Afterburner voltage confused?
Afterburner voltage confused?
I began experimenting with overclocking my 280x to see how it performed. Using the default 1000mhz core, I increased the frequency in 25mhz steps. At 1075mhz it worked well during the 5 to 10 minute tests. When I reached 1100mhz, Unigine would crash quickly, prompting me to unlock the voltage. However, as soon as I did that, everything became unstable—Unigine would crash and display black squares, even at the previously stable 1075mhz. This made me suspect that unlocking the voltage didn’t reset it to the default setting, causing issues when it was locked. I’m trying to figure out what the correct voltage should be and how to determine it accurately. Additionally, I’m curious about the signs that indicate I’ve pushed the voltage too high, whether for GPU or CPU overclocking.
basically.
When you increase your graphics card's clock speed, start by focusing on one part first.
Determine the highest stable MHz setting in MHz and see how it performs under load.
Next, check the memory by gradually adding MHz until you find the maximum stable frequency.
Then adjust both voltage and clock in small increments, aiming for 10 MHz steps instead of larger jumps.
This process will take roughly an additional 10 MHz and could push the GPU to its limits.
Once you unlock the voltage, various factors can influence the clock. Begin over to factory settings. Increasing the voltage raises heat production. This may cause general temperature increases, but certain parts of the circuit board can become hotter. Higher temperatures raise resistance, which generates more heat, creating a cycle that could damage components. Ensure optimal cooling and keep temperatures under close watch.
Adjust the clock and voltages gradually during testing. Five to ten minutes is insufficient; test each configuration for at least half an hour, preferably an hour. This process takes time and should be done carefully to avoid damaging parts.
In short.
Focus on clocking one part of the graphics card first.
Determine the highest stable MHz setting in MHz and see how it holds under load.
Start with the GPU, then move to memory, adjusting MHz gradually.
Increase voltage alongside MHz until you reach the optimal combination.
Work in 10MHz increments, not 25MHz, to avoid the card slowing down during testing.
Fine adjustments take time—sometimes an hour is needed for a stable result.
Extremely helpful, it verifies my approach isn't overly risky. I still want to understand the voltage during the locked state, as it doesn’t display clearly and changes when unlocked. Knowing that will let me manually adjust it back once unlocked. I’m also considering using the hw monitor for this.
For cooling, I own a compact full tower with many fans and an XFX card featuring two large fans. I’m monitoring temperatures to maintain around 60 degrees.