Uncertainties While Overclocking Nvidia GTX 960

[StefanoLambelet]

I'm having some uncertainties about the stability and longevity of my card if i overclock. Since this is the first card i ever overclocked, i will explain my procedure:

 

I started by downloading Unigine Heaven, Valley, and Furmark, then i proceeded to benchmark the GPU on stock clocks. Added +80 to core clock and benchmarked again while looking for artifacts. I kept on adding +20 until i reached +160 and noticed artifacts, so i went down by -10, and to be extra safe i removed an extra -5 for a safer core clock of +145 (1524 mhz in game). Did the same for the memory clock until i reached +105 (3610 mhz in game). Now i ran a few games: Fallout 4, GTA 5 , Farcry 4, and Crysis 3, and noticed no artifacts or crashing.

 

Now my questions are: 

1. Was the procedure i used correct and if not what should i change?
2. What kind of overclock were you able to get if you have a GTX 960?
3. Will overclocking my card reduce its longevity?
4. What else should i look for in games other than artifacts and/or crashing?
5. Is overclocking worth it for only a few frames more?
6. Will the card be completely fine if i return to stock clock speeds?

Overclocking software: MSI Afterburner

 

Stock Core Clock In Game: 1380 mhz

Stock Memory Clock In Game: 3506 mhz

 

OC Core Clock In Game: 1524 mhz

OC Memory Clock In Game: 3610 mhz

 

I'm sorry if any of the questions are noobish but i am very new to overclocking and i just want to be sure that i didn't mess anything up. Thanks In advance for responding.

[Benji_w]

 

Now my questions are: 

1. Was the procedure i used correct and if not what should i change?
2. What kind of overclock were you able to get if you have a GTX 960?
3. Will overclocking my card reduce its longevity?
4. What else should i look for in games other than artifacts and/or crashing?
5. Is overclocking worth it for only a few frames more?
6. Will the card be completely fine if i return to stock clock speeds?

 

1. Yes it was correct.
2. Don't own one.
3. Yes but you probably won't notice.
4. Artifacts and crashing is the only real sign of an unstable overclock.
5. Yes but i'm biased, I love getting my moneys worth.
6. Yes it won't know any different.