J.C'S PERSONAL WEBPAGE,Continued..

Overclocking The Voodoo3 2000/3000..

The Voodoo 3, produced by 3DFX Interactive Inc., is a great mid range 3D graphics accelerator. They are very compatible with all old games right up to the latest titles. The Voodoo 3 supports 3DFX Glide(duh), Open_gl and Direct 3D...that just about covers the graphic rendering field but the voodoo 3 is optimized for 3dfx's glide and runs it the best.

This Is My V3 3000. As you can see.. the heatsink and fan IS NOT OEM!!

Now..the V3 is a very warm running card because it tends to take the load off the CPU and generate the graphics on its own,unlike the ATI Rage 128 based 3D cards I have owned that need BIG processor power to generate good frame rates in games because they lean VERY heavily on the CPU to do the work for them. Lazy. To combat the heat that the V3 chip creates,manufacturer's usually equip the cards with heat sinks. They will either use clip on style or "glue" one on with thermal epoxy. I favour the clip on style sinks because they are easier to disassemble. The ones put on with thermal epoxy are a REAL pain to get off! To optimize heat transfer from the chip to the heatsink is the main idea behind modifying the stock heatsink configurations because overclocking makes the card run hotter,so you must cool it better.

Modifying The Heatsink To Processor Contact Area..
NOT RESPONSIBLE ANY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE GIVEN PROCEDURES BELOW.
Voodoo 3 3000 STOCK

To remove the stock heatsink from some of the Voodoo3 2000 model's who's heatsink has been stuck on with thermal epoxy,a small utility knife is needed,take the blade out of the knife and work it between the chip and the sink using pressure and a teeder todder like motion until you have separated the chip and heatsink. THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIME!!!! BE SURE to have the blade slanted UP towards the sink and NOT towards the chip. The clip in heat sinks can be removed by simply squeezing the clips in on the back of the card. A bic pen can be used too. Remove the ink tube from the pen and push it on the clips on the back of the card. This should compress the tabs enough to allow the pins to be pulled out There is a little strip of thermal tape that may be holding the heatsink from just, falling off, so a non-metalic instrument may be needed to wedge it off. I just gave mine a little twist but DO NOT use a lot of force if this dosn't work with a small amount of twisting. The V3 3000 heatsink is usually held on with the DREADED thermal tape,this stuff SUCKS, so scrape it off if you want to reuse the old heatsink.

IF YOUR HEAT SINK WAS GLUED ON: (2000 models)

1. Scrape remaining epoxy from heatsink and processor.
2. Clean both with menthol based solvent
3. Apply thin layer "thermal paste"(or thermal goop) to the 3dfx chip. Carefull not to get the goop in the two round indents ont the chip,this for superglue if you want to put a large Heatsink on it like I have or replace the OEM heatsink.
4. Place a drop of superglue in each indent on the chip.
5. Place heatsink SQUARELY on the chip and hold pressure until glue has set. (approx. 10 sec.)

IF YOUR HEATSINK IS CLIPPED ON: (3000 models)

1. Scrape remaining thermal tape from heatsink
2. Clean both with menthol based solvent
3. Apply thin layer "thermal paste"(or thermal goop) to the 3dfx chip.
4. Replace original heatsink.
5. After heatsink is secure wiggle the sink around a little to ensure good thermal goop placement and coverage.

I HIGHLY recomend placing fans on these heatsinks...In fact to me, IT IS MANDITORY!

You Can Get All Your Voodoo Drivers Here along with The 3dfx's Overclocker . WORKS GOOD!
NOTE:If you choose to use the X3DFX BETA Driver,You MUST install them AFTER you install the OFFICIAL 3dfx drivers because it does NOT contain 3dfx tools.

The tweaker from Voodoo-Now! is a good one too. I find the new V3 drivers mentioned above have much the same options as this tweaker. Try it if you like..

Voodoo 3 Tweaker 2.7

If you have the 2000 model it runs stock at 143mhz. You may be able to get it to be stable at up to 165+ mhz. The 3000 model which is 166mhz stock may clock to 190+ mhz.Remember to boost your card up in small incraments,and then run your most intence 3D games to see if it doesn't lock up or display visual artifacts or lines.
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

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