Do you overclock your video card? (With Poll)

[JeffCY]

Personally I want my card to last at least 2-3 years, and I'm not sure how safe it is to overclock, so I might just run at default speeds. I'm curious about what everyone else thinks. I have an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro.

 

[JBT]

I have a 9500 pro and have OCed it since I got it in March of 03.

 

[JeffCY]

Does overclocking shorten the life of video cards?

 

[Avalon]

I only overclock in moderation, like say from a 9700 to a 9700 pro in difference of clock speeds. It helps a bit, is noticeable to me, and my card should last me until I need a new one this way.

 

[SneakyStuff]

I just like seeing what my card is capable of, right now i've got my 5700u, which came at 475/900 to 510/1000 with no problems what-so-ever, it runs at 49' C under full load, and idles at 43' C. Which doesn't make me nervous about leaving it like that. Heck, if it gets me through until I switch to a PCI-E mobo, i'm happy as can be

 

[Robor]

Sapphire 9800NP flashed to Pro BIOS and overclosked to near XP speeds. Also running VGA Silencer with RAMSinks. No problems at all.

 

[jhurst]

You are probably only going to keep the video card you have in your system for less than 1.5 years anyways.....it will last that long at least. Warranties usually cover at least the first year dont they?

 

[saxophonoia]

Yes I do but I also upgrade the cooling so I don't hurt it too bad

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: jhurst
You are probably only going to keep the video card you have in your system for less than 1.5 years anyways.....it will last that long at least. Warranties usually cover at least the first year dont they?

Not if you overclock or modify the card in any way. Most OEM warranties are 1 year; ATI and some NVIDIA boards come with 3-year (or better) warranties.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: JeffCY
Does overclocking shorten the life of video cards?

who cares? i rarely keep a card longer than 6 months anyway!

 

[DKlein]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: JeffCY
Does overclocking shorten the life of video cards?

who cares? i rarely keep a card longer than 6 months anyway!

Well I'd imagine the OP does, as it seems odd that he would ask if he didn't. Him along with anyone else who doesn't go through them as quickly as you do.

 

[BlvdKing]

I like to modestly overclock all my video cards, like the 5900XT I have running at 475/850.

 

[cstring]

Not after I messed up my 8500. I shall never oc my 9700pro, well maybe when i have money for upgrade.

 

[Cerb]

Yes. EVen when I don't need to, I OC the stuff. If it *can* safely go faster, why not?

 

[Killrose]

I have a 9500np>9700 Hardmodded in my main box and run it 335core/306mem (crappy 3.3ns infineon mem) The core is a champ and will go well above 365MHz with no problems.

 

[JeffCY]

Originally posted by: Cerb
Yes. EVen when I don't need to, I OC the stuff. If it *can* safely go faster, why not?

So what's the deal here? What exactly is a "safe" overclock? I'm still trying to figure this out. I've read that there is some temperature limit after which your card could potentially be damaged, but I do not know how to find out this information and how to determine how hot my card is running at. Any ideas? It seems like most people on the forums are overclocking according to the poll. How many of you guys are using the stock cooling?

 

[stardust]

I overclock for a benchmark, but only for less than an hour at a time. I keep them running stock because I like cool parts.

 

[Jayczar]

I push'em till the graphics get messy then back it down a bit, currently running PNY 5900 @ 505/1000

 

[Big Lar]

I never OC

 

[powerMarkymark]

ALL THREE MACHINES ARE OVERCLOCKED AND SO ARE THE VID CARDS.

 

[Cawchy87]

I overclocked my 9600XT to 547/317

 

[kyparrish]

yes, i'd say that artic silencer/ramsinks/volt-mods soldered to the card would count as me overclocking

 

[konakona]

i always do when i get a chance. but doubt this s3 IGP would get any better after ovlerclocking plus i am too lazy to download powerstrip

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: JeffCY

Originally posted by: Cerb
Yes. EVen when I don't need to, I OC the stuff. If it *can* safely go faster, why not?

So what's the deal here? What exactly is a "safe" overclock? I'm still trying to figure this out. I've read that there is some temperature limit after which your card could potentially be damaged, but I do not know how to find out this information and how to determine how hot my card is running at. Any ideas? It seems like most people on the forums are overclocking according to the poll. How many of you guys are using the stock cooling?

A safe OC is an OC a bit below the real max w/ no extra cooling or other mods.

 

[mindwreck]

I overclock for performance and for the fun of it.