Does underclocking or changing clocks harm the GPU?

I'm just curious about this. I've looked this up but never found a real answer. My concern is that is it possible to harm the GPU by dropping the clocks and then setting them back to stock every few hours? I wouldn't think so, but I just want to cover my bases. Also, does underclocking (reducing heat and fan noise) actually do any good in the long run? After getting off of a gaming session, my computer will idle around 61-64C and the fan is going constantly, so I underclock to cool it off and shut it up. I also do it when I don't need the power. But is this really helping the chip and the fan's lifespan?

 

Well, I know what doesn't help the fan's lifespan....an update to bios 211.

 

I don't think it hurts as ATI has its own feature to do just that (powerplay).

It dynamically brings up and down the frequencies.

However, it's default behaviour is to go down from stock and back up. It does not overclock (as standard).

Overclocking and heat are known to shorten lifespan of electrical components. Inversely, downclocking (within reasonable margins) will theoretically have the opposite effect. I personally do it. Also reducing the voltage (on my desktop).
On G73 for now I am not using Powerplay because I think it is causing lock ups. I am testing manually setting 15/300 when I work and 700/1000 when I play. So far so good. Yesterday I forgot to switch and I played 3 hours on 150/300 (mass effect 2) and it was playable with no issues aside from the obvious sluggishness.

 

I could play SC2 on normal settings on 300/300 without any sluggish performance. Is there a way to undervolt the 5870M without changing vBIOS? I set the voltage in AMD GPU Clock Tool but it doesnt change? Did I do something wrong?

 

well mine came out of the box at 700/1000, and i was wondering if it is safe to move it down while surfing the web / watching youtube?

 

No should not hurt it. ATi worked very hard to ensure that both the core and memory can change clock speeds dynamically.

Going from lower clock to normal is normal operation with PowerPlay. That's how it's suppose to function. With the new Vbios from Gary, hopefully this will be resolved!

 

I've been downclocking for a while now when i'm on battery power or when it's rather hot in the house. Never had any problems so far.

 

how much do you down clock it?
if mine is at 700/1000, should i do 300/300 when youtubing/browsing?

 

I use Power4Gear's power Quiet Office profile to downclock to 200/500 when I'm not gaming.