Feeling ambitious? Truly immersive gaming demands visually stunning graphics, great lighting, and sky-high frame rates (at least). If you want your computer system to keep up with your ambitions, it might be time to free yourself from the constraints of your graphics card’s default settings. We’ll help show you how to safely overclock your GPU. And while we’re on the subject of performance, get a Avira System Speedup to help clean up your computer for a faster, smoother ride.
All about GPUs: How they unlock new computing possibilities
They’re found in a variety of devices, including PCs, game consoles, and mobile phones—we’re talking about GPUs or graphics processing units. These specialised electronic circuits were originally designed to accelerate the rendering of 3D graphics, giving programmers the power to create more realistic scenes. Over time, their capabilities have dramatically enhanced, and today’s GPUs are essential in accelerating high-performance computing (HPC), from deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to video editing and cryptocurrency mining. And we couldn’t imagine a truly immersive gaming experience without them! Before we leap into how to squeeze more performance out of them, here are some important facts about these willing workhorses:
GPUs are designed to perform mathematical calculations ultra quickly on large datasets.
GPUs and CPUs work together. Central Processing units (CPUs) can deliver greater performance through enhancements like faster clock speeds and more cores. You can find out more about overclocking a CPU here. GPUs are specifically designed to accelerate computer graphics workloads. So, CPUs and GPUs complement each other. Think of them as cousins.
There are two types of GPUs: discrete and integrated. An integrated GPU is embedded alongside the CPU. A discrete GPU or dedicated graphics card is a distinct chip that is mounted on its own circuit board. Most GPUs on the market today are integrated graphics as they allow for thinner, lighter systems and help reduce power consumption. A discrete GPU is better suited to more resource-intensive applications and will generally use more energy and create more heat.
A GPU is not the same as a graphics card. The terms are often used interchangeably but there’s a difference: A graphics card is a hardware component that includes a GPU (amongst other things). It connects to the computer’s motherboard and generates images for the monitor. A GPU is a specific unit within a graphics card that performs the actual image and graphics processing.
What does GPU overclocking mean?
Imagine owning a car with a powerful engine but when it arrives from the factory, it has a brick wedged under the accelerator. You can still drive it, but not as fast as you could be. GPU overclocking is the act of removing this ‘brick’ (in other words, the constraints of a graphics card) to boost its speed beyond the default settings. To achieve this, you have to tinker with the settings of the GPU, such as the voltage or multiplier, in the BIOS or software. If you’re a really ambitious overclocker, you’ll be aiming to do more than remove the imaginary brick from the ‘car’—you’ll be cutting a hole under the accelerator to press it down even further!
Processing speeds or cycles are set by the manufacturer. Overclocking works by increasing the number of processing cycles a core can operate in a second. The more cycles that can be achieved, the more data that can be computed in a shorter time frame, and the faster the performance. It’s important to remember that overclocking won’t usually yield linear improvements, so increasing clock speeds by 10% won’t result in 10% more frames per second in games. Results are heavily dependent on the other components in the GPU (like memory), plus the capabilities of the rest of the computer system.
What are the benefits of GPU overclocking?
Are you dreaming of a computer with added ‘oomph’ that just feels snappier? If your graphics card isn’t handling intensive tasks, overclocking could give you the extra power you’re looking for and may help improve a variety of tasks, such as:
Gaming: Overclocking can be beneficial for high-resolution gaming or virtual reality as it can increase frame rates, reduce lag, and allow for higher graphics settings. Overall, you can look forward to a faster, smoother gaming experience. See here for an in-depth look at how to make games run faster on your PC.
Video editing: Particularly professionals will appreciate that overclocking helps speed up rendering times.
Multimedia playback: Overclocking could improve the quality of multimedia playback.
Extending component lifespan: Overclocking can help older GPUs and CPUs keep up with newer models, so you might be able to delay the need for an upgrade and save.
It’s not without its risks though, such as overheating and hardware damage. Do your research and learn how to mitigate these before you get started!
Is it safe to overclock? What are the potential risks?
We’ve explored the good…now let’s look at the bad and ugly. Generally, overclocking your GPU is considered safe, provided you don’t overdo it. If you become a regular, highly ambitious overclocker and start tampering with voltage limitations, for example, you might damage your hardware. Forewarned is forearmed, so make sure you understand the possible risks:
Overheating and more power draw: Increasing the clock speed of a graphics card will boost power consumption (which can strain your power supply unit and drive up your electricity bill) and will also generate more heat. To prevent overheating, the processor might reduce its clock speed (which is called thermal throttling). You don’t want a hot CPU as it can be permanently damaged.
Increased voltage: Boosting the voltage to your GPU can provide more power, but also damage your GPU’s components over time.
System instability: System crashes, freezes, or data corruption…these are dreaded possible side effects of overclocking if the rest of the system is struggling to keep up.
Reduced lifespan: Overclocking can be a culprit in shortening the overall lifespan of a graphics card by putting additional stress on its components. The constant high temperatures and voltage changes can wear down the materials inside.
Voided warranty: Manufacturers don’t like you to tamper with their carefully calculated default settings, so you’ll be exploring new performance territories as a lone ranger beyond your graphics card’s warranty.
Difficulty selling: Devices with overclocked GPUs can be harder to sell because buyers might be wary of damage to the system.
Most computers are good at protecting themselves if you go too far—your PC will crash or fire warnings at you. Heed them! It’s also a good idea to optimise your software before you get started and clean up digital clutter that could be weighing your computer down. This way, you’ll have a more stable foundation on which to build.
Dedicated optimisation software like Avira System Speedup will help you achieve a higher level of performance before overclocking—like getting an athlete in shape for a race.
Get ready for overclocking
Be prepared and take it slow. Then overclocking your GPU can be a simple and (largely) safe way to improve your computer’s gaming and multimedia capabilities. Ready?
STEP 1: Benchmark your current settings and do a GPU stress test.
You’ll want to see how much faster your PC runs after tuning it so check your graphics card performance, temperature, clock speeds, and frames per second (FPS) before you start. Make a note of these numbers or take a screenshot so you can compare them later. It’s also essential to do a system stress test. An overclocked GPU might seem fine after a few minutes but tell a different story after a few hours of rigorous gaming.
Overclocking fans can choose from a range of third-party apps designed to give them the system insight and testing powers they’re looking for. Here are some popular options (please note, that none are endorsed by Avira): Geeks 3D Furmark tests a graphics processing unit to verify its stability and cooling.3Dmark is available for Windows, Android, and iOS. Unigine Valley promises extreme performance and stability testing for PC hardware, including the video card, power supply, and cooling system.
Image from https://geeks3d.com/furmark
STEP 2: Choose an overclocking tool.
Overclocking fans seem to enjoy MSI Afterburner which works for most AMD and NVIDIA GeForce chips. Newer versions offer the convenient option to automatically overclock your GPU. If you have NVIDIA graphics cards, NVIDIA Inspector is NVIDIA’s own overclocking software. And there’s AMD Radeon Performance Tuning for AMD cards. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU!
Image from www.msi.com/blog/msi-afterburner-overclocking-undervolting-guide
Always download software from a reputable website and beware of fake sites promising the best GPU overclocking software. Also look out for phishing attempts that may try and trick you into downloading malware or giving away your personal details.
How to overclock your GPU
Have you finished your prep and are armed with the numbers you need plus an overclocking tool you trust? Now, follow our step-by-step guide to get started, but remember that any modifications are done at your own risk. We’ve used MSI Afterburner as an example, but the methods for most overclocking software are similar.
STEP 1: Launch your overclocking tool.
Open your GPU overclocking tool. For MSI Afterburner, the main dashboard will display the GPU clock and memory clock, plus voltage and temperature. (You’ll want to avoid GPU and CPU temperatures over 90°C.)
Image from MSI Support.
- GPU frequency
- VRAM frequency
- GPU core voltage
- GPU core temperature
- Adjusting GPU core voltage
- Adjusting GPU core and VRAM frequencies
- Adjusting graphics card power and temperature limits
- GPU name, driver version
- Applying MSI Afterburner profile on Windows startup, minimising, or closing MSI Afterburner
- Locking personalised settings
- Personalised settings profiles
- MSI Afterburner official page
- MSI Kombustor
- Viewing graphics card-related information
- OC Scanner for one-click overclocking
- MSI Afterburner settings
- Separating hardware monitoring window
- Adjusting fan speed, choosing automatic or user-defined fan settings, selecting fan configuration, fan speed synchronisation
- Restoring settings to default
- Saving current settings
- Applying current settings
STEP 2: Overclock the GPU clock.
Patience and trial and error are key! Begin by dragging the power and temperature limits to the maximum in the main window, and then click the Apply button. Try increasing the Core Clock speed by 20 to 30 MHz per step, click the Apply button, and test. Click the Save button to create a profile after a successful overclocking attempt.
Image from MSI Support.
STEP 3: Overclock your memory.
If you’ve found a stable overclock above, increase the memory clock speed in increments of 50-100 MHz per step. Then run a benchmark to check stability. Always start lower and work your way up as games and computers can respond unpredictably to a high memory. Some games will run much faster, while others will quickly show distortions called artefacts.
If your computer crashes or your games start malfunctioning, reduce the memory clock by 10 MHz until the system is stable. Save this result to a profile. Then run a 10-minute benchmark. If it’s stable, you can try gaming. Good luck!
STEP 4: Increase all values a little further. Test and re-test.
If you think there’s some performance left to squeeze out of your GPU, you can try setting both power and temperature to the max and pushing the clocks of the GPU and memory a little further. Only you’ll know if the results are worth it, or if you could end up with too much noise or an unstable system.
See the full MSI Afterburner Utility Guide here and always remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all for GPU overclocking. Every chip is manufactured slightly differently, and no maximum settings are right for every system.
How to safely overclock a GPU
Remember the tortoise and hare? Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to overclocking more safely and effectively. Understand key system elements such as memory clock speeds, be aware of thermal limits and always respect the limitations of your machine. Perform stress tests for each adjustment you make and keep your cool—literally! Adjust your fan settings according to the seasons and the demands of your applications. And always be kind: Lower your overclocks as your GPU ages, as it will become less stable over time.
Successful overclocking is about finding and safely maintaining a sweet sport in which both you and your computer are happy: You’ll enjoy the performance you need, complete with extra frames and enhanced processing power, while your GPU isn’t pushed beyond its limits.
Avoid these common overclocking mistakes
If you catch yourself doing any of these, it’s time to take a step back and remember the risks of ‘over’ overclocking.
- Being impatient and moving too fast: If you increase clock frequencies too quickly, you’re more likely to become a victim of crashes, glitches, and even the dreaded black screen of death.
- Overheating: It’s an unpleasant reality that overclocking your GPU increases its heat output. To protect your computer from overheating, you’ll need to take extra precautions, such as building a water-cooling system into your PC.
- Failing to test: It’s vital to monitor system performance after each incremental clock increase. It’s so easy to leap ahead but then you won’t know at which point things started to go wrong.
- Continuous overclocking: You wouldn’t sprint during a marathon, so don’t expect your computer to. MSI Afterburner’s profile system lets you save the settings of your overclock so you can overclock only when you truly need to (like when you’re running a demanding game or application). Your GPU works harder when it’s overclocked—give it a break.
- Being too demanding: You wouldn’t put your grandmother in a race with a twenty-year-old niece, even if she was wearing performance-enhancing trainers (we hope)? An older GPU can’t match the performance of the latest high-end cards, even if you overclock it. Be realistic and respect limitations.
Can you overclock a laptop GPU?
Yes, it’s possible to overclock the GPU and even CPU on a laptop. It’s a tempting option when you consider that mobile GPUs are more limited in performance than their desk-based cousins but beware of overheating. Mobile GPUs produce heat in a much smaller, confined space so you’ll quickly hit their thermal limits. Running at higher clock speeds also increases power consumption, meaning your battery won’t last as long. You may want to save your most immersive gaming for your home set-up.
Can all graphics cards be overclocked?
In theory, yes, you should be able to overclock nearly all GPUs. You might experience compatibility issues, especially with laptop GPUs and Intel HD graphics processors. Then there’s also the ‘silicone lottery’, which refers to tiny variations in the silicone quality of GPUs that occur during the manufacturing process. If the silicone in your machine’s GPU is of such exceptional quality that you’d think it was hand-crafted by angels…congratulations. You got lucky and can probably overclock more rigorously.
Can you buy a pre-overclocked graphics card?
Yes, a factory overclocked GPU is a graphics card that’s sold at a higher clock speed than a similar model. These manufacturers promise to test for stability and performance, but you’ll need to be aware of compatibility and thermal issues. If you’re tempted to go even further, you can still manually overclock these pre-overclocked cards.
Help optimise your entire computer system
Overclocking your graphics card can help you unlock extra performance for a faster computer, but don’t forget the role of routine system maintenance. Over time, our devices can become clogged with junk files, unused apps, and background apps that quietly hog resources. Do a regular spring clean with a specialised tool like the Avira System Speedup for Windows, which helps wipe away digital clutter and even online traces for faster start-up times and smoother performance.
