Adjusting performance beyond default settings on an air-cooled GTX 1080ti.
Adjusting performance beyond default settings on an air-cooled GTX 1080ti.
I came across this article for experimenting with the voltage curve in MSI-A. However, it seems to be focused on water cooling. There are mentions of its effectiveness on air as well, but I need to confirm I have all the necessary details before making any changes. So far, my main overclocking efforts are limited to MSI-A, mainly by tweaking offsets and adjusting fan curves. But because Pascal tends to drop the voltage too quickly when it isn't needed and causes instability, I was curious about ways to keep the voltage more stable and maintain a higher clock speed. My graphics card is an EVGA GTX 1080ti SC Black Edition. I plan to cool it using air. Currently, at around 70% fan speed under load, I reach about 62°C, giving me flexibility to increase voltage and clock speeds further. Any advice on whether this approach works in air, or if a more detailed guide exists for modifying the voltage curve would be helpful. Also, I’m interested in whether updating the BIOS could improve performance, as well as the possibility of flashing a different BIOS version. Here’s the link I found online:
https://www.overclock.net/forum/69-nvidi...temps.html
And another useful post about updating BIOS for better performance:
https://www.overclock.net/forum/69-nvidi...80-ti.html
In real-world scenarios, it's common to boost voltage fully, though practical limits exist—Nvidia restricts it on most cards, except for certain models like the EVGA FTW, and even then only partially.
I wouldn't think about installing a bios mod for a gaming card. Unless you're aiming to earn more through mining, that might be worth considering. However, bios flashes pose risks and can cancel your warranty.
For practical reasons, you usually have the ability to raise the voltage fully, although it won’t reach the maximum due to restrictions from manufacturers such as Nvidia, except for certain models like the EVGA FTW. Even then, the limits are reduced. I wouldn’t think about installing a BIOS mod for a gaming card. If your goal is to earn more through mining, that might be worth considering. However, BIOS flashes carry risks and can void your warranty.
My concern isn’t about mining profits but about stability. The cards tend to lower voltage and make it unstable, which affects core speed, voltage, power, and temperatures. This inconsistency leads to significant drops in core speeds.
I’m not trying to modify the BIOS, nor am I adjusting voltage manually. I’m exploring a new stock BIOS from a similar card to get more consistent voltage and clock performance. Personally, warranty issues aren’t important to me.