Understanding the basics of GPU Overclocking

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Baygamer415

Baygamer415

Honorable
May 4, 2013
117
0
10,680
Hi all

I am a new overclocker. I've been reading up a lot and hear lots of different things, so I thought I'd open this thread for some advise/input.
Running a MSI 7950 (840/1250 stock), 3570k,asrock z77e-itx, cx600 corsair psu, 8gb vengence

1. When overclocking (using msi afterburner) is there a specific ratio that core clock and memory clock should be increased by together? So if I increase one should i increase the other by same amount?

2. After reading sombody's tutorial when overclocking their gtx670, he first started out at increasing the powewr limit to +20. Is increasing the TPD always necessary and could incorrectly increasing power limit ruin my GPU?

3. Lastly, how will i know if my OC is stable? I run Furry and tess on Kombuster @ 1140/1350 @ +20 and saw a great increase, which I'm thinking will be my stable OC?

Thanks guys
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
M

mo

Distinguished
Apr 7, 2004
339
0
18,810


1. For GPUs you don't need to maintain a ratio between core and mem clocks. Its best practice to increase them in small amounts and stress test each time for revealing instabilities (or lack thereof).

2. You will not always need to increase the power setting on your card. Although different chips are different and yours might or might not be stable without enough power (I have a 7970 that is currently at 1175/1575 @ +0 power setting). You can only know this by trying out yourself. As long as you are within the specifications of your card, and as long as you keep an eye on your temps (since different cases and different ambient conditions will affect you differently) you should be fine.

3. You will know your OC is stable after stress testing it for some time and if there are no crashes, artifacts etc, you know your OC is stable. Note that sometimes you may not notice artifacts/crashes in a short stress test but might notice them after longer use. Keep this in mind.

Good Luck.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

mo

Distinguished
Apr 7, 2004
339
0
18,810


It should be enough. Regardless, dont worry too much. If it is unstable and you fail to catch it during kombuster for whatever reason, you will find out when you play games anyway.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cookybiscuit

cookybiscuit

Honorable
Aug 31, 2012
3,406
0
13,460
I personally wouldn't use Kombustor, there are driver profiles that stop the card working too hard, people were having issues a while ago of their cards blowing up because of it. Kombustor is good to get a rough idea but complement it with demanding games and other benchmarking software, you will find that just because its stable in one program it will not be in everything.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom