Need help in overclocking my GPU

[Zameer]

I have a GTX 970. I am trying to overclock my card using MSI afterburner and I have noticed that if I increase both the core clock speed and memory speed then I can get stable results at memory clock +150 and core clock at +200. However, if I don't increase my memory clock, then I can take my core clock even further and it is still stable.

My question is that does over clocking memory has a significant effect on gaming? If I push my core clock to the limit while keeping memory clock at default settings, will it give me better result tor should I increase both?

[Lord_Karango17]

Generally leaving the memory as it is, and going for the highest core clocks yield the best results, however a quick benchmark run like 3dmark firestrike will give you a definite answer.

[Zameer]

Generally leaving the memory as it is, and going for the highest core clocks yield the best results, however a quick benchmark run like 3dmark firestrike will give you a definite answer.

Thanks. I have pushed it to +300 and it is still going good. And I am getting a little worried about pushing my card a bit too far and damaging it.

[dougdangger]

3.5GB of gddr5 is plenty fast enough to feed the display even on stock speed.

GPU pedalling faster would give you better results.

[Zameer]

3.5GB of gddr5 is plenty fast enough to feed the display even on stock speed.

GPU pedalling faster would give you better results.

SO if I push my GPU too far, is there any real danger to it? It is already working stable at +300.

I am using my system in an Air Conditioned room and I usually like to keep the side cover of my case removed, so I guess heating should not be a big issue for me.

[dougdangger]

SO if I push my GPU too far, is there any real danger to it? It is already working stable at +300.

I am using my system in an Air Conditioned room and I usually like to keep the side cover of my case removed, so I guess heating should not be a big issue for me.

GPUs are fairly well protected.  They're designed to "crash" to protect itself from burning up.  Unless it's a radeon card, those are designed to burn.  J/K!

I wouldn't repeatedly do it tho.  Once it crashes, then you pretty much know that you've gone beyond its limit.

 

Artifacting is more serious.  They usually are an indication of hardware damage.  I wouldn't wait until you get artifacts.

[Zameer]

GPUs are fairly well protected.  They're designed to "crash" to protect itself from burning up.  Unless it's a radeon card, those are designed to burn.  J/K!

I wouldn't repeatedly do it tho.  Once it crashes, then you pretty much know that you've gone beyond its limit.

 

Artifacting is more serious.  They usually are an indication of hardware damage.  I wouldn't wait until you get artifacts.

Well my GPU was stable at +300 in Mortal Kombat X but in GTA 5 it crashed. It is stable at +200 in GTA 5 and I can even increase the memory clock to +150. So im keeping these settings.

Dont know why it crashed in GTA v when it was doing fine in Mortal Kombat.

BTW what are artifacts?

[dougdangger]

Well my GPU was stable at +300 in Mortal Kombat X but in GTA 5 it crashed. It is stable at +200 in GTA 5 and I can even increase the memory clock to +150. So im keeping these settings.

Dont know why it crashed in GTA v when it was doing fine in Mortal Kombat.

BTW what are artifacts?

Different games uses GPUs differently.  GTA5 is vram hog while I would say MKX isn't as much.  Side scrolling games aren't as demanding as ones that are rendered in 3D on an open world.

Crysis and Metro series are pretty good source of workout for a gpu.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b8DKEJeE2U

 

Artifacts can be caused by heat, not enough power given to the gpu, faulty drivers, bad memory on the gpu... etc.

[SkilledRebuilds]

Some games are more shader driven, some are pumped full of geometry with the core deals with, and then there are textures, located on the memory.

 

When overclocked, thats at LEAST 3 triggers to failure, but I wouldn't worry either..

 

Once it shows an error or artifact, you instantly stop what your doing and then back off the clock, tweak further or finalize your clocks to what they are.

Core clocking gives the most, once you find ITS max, work on memclocking.

Once you find both max's,.. test in all your games for stability as some games push the GPU harder in one area that other games not so much... this is why you test with your different games, never just the one game.

[Zameer]

Some games are more shader driven, some are pumped full of geometry with the core deals with, and then there are textures, located on the memory.

 

When overclocked, thats at LEAST 3 triggers to failure, but I wouldn't worry either..

 

Once it shows an error or artifact, you instantly stop what your doing and then back off the clock, tweak further or finalize your clocks to what they are.

Core clocking gives the most, once you find ITS max, work on memclocking.

Once you find both max's,.. test in all your games for stability as some games push the GPU harder in one area that other games not so much... this is why you test with your different games, never just the one game.

 

 

Different games uses GPUs differently.  GTA5 is vram hog while I would say MKX isn't as much.  Side scrolling games aren't as demanding as ones that are rendered in 3D on an open world.

Crysis and Metro series are pretty good source of workout for a gpu.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b8DKEJeE2U

 

Artifacts can be caused by heat, not enough power given to the gpu, faulty drivers, bad memory on the gpu... etc.

Thanks everyone. That explained a lot. And I think I have found my sweet spot of core clock at +200 and mem at +150.

Appreciate the help.