What steps are needed to optimize my Gigabyte Aorus XTR GTX 1080 for peak performance?
What steps are needed to optimize my Gigabyte Aorus XTR GTX 1080 for peak performance?
Hello,
I recently upgraded my GTX 1080 Ti Founder's Edition to a Gigabyte Aorus XTR GTX 1080. I noticed a noticeable drop in performance across many games, especially when running them at maximum settings or upscaled versions on my 1080p 60Hz display. This is my first experience with overclocking, so I’m eager to reach the highest stable clock speeds. MSI Afterburner and Unigine Superposition are already installed and ready for use.
My current setup includes:
- i5 10400f @ 4.3 GHz
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Turbo
- 2 x 8GB @ 3666 MHz
- Msi Gaming Edge Z490 Pro Wifi
- Seasonic SSR-850PD
- Gigabyte Aorus XTR GTX 1080
My GPU temperature stays around the mid-60s, and I plan to replace its thermal paste and pads soon for better cooling.
If you need any more details, just let me know! 😉
Consider leaving the GPU alone or reducing its voltage. Nvidia generally stopped supporting overclocking for most users.
Gpu Boost 3.0 favors a cooler setup and fewer power caps—both of which clash with overclocking.
Additionally, Gpu Boost automatically tweaks itself according to the GPU’s settings (mainly power and thermal data). Since there’s no solid way to maintain a fixed core clock across all situations, it’s hard to confirm if an OC will work.
If you decide to try undervolting, follow these steps:
Spoiler
Open Msi Afterburner. Disconnect the Power and Temperature limits—there’s a small icon next to it based on the skin you choose.
Set the power limit to its maximum and click apply.
Enjoy gaming—or test Unigine if you prefer.
Keep it untouched or reduce the voltage slightly for most users. Nvidia has largely stopped supporting overclocking on their GPUs.
Gpu Boost 3.0 favors a 'cooler is better' approach and prefers fewer power limits, both of which conflict with overclocking. Additionally, Gpu Boost automatically adjusts itself according to the GPU's settings (mainly power and thermal data). Since there’s no solid way to maintain a stable core clock across all situations, it’s hard to confirm if an OC is reliable.
If you decide to try undervolting, follow these steps:
Spoiler
Open Msi Afterburner. Disconnect the Power and Temperature limits—there’s a small icon next to it based on the skin used.
Set the power limit to its maximum and click Apply.
Run your games or Unigine with Afterburner’s hardware monitor active. Ensure Core Clock and GPU Voltage are visible.
[If GPU Voltage isn’t shown, go to Settings > General tab, enable Unlock voltage monitoring, then navigate to Monitoring, find GPU Voltage, and verify it.]
Wait a few minutes, then check the Afterburner hardware monitor for the recorded MAX Core Clock and GPU Voltage. Note these values.
Close the game, open Afterburner’s Curve Editor, take the maximum voltage you measured, subtract 0.05v, and locate the matching point in the editor or click it.
Use the up arrow to increase the frequency back to the GPU’s highest core clock it reached. Lock with the L key and click Apply once more.
Save your settings in a numbered profile, lock them, then press the reset key.
Finished.
For memory overclocking, it’s usually better to leave it alone—it’s less forgiving than adjusting the core clock.
Once an active memory OC shows instability, it’s likely to worsen.