Question(s) about Precision X

[MadHatter5045]

First, to get it out of the way, Please do not reply with "Switch to Afterburner."  I don't feel that helps anything.  Thank you.

 

Ok, so I'm completely new at overclocking GPUs.  What I've done is raised the core clock on my 780 Ti until I had problems with artifacts/crashing and then backed the core clock back off.  This netted me an offset of +181 for a working clock of 1200mhz.  I stopped seeing artifacts in Valley at +205 (1224mhz), but FarCry3 was crashing.  To my brain that said "needs more voltage."  I understand that this crosses a line, but Precision X has the tool right there, only when I make adjustments to the voltage it doesn't do anything and just stays at stock (1175mv).  I'm cooled with water so temps are not any of issue here, it never exceeds 51C.

 

Is the overvoltage tool on Precision X just for looks?

Why did I have to keep backing down from 1224mhz to 1200mhz after the artifacting stopped?

Am I even overclocking right?

 

More questions may arise as answers come.  Thanks in advance.