ASUS Strix 970 Overclocking and Over-Voltage?

[Achint2000]

I have a ASUS Strix 970...
PSU = Corsair GS 700
CPU = Core i5 2310k (2.9 GHz) OC @ 3.5 GHz

2nd GPU = ASUS GTX 650 Ti BOOST DC2-OC 2GB (As PhysX Card)

Yes I did go through some more threads before asking...
I've been using Nvidia Inspector for overclocking as for now.
For now, most stable clocks for me are:

Base Clock Offset = (+82 MHz)
Real Base Clock = (1360 MHz)

Memory Clock offset = (+350 MHz)
Real Memory Clock = (3856 MHz) (x2)

Power Target = (120%)
Temp target = (91 C)

Over Voltage = (+37.5 mV)
Real Voltage = (1212.5 mV)

I left Heaven Benchmark on Extreme preset all night and it was ok, temps not going above 70 C.
(My room was hot instead, lol)

I've seen people getting more out of their Strix 970s...
I've enabled OC Range enhancement in ASUS GPU Tweak.

Whenever I go above these base and memory clocks, screen goes black after a while randomly and I have to reset clocks and restart the driver. I thought I might need more voltage for higher clocks but didnt see any way to increase it.

Just today I noticed OC Range enhancement also lets me increase voltage from 1212.5 mV to 1265 mV ...

On benchmarking... : (http://i.imgur.com/FmxLjuN.png)

Here's a screenshot for GPU Tweak, Nvidia Inspector, GPU Meter and GPU Tweak Monitor...
(http://i.imgur.com/NaebN8A.png)

Temperature must not be a problem as Strix 970's fans are quite hardcore and they hardly go above 40% duty no matter what I do so far, where the temps reach maximum 70 C (in summers)
My room must be around 27 C as I have an AC, throwing air right at my open-case system.

Would it be fine if I push the clocks any further?
Any ideas how much voltage should I increase to get higher clocks?
...and it must not be somewhat near my card getting destroyed.

 

[KeelinTy]

To raise voltage more and increase power target, you will need a custom BIOS. I flashed a custom bios earlier today for my 980ti and now im stable at 1500mhz with 1.274v and a 142% power target. Before I would only be able to get 1420mhz at 1.2v and a 110% power target.
The only downside is now my gpu draws 500 watts peak.
Heres the link with the tutorial.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1523391/easy-nvflash-guide-with-pictures-for-gtx-970-980

Give me a while so I can make a custom bios for you. It should take me less than an hour to get it finished and uploaded for you to use.
Once it is finished I will upload it and add a link here for you to use

 

[KeelinTy]

Alright. Here are the bios files.

Strix Custom.rom is the custom bios that i made. It should have your boost clocks and overclock values set at the default speeds. I also raised the voltage up to 1.27v so there is plenty of room.
Just be careful. I raised the max power target to 200% so you can set the limit anywhere from 50-200% if you need the extra power.

The other .rom file is the stock bios in case something gets screwed up and you need to reflash the stock bios

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sxptg3qgf0abaoz/AAA6wXhbtEjspCxiV667wvnYa?dl=0

I am not responsible if you damage your graphics card.

 

[Achint2000]

Alright. Here are the bios files.

Just be careful. I raised the max power target to 200% so you can set the limit anywhere from 50-200% if you need the extra power.

I am not responsible if you damage your graphics card.

Before trying anything, I'd like to remind you that ASUS Strix has only one 8-pin PCI-E power connector while other models of GTX 970 have a 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-E Power connectors.

Can this anyhow limit that 200% power target?
I'm totally new to overclocking above limits... and I'll do it carefully.

 

[KeelinTy]

As long as you do not go to 200% power target. And actually, since you are new to overclocking, I would not do the bios as there is a good possibility that you will kill your card.

 

[Achint2000]

Okay I just finished flashing the BIOS. Rebooting, lets hope this works.

 

[Achint2000]

ok. Flashed the bios. Apparently, it worked somewhat fine. My new boost OC clocks are GPU: 1460 MHz and Memory: 3903 MHz.
Running Heaven at same extreme preset now gets me 76-78 FPS and it's smooth and stable.
Power target has the slider upto 199% now.

Just except voltage is still 1212.0 mV and Power Target (set to 150%) never goes above 115% while on full load.
After comparing my original and your modded BIOS, it gave an error saying there's a mismatch at some offset.
On flashing that BIOS, it did give an error which i couldn't screenshot. Is it possible that the voltages aren't changed?

 

[KeelinTy]

Ill check the voltages and adjust them

 

[KeelinTy]

Alright so I checked and changed the voltages. Go ahead and try flashing. Set the power limit to 140% and see if it needs more once you flash the new bios.

It is in the same dropbox folder

 

[Achint2000]

Ok after surfing places for bios modding,

I saw this guy having same card as mine (Strix 970) and getting 1712 MHz GPU Clock and 4000 MHz Memory Clock...
That guy's Valley Benchmark Screenshot: http://cdn.overclock.net/a/af/af41401b_00047.png [I get 59-60 FPS on that]
Can you check and tell if this bios is safe? http://www.overclock.net/attachments/27087


[Keep in mind I have Corsair GS 700 PSU, if it limits anything]

By the time I'll flash and check your new BIOS. Thanks.

 

[KeelinTy]

Alright that bios looks good. Mine is pretty much the same thing. Im not sure how much you will be able to push out of your card as each card overclocks differently

 

[Achint2000]

Usually the voltage still didn't go above 1212.5 mV but after setting it to 1265 mV from GPU Tweak (with OC Range enhancement), it now goes upto 1240 mV.
I still didn't flash the bios I mentioned from overclock.net and I'm using your bios right now. Let's see what else I can do.

 

[Achint2000]

I used this guide: http://www.overclock.net/t/1522651/disable-boost-and-bake-in-max-game-stable-clocks-for-maxwell
And modified my original bios according to it: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2pP7LOwpd5HVWkyd0I1elQwbUE (filename = overvolt.rom)

I increased the boost table to 1506.5 MHz and set all voltages to 1268.8 mV in the entire voltage table and also increased the power limit in power table.

New BIOS specs:
GPU Clock = 1506.6 MHz (all states)
Mem Clock = 3820 MHz (all states)
Voltage = 1268.8 mV (all states)
Temp target = 91 C (Fan good enough)
Power increased in table.

Keeping in mind that I have a Corsair GS700 PSU, will the voltages, clocks and power limits be fine with my PSU and GPU?

 

[KeelinTy]

Everything looks pretty good. Your psu can handle it as long as you only have one gpu. If you decide to get a second card then you will need lower the overclock