If you are an avid gamer or someone who has just started out gaming, you probably have heard about overclocking GPUs. If you are new to this and wondering if I should actually overclock my GPU, you will certainly have a lot to take from this post. To begin with, it is a bit subjective and it depends on the game you are playing and the make and model of your GPU.
What We’ll Take You Through –
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- The positive and negative aspects of GPU overclocking.
- How to safely overclock your GPU while keeping safety checks in place.
- Tools that can help you overclock GPU as well as benchmark GPU to ascertain its stability before and after overclocking.
- How much should you overclock your GPU?
- Some additional tips for overclocking GPU safely.
Positive and Negative Aspects of GPU Overclocking
To find out if it is safe to overclock a GPU let’s weigh the positive and negative aspects of GPU overclocking –
Positive Aspects |
Negative Aspects |
| ● High Frame Rates – When you safely overclock GPU you can achieve higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.
● Better Graphics – You can achieve better graphics. ● No Need for New GPU – Needn’t purchase a new GPU since overclocking is cost-effective to enhance its performance. ● Better Knowledge of Hardware – Awareness about hardware and performance optimization increases. ● Mitigate Bottlenecks – Overclocking GPU helps mitigate performance bottlenecks in specific scenarios. |
● System Crashes – If not done correctly, overclocking GPU can lead to system crashes, freezes, and other issues. To avoid that overclock in small increments using checks we have mentioned below.
● Overheating – Overheating is a common issue with overclocking especially if it is done beyond limits. It is advisable to keep cooling solutions to avoid that. ● May Void Warranty – Overclocking can void your GPU’s warranty. So, it is better to read the terms and conditions beforehand. ● Permanent damage – Permanent damage to GPU is also a risk that can be avoided if you follow the guidelines and benchmark GPU to test its stability before and after overclocking. |
Writers Tip – Here’s How You Can Enjoy Distraction-Free Gaming
If you wish to enjoy a distraction-free and faster gaming experience, you can install a tool like Advanced System Optimizer. It’s a powerful Windows optimization tool that packs some great features and a dedicated game optimizer is one of them.
Here’s how this Windows optimization utility can help you play games in a disturbance-free environment and facilitate fast gaming –
Step 1 – Download, install and run Advanced System Optimizer
Step 2 – Click on PC Optimizers from the left and then Game Optimizer from the right.
Step 3 – You can select the location on your hard drive where your game is and open it. After that you can map keys and enjoy a smooth gaming experience as Advanced System Optimizer provides maximum memory allocation to enhance game speed.
Steps To Overclock GPU Safely With Safety Checks
Step 1 – Check The Specifications of Your GPU
Much before you delve into how to overclock your GPU, it is important that you know the specifications of your Graphics Processing Unit and what is the maximum limit to which you can safely overclock your GPU. You can find all this information in your GPU manual or on your GPU manufacturer’s website.
Step 2 – Install A Benchmarking Tool
In simple terms, this third-party application can help test the performance of your GPU before and after overclocking to further find out if the overclock is stable and if it is actually improving the GPU performance. Here is a list of some of the best GPU benchmarking software for Windows. Some of the top names are FurMark, 3DMark, Geekbench 5.
Step 3 – Use GPU Overclocking Software
After you have benchmarked the test performance of your GPU, you will need GPU overclocking software for the main task which is overclocking your GPU to enhance its performance. These include the likes of MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA Inspector, EVGA Precision X, and many others as shown in this post.
It is important to note –
There are many graphics cards that already come with inbuilt utility with which you can fine-tune aspects such as core clock speed, memory clock speed, fan speed, and voltage. In this case, you might not need third-party GPU overclocking software. Some of the popular brands include MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision X1, ASUS’s ROG Strix, and PowerColor Red Devil, just to name a few.
Step 4 – Go Slow and Steady
When overclocking your GPU using software like MSI Afterburner it is important that you go slowly while making small increments. This move will ensure that you don’t damage your GPU by going overboard. On the safer side, you can increase the clock speed by 50 MHz at a time.
Step 5 – Keep a Check on Your GPU
After each increment, run a benchmarking test for your GPU. This will help you find out if it is stable or not. If you find that your GPU is not stable you can reduce the clock speed by 25 MHz.
Step 6 – Stop Overclocking Once You Have Seen Performance Improvement
Once you are satisfied with the performance improvement you can stop overclocking. However, it is advisable that you continue to test your GPU to ensure that it is running in a stable condition.
How Much Should I Overclock My GPU?
The above steps will help you overclock GPU safely and serve as a safety net. However, there are certain signs that you should stop overclocking immediately since it may be an indication that you are overclocking way too aggressively-
- If you start to see system crashes or weird graphical glitches.
- Recurring BSOD or Blue Screen of Death.
- If your GPU has started to perform worse than its original settings.
- In case you notice a burning smell or smoke or any other physical changes in your GPU, immediately cease overclocking and turn off your system.
- Temperature spikes over 90°C
Some Additional Tips For Overclocking GPU Safely
- Much before you overclock your GPU, it is advisable that you first back up your data so that if anything goes wrong, you can restore data to a previous state.
- A good quality power supply is crucial as it gives enough power so that your GPU can overclock safely.
- Another piece of hardware you should invest in is a decent graphics card cooler or a case with good airflow.
- Patience is the key! You may not get it right the first time but with a few hits and trials, you’ll certainly find a setting that works for your game.
Game On! – Overclock GPU But Don’t Overdo It
We aren’t saying that you shouldn’t explore the countless possibilities that overclocking GPU offers but it is even more important that you do it with caution. If you found value in this post, do give us a shoutout and share this post, especially with someone who has just started out with gaming.
If you want more posts on how you can benchmark your GPU or use an overclocking tool or have any more such queries, feel free to shoot them in the comments below. For more such content, troubleshooting guides, app and software suggestions and reviews, and much more, keep reading WeTheGeek. You can also reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Flipboard.
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