Initial inquiries about boosting performance
Initial inquiries about boosting performance
I don’t have the funds to purchase all the parts needed for the PC I want to build for some time. I also prefer not to invest in a budget machine right now, since I’d rather focus on getting a solid, higher-end system instead. But at the moment, I own a prebuilt gateway dx4300-21 with an AMD Phenom II X4 820 (the sticker says it’s an 810, so I’m probably lucky), and an ATI Radeon HD 5750. I think it’s the reference board (dual slot with one fan) and I also think it lists the AMD ATI Radeon HD 5750, though I’m not sure if that matters. Basically, everything on the system is stock except I removed the whole computer out of its case and installed it in a rosewill thor v2. I also swapped the PSU for one I found from another newer Intel PC. The PSU has a maximum output of 430W.
Sorry if this seems too long and unhelpful by now, but I’m trying to share all the details I can.
I’m currently evaluating whether my first attempt at overclocking with this GPU will succeed. I’ve been running Heaven 4 in fullscreen on ultra with 4xAA @1920x1080. It passed the benchmark and has been running for about 45 minutes so far, giving me a chance to check its stability.
OC’d though afterburner. I wasn’t able to adjust the voltage or power limit slider, but I’m running Heaven 4 at 880Mhz core and 1300Mhz memory clock. Temperatures are currently maxing out at 72°C in Heaven. When I switch to Alt-tabbing to view GPU-Z data, it shows a maximum temperature of 77°C with an average of 72.3°C.
Fan speed is at 90% and the maximum VDDC is assumed to be 1.100V steady. Afterburner also reports a max temperature of 77°C. I’ll share pictures once I’ve finished testing everything.
So, would this be a good overclock if it stabilizes? This is my first overclocking attempt, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, after benchmarking, Heaven’s average FPS was 15 with a score of 381. I’m not sure what that means or how long I should let it run before considering it stable enough for regular use.
Ok, first off, that score is low (I'm not trying to say it's broken or bad), I recommend dialing back the benchmark to the resolution you will actually be playing, so 720p (unless you play LOL or something like that), and maybe lower the graphics to high.
There is no such thing as a good or bad overclock: sure there are better or worse overclocks, but the montra that all overclockers that help on these have been repeating since time immemorial is that all cards are different and don't overclock the same, even if they are the same make and model. If your OC is stable and you are happy with it, then it is a good overclock (at least, that is my opinion). If you think you can get more out of it, then by all means keep tinkering, but keep...
Initially, the score looks modest (I'm not suggesting it's flawed or poor). I suggest adjusting the benchmark to match the actual resolution you'll be using—like 720p unless you're playing something intense like LOL—or perhaps reducing graphics settings to high. There’s no absolute right or wrong here; overclocking can vary, but what all helpers have said consistently is that every card is unique and shouldn’t be pushed to the same extent, even if they’re identical in make and model. If your overclock remains stable and you’re satisfied, it counts as a solid overclock in my view. If you believe you can extract more performance, continue experimenting but monitor temperatures closely, as they seem to rise a bit. I’d definitely steer clear of 80°C or higher for regular use.
Benchmarks tend to be more demanding on hardware than games, but achieving 80+ at full load still puts you close to the gaming threshold.
For stability testing, I prefer Valley; running it for about 45 minutes without crashes or freezes usually indicates stability. However, for a thorough check, playing your actual games is essential since some titles stress different GPU components than benchmarks do.
Also, ATI is a GPU brand, but this thread should clarify your concerns.