Here I will show you all a comprehensive guide which will let you know how to overclock the graphics card to get the best performance. Please read it very carefully. Otherwise, your GPU can be damaged.
Step 1:
First of all you need to make sure that your CPU and Memory
overclocks are fully stable by running some passes of Prime 95. To download it, just click here.
If you have any doubts put
everything back to stock. You should also make sure that you are on the latest
version of the ATI drivers, if you aren't, you can download the latest here. If you are using
a 2xMolex to PCI-e power adaptor or are near the limits of the power output of
your current PSU overclocking may not be recommended, as you overclock power
draw can increase dramatically.
Step 2:
Download GPUTool to an accessible folder and run it as an administration.
You need to download the latest version of MSI Afterburner. Navigate to the folder in which you
installed it to (usually C:\\Program Files (x86)\\MSI Afterburner) and open the
“MSIAfterburner.cfg” file using WordPad. Find the following setting:
Code:
UnofficialOverclockingEULA
UnofficialOverclockingMode
And change it to:
Code:
UnofficialOverclockingEULA = I confirm that I am aware of
unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not
provide me any support on it
UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1
This will give us a permission to bypass the limitation that
stops you from passing the limits of ATI Overdrive. Mind it A BIOS flash is not
really necessary to do this, you just need to edit the file.
Run MSI Afterburner.
Step 3:
Put both programs side by side for ease of using. Firstly,
we will begin to increase the core frequency. The 'Core Clock (MHz)' slider is
set at the default clock speed to increase the core frequency. Move the slider
to the right. Be careful not to make quick jumps before testing for stability.
I find it is the best to increase the core frequency by 10MHz at a time. Once
you have increased it click the 'Apply' button.
Step 4:
Now switch to GPUTool and press the 'Test for Stability'
button. You will see a screen like below. This will scan for artifacts which
could be a sign of an unstable overclock. Let the test run for between 30
seconds and 1 minute, you can let it run longer if you like. Make sure you keep
an eye on temperatures, try to stay below 85®C.But you should be safe up to
a maximum of 100®C although this is not recommended.
Step 5:
Repeat steps 3 and 4, and increase the core frequency 10 MHz
at a time until you see artifacts on the screen. These will appear as yellow
dots in the GPUTool stability testing window like below:
Step 6:
you have found the
point at which the core is unstable I like to back the clocks down by 10 MHz or
so from the failure point and run GPUTool for 15 to 30 minutes to fully test
for stability. Do not step away from the PC whilst doing this in case you
notice any artifacts. If you see any back the clocks back a little further
until you think it is stable. At this point you may want to run a pass of
3DMark 06 or a demanding game to check for gaming stability (artifact testing
only shows you so much). If you notice an exceptionally low score or see
missing textures your card may not be stable.
You found the stable core clock for your card. Next you will
get the maximum stable clock for the memory. First note down what core clock
you had so you don't forget it later. Now put the core clock back to stock by
pressing the 'Reset' button in afterburner. Follow the same method detailed in
steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 except this time increase the 'Memory Clock' slider. Make
sure you go in small 10MHz increments and scan for artifacts at the end.
Here you have found the limits of both the core and memory,
you want to increase the core clock to what you found was stable earlier. Note
that occasionally having both the core and memory at their highest stable
clocks may cause instability, when they were stable individually before. So to
make sure your final clocks are stable run the GPUTool stability test once more
for at least 15 minutes, if you notice artifacts decrease either the memory or
core clock to see which one is at fault. This should be your final stable
overclock, play some games to make sure it is stable.
Step 7:
Once you are sure that your overclock is totally stable,
save it to an empty profile, to do this click 'Save' and then one of the empty
quick profile slots. You can also make the overclock to apply at startup by
clicking the 'Apply overclocking at system startup' button towards the bottom
of the Afterburner screen. If you are absolutely sure your overclock is stable
you can also have it be applied at windows startup by clicking the 'Settings'
button and tick the 'Start with Windows' and 'Start minimized' boxes.
Step 8:
Check that your clocks have been applied by checking with GPU-z.
Step 9:
Submit your overclock
or benchmark results to HWBot to see how your results compare to others and earn
some points for yourself and OCN.
Posted in: amd gpu,ati,MSI afterburner,overclock,prime95