Will overclocking hurt my video card?

[MidiGuy]

I've got a CARDEXpert GeForce2 MX-400, and I'm wondering - if I overclock it using the EXPERTool for Windows that came with it, is it possible for me to damage anything by going too high, or can I just experiment until I find the highest stable level?

Thanks!

-Midi

 

[vss1980]

Yes damage is possible, but not that likely to come from overclocking too high. Damage is more likely to come if the card is ran overclocked for long periods of time and the chips overheat.

 

[BFG10K]

The only real damage that can come from overclocking is when you overclock the memory too high and you "blow" it.
If you overclock the core too high it usually locks up before it overheats to a level which can damage it.

As always, use caution when overclocking.

 

[Muadib]

Yes, it shortens the life of the card. I had my Geforce card overclocked for about a year, and them one day, poof, no more 3d. It's a gamble I won't be taking with my 8500.