A precise response regarding GPU core coltage has not been provided.
A precise response regarding GPU core coltage has not been provided.
I'm just getting started with OCing and have been experimenting with my 4790k and two 980 Asus Strix. I've come across a lot of mixed advice about GPU core voltage—some say to push it up to +37mV, others warn against changing it. For the past week I've kept the core voltage high, boosted power at 110%, and increased both clock speeds without any problems. Still, all this conflicting advice is making me nervous. What should I really do?
Less over-voltage is always preferable.
But if you need that speed and it only works reliably under that over-voltage, then go for it. In general, 0.037v (37mV) isn't too much over-voltage, and I've seen higher values with modified GPU BIOSes. They should remain functional for years at that level.
It relies on your requirements for stability and whether it truly remains stable. No artifacts, no temperatures dropping uncontrollably. Then there are the long-term consequences, which are hard to foresee—like a silicon lottery. In a few years, you might discover that GPUs no longer support running at identical speeds.
But who cares, right? The hardware will eventually become outdated.
Up to now there have been no issues. GTA5 running at 1440 max temperatures haven't reached an average of 70, which is around 66. There are no artifacts and overall stability remains strong. I also observed on GPUZ that the VDDC never exceeds 1.2V when core voltage is +0 and core voltage is +37 (at maximum).
Less over-voltage is always preferable.
But if you need that speed and it only works reliably under that over-voltage, then go for it. In general, 0.037v (37mV) isn't too much over-voltage, and I've seen higher values with modified GPU BIOSes. They should remain functional for years at that level.