Rookie Overclocking an HD4890 - in prep for 6950

[hondaf17]

I'm not much for overclocking - most I've done is bump up the multiplier in my black edition AMD cpu. I've never overclocked a GPU. I have a 2GB 6950 arriving tomorrow and decided to practice overclocking my 4890 in prep for the 6950 and gaming on battlefield 3.

I've read a lot of forums and downloaded MSI Afterburner along with GPU-Z.

Is overclocking the GPU really as easy as entering in the new core clock and memory clock values in MSI AFterburner? I would do that, hit apply, and the new values would appear in GPU-Z. Up I went and I crashed BFBC2 twice so I backed it off. While BFBC2 was operational I did log about 10% increase in FPS.

Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Voltage (I didn't touch it), fan, temp, etc? My temp did max out at 90 degrees C. What is acceptable max temp under load?

Or when my 6950 comes can I just up the values until it's unstable, go back to stable levels, and call it a day?

I appreciate the help, wouldn't want to fry my new card.

TYIA,

 

[(sic)Klown12]

With memory overclocking, it's a bit more complicated. GDDR5 uses an error detection and resending mechanism that means when you go too far, instead of a crash you get lower performance. You'll have to keep track of your actual FPS in order to see where the sweet spot it. For the core, what you've been doing is right. Don't mess with voltages unless you know exactly what you're doing.

As for temps, try to keep it under 85c at load. If the stock fan profile can't do it, then create a custom fan curve in Afterburner. It's a very simple process.