Can Underclocking and Overclocking ruin your GPU?

[FatheredPuma81]

I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?

 

[junkeymonkey]

I guess, that's why theres a disclaimer that states overclocking is at your own risk..- right??

 

[FatheredPuma81]

I guess, that's why theres a disclaimer that states overclocking is at your own risk..- right??

That... makes. no sense...
Did I mess something up in my post or something or are you just here for 0 reason? I asked "Can underclocking then overclocking multiple times to see fps difference ruin your GPU?" (I shortened it a lot for the sake of time this time).

So no one knows if it does?

Also I found the answer after rewording the way I wrote it into google. http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1493641

 

[06yfz450ridr]

underclocking would not hurt your gpu since you would be putting less stress on it, overclock will over time depending on how hard you push it and how much voltage as well as your temps

 

[junkeymonkey]

That... makes. no sense-- ok I see you dont get it .... but hay, all you can do is what you feel is best and hope it don't goof along the way .. all it can take is that one bad try and your done that's why its ''at own risk'' you asked I told the rest is on you from there

 

[FatheredPuma81]

That... makes. no sense-- ok I see you dont get it .... but hay, all you can do is what you feel is best and hope it don't goof along the way .. all it can take is that one bad try and your done that's why its ''at own risk'' you asked I told the rest is on you from there

So if I use MSI afterburners profile changer from underclock (under stock clocks) to overclock (over stock clocks) theres a chance that even though it's been stable for a few weeks now just from changing it back to oveclock it can destroy my GPU? I guess i'll just leave it on overclock forever then.

 

[junkeymonkey]

well yes it could like the straw that broke the camels back .. the added stress could cause something to give with in 1 sec or one week or one year.. this is why its at your risk over what the card was built and shipped to you .. aand this is with any computer part lets face it its only guaranteed to work as sold and set up to you out of the box from the factory this is why the disclaimer is there for oc'ing

all you can do is what you want and hope for the best and if it fails and bricks the card then you learned what not to do next time that's life in oc'ing

 

[06yfz450ridr]

That... makes. no sense-- ok I see you dont get it .... but hay, all you can do is what you feel is best and hope it don't goof along the way .. all it can take is that one bad try and your done that's why its ''at own risk'' you asked I told the rest is on you from there

So if I use MSI afterburners profile changer from underclock (under stock clocks) to overclock (over stock clocks) theres a chance that even though it's been stable for a few weeks now just from changing it back to oveclock it can destroy my GPU? I guess i'll just leave it on overclock forever then.

by the time your card dies from a slight to moderate overclock it will be outdated anyways and most likely can be rmad anyways if it is still under wrranty. if you are pushing it really hard its a guessing game.

 

[FatheredPuma81]

well yes it could like the straw that broke the camels back .. the added stress could cause something to give with in 1 sec or one week or one year.. this is why its at your risk over what the card was built and shipped to you .. aand this is with any computer part lets face it its only guaranteed to work as sold and set up to you out of the box from the factory this is why the disclaimer is there for oc'ing

all you can do is what you want and hope for the best and if it fails and bricks the card then you learned what not to do next time that's life in oc'ing

I'm going to leave this open just incase anyone else wants to say something because the things you're saying sound weird ish. Until then at least I think i'll leave my card overclocked and not change to my underclocked settings unless Isee artifacts.

 

[06yfz450ridr]

well yes it could like the straw that broke the camels back .. the added stress could cause something to give with in 1 sec or one week or one year.. this is why its at your risk over what the card was built and shipped to you .. aand this is with any computer part lets face it its only guaranteed to work as sold and set up to you out of the box from the factory this is why the disclaimer is there for oc'ing

all you can do is what you want and hope for the best and if it fails and bricks the card then you learned what not to do next time that's life in oc'ing

I'm going to leave this open just incase anyone else wants to say something because the things you're saying sound weird ish. Until then at least I think i'll leave my card overclocked and not change to my underclocked settings unless Isee artifacts.

use occt to test overclocks for errors

 

[junkeymonkey]

whats weird??? any time you tamper with something out side it factory set warranted specs you put it at risk I mean whats so hard to understand ??

any over/under clock is all your risk if it works well good for you if it don't or causes damage well to bad so sad better luck next time unless your just that daff

all I now can say is good luck -- sounds like you will need it

 

[mosti]

Overclocking WILL lower your GPU's life. How much is not certain but it wont go boom within a year thats for sure and by the time it does, you will be looking for an upgrade. The only thing that is going to ruin your card is an unstable, uneducated clock that pushes your card past its limit. I think this is what junkeymonkey is referring to.

If you are under clocking and then overclocking (to your max STABLE limit), this is not going to affect your card any differently to leaving it overclocked.

 

[Icaraeus]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

 

[FatheredPuma81]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

Your point is... you're not even trying to answer my question. :|... please reread the question you seem to have just read "overclocking, ruin, and gpu" and assumed something.

 

[mosti]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

Your point is... you're not even trying to answer my question. :|... please reread the question you seem to have just read "overclocking, ruin, and gpu" and assumed something.

Your question...

"I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?"


Uh, please explain how he has not answered your question?

 

[FatheredPuma81]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

Your point is... you're not even trying to answer my question. :|... please reread the question you seem to have just read "overclocking, ruin, and gpu" and assumed something.

Your question...

"I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?"


Uh, please explain how he has not answered your question?

His answer "When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine."

Please explain how he answers if changing ur clock speeds often can harm the GPU even if turning it down. You can't because you are wrong.

 

[mosti]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

Your point is... you're not even trying to answer my question. :|... please reread the question you seem to have just read "overclocking, ruin, and gpu" and assumed something.

Your question...

"I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?"


Uh, please explain how he has not answered your question?

His answer "When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine."

Please explain how he answers if changing ur clock speeds often can harm the GPU even if turning it down. You can't because you are wrong.

And he has answered that by saying as long as you stay within safe voltage and temp limits, it's fine? I've also given you the same answer aswell as others. Would you feel better if you get a few more? lol.

 

[FatheredPuma81]

When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine.

Your point is... you're not even trying to answer my question. :|... please reread the question you seem to have just read "overclocking, ruin, and gpu" and assumed something.

Your question...

"I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?"


Uh, please explain how he has not answered your question?

His answer "When overclocking, as long as the temperatures are reasonable (~80 degrees or less) and the voltage is within safe limits set by the manufacturer then you can't do any real damage to the chip unless it was already faulty. If however, you go to the extreme and let your GPU run very hot and overvolted by BIOS hacking or whatever then whatever happens to the chip is your fault alone. They have a disclaimer warning about overclocking as it can be dangerous but if you safely do it then most likely, not guaranteed, it'll be fine."

Please explain how he answers if changing ur clock speeds often can harm the GPU even if turning it down. You can't because you are wrong.

And he has answered that by saying as long as you stay within safe voltage and temp limits, it's fine? I've also given you the same answer aswell as others. Would you feel better if you get a few more? lol.

He should have said instead "No it cannot harm your GPU." Plane and simple. Overclocking has nothing to do with this.

Should I redo my question? "Can changing from STOCK clocks to underclocked speeds hurt your GPU if u do it multiple times?"

There does it make sense now? I removed the words overclock and ruin so u can understand the question.

 

[Icaraeus]

No it shouldn't hurt the GPU as you're simply switching between lessening the load on it and putting it back at factory-set settings.

 

[Ricardo Waitos]

Underclocking will not hurt.... Overclocking outside normal parameters may over time. Stay inside recommended parameters when overclocking and you will be perfectly fine.


What are you overclocking/underclocking?

 

[4Ryan6]

I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?

The underclock at 275/200 is a zero problem, the overclock at 715/520, as long as it's a stable overclock and you're not experiencing any crashes should be OK.

However I personally would activate the overclock before opening the game instead of mid game, just for gaming convenience, but I don't see it would hurt the GPU to do that.

I am curious as to why you want to underclock the card, save electricity maybe? as it is going to run a lower clock until the higher clock is needed automatically anyway?

But if all you really want to know is, "Can this harm my GPU?"

Probably not, but there are no definite guarantees anytime overclocking enters the picture, whether it is a GPU or CPU, Understand?

 

[FatheredPuma81]

I wanted to do some tests etc to see what my GPU would do at the lowest possible clock MSI afterburner would allow and I wanted to change it around mid game or in parts that are stressful to an overclock (that is stable I have tested it) that is the max on msi afterburner.
This is a clock from 275 (core) and 200 (mem) to 715 (core) and 520 (mem).

Can this harm my GPU?

The underclock at 275/200 is a zero problem, the overclock at 715/520, as long as it's a stable overclock and you're not experiencing any crashes should be OK.

However I personally would activate the overclock before opening the game instead of mid game, just for gaming convenience, but I don't see it would hurt the GPU to do that.

I am curious as to why you want to underclock the card, save electricity maybe? as it is going to run a lower clock until the higher clock is needed automatically anyway?

But if all you really want to know is, "Can this harm my GPU?"

Probably not, but there are no definite guarantees anytime overclocking enters the picture, whether it is a GPU or CPU, Understand?

It's the same answer for why I test my games with the lowest clock speed CCC can put it to and why I test games on 1 core on my quad core. That answer is because "why not?" I mean you can then why don't you do it? If i got my hands on a 980 i'd also test it on lowest clocks. it's for fun and a great time waster.

 

[FatheredPuma81]

I did see some folks doing live OC while playing a game or while a benchmark is running using MSi afterburner and EVGA precision.

The 275, 200 are alright whilst the 500 and 700+ are GPU suicidal unless if you stay at good temp's.

Usually with MSi Afterburner I set the Power limit to 100% max for me, then temperature at 79 degrees celsius then do a trial and error to find the max over clock + stable one whilst still having the power limit up to only 100% and temps at 79 or lower. Any more and its beyond comfort zone for me. Unless if I can fart out new graphics cards or any components if they broke from overclocking...

That makes no sense... How is 275 and 200 alright (meaning it isn't great or anything) while the 500 and 700+ is suicidal... if 275 200 is ok then yell at the manufactorur because they put my GPU at 550, 400 default. Using the scale that would be bad.

Also if thats true then whats ur 970 running at?
800 core add 5000 mem?
Well using an imaginary scale if mine is alright that would mean you are most likely doing lower then that so it can be "good"
If you're at that point in worrying about temps you should water cool it.