OC Graphics cards safe?

[Maisa]

I've looking for a new graphics card to buy now and i realise that some of the graphics cards are factory overclocked, but the thing i wonder is if it has higher clock speeds, is it just that? like is it going to malfunction quicker or something? im really a noob in this stuff so yeah... i mean does it have the same durability as the normal ones?

[Semper]

Generally speaking, you shouldn't expect any shorter lifespan than a reference card. In many situations, AIB (non reference cards) clock higher at base clocks, but ultimately run slightly cooler because of the over-built cooling solution. The 30xx series are a bit different in that regard as the reference cooler is quite robust, but that's the exception to the rule. Do your due diligence and seek reviews of the card you're looking at (from someone like Gamers Nexus, if available) specifically. Some non reference coolers are genuinely terrible, every AIB partner has had bad designs in recent history.

That said, however, for the most part, you're looking at low single digit percentage differences between "factory overclocked" and reference cards.

[A1200]

I think there is little exception to any non-founders card being slightly overclocked but when you look at most of them, it is slightly at that - sometimes is so little its embarrassing they even put OC on the box. You will be fine, GPUs have a good track record of reliability (mine came with a 4 year warranty). You can still further overclock an already OC'd card - the overclocking from the add-in manufacturers is a "safe" level for a wide level of use cases and environments. You can also clock down with the tweaking software to stock speeds or even lower.

[Maisa]

thank u