As a gamer, the frame rate is an important parameter for achieving a smooth and immersive gaming experience. If you are on a budget, before thinking about any graphics card upgrades, it makes sense to fine-tune your gaming PC’s performance by overclocking your graphics card. Graphics card overclocking boosts the processor’s speed and as result creates an increase in performance and higher frame rates.
Not many gamers know how to perform GPU overclocking. Many tech newbies are afraid that if they don’t do it right, they may mess up their PCs. However, if you follow the steps below, GPU overclocking is generally a safe process. Nowadays, graphics cards are designed to avoid any serious damage, so you can be confident trying overclocking.
In order to overclock your GPU, you’ll need two types of software. The first software is used for setting new GPU speeds. The second software is used to stress test your system in order to ensure the GPU settings are stable. You may also use an optional third program to monitor your graphics card’s temperature. However, we’ll suggest some overclocking software that already does this.
We recommend you to download MSI Afterburner from MSI.com to use as overclocking software and the Heaven Benchmark to use as stress testing software.
Open the UNiGiNE Heaven stress testing software and run a base test in order to evaluate how your GPU performs on its default clock settings. For this purpose, from the Start menu run Heaven Benchmark 4.0. The program will run a series of tests through 25 scenes.
During the tests, pay attention to the stats displayed at the screen’s top right, showing the memory clock, graphics clock, frames, and temperature. It is important to see the temperature your GPU stays at throughout the test. This will show you how much overclocking your GPU can take.
After the tests you’ll get average FPS stats and a score. It is important to take note of the score at the end of the test, FPS at the end of the test, and temperature during the test.
Now open up MSI Afterburner and click on Settings, then click on the General tab. Tick Force constant voltage, Unlock voltage, and Unlock voltage control. Click OK after applying the settings and then click OK when asked to restart your system.
Open UNiGiNE Heaven and MSI Afterburner after your system is restarted. Slide the temperature limit to 87 degrees Celsius (around 189 degrees Fahrenheit) and move the core voltage slider all the way to the right. Underneath the sliders, click the Check button. These settings will make sure you stay within a safe temperature range while getting the highest possible clock speed.
Now you’ll have to stress test your GPU. Move the core clock slider +23 to the right and click the check button. Run Heaven Benchmark 4.0 again. Your test results should show a slight improvement in average frame rate and score.
Keep pushing your GPU to its maximum performance. Add an additional 20-30 to your clock speed and then run Heaven Benchmark 4.0 again. Repeat the steps as long as you don’t notice any graphical glitches and your computer doesn’t crash.
When you notice graphical issues or the computer crashes, lower the clock speed by 30 in MSI Afterburner. Click the Save icon in the program.
This is your graphics card optimal clock speed. While playing your favorite games you can now automatically load up these settings.
