OC'ing 7900 GS

[mizzou]

My year old 7900 GS runs at 450 mhz core and 1320 memory stock.

It runs about 42-41C idle, and can push 60's at full load. (Stock fan)

I recently overclocked it because right now it is pretty much like a below-average card, but once OC'd it can become average to slightly above average (huge difference)

sort of like getting 30 FPS instead of 20 FPS =) BIG difference

I was able to get it stable OC'd with
570 Core and 1416 memory, with full load's in the upper 60's

I can get it stable at even higher clock speeds
580 core and 1500 Memory, but I saw the load temps getting in the 7x.xx range.

I have searched and searched these forums and other websites, and I can find NOTHING regarding a "optimal" safe temperature for these cards.

OC'ing 580 and 1500 memory is a HUGE benefit, I think it added something like 1500-2000 3dmark06 score points from stock settings.

I heard that the core shut down is in the 1xx.xx range, so if I plan on having this card for probably 1-2 years longer, you think I might burn it out before then?

 

[Laminator]

You're okay temperature-wise; I had an eVGA 7900GT KO that ran at ~75 degrees under load with the factory overclocks and had no problems. I'd be worried if you were getting temperatures above 80 degrees. Temperature is not the only thing that can affect a card's lifespan/stability, though.

 

[mizzou]

I settled at 516 mhz core and 1368 mhz memory

I played Half life 2 for about 30 min. with everything maxed out 4xaa and 4xaf and I maxed out at 70C during major scenes and averaged in the mid 60's for the rest.

Gunna try out a more graphically intense game to see how it is.

I'm pretty comfortable with 70C right now, I think once games really start to chug on me, I'll juice it up further and maybe try to find a good used 7900GS heatsink/fan

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