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    How do you overclock a video card?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by nadizo, Sep 17, 2011.

  1. nadizo

    nadizo Notebook Consultant

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    I have the NP8170 with the 580m card. I was just curious if its worth it to overclock the video card and how you can do it? Is it simply downloading drivers or more of customizing the cards performace with a program? I got a low 3d mark 11 score of : P3442

    I also heard its bad to overclock a video card because it stresses out the card alot? Is this true?

    What are some pros and cons of overclocking a video card? Thanks! :)
     
    nadizo, Sep 17, 2011
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  2. Eivind

    Eivind Notebook Evangelist

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    Download MSI Afterburner to overclock. Search this forum for a safe overclock.

    Its not bad to overclock as long as the temps are OK. So keep an eye on them - overclocked or not.

    The pros are given. Cons are increased temps.
     
    Eivind, Sep 17, 2011
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  3. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    and loss of warranty cover if something fries, so be warned.
     
    MrDJ, Sep 17, 2011
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  4. nadizo

    nadizo Notebook Consultant

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    thank you guys!

    When I play games that are demanding the highest i ever got was 89... thats pretty hot no?
     
    nadizo, Sep 17, 2011
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  5. Anthony@MALIBAL

    Anthony@MALIBAL Company Representative

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    89C is getting up there, but not worrying in and of itself. As long as you stay below 95C all the time and 90C most of the time, your temps are ok (especially if you're only running stock paste as IC Diamond will run a bit cooler than that anyway).

    This thread has good info for overclocking:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-my-485m-580m-clock-speeds-no-difference.html

    Overclocking in a laptop is not recommended though. The heat and power requirements are already tight as is. If you do overclock, it's even more highly recommended that you don't change voltage unless you really know what you're doing.

    Overclocking does also result in decreased lifespan for the GPU/fan as well, though the amount varies by card/temps/clock speeds. Unless you really need to do it and/or know what you're doing, I'd say stick with stock to be safe.
     
    Anthony@MALIBAL, Sep 17, 2011
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  6. NovaH

    NovaH Company Representative

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    I use MSI Afterburner as well. I only started using it when my laptop was 2 years old, there's really no reason to be OC'ing the 580m it's a powerful card in itself.
     
    NovaH, Sep 18, 2011
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  7. seanowns

    seanowns Notebook Geek

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    Entirely agree with Novah. There is no point overclocking a 580 yet. I doubt there are many games out there you can't play at full settings. Some people just like to optimize stuff, which I respect, but the average gamer should not bother this early into the GPU cycle.
     
    seanowns, Sep 18, 2011
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