If you want to significantly improve the game performance of the platform on June 28, the video card channel of Paobao.com, undoubtedly adding or upgrading a sound graphics card, will get immediate results. If you want to play better on the existing platform Game performance, How to overclock GPU, we naturally think of overclocking. It is also a necessary way for some DIY players to create world records.

Compared to many years ago, both manufacturers and users have realized the importance of graphics card overclocking for performance improvement. The current graphics card overclocking solutions on the market can describe as a lot of flowers. Both develop by non-profit organizations, and some manufacturers give away with graphics cards. According to the overclocking method, there are many, but we divide it into software overclocking and hardware overclocking (refreshing BIOS).

We know that AMD and NVIDIA occupy almost 99% of the market for discrete graphics cards on the market. This article will also focus on AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards to do some overclocking introductions to their respective products. At present, AMD and NVIDIA graphics card overclocking tools are not universal. , Especially hardware overclocking, but the general principle is similar.

The first introduction is the hardware solution. Although the operation has specific risks, it is still straightforward as long as the process master. Here I also recommend users to use hardware overclocking. It has the characteristics of once and for all and not affect by platform changes. Performance can only be achieved through transformation.

The hardware overclocking steps are roughly as follows:

-The first is the test of the graphics card’s physique. If you don’t know the physique of the graphics card, blindly applying voltage or frequency can easily lead to overclocking failure. To test the physique of the graphics card, you need software overclocking and copying software.

-Next is the BIOS preparation stage, users can choose to extract from the existing graphics card or the BIOS provided by the graphics card manufacturer

-Editing of the graphics card BIOS, such as frequency, voltage, fan speed, and other parameters (Don’t add frequency and voltage blindly, control it appropriately)

BIOS import is referred to as refresh. Currently, AMD/NVIDIA graphics cards have more reliable refresh tools. Such as ATIFlash (AMD graphics card). NVIDIA (NVFlash), both software have Windows and DOS versions, although Windows has the characteristics of convenient operation. But it still recommends that users use DOS refresh. The refresh success rate is higher.

At this point, the entire BIOS refresh work is ready. And then the computer can restart. The new graphics card BIOS information will read when booting. And the modified frequency can detect by using GPU-Z after entering the system.

  • Precautions for graphics card overclocking

After refreshing the BIOS (no matter in Windows or DOS environment), you need to restart the computer, and after entering the system, users should not just ignore the graphics card. We have to do a more critical task, which is to verify the graphics card’s stability. Since the unstable work of the graphics card mainly occurs in a high load state, it is best to use a large-scale 3D game or a burning tool. The author recommends that you use Furmark.

Too high a frequency will cause the graphics card to hang or even blue screen restart.

 It is worth noting that even if the graphics card passes tests such as 3D games or burn-in tools, it does not mean that the graphics card will have no worries. A particular game or other application may encounter a screen or hang to avoid this. When overclocking, one problem occurs: we do not choose the maximum frequency that the graphics card can work stably but slightly reduce the frequency to keep its work stable.

Another problem is the power supply-demand and heat control from the overclocking band. Therefore, overclocking should try to choose some graphics cards with surplus power supply, especially those without external power supply ports. It would help if you were cautious when overclocking, and the frequency should not be increased too high.

External Power

In terms of heat dissipation, the increase in frequency will inevitably increase the total load power. To maintain the stability of the heat dissipation of the graphics card, it is recommended to replace the more powerful graphics card radiator. External GPU for laptop, However, at present, most of the first and second-line graphics cards have more heat dissipation. Rotation speed can be satisfied.

The tools used by NVIDIA graphics cards to refresh BIOS overclocking include NVFlash, NiBiTor, FurMark, and GPU-Z are all free software. 

Follow the steps. First, we will verify the stable overclocking frequency of the graphics card. The tested graphics card is GeForce GTX 480, NVIDIA’s first graphics card that supports DirectX 11. Next, we will use Furmark for stability verification.

The core frequency is set to 800MHz

 After some debugging, set the frequency of the graphics card to 800MHz. Of course, the user can also adjust parameters such as the video memory frequency.

The graphics card finally stabilized at 109 degrees Celsius.

Next, we will do the stability verification work. The copy tool selected FurMark. After a long full load, the graphics card is stable at 109 degrees Celsius, and there are no rendering errors. We believe that the graphics card is stable at this frequency. , But we also noticed that due to the immaturity of the early 40nm process, the temperature of the graphics card had reached 109 degrees Celsius. If used at this frequency, it is recommended to replace a radiator with excellent heat dissipation performance or directly use water cooling. Modify the video memory and stream processor frequency parameters under Clock domains

Graphics Card BIOS

After the above frequency verification, we will start to refresh the graphics card BIOS, use NiBiTor to load the original GTX 480 BIOS, and then enter the parameter page to set the frequency, voltage, and fan speed of the graphics card. After editing, you can save the new BIOS. Remember to back up the original BIOS.

Put the new BIOS and NVFlash in the bootable device, and then use the NVFlash command to flash the new BIOS into the graphics card. (Command: NVFlash xxx. com, you can add some control characters such as -4, -5, -6, etc.)

The 3DMark 11 results before and after overclocking were P5637 and P6253, respectively, and the improvement is still pronounced.

The tools used by AMD graphics cards to refresh the BIOS overclocking include ATIFlash, Radeon Bios Editor (RBE), Furmark and GPU-Z are all free software.

 AMD graphics card refresh BIOS overclocking choice Radeon HD 5870, AMD’s first graphics card to support DirectX 11, and the world’s first DirectX 11 graphics card.

The core frequency is set to 900MHz

Graphics card stabilizes at 88 degrees Celsius

Before flashing the BIOS, it is also the best overclocking frequency verification for the graphics card. Use the soft overclocking tool to set it to 900MHz and pass the FurMark copy machine. The final temperature is 88 degrees Celsius, and there is no rendering error.

 Next, load the BIOS extracted by the graphics card into the Radeon Bios Editor editing tool and adjust the frequency, voltage, speed, and other graphics card parameters in the parameter settings. After the adjustment complete, save the new BIOS and also remember to back up the original BIOS.

Finally, in refreshing the BIOS, put the new BIOS and ATIFlash tools in the bootable device and then use the ATIFlash command to flash the new BIOS into the graphics card. The refresh command: ATIFlash -p 0 xxx. rom, you can also add some control Symbols such as -f and other parameters.

The 3DMark 11 results before and after overclocking were P4655 and P4843.

Compared with hardware overclocking, software overclocking has the characteristics of easy operation and convenient overclocking. Still, it is affected by the restrictions of each bootload and lack of platform migration, which affects the user experience.

RivaTuner, the originator of software graphics card overclocking

Commercially available graphics software overclocking tools mainly include MSI Afterburner, ASUS GPU Tweak, Gigabyte OC Guru II, GALAXY MagicPanel HD, How to overclock GPU EVGA Precision. Among them, the predecessor of MSI Afterburner is the famous RivaTuner. I believe users who have played with graphics card overclocking know it.

The improved MSI Afterburner overclocking is more intuitive.

The steps of software overclocking are relatively simple. After running the software, the tool will detect the current frequency of the graphics card. General tools are equipped with a pull switch. The user can pull the frequency or voltage at will and then click Apply. How to overclock GPU Like hardware overclocking, users also need to verify the stability of the frequency after overclocking. Users can run large-scale 3D games and copy machine tools to complete them.

It is worth mentioning that most of the software overclocking tools support configuration saving and start-up. The user can use it all the time after setting it up once. Of course, if the graphics card is replaced or the system is reinstalled, the configuration must be installed again.

The software overclocking introduced in this article starts with MSI Afterburner. It is commendable that MSI Afterburner continues to maintain an open design. Any graphics card brand can use Afterburner to overclock, and there is no AMD/NVIDIA graphics card distinction.

NVIDIA GTX 560: How to overclock GPU

 In this example, the NVIDIA GTX 560 SE graphics card was selected. Based on experience, we increased the graphics card core frequency option in Afterburner to 950MHz. At this time, the corresponding stream processor frequency increase to 1900MHz. How to overclock GPU It is worth noting that users can also choose to unlock the core- Stream processor 1:2 setting. After unlocking, the adjustment of core frequency and stream processor frequency will not affect each other.

Core overclocked to 950MHz: How to overclock GPU.

As can be seen from the above figure, In addition to basic frequency adjustment, Afterburner also supports the graphics card’s core voltage and fan speed adjustment.

Graphics card stabilizes at 86 degrees Celsius.

Next, verify the stability of the graphics card. The tool used is also FurMark. After a period of copying, the temperature of the graphics card is stable at 86 degrees Celsius. How to overclock GPU and there are no rendering errors, which proves that the graphics card can work stably at this frequency.

  In the final performance test, 3DMark 11 Performance scores were P4004 and P4510, respectively, and the performance was improved by about 13% before and after overclocking.

  • Graphics card support: AMD/NVIDIA full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand

 Before introducing other third-party software overclocking, let’s first introduce the official overclocking strategies of AMD and NVIDIA. The AMD graphics driver (catalyst) itself has integrated overclocking functions, simplifying the steps for users to overclock.

NVIDIA nTune overclocking options

Earlier, NVIDIA officially launched the nTune overclocking adjustment tool for its motherboards, integrated into the NVIDIA graphics control panel. However, after the motherboard chipset was withdrawn from the market, nTune also disappeared along with it.

Before using AMD Catalyst to overclock your graphics card, you must first unlock the overclocking option. Then you will be prompted with the word “caution for overclocking is risky,” click OK to start the overclocking journey.

AMD Graphics Cards: How to overclock GPU

After the overclocking turn on, How to overclock GPU, you can adjust the graphics card’s core frequency, memory frequency, and fan speed. After the adjustment complete, it can apply.

 It is worth noting that the design of the maximum frequency of the catalyst is too conservative. The maximum core and memory frequency of many  How to overclock CPU AMD graphics cards overclocking restrict the catalyst and cannot further explore the performance. How to overclock GPU If you want to continue overclocking, you need to choose a third-party tool.

  • Supported graphics cards: AMD full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand

Magic Panel HD (Magic Panel HD) is a graphics card overclocking tool for DIY enthusiasts. Players can use Magic Disk HD to restore BIOS, adjust fan speed, and overclock the graphics card.

At the same time, it can automatically detect the latest BIOS and drivers according to the user’s graphics card model, simplifying the process of users to update the graphics driver and BIOS.

The latest Magic Disk K supports Kepler overclocking: How to overclock GPU

  • Suppor. ted graphics cards: NVIDIA full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand

 HIS iTurbo is a free installation of green graphics card overclocking software, applicable to all AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards on the market and not restricted by the graphics card brand.

Open the iTurbo application. The “iTurbo” in the middle is one-click overclocking. By default, clicking this button can increase the core/video memory frequency by about 10MHz. How to overclock GPU Players can also set the parameters of “iTURBO” to achieve a “one-click” Overclocking to the specified parameters” function.

Here we select the “Advanced” tab and enter the overclocking interface of the software. The user can adjust the graphics card’s frequency, voltage, and fan speed through the overclocking sub-options. After the settings complete, click Apply.

  • Support graphics card: AMD/NVIDIA full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand.

ASUS GPU Tweak graphics card overclocking management tool can adjust the core frequency, memory frequency, core voltage, and fan speed of up to four graphics cards. How to overclock GPU It also supports video memory timing adjustment to maximize the graphics card’s performance. Through the monitoring window, real-time and accurate monitoring can be achieved—Graphics card information.

ASUS GPU Tweak also supports the online update of drivers and BIOS files. The graphics card’s optimized settings can quickly burn into the BIOS, and the graphics card is fully optimized.

At the same time, ASUS GPU Tweak is also an open overclocking tool. GPU Tweak is not only suitable for your own graphics cards, but other brand graphics cards can also be used.

  • Support graphics card: AMD/NVIDIA full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand.

 The GIGABYTE OC Guru II overclocking software has wealthy functions. With three modes of gaming (GAMING), standard (STD), energy-saving (SAVING), and two freely set archives. The software’s main interface displays GPU temperature, usage rate, power supply phase number, and current value, GPU power consumption, power saving, etc.

In the adjustment interface. In addition to the 3D/2D model of the core. Video memory and stream processor frequency. It also provides the monitoring and adjustment function of the core voltage.

OC Guru II only supports high-end graphics cards such as the Gigabyte SOC series, such as GV-N690D5-4GD-B (GTX 690), GV-N680OC-2GD (GTX 680), GV-N670OC-2GD (GTX 670) graphics cards, etc. The back equips with LED lights as the core power supply phase indicator how to overclock GPU, Which is convenient for players to view the changes of the graphics card power supply phases.  Best processor for gaming And this design can also reduce a lot of power consumption if the user does not install OC GURU. The LED lights will always be on. It does not automatically adjust the changes. So OC Guru II can regard as the necessary software for these graphics cards.

  • Supported graphics cards: only high-end graphics cards such as Gigabyte SOC series

As a North American board card manufacturer, we may not be very familiar with EVGA. But its contribution to the high-end market is still substantial. Its products have a high reputation in European and American countries. Its overclocking tool EVGA Precision developed for its own graphics cards is also popular among overclockers. Favorite.

EVGA Precision can accurately adjust the graphics card Core/Shader/Memory frequency, supports real-time monitoring of graphics card information in the game, and supports Logitech LCD keyboard to display graphics card information and other functions. Since EVGA is NVIDIA’s AIC (core partners), its products are mainly graphics cards using NVIDIA chips. How to overclock GPU This distinguishes EVGA Precision from other overclocking tools: EVGA Precision only supports graphics cards that use NVIDIA chips.

EVGA Precision X set the 1.9GHz overclocking world record

After the GTX 680, EVGA launched the new EVGA Precision X 3.0.2 version, which fully supports Kepler graphics cards. Many GTX 680 overclocking records created by EVGA Precision X 3.0.2.

  • Supported graphics cards: NVIDIA full range of graphics cards, regardless of brand