Overclocking GTX 460, please help.

[iamgenius]

Hi all. I just upgraded my video card to the infamous GTX 460. Being the enthusiastic me, I decided to overclock it. I downloaded EVGA precision, MSI afterburner, and GPU-z. Precision and afterburner are almost identical so I settled with afterburner.

I got some questions.

I was able to reach 950 on the core clock and 2300(1150) on the memory clock and was running the performance test bench program from passmark.com video card tests as a stress program you can say. It didn't jam until I went over 950 MHz. But, the benchmarking results didn't increase which had me worried for a bit.....why is that? I think it is not important though, I shouldn't really worry.

I ran FFXIV benchmark and the computer locked up. I lowered the overclock a little and was able to run it without problems. I scored 4100 instead of the original 2666! I was really happy!

Then I decided to test with OCCT( an overkill?). It generated errors so I started lowering the overclock but it kept generating errors until I reached 851 MHz on the core clock and 2000 on the memory. I'm now where OCCT tells me it is fine. Should I ignore it and go by FFXIV benchmark?

Or maybe this is a better question to ask: What is the best GPU stress program? Furmark? And how do you use it? Just like you use prime95 ? Keep it running for an extended period of time till you feel that your overclock is fine? And what happens if it fails?

Except for oblivion, I don't have any other game installed currently. Will running it be a good stress test?

Also, in Afterburner, why can't I go above 1050 mV for core voltage? And what is the absolute maximum for the 460 in your experience?

It is my first time overclocking a video card, so bear with me.^_^

Thanks to all.

 

[Idontcare]

Afterburner is an awesome tool, five-stars.

For stress-testing I recommend you use OCCT for the GPU test because it will actually detect the errors for you rather than you relying on your eyes to subjectively detect and identify screen artifacts (as is the case with most benchmarking and stress programs like kombustor).

My GTX460 is at MSI right now for RMA, couldn't handle stock clocks after a month of mostly 2D usage.

In afterburner you should be able to OC your card to 1.087V (1087 mV) unless the card itself has some kind of restriction.

But before you go further, I recommend downloading OCCT and running that GPU test just to confirm you really are as stable as you think (even at the lower clocks).

 

[bryanW1995]

occt is the proper tool to test oc stability. as mentioned, the others just keep running after some hiccups. well, those hiccups typically end up causing major problems in a month or two (as idc mentioned for his card). I'd stick to 850, that's still a great OC and is faster than a stock 6870.

 

[Rifter]

I used OCCT to test my OC. It detected errors that we not noticeable with furmark/kombuster or in any real game play.

 

[iamgenius]

Cool. So occt is the way to go. And I guess 851 is my maximum.

 

[happy medium]

Please unistall Evga precision or Afterburner, these programs will conflict with each other and your overclock. Just use one at a time. Just a tip for a better overclock.

If you temps are good, there are bios's out there to get you past the 1.05 voltage limit.
Just watch your temps.

Also disable overdrive in CCC .

 

[railven]

Also disable overdrive in CCC in AMD driver profile.

When did nvidia start using CCC and AMD Driver profiles?

Error happy! Edit is your friend

 

[VirtualLarry]

My GTX460 is at MSI right now for RMA, couldn't handle stock clocks after a month of mostly 2D usage.

Hmm, it wasn't the 750Mhz Twin Frozr II 460 768MB, was it? I just ordered one of those.

 

[Rifter]

Hmm, it wasn't the 750Mhz Twin Frozr II 460 768MB, was it? I just ordered one of those.

I think he had a MSI cyclone 1GB same as mine.

 

[notty22]

My experience.
I have two Cyclones 1gb in sli . With just one I was running 920/1050 . When I added the second , I have the clocks synced to 895/990 . When over 90% load I have the fans at 100%. Their design, makes them quieter than blower type reference cooling. Its similar imo, to running your stock Intel cpu hsf at 100% many do. With this aproach my temps in gaming max are 66 top 59 bottom. I use the full 1.087 , have experimented and can lower it a little bit, but the adjustments go in increments that are fairly large. Considering the whole voltage adjustment is only .1- .987-1.087
In their o/c state the bios still downclocks /down volts allowing very low idle temps. Its a awesome, imo, well engineered card.

 

[Idontcare]

I think he had a MSI cyclone 1GB same as mine.

Yep.

And I like how you correctly used past tense

Never RMA'ed a v-card before, curious how it goes.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I had a similar situation with my old 4870, I got the occassional error in OCCT at 820MHz, but got no errors around 800MHz (I forget the exact speed, but it was about that). I ran the card at 820MHz and never had a single problem, other than OCCT giving me an error here or there. So, I think you can't call it 100% stable, but it could be 'game stable' above 851MHz.

But, you are increasing your chances of having problems in games as more and more stress is put on the GPU with newer games. Also, overtime with dust build up and thermal grease aging, your cooling may become a little less effective. So if you are running an overclock that is already giving you errors in stress tests, and now you add a higher GPU temp to the mix, you might run into issues. So if it were me, I would settle on or around 850MHz and call it a day. There probably isn't a huge difference anyway.

 

[Rifter]

Yep.

And I like how you correctly used past tense

Never RMA'ed a v-card before, curious how it goes.

As long as you arnt RMA'ing it to sapphire or XFX i think it will go fine

I've delt with MSI before multiple times, all for mobo's and they have always been fast, friendly and efficient. You will be fine!

 

[iamgenius]

Interesting. I followed happy medium advice and uninstalled EVGA precision. I redid the overclock. I'm now at 895 MHz occt stable. And I think I can go higher. ! That's one heck of an overclock!

 

[Axon]

Never RMA'ed a v-card before, curious how it goes.

Rarely well, unfortunately. GTX 460 is still new, however, so hopefully they hook you up with a new one.

 

[Idontcare]

Interesting. I followed happy medium advice and uninstalled EVGA precision. I redid the overclock. I'm now at 895 MHz occt stable. And I think I can go higher. ! That's one heck of an overclock!

That's awesome :thumbsup:

What voltage?

(and Happy...when are you going to get off your duff and pull together a kick-ass "overclocking your GPU guide" that I can sticky...the responses to your posts in this area are pretty much unanimous. Answer the call of duty man, your forum needs you! )

 

[Idontcare]

Yep.

And I like how you correctly used past tense

Never RMA'ed a v-card before, curious how it goes.

It's off-topic but I had to post this update...how about this - for my warranty replacement, MSI sent me back a retail shrink-wrapped replacement of the same card? Not even a refurb!

 

[betasub]

So are you going to test it? Or sell it, still shrink-wrapped?

 

[Idontcare]

I'll install it and use it. The potential headaches that can come with trying to sell things in this dollar range just isn't my cup of tea.

 

[Axon]

A wise decision. Good to hear you got a new one...+1 in my eyes to MSI, a company I haven't always been a fan of.

 

[Rifter]

A wise decision. Good to hear you got a new one...+1 in my eyes to MSI, a company I haven't always been a fan of.

They were pretty bad about 5-10 years ago, they just sold crappy mobos and vid cards and developed a bad rep. But they have come a long way in the last few years, i wouldnt put them up with the likes of Asus or Evga but only a small step below them.