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Is it worth overclocking a 970?

kinger8938 said:
So what are the basic steps to do this? Do i have to run tests etc for ages to make sure its stable like when i did my cpu?
Click to expand...

Download Afterburner from the MSI site. Rivatuner comes with it (for on-screen display of FPS, FPS limiter, etc if you want) but is optional when you install Afterburner. I would install it too, it's useful.

Download a benchmark like Unigine Valley. Use max settings when you run it but choose a smaller resolution than your monitor's native, and windowed, so you can have Afterburner open too, and keep an eye on it.


n0JBzui.png



In Afterburner, click the dropdown to the right of Power Limit, so that the Temp Limit bar appears, and then UNlink, and set a target temperature of say 90C (don't worry, this is just part of removing throttling from the equation), and also make sure the priority arrow prioritizes (points to) Temp Limit and not Power Limit. This is because if Power Limit is prioritized, it is stricter with the value you set, and can actually throttle the core clocks a bit to maintain a strict Power Limit. By prioritizing a Temp Limit which you will in theory never reach with a GTX 970 and even basic case airflow, you're allowing the Power Limit to exceed slightly if needed, to maintain the desired core clock.


E8FGKAY.png



Now slide the Power Limit bar to 110 (I think that's the max on MSI 970s?). And proceed to enter your first core clock offset in the Core Clock bar. Can start with +50 for example, just to play it safe. Then hit apply.

Now scroll down the graph readouts in Afterburner to see the Core Clock, MHz graph. Check whether the core clock is maintaining the maximum frequency most of the time if not all of the time, while Unigine Valley is running, and checking Unigine Valley for any signs of artefacting.

If all seems good after one or two runs, increase the core clock again, by 25 this time. And repeat the checks. Keep doing this.

If you see the max core clock dipping too often, it's a sign that it will generally be unstable because not enough power is being provided to maintain that speed all the time. Similarly, any artefacting/driver crashes/black screens and so on, mean you'll have hit your limit on the card's default voltage. Unless the MSI 970s actually allow for more Power Limit than 110, it would be time to reduce by 25 or 50MHz from there.

As has been said, most 970's will hit around 1400-1500MHz comfortable, give or take.

Once you have a seemingly stable-for-that-benchmark core overclock, you can do the same with the memory clock, and check the memory clock graph to see the speed. Depending on the memory quality etc, you will be able to enter something like +250 offset (7500MHz total) to +500 offset (8000Mhz total). So start with +250 for example, click Apply, and work your way up in increments of +50. Unstable memory tends to show as white blobs.

When you're reasonably happy, click Save, followed by a Profile number from 1 to 5. And tick "Apply overclocking at system startup", then go to Settings, and tick Start with Windows and Start Minimized. You can also mess with the fan profile in Settings, if you want, to keep things cooler.

You could run a more intensive bench like 3DMark Firestrike at some point too. Then play games, and any issues try reducing core by 25 and mem by 50 to be game stable.
 
Danny75 said:
Download Afterburner from the MSI site. Rivatuner comes with it (for on-screen display of FPS, FPS limiter, etc if you want) but is optional when you install Afterburner. I would install it too, it's useful.

Download a benchmark like Unigine Valley. Use max settings when you run it but choose a smaller resolution than your monitor's native, and windowed, so you can have Afterburner open too, and keep an eye on it.


n0JBzui.png



In Afterburner, click the dropdown to the right of Power Limit, so that the Temp Limit bar appears, and then UNlink, and set a target temperature of say 90C (don't worry, this is just part of removing throttling from the equation), and also make sure the priority arrow prioritizes (points to) Temp Limit and not Power Limit. This is because if Power Limit is prioritized, it is stricter with the value you set, and can actually throttle the core clocks a bit to maintain a strict Power Limit. By prioritizing a Temp Limit which you will in theory never reach with a GTX 970 and even basic case airflow, you're allowing the Power Limit to exceed slightly if needed, to maintain the desired core clock.


E8FGKAY.png



Now slide the Power Limit bar to 110 (I think that's the max on MSI 970s?). And proceed to enter your first core clock offset in the Core Clock bar. Can start with +50 for example, just to play it safe. Then hit apply.

Now scroll down the graph readouts in Afterburner to see the Core Clock, MHz graph. Check whether the core clock is maintaining the maximum frequency most of the time if not all of the time, while Unigine Valley is running, and checking Unigine Valley for any signs of artefacting.

If all seems good after one or two runs, increase the core clock again, by 25 this time. And repeat the checks. Keep doing this.

If you see the max core clock dipping too often, it's a sign that it will generally be unstable because not enough power is being provided to maintain that speed all the time. Similarly, any artefacting/driver crashes/black screens and so on, mean you'll have hit your limit on the card's default voltage. Unless the MSI 970s actually allow for more Power Limit than 110, it would be time to reduce by 25 or 50MHz from there.

As has been said, most 970's will hit around 1400-1500MHz comfortable, give or take.

Once you have a seemingly stable-for-that-benchmark core overclock, you can do the same with the memory clock, and check the memory clock graph to see the speed. Depending on the memory quality etc, you will be able to enter something like +250 offset (7500MHz total) to +500 offset (8000Mhz total). So start with +250 for example, click Apply, and work your way up in increments of +50. Unstable memory tends to show as white blobs.

When you're reasonably happy, click Save, followed by a Profile number from 1 to 5. And tick "Apply overclocking at system startup", then go to Settings, and tick Start with Windows and Start Minimized. You can also mess with the fan profile in Settings, if you want, to keep things cooler.

You could run a more intensive bench like 3DMark Firestrike at some point too. Then play games, and any issues try reducing core by 25 and mem by 50 to be game stable.
Click to expand...

Nice straight forward tutorial.
 
Danny75 said:
Download Afterburner from the MSI site. Rivatuner comes with it (for on-screen display of FPS, FPS limiter, etc if you want) but is optional when you install Afterburner. I would install it too, it's useful.

Download a benchmark like Unigine Valley. Use max settings when you run it but choose a smaller resolution than your monitor's native, and windowed, so you can have Afterburner open too, and keep an eye on it.


n0JBzui.png



In Afterburner, click the dropdown to the right of Power Limit, so that the Temp Limit bar appears, and then UNlink, and set a target temperature of say 90C (don't worry, this is just part of removing throttling from the equation), and also make sure the priority arrow prioritizes (points to) Temp Limit and not Power Limit. This is because if Power Limit is prioritized, it is stricter with the value you set, and can actually throttle the core clocks a bit to maintain a strict Power Limit. By prioritizing a Temp Limit which you will in theory never reach with a GTX 970 and even basic case airflow, you're allowing the Power Limit to exceed slightly if needed, to maintain the desired core clock.


E8FGKAY.png



Now slide the Power Limit bar to 110 (I think that's the max on MSI 970s?). And proceed to enter your first core clock offset in the Core Clock bar. Can start with +50 for example, just to play it safe. Then hit apply.

Now scroll down the graph readouts in Afterburner to see the Core Clock, MHz graph. Check whether the core clock is maintaining the maximum frequency most of the time if not all of the time, while Unigine Valley is running, and checking Unigine Valley for any signs of artefacting.

If all seems good after one or two runs, increase the core clock again, by 25 this time. And repeat the checks. Keep doing this.

If you see the max core clock dipping too often, it's a sign that it will generally be unstable because not enough power is being provided to maintain that speed all the time. Similarly, any artefacting/driver crashes/black screens and so on, mean you'll have hit your limit on the card's default voltage. Unless the MSI 970s actually allow for more Power Limit than 110, it would be time to reduce by 25 or 50MHz from there.

As has been said, most 970's will hit around 1400-1500MHz comfortable, give or take.

Once you have a seemingly stable-for-that-benchmark core overclock, you can do the same with the memory clock, and check the memory clock graph to see the speed. Depending on the memory quality etc, you will be able to enter something like +250 offset (7500MHz total) to +500 offset (8000Mhz total). So start with +250 for example, click Apply, and work your way up in increments of +50. Unstable memory tends to show as white blobs.

When you're reasonably happy, click Save, followed by a Profile number from 1 to 5. And tick "Apply overclocking at system startup", then go to Settings, and tick Start with Windows and Start Minimized. You can also mess with the fan profile in Settings, if you want, to keep things cooler.

You could run a more intensive bench like 3DMark Firestrike at some point too. Then play games, and any issues try reducing core by 25 and mem by 50 to be game stable.
Click to expand...

Thanks will try this!
 
I don't see the point tbh.

I have a 970 as well, never overclocked it, quite happy with performance.

It has a very important role though. I will get a 1080, keep the 970, then sell the 1080 before 1080 TI is released, use the 970 etc etc. No point in Ocing, breaking etc :)

This will be my tidy up card basically.
 
Danny75 said:
Download Afterburner from the MSI site. Rivatuner comes with it (for on-screen display of FPS, FPS limiter, etc if you want) but is optional when you install Afterburner. I would install it too, it's useful.

Download a benchmark like Unigine Valley. Use max settings when you run it but choose a smaller resolution than your monitor's native, and windowed, so you can have Afterburner open too, and keep an eye on it.


n0JBzui.png



In Afterburner, click the dropdown to the right of Power Limit, so that the Temp Limit bar appears, and then UNlink, and set a target temperature of say 90C (don't worry, this is just part of removing throttling from the equation), and also make sure the priority arrow prioritizes (points to) Temp Limit and not Power Limit. This is because if Power Limit is prioritized, it is stricter with the value you set, and can actually throttle the core clocks a bit to maintain a strict Power Limit. By prioritizing a Temp Limit which you will in theory never reach with a GTX 970 and even basic case airflow, you're allowing the Power Limit to exceed slightly if needed, to maintain the desired core clock.


E8FGKAY.png



Now slide the Power Limit bar to 110 (I think that's the max on MSI 970s?). And proceed to enter your first core clock offset in the Core Clock bar. Can start with +50 for example, just to play it safe. Then hit apply.

Now scroll down the graph readouts in Afterburner to see the Core Clock, MHz graph. Check whether the core clock is maintaining the maximum frequency most of the time if not all of the time, while Unigine Valley is running, and checking Unigine Valley for any signs of artefacting.

If all seems good after one or two runs, increase the core clock again, by 25 this time. And repeat the checks. Keep doing this.

If you see the max core clock dipping too often, it's a sign that it will generally be unstable because not enough power is being provided to maintain that speed all the time. Similarly, any artefacting/driver crashes/black screens and so on, mean you'll have hit your limit on the card's default voltage. Unless the MSI 970s actually allow for more Power Limit than 110, it would be time to reduce by 25 or 50MHz from there.

As has been said, most 970's will hit around 1400-1500MHz comfortable, give or take.

Once you have a seemingly stable-for-that-benchmark core overclock, you can do the same with the memory clock, and check the memory clock graph to see the speed. Depending on the memory quality etc, you will be able to enter something like +250 offset (7500MHz total) to +500 offset (8000Mhz total). So start with +250 for example, click Apply, and work your way up in increments of +50. Unstable memory tends to show as white blobs.

When you're reasonably happy, click Save, followed by a Profile number from 1 to 5. And tick "Apply overclocking at system startup", then go to Settings, and tick Start with Windows and Start Minimized. You can also mess with the fan profile in Settings, if you want, to keep things cooler.

You could run a more intensive bench like 3DMark Firestrike at some point too. Then play games, and any issues try reducing core by 25 and mem by 50 to be game stable.
Click to expand...

i will second the thank you for the guide
 
If you can't understand Afterburner or don't want to run it in the background all the time Nvidia Inspector can do the same job and apply the settings on boot too.
 
GTX 970 @ Stock: 48 FPS
image.jpg

@ 1550/1950: 59 FPS.. a 23% increase in FPS, or +11 FPS in this case.

Thats a free upgrade as thats actually more than a performance step up to a GTX 980. its like a 980 with an 8% overclock of its own (Tho 1550Mhz is slightly unusually high for 24/7 gaming even for a 970, usually about 1450 to 1500Mhz is 24/7 achievable.)

Yes its worth it.

image.jpg
 
Last edited:
Forgot about this! Will try following the above guide this evening

A friend asked and im curious, does geforce experiance take overclocking into account when "optimising" a games settings? Or does it just go off of stock?
 
kinger8938 said:
Forgot about this! Will try following the above guide this evening

A friend asked and im curious, does geforce experiance take overclocking into account when "optimising" a games settings? Or does it just go off of stock?
Click to expand...

Not sure, tho i doubt it.

The best thing to do is to set the Graphics to whatever makes the game a balance of what is best visual quality vs performance to you, using MSI After burner's OSD to display FPS if you want that to help or just monitor that.

I have never use the optimisation thing, i just do that ^^^
 
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