Graphics Overclocking: Getting The Most From Your GPU

Graphics Chips And Our Test Setup

MSI’s GeForce GTX 260 Lightning is factory-overclocked, employing faster clock speeds for both the GPU and the shaders. While Nvidia’s reference design calls for 576 MHz (GPU) and 1242 MHz (shaders), this card runs at a combination of 655/1404 MHz. At 1792 MB, it also offers twice the memory of standard GTX 260 cards. Since the card’s factory-overclocked settings are saved in its BIOS, they were used as “standard” settings during testing. Any overclocking achieved here is thus a further improvement over the already elevated clock speeds.

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Product NameChipGPU FrequencyMemory SizeMemory TypeMemory Frequency
MSI N260GTX LightningGTX 260655 MHz1792 MBGDDR32 x 999 MHz
MSI R4870-MD1GHD 4870750 MHz1024 MBGDDR54 x 900 MHz

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Nvidia and ATI Graphics Cards
CPUIntel Core i7-920 @ 3.8 GHz (20x190), BIOS 1.2625 Volt, 45 nm, Socket 1366 LGA
MotherboardAsus P6T, PCIe 2.0, ICH10R, 3-Way SLI
ChipsetIntel X58
MemoryCorsair, 3 x 2 GB DDR3, TR3X6G1600C8D, 2x570 MHz 8-8-8-20
AudioRealtek ALC1200
LANRealtek RTL8111C
HDDsSATA, Western Digital, Raptor WD300HLFS, WD5000AAKS
DVDGigabyte GO-D1600C
Power SupplyCooler Master RS-850-EMBA 850 Watts
Drivers & Configuration
Graphics DriversMSI Driver 182.06, Nvidia GeForce 186.18, MSI Driver 8.542, ATI Catalyst 9.6
Operating SystemWindows Vista Ultimate 32 Bit, SP1
DirectX9, 10 and 10.1
Platform DriverIntel 9.1.0.1007

Power consumption is measured in Watts at the wall socket and reflects the entire system (without the monitor).