > photo category). If the "artifacting" is on it, then it's not GPU related, it's the game.
Exemple :
View attachment 43188

So, 800/950 seems stable.

So your stable OC is 800/950. That's still fantastic. And honestly that whole temperature thing needs more testing. I'd never let me consoles hit 70c. But crashing due to Temperature is interesting.

 

[Ketxxx]

@Ketxxx probably would be a good idea to lower rsx OC because I do notice that it's not that stable at least stable enough for me to confident to use it 24/7. I'd probably lower it to 700/900 because I know Tanzu said 700/900 is typical for 40 rsx's

In all honesty you can quite comfortably back the GPU down to 650MHz and lose very little performance from what I've seen so far even at 500MHz core speed bandwidth matters more the 128bit bus the RSX uses chokes it pretty bad. Nuts to think if Sony had just used faster GDDR alone most games wouldn't run like complete arse.

While it's tempting to OC the RSX to the moon it is important to consider that the PS3 thermal design is absolutely awful, woeful even, due to Sony repeatedly cheapening even the heatsink design by decreasing fin density drastically. As most games on PS3 were meant to run at 30FPS that's the target anyone should be aiming for more than that is a waste really and will just produce unnecessary heat and strain on the components. Worst case scenario games that tried to target 60FPS but fluctuated a lot will hold a more consistent frame rate which as long as it maintains a minimum of 30 is a great feat for the PS3.

With some modding you could fit a 20xx heatsink in a 25xx PS3, from memory at a glance the only difference I noticed was that the VRMs in 25xx models are cooled by the top plate so you could either remove the VRM block from the 20xx heatsink or cut away the bit of the top plate the VRMs use. Probably better to remove the VRM block from the heatsink as even a 20xx heatsink will have it's work cut out for it cooling the RSX and CPU. Due to how much better the fin density is I wouldn't be surprised if temps fell by 5-6c. I actually have a few 20xx heatsinks I just haven't had the time to really look at a proper modification so I can fit one to my 2503 slim yet. I'll have to look at my 2103 I have, I think that has the same crappy heatsink the 2503 does but the top plate is a bit different so might be a better candidate for a 20xx heatsink addition.

 

[Tanzu15]

In all honesty you can quite comfortably back the GPU down to 650MHz and lose very little performance from what I've seen so far even at 500MHz core speed bandwidth matters more the 128bit bus the RSX uses chokes it pretty bad. Nuts to think if Sony had just used faster GDDR alone most games wouldn't run like complete arse.

While it's tempting to OC the RSX to the moon it is important to consider that the PS3 thermal design is absolutely awful, woeful even, due to Sony repeatedly cheapening even the heatsink design by decreasing fin density drastically. As most games on PS3 were meant to run at 30FPS that's the target anyone should be aiming for more than that is a waste really and will just produce unnecessary heat and strain on the components. Worst case scenario games that tried to target 60FPS but fluctuated a lot will hold a more consistent frame rate which as long as it maintains a minimum of 30 is a great feat for the PS3.

With some modding you could fit a 20xx heatsink in a 25xx PS3, from memory at a glance the only difference I noticed was that the VRMs in 25xx models are cooled by the top plate so you could either remove the VRM block from the 20xx heatsink or cut away the bit of the top plate the VRMs use. Probably better to remove the VRM block from the heatsink as even a 20xx heatsink will have it's work cut out for it cooling the RSX and CPU. Due to how much better the fin density is I wouldn't be surprised if temps fell by 5-6c. I actually have a few 20xx heatsinks I just haven't had the time to really look at a proper modification so I can fit one to my 2503 slim yet. I'll have to look at my 2103 I have, I think that has the same crappy heatsink the 2503 does but the top plate is a bit different so might be a better candidate for a 20xx heatsink addition.

Ok I'm super interested in this. Seriously, you gotta try it and let us know please. If I can improve my 25xx cooling by swapping out to the 20xx heat sink I'd do that in a heart beat. But I gotta know if it actually does work.
Edit: we just hit 100 pages on RSX Boost. That's crazy.

 

[Ketxxx]

@Tanzu15 it's on my to-do list but first I need to figure out why MFW Builder throws the error below at me when I click RSX Overclocking and try to build a CFW. Googling is not helping. Decent amount of others getting this error though. I don't like building MFWs without knowing what all potential errors are it flies against my very reputation in the PC arena and my nature of not getting things wrong.

 

[Tanzu15]

@Tanzu15 it's on my to-do list but first I need to figure out why MFW Builder throws the error below at me when I click RSX Overclocking and try to build a CFW. Googling is not helping. Decent amount of others getting this error though. I don't like building MFWs without knowing what all potential errors are it flies against my very reputation in the PC arena and my nature of not getting things wrong.

Have you tried right clicking and oppening as administrator? I had issues before until I did that and now zero issues.

 

[Succ]

In all honesty you can quite comfortably back the GPU down to 650MHz and lose very little performance from what I've seen so far even at 500MHz core speed bandwidth matters more the 128bit bus the RSX uses chokes it pretty bad. Nuts to think if Sony had just used faster GDDR alone most games wouldn't run like complete arse.

While it's tempting to OC the RSX to the moon it is important to consider that the PS3 thermal design is absolutely awful, woeful even, due to Sony repeatedly cheapening even the heatsink design by decreasing fin density drastically. As most games on PS3 were meant to run at 30FPS that's the target anyone should be aiming for more than that is a waste really and will just produce unnecessary heat and strain on the components. Worst case scenario games that tried to target 60FPS but fluctuated a lot will hold a more consistent frame rate which as long as it maintains a minimum of 30 is a great feat for the PS3.

Thats very interesting that gpu core speeds doesn't matter as much as Vram speeds. Never knew that. Also, you make a very good point about games only getting up to 30 fps. I've been living a lie the entire time thinking ps3 games run a 60 fps lmfaooo. I do pray for the day we eventually figure out how to OC the cpu because that will open up so many possibilities. At the very least, how to use cfw on newer slims and super slims

 

[Tanzu15]

Thats very interesting that gpu core speeds doesn't matter as much as Vram speeds. Never knew that. Also, you make a very good point about games only getting up to 30 fps. I've been living a lie the entire time thinking ps3 games run a 60 fps lmfaooo. I do pray for the day we eventually figure out how to OC the cpu because that will open up so many possibilities. At the very least, how to use cfw on newer slims and super slims

CPU overclock would do wonders paired up with the RSX overclocks. I'm here waiting patiently for some of these geniuses to crack the code on how to OC the cpu stable and safely.

 

[Succ]

Took Ketxx's advice and lowered my oc so I can use it 24/7. I lowered it to 700/900 but that didn't seem to be completely stable because while there was almost no artifacting, there was a pretty bad one that happened during testing where all the bushes turned white for a second so I lowered it even further to 700/850. Tested for about 30 mins and it seems to be completely fine. At least I know the ps3 is to be capable at maximum 750/900 for a shorter period of time. There could be some room with the vram but I'm not gonna try to see how far the vram goes. But I know the hard limit for my core rsx speed and that's below 800. Kinda hurt to see my ps3's oc go lower and lower lol

 

[Tanzu15]

Took Ketxx's advice and lowered my oc so I can use it 24/7. I lowered it to 700/900 but that didn't seem to be completely stable because while there was almost no artifacting, there was a pretty bad one that happened during testing where all the bushes turned white for a second so I lowered it even further to 700/850. Tested for about 30 mins and it seems to be completely fine. At least I know the ps3 is to be capable at maximum 750/900 for a shorter period of time. There could be some room with the vram but I'm not gonna try to see how far the vram goes. But I know the hard limit for my core rsx speed and that's below 800. Kinda hurt to see my ps3's oc go lower and lower lol

Wait what model PS3 do you have? And what's the manufacture date?

 

[Succ]

Wait what model PS3 do you have? And what's the manufacture date?

a franky cecha00 with a 40nm.

 

[Tanzu15]

a franky cecha00 with a 40nm.

Ok yeah. Those won't ever overclock high. The very process of putting a 40nm RSX on a fat is stressful to the chip. It losses overclockablity due to the heat and stress. But your OC at 700/850 is still very good regardless. That's more than you could ask for from a fat PS3.

 

[Mitsu™]

With some modding you could fit a 20xx heatsink in a 25xx PS3, from memory at a glance the only difference I noticed was that the VRMs in 25xx models are cooled by the top plate so you could either remove the VRM block from the 20xx heatsink or cut away the bit of the top plate the VRMs use. Probably better to remove the VRM block from the heatsink as even a 20xx heatsink will have it's work cut out for it cooling the RSX and CPU. Due to how much better the fin density is I wouldn't be surprised if temps fell by 5-6c. I actually have a few 20xx heatsinks I just haven't had the time to really look at a proper modification so I can fit one to my 2503 slim yet. I'll have to look at my 2103 I have, I think that has the same crappy heatsink the 2503 does but the top plate is a bit different so might be a better candidate for a 20xx heatsink addition.

I'm working on this too. If you figure how to adapt a 20XX heatsink on a 25XX, tell me.
The "25XX" revision is so $hitty...
Overall, the 25XX slim feel cheaper. I can't even imagine how the 30XX are...

So your stable OC is 800/950. That's still fantastic. And honestly that whole temperature thing needs more testing. I'd never let me consoles hit 70c. But crashing due to Temperature is interesting.

Yes, 800/950 is already more than I expected haha !
Crashing or freezing due to temps should be an important warning to be considered before claiming that an OC is stable (IMO).
As I said, 850 on core would have worked with a limit of 60°C (maybe 65°C), but if it's that heat-dependent, then I can't consider it safe.
70°C seems enough to verify this.

 

[kerkegor]

40nm Nvidia GPUs are perfectly fine up to 92C. Remember that the flaw that you guys describe was about the 90nm RSX which had the broken underfill that started to desintegrate over 70C.
Silicon can withstand high temperatures without any problems (if there isn't a design flaw). The Cell being a SOI design has a slightly lower up to number of 80C.
I know these numbers sound scary, but it's perfectly fine. My PS3 is 14 years old and will most likely survive another 14.

Overheating silicon is not a problem. Problem is BGA balls under the chip who can be damaged by overheating/cooling cycles .
Therefore, it is undesirable to allow overheating as this shortens the lifetime of hardware.

 

[Tanzu15]

I'm working on this too. If you figure how to adapt a 20XX heatsink on a 25XX, tell me.
The "25XX" revision is so $hitty...
Overall, the 25XX slim feel cheaper. I can't even imagine how the 30XX are...


Yes, 800/950 is already more than I expected haha !
Crashing or freezing due to temps should be an important warning to be considered before claiming that an OC is stable (IMO).
As I said, 850 on core would have worked with a limit of 60°C (maybe 65°C), but if it's that heat-dependent, then I can't consider it safe.
70°C seems enough to verify this.

Actually it's safe. Pc is the same way. The difference is pc can downclock on the fly. PS3 is not allowed to downclock. So it crashes. In GPUs on pc temperatures mean everything. For me keeping the temps all the time below 66c is easy. I use 45% fan speed and make sure PS3s are always clean. Mx4 and mx6 last years. So heat won't be an issue for many years. You have to remember, plenty PS3s are still running to this day and with a forced 45 or 50 fan speed they actually run really cool, and that's with the trash factory thermal crap they used. We are using high end pastes. And we make sure to put plenty. I pasted one of my main slims with mx4 4 years ago. The thing still has the exact Same temp readings as it day the day I pasted it. So keeping our PS3s cool is easy. Honestly pretend 75c is a death sentence, and keeping your PS3 at 66c or below is easy. But I do want to learn about better heat sink mods though. I'd love to drop the temps more. I'm too chicken shit to do delids.

 

[Ketxxx]

Have you tried right clicking and oppening as administrator? I had issues before until I did that and now zero issues.

@Tanzu15 yea, along with a few other things all my systems have like giving admin full control of files so they aren't "system managed\restricted". What I've looked at so far the problem appears to be specifically with MFW builder unless there is a dependency that isn't documented it relies on, eg; a specific version of C++ or Python needing to be installed but considering I have every C++, .NET framework, and a version of Python already installed due to other things I do I doubt I'm missing a dependency MFW Builder needs.

 

[Nate8893]

I was just wondering for cpu limited games since higher the resolution the more load you put towards the gpu , like gta 4 or midnight club can someone test to run theses kind of games in higher res yo see if rsx oc can really play a role or not ( you have to tick 1080i or 1080p and untick 720p res in display settings) i'm asking this since i'can't do that at the moment thanks

 

[Ketxxx]

I'm working on this too. If you figure how to adapt a 20XX heatsink on a 25XX, tell me.
The "25XX" revision is so $hitty...
Overall, the 25XX slim feel cheaper. I can't even imagine how the 30XX are...

It should be pretty straightforward I just have to have a proper look at things. AFAIK the 30xx slims use the same heatsink as the 21\25xx models do but its shrunk down for an 80mm fan... so yea... don't buy 30xx slims.

 

[cha0shacker]

Overheating silicon is not a problem. Problem is BGA balls under the chip who can be damaged by overheating/cooling cycles .
Therefore, it is undesirable to allow overheating as this shortens the lifetime of hardware.

Honestly I don't feel like to continue arguing on this. The thermal cycling issue was specific to a few models of the PS3 and isn't in the later models. There hasn't been a single documented case of micro-bump failure outside of these models and a PS3 still runs tons colder than your average notebook.
Y'all paranoid af.