GPU overclocking: MSI GTX 970

[Firehawk911]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127833&cm_re=gtx_970-_-14-127-833-_-Product

This is the graphics card I own and I was wondering a few things about overclocking. I was wondering what temperature my card can safely reach, how much should I overclock it to, and any other helpful overclocking advice I can get. I use MSI afterburner and I have I think 6 fans in my case, most of them are cougar brand fans and I think I might have 1 or 2 more that were build in still in there, I dont know if that helps but I thought I should add as much as possible. I dont remember what fans they are exactly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322047&cm_re=sentey-_-11-322-047-_-Product

That is my case, I think it is well ventilated but I am not sure exactly. I assume since overclocking may heat up my card temperature is key so that's why im including so much information about fans and such.

The main reason I want to overclock is to be able to run newer games at high enough fps with my 144hz monitor I just ordered if fps comes to be an issue.

 

[Darkbreeze]

This might seem unrelated, but bear with me, how is your monitor going to be connected? HDMI, DVI dual link, DVI single link, displayport, etc.?

 

[Firehawk911]

This might seem unrelated, but bear with me, how is your monitor going to be connected? HDMI, DVI dual link, DVI single link, displayport, etc.?

DVI dual link

 

[Darkbreeze]

Ok, good. That means we don't need to talk about that. What are the rest of your system specs including your PSU brand and model?

 

[Firehawk911]

Ok, good. That means we don't need to talk about that. What are the rest of your system specs including your PSU brand and model?

AMD FX(tm)-8320 Eight-Core Processor 3.50 GHz
16.0 RAM
64-bit Operating system
I cant remember the exact model of my PSU but its 500W and its 80 PLUS Certified and its a Corsair i believe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&cm_re=500_PSU-_-17-139-050-_-Product

I think that is it but im not 100% sure

I also believe i have a 750W PSU I was planning on replacing my current one with if necessary

anything else needed?

 

[Darkbreeze]

That PSU, at only 500w, doesn't even meet the minimum recommendation for stock use much less any kind of overclocking. The very minimum for and GTX 970 is 550w, with a VERY good unit, which that CX series PSU is not. Corsair CX series PSUs are Tier 3 mainstream units, not recommended for gaming cards at all really, but especially not high end cards like that. It would be highly advisable for you to get a minimum of a high quality 600w unit if you plan to overclock the GPU and would probably be a really good idea that it be at least 620w or more if you plan to overclock the CPU at any point down the road. You want something Tier 2B or higher from here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is the brand and model of your 750w unit?

 

[Firehawk911]

What is the brand and model of your 750w unit?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035&cm_re=raidmax_rx_630-_-17-152-035-_-Product

I went and dug up the power supply and its actually 630W which you said is around what i'd need, this seems to be the one that I have. But i've had no issues with my current power supply, I see why I would need a better one to overclock though. would this be sufficient?

I saw that this PSU didn't get any good reviews so would

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438028&cm_re=supernova_750_b2-_-17-438-028-_-Product

Be good enough?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Oh GOD no. Throw that in the trash, literally, now. In fact, take a hammer to it so nobody else accidentally uses it. You want something Tier 2B or higher on the list I linked to above and if you look on that list you'll see that ALL Raidmax units are " replace immediately" level units. You can also check this conversation if you have doubts.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list/page-18.html

 

[Firehawk911]

Oh GOD no. Throw that in the trash, literally, now. In fact, take a hammer to it so nobody else accidentally uses it. You want something Tier 2B or higher on the list I linked to above and if you look on that list you'll see that ALL Raidmax units are " replace immediately" level units. You can also check this conversation if you have doubts.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list/page-18.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438028&cm_re=supernova_750_b2-_-17-438-028-_-Product

What about this? I just checked the reviews for that other PSU and I can just see by those that it's shit.

 

[Darkbreeze]

The EVGA B2 series is pretty good. It would be fine for your configuration. Actually, very good. It's a Tier 2A unit, so it's one of the better units on the market.

 

[Firehawk911]

The EVGA B2 series is pretty good. It would be fine for your configuration. Actually, very good. It's a Tier 2A unit, so it's one of the better units on the market.

and for 40 dollars, its a steal

 

[Darkbreeze]

For forty dollars, there ought to be guys in suits wearing sunglasses knocking on your door shortly after it arrives. Heh. That's a great unit. I have an EVGA G2 750w which I love. The B2 is only semi-modular, but so what? It's not like the hard wired part is optional anyhow. The only benefit of full modular over semi-modular is that if something happens to the main cable it can be replaced, but excepting abuse, I've never seen it happen unless something drew way too much power through it, in which case, you've got bigger issues anyhow.

 

[Firehawk911]

For forty dollars, there ought to be guys in suits wearing sunglasses knocking on your door shortly after it arrives. Heh. That's a great unit. I have an EVGA G2 750w which I love. The B2 is only semi-modular, but so what? It's not like the hard wired part is optional anyhow. The only benefit of full modular over semi-modular is that if something happens to the main cable it can be replaced, but excepting abuse, I've never seen it happen unless something drew way too much power through it, in which case, you've got bigger issues anyhow.

I think ill buy the PSU now then! Thanks for the help, any other advice once I replace my current PSU about the overclocking?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, don't. Unless you need the additional performance. Try it as is first and then move upwards in small increments. I'll be glad to help you with it once you get the PSU and can do this hands on at the same time. You may find you don't need to overclock as the card might surprise you. Get it up and running, try it out and then let me know if you need assistance. I'll be glad to help but it's kind of pointless until then as it's really a process and just like overclocking a CPU, no two GPUs are going to be exactly the same either so what works for one may not work for another one. Silicon lottery and all that.

 

[Firehawk911]

Sounds good, the PSU should be here in about 3 days, so should my monitor. So once its all hooked up and if I need any help ill let you know. Thanks for the help!

 

[Darkbreeze]

Anytime. Glad to help.