Questions on Overclocking Graphics Cards

[UltraFireFX]

I just wanted to quickly write this to ask a few questions I have on overclocking GPUs
1: What is the main software that is used to overclock GPUs?
2: What is the main software that is used to stress test GPUs?
3: Would there even be noticeable difference to justify the power consumption/heat generation?
4: Would the cooler have much difference on what the overclock would be able to get? (Sapphire, Gigabyte, MSI, reference)

 

[timeconsumer]

1: Lots of choices. MSI Afterburner is probably the most popular.
2: Lots of choices here too. I like Unigine Heaven. Furmark is used too but can be a bit unrealistic in its demands.
3: Yes, often you can see FPS increase of 10% or more. The extra power consumption equates to maybe $5 or $10 a year. The heat isn't a big deal for most unless you don't have A/C.
4: It depends how aggressive you are with your overclock. If you are really aggressive then yes, you want the best cooler possible. If you are average you likely won't be thermally limited, but lower temps and quieter fans are very nice. Reference is the loudest and hottest in most situations.

 

[SBennett13]

1. I use PrecisionX16 for everything GPU related. You can modify fan speeds and also clock speeds for OC. MSI Afterburner is also used commonly.

2. Any of the benchmarking programs can be used. Heaven 4.0 and 3DMark are common benchmarks for GPUs.

3. OC produces more heat and will use more power (obviosuly) so make sure your power supply can handle it and you have ample air flow to alleviate the excess heat created.

4. OC will produce more heat, making the card run hotter. Aftermarket cooling is advised for OC. I OC my GPU (EVGA GTX 980 FTW) and it comes with the ACX 2.0 cooling from EVGA. Great technology. I would recommend an aftermarket card for OCing.

 

[Luminary]

Just to provide further reading on GPU OC'ing, here is a very good step-by-step guide using MSI Afterburner if you're interested:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2749337/safe-gpu-overclocking-guide-2015.html

 

[maddogfargo]

I just wanted to quickly write this to ask a few questions I have on overclocking GPUs
1: What is the main software that is used to overclock GPUs?
2: What is the main software that is used to stress test GPUs?
3: Would there even be noticeable difference to justify the power consumption/heat generation?
4: Would the cooler have much difference on what the overclock would be able to get? (Sapphire, Gigabyte, MSI, reference)

1 - Most modern GPU vendors will include an app for ocerclocking. MSI = Afterburner, EVGA = PrecisionX, ASUS = STRIX, Gigabyte = Easy Tune / Easy Tweak.
2 - FurMark is the most severe. Only use it if you have a good aftermarket cooler on your GPU. Unigine Valley bench is also good and closer to real world.
3 - GPU Ram overclocking, no. GPU Core overclocking, yes.
4 - Yes, even the best video cards for overclocking have thermal limits that will cause them to throttle. Keeping the card cool is key to getting good, consistent overclocking results. The same applies to CPUs, BTW.

 

[UltraFireFX]

I've seen a few people say Unigine Valley and some say Unigine Heaven, is there any major differences between the two of them (DirectX version, ect.) apart from what they are displaying, because all I know is different is what they display? Thanks

 

[timeconsumer]

Valley is the newer one. I always say Unigine Heaven because I drink too much and my brain cells malfunction.

 

[UltraFireFX]

I was searching for overclocking an R9 270 but all I ever came up with was 270X, I'm going to try some more advanced Google queries in a while.

 

[timeconsumer]

Use the guide posted by luminary above.

 

[UltraFireFX]

I'm currently using Unigine Valley and I've got the settings on what they said so in that guide but after the first scene it starts stuttering and won't continue, this is on stock settings. I'm going to try again with lower Unigine Valley settings.

EDIT: It works on maxed settings so long as it is on DirectX9 and not DirectX11