Question about power limit when overclocking.

[BlueBerrial]

Hi,

I recently got an msi gtx 970 and it overclocks like a beast. Here's my results using MSI afterburner,

 

Voltage + 0

Power limiter 100

Core clock + 225 ( resulted in 1553 MHz  )

Memory clock + 300 - 450 (multiple tests, resulted in 1800 MHz - 1950 MHz)

 

Also, i used Unigine Heaven 4.0 as a stability test /  benchmark.

 

 

Anyways, my question is: should increasing the power limiter allow you to reach higher core clock speeds? And if so, how much higher on average should you be able to increase the core clock speeds?

 

The reason I ask is because I increased the power limiter to 110 and was only able to go up another 15 MHz before I started to see artifacting (total of  +240 on the core)... is this normal?

 

 

 

[TheMcSame]

Power limiter doesn't really do much in terms of allowing you to OC any better. If you want higher overclocks then put the voltage up, you can put it up all the way as the cards have a voltage lock (like 1.256V (for the reference board)) basically making it impossible to put too much voltage through it unless you use a custom bios (with the  voltage limiter removed).

[pdv789]

Hi,

I recently got an msi gtx 970 and it overclocks like a beast. Here's my results using MSI afterburner,

 

Voltage + 0

Power limiter 100

Core clock + 225 ( resulted in 1553 MHz  )

Memory clock + 300 - 450 (multiple tests, resulted in 1800 MHz - 1950 MHz)

 

Also, i used Unigine Heaven 4.0 as a stability test /  benchmark.

 

 

Anyways, my question is: should increasing the power limiter allow you to reach higher core clock speeds? And if so, how much higher on average should you be able to increase the core clock speeds?

 

The reason I ask is because I increased the power limiter to 110 and was only able to go up another 15 MHz before I started to see artifacting (total of  +240 on the core)... is this normal?

From my experience with overclocking my Gigabyte 970 when I crank up the power limiter I see my core speed increase longer because it gives the gpu more thermal room to play with before it has to throttle back down. I have my power limiter and target temp linked and maxed to allow the card to boost to it's maximum. Be careful adding voltage, watch your core speed change as you add voltage; it will change when you add an increment of volts. I was really confused at first when my card started to oc a little just adding more volts. I actually can't go above +200 core at best with valley when I slide the volts slider all the way. But it gives me a core of 1582, limited by the bios at that point. Thinking of using a custom bios and overclocking more, not until it's under water though.