How did YOU arrive at your Graphics Card over clock number.

[XRdirtHead]

I'm wondering what method YOU used to find the perfect spot for you OC. Do you slow it down when not gaming? Did you add cooling? What programs do you use? My case has plenty of fans (a pair of 120s up front and a pair of 90s in the rear) but I don't know if I trust myself to tear apart my card to add additional cooling. (geforce3 ti200 and geforce4 4400) Any help will be appreciated.

 

[titanmiller]

Push it as far as it will go and back it off a bit from there. I used to run my 4400 at 300/660 but it made my system become unstable (due to 300W PSU, not the chip getting too hot) so now I run it at the stock 275/550 all but when I play games.

 

[Noid]

First of all ... put everything at default spec... no overclocking...

Then start with the video memory increasing it by 2 to 4 mhz at a time(I use Powerstrip), then run a benchmark like 3dMark2001se.
Keep increasing slowly until score level off, or drop: then back off a few Mhz.
Be sure to keep a watchfull eye on the screen graphics for Artifacts (spots or streaking)

Then repeat that process for the GPU core.

As far as cooling...

I use alpha fin heatsinks on my memory attached with AS themal adheasive.
And I really like the crystal orbs performance on the GPU core.
(use AS3)

Some people say adding heatsinks to memory is a waste of time, but I have gotten more mhz on every card I use them on.
(not alot more)

Happy overclocking !

 

[XRdirtHead]

Thanks! How will I know if my ps is giving me the problem and not my card...

 

[TourGuide]

When you hear the small thunderous detonation, THAT is when you know to clock down. If you see smoke, that is bad, fire - even worse.

 

[Slappy00]

Thanks! How will I know if my ps is giving me the problem and not my card...

get a free program ( i use SpeedFan ) to monitor your voltages... watch your AGP bus voltage and see that it is steady...