Overclocking an R9 280X

[TheLunarHero]

I've been hearing many good things about overclocking and I know the general idea. Increase the core speed, run a benchmark to test for stability, etc. However I have a few questions, first of all I'm running an Asus R9 280x Direct CUII.

 

Which programs do you use for benchmarking and adjusting speeds and power? I currently use AMD Catalyst because it's so user friendly but I never know which benchmark software to use because while an OC might be stable in my benchmark, I boot up a game and crash.

 

When do you increase the max power %? I would just linearly increase it corresponding to the increase in core clock speed. Ex:) Clock speed +5%  Max power +5% However I feel this is way wrong. Please enlighten me on the correct way to do it.

 

How does memory overclocking work? This question is kind of broad because I don't really know ANYTHING about memory overclocking. Should it be done after I've achieved a stable OC on the core? before? I need your help on this one.

 

Thanks.

[-rascal-]

You use a program that will fully stress the graphics card. Something like a GPU heavy game (i.e. BF4), 3DMark, or something like Unigine Heaven.

 

If an overclock is benchmark stable, it may not be game stable. Synthetic benchmarks are what the name implies. You are not 110% guaranteed it is game stable. That is why you have to test is thoroughly -- especially after reaching your overclock goal / limit. But increase your overclock in small increments; 5MHz / 10 MHz / 15 MHz.

 

Increase the power and/or voltage is not linear. There will be a point where you need more power / voltage to reach a certain speed -- you need to get over a hump if you will. Beyond that, there will be a point where either:

• more voltage will no get you further or,
• temperature becomes a limiting factor or,
• the card isn't capable of being overclock further.

We can't tell you for sure what voltage / power limit to use, as it is completely different from card to card. Your ASUS Direct CUII 280X may need 1.25V for 1150MHz for the Core....while mine may need 1.30V for even just 1100MHz...or Bob here can run 1300MHz with stock voltage.

 

Overclocking memory is very similar. Increase it by 5-10 MHz and test. Just like overclocking the Core, you will reach a limit. Usually it is much easier to detect if the memory overclock is unstable (odd coloured squares all over the screen, computer crashes, odd lines, etc).

 

It's best to overclock on thing at a time -- not Core and Memory at the same time. If it becomes unstable, you won't know what caused it. Core unstable? Memory unstable? Not enough voltage? Other reasons?

It doesn't matter which on you start with, but best to find the limit for one, and thoroughly test it to make sure its stable. Bring it back to stock, and start working on the next. Once you've found the limit for each one individually, the Core and the Memory, THEN you combine the two together. What's next? Test, test, test. Make sure both are stable together.

[TheLunarHero]

You use a program that will fully stress the graphics card. Something like a GPU heavy game (i.e. BF4), 3DMark, or something like Unigine Heaven.

 

If an overclock is benchmark stable, it may not be game stable. Synthetic benchmarks are what the name implies. You are not 110% guaranteed it is game stable. That is why you have to test is thoroughly -- especially after reaching your overclock goal / limit. But increase your overclock in small increments; 5MHz / 10 MHz / 15 MHz.

 

Increase the power and/or voltage is not linear. There will be a point where you need more power / voltage to reach a certain speed -- you need to get over a hump if you will. Beyond that, there will be a point where either:

• more voltage will no get you further or,
• temperature becomes a limiting factor or,
• the card isn't capable of being overclock further.

We can't tell you for sure what voltage / power limit to use, as it is completely different from card to card. Your ASUS Direct CUII 280X may need 1.25V for 1150MHz for the Core....while mine may need 1.30V for even just 1100MHz...or Bob here can run 1300MHz with stock voltage.

 

Overclocking memory is very similar. Increase it by 5-10 MHz and test. Just like overclocking the Core, you will reach a limit. Usually it is much easier to detect if the memory overclock is unstable (odd coloured squares all over the screen, computer crashes, odd lines, etc).

 

It's best to overclock on thing at a time -- not Core and Memory at the same time. If it becomes unstable, you won't know what caused it. Core unstable? Memory unstable? Not enough voltage? Other reasons?

It doesn't matter which on you start with, but best to find the limit for one, and thoroughly test it to make sure its stable. Bring it back to stock, and start working on the next. Once you've found the limit for each one individually, the Core and the Memory, THEN you combine the two together. What's next? Test, test, test. Make sure both are stable together.

THANKS, this is exactly what I was looking for!