I'm really bad at pushing systems to their limits.
I'm really bad at pushing systems to their limits.
I genuinely believe I’m either too simple-minded for this task or my GPU isn’t functioning properly. I’m completely new to overclocking, yet I still can’t grasp it. My goal is to boost the performance of my Zotac 970 (simple edition), but despite watching numerous tutorials and reading extensively, I’m stuck. I’ve followed the steps I learned: after increasing the power limit to 106%, setting the temperature cap at 85°C, selecting a stable core clock around 205 MHz via Kombustor, and then stress testing or benchmarking. However, I’m unsure how to proceed further.
I’m trying to raise the core voltage to get a higher clock speed, but it seems ineffective. My current core voltage is +24 mV with a clock at 225 MHz, yet performance drops after some time. The issue appears to be that while I monitor everything, temperatures remain normal (about 65°C max, 73°C recorded), and results keep failing.
I’m confused about the next steps. Should I simply push core voltage higher to discover my maximum clock speed? What if I just check the limits and see what works?
Memory clock is another point of uncertainty—I’ve heard mixed advice. Should I ignore it or continue testing?
If I manage to control core voltage and clocks, how should I handle memory testing and final benchmarking? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
I suggest avoiding a constant overclock; it's better suited for games with high demand. A 970 might be better for long-term use, especially as newer models like the 1170 or 2070 appear. The current setup seems limited, so consider adjusting the voltage to around +40mV if possible.
I suggest avoiding a constant overclock; it's better suited for games with high demand. A 970 is not worth it for a +2 year lifespan, especially when newer models like the 1170 or 2070 will outperform it significantly. Even the 1150 Ti 2050 Ti will be roughly half as powerful (just an estimate).
Regarding the voltage setting, +25 seems too low given your power limits. Without changing the BIOS, aim for around +40mV and keep pushing to the maximum. The 970 usually includes voltage regulators, so you shouldn't risk damaging it.