Overclocking graphics cards ---- can it be "dangerous"?

[Bigjakkstaffa]

hi all --
Ive been overclocking CPU's for a while and have had Celerons runnning at 50% increases with no problems, my latest achievemnet getting an Athlon 1ghz to 1.45 without having to unlock and fiddle voltages

however im less experienced with graphics cards, i used to have a voodoo 3 which i fried the hell out of with no caution coz it was **** and in need of replacment anyway, there was no damage incurred and the card held stable up to 175mhz - with a small heatsink mod there was no worries, however....

i have a nice new 64mb gladiac 511 Geforce 2 Mx 400, which im eager to "play with", however its nice and new and i dont wanna kill it -- is it possible to cause permanant damage to graphics cards?? -- are they prone to heat etc, and if so - whats the best way to cool em,

Cheers guys and gals

[Bob The Great]

Yes they are prone to heat. But it's basicly like oc'ing your CPU (except esier). I got a GeForce DDR with stock cooling (a small fan heatsink) from 120core and 183mem (I think) to the highest setting NVidias oc'ing util would allow!

It's luck wether you'll get a good oc'ing card.

[NDC]

http://forums.digitalmntsnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Valid point - i know it wont make my system fly or anything - but can the heat cause permanant damage - or will it just cause image artifacts and crashes - in which case i lower the clock and i live happily ever after? - or will heat build up and KABOOOOOMMM!!! is what i mean-- will it fry out over time? etc etc

Cheers,

[Bob The Great]

I oc'ed my GeForce DDR till I saw image artifacts. Then I brought the speed down a little, and it's been running smooth for about half a year! I will most likely shorten the cards life. Just like oc'ing a CPU shortens the CPU's life. But by the time it fails it will be so old that it won't matter. Just bring the speed up slowly, and all should be well!

Check out http://www.tweak3d.net for good tweak guides for the GeForces! The tweak guides show how to enable a oc util that NVidia includeds in the Detonator drivers, and also good ways to tweak the card out!

Happy oc'ing

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Bob, you said you maxed out the o/c settings in the nvidia kit, do u mean with NVMax:
Core speed max = 300
Memory speed max = 500

if so - WHOAAA!!!!

If not - did u use another proggy,
Cheers

[darrelld]

I've got a PNY MX 400. I am able to get it to run stable with the stock cooling at 230 core/380 mem. It will do more, but I get artifacts.

[Atomic Rooster]

Bigjakkstaffa -
Yes it is possible to do permanent damage to your video card if you abuse it. I've heard of a few guys who killed them by running them too high. They tend to get real hot when o/c'd. Just make sure you have good cooling for it and don't go nuts with the o/c.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

On the subject of burn outs and shortening life span -- does anyone know how much the lifespan is cut on a chip by graphics card o/c's ---- ooh and while your on does anyone know how much less my Athlon will last with a 450mhz o/c :S

Cheers

[Hellmund]

Bob was using the Coolbits reghack, I think it goes to a max of about 150/366 I think......something like that anyway.

[darrelld]

I don't think any one can say exactly how much life you lose by overclocking. My experience has been that OC'd parts become obsolete long before they die.

I have four OC'd computers right now, the oldest one has been overclocked for three years now, it is on 24/7 cracking eccp.