EVGA 980 SC Overclocking Help

[Seismic-Riley]

So I've had my 980 for about a year now and I would like to overclock it. I'm very new to OCing so I'm not entirely sure what to do. I watched a couple videos, so I get the whole concept and stuff. Here's a screenshot of EVGA Precision X, with my current settings (Which are default). What should I cranked up? I would like something that gives a nice boost but will be stable. 

[Nacho Marco Segui]

Power target at max and put +100 on the core.If it passes the benchmark,add 50 mhz,and so on.If you crash,dial it back a bit(10-15 mhz) and see if it passes.

[runit3]

So I've had my 980 for about a year now and I would like to overclock it. I'm very new to OCing so I'm not entirely sure what to do. I watched a couple videos, so I get the whole concept and stuff. Here's a screenshot of EVGA Precision X, with my current settings (Which are default). What should I cranked up? I would like something that gives a nice boost but will be stable. 

[Seismic-Riley]

Power target at max and put +100 on the core.If it passes the benchmark,add 50 mhz,and so on.If you crash,dial it back a bit(10-15 mhz) and see if it passes.

What about memory clock and the voltage?

[Nacho Marco Segui]

What about memory clock and the voltage?

You can apply voltage after a benchmark crash.Put 10mv and see if it passes the benchmark.For memory start from +250 and +50 if the oc passed the benchmark.Keep incrementing until you crash

[Seismic-Riley]

You can apply voltage after a benchmark crash.Put 10mv and see if it passes the benchmark.For memory start from +250 and +50 if the oc passed the benchmark.Keep incrementing until you crash

Okay, so if it passes add 50 MHz on GPU clock, and add 50 MHz to the memory clock. If it fails, add 10 mV or dial back 15 MHz or so on the GPU clock. That sound about right?

[Nacho Marco Segui]

Okay, so if it passes add 50 MHz on GPU clock, and add 50 MHz to the memory clock. If it fails, add 10 mV or dial back 15 MHz or so on the GPU clock. That sound about right?

First try to reach your max core clock,and then do the memory alone

[Seismic-Riley]

First try to reach your max core clock,and then do the memory alone

 

Ran a few benchmarks and this seems to be stable.

[Nacho Marco Segui]

Ran a few benchmarks and this seems to be stable.

What is the final boost clock?

[Seismic-Riley]

What is the final boost clock?

I changed some things around, is this a safe voltage?

[Coffinspired]

Watching your GPU-Z sensors after benches would be more telling.

 

But yes, that's well within safe voltage, without BIOS flashing, you're always pretty safe with software overvolting - though as a beginner, still always small steps...how are your temps.?

 

Honestly, I'm surprised you'd need to apply voltage at all to hit those speeds.  I'm right with ya @ 1520ish core/8200 mem on stock voltage.  Usually (in my experience with three different 900 series cards), overvoltage often allows *slightly* more stability while *slightly* limiting boost.

 

Watch temps and what your PerfCap is in GPU-Z...you may think you're maxing performance by gaining stability with the displayed boost clock, while in reality, you're inserting another artificial ceiling to limit boost.  You can boost beyond the shown one on GPU-Z's window there. 

 

Watch your sensors, that will show you what you're hitting and why.  Nice OC speeds BTW.