http://www.overclock.net/t/1265110/the-gtx-670-overclocking-master-guide
When you get a chance, take a look at the guide above! However, that said, I would recommend first having a stable system ie cpu and memory overclocked stable. Meaning, you know that isn't going to be a variable causing a crash as you've tested it out for hours, sometimes days on end and you are 100% sure it's rock solid.
Then, push your gpu as far as it will handle in SMALL increments. You should stop when you either hang, see artifacts, or the system shuts down. The goal is to find your gpu's highest overclock that doesn't cause any of the above issues at a heat level you find tolerable. I recommend with your card to keep it closer to 70c or cooler. Some push it to 80c but the higher the more dangerous in terms of cooking your gpu. You seem to know some of what you are asking about but I think the way you present it makes it sound scary that you will do something damaging. I'm hoping you know better than you are presenting but that said I want to help be as clear as possible as to what can help you push your components the furthest together as a whole in ways that won't destroy anything. So, I'd create another thread on your setup and pushing your memory or just find similar threads already out there. Get your system stable at top notch oc's then push your gpu. Even then you may have to scale back a variable or two here and there to get it all right but you'll be running mad the way you're going about it unless you just really luck out and even then you may not be getting truly optimal results which it sounds like you are pursuing. Nonetheless, best of luck! Hope the guide helps you go further but keep the concepts I'm sharing in mind! As my UCLA Neuroscience professor once said, "Get the concept clear and the details will fall into place!" Have fun!
Thanks,
Justin S.
btw I know the guide is for a 670 but the concepts are applicable to your gpu. Just be methodical and you'll get the most out of it! Again, have fun!