What is the danger of overclocking a video card?

Overclocking video cards is a process aimed at increasing the operating frequencies of a video card. The main task is to increase the productivity of computer technology. At the same time, each PC user must understand the dangers of overclocking a video card and how effective this event can be.

Does it make practical sense?

Many novice PC users are wondering if overclocking a video card is harmful. A correctly performed procedure guarantees the absence of unnecessary risks and the achievement of maximum efficiency, because it becomes possible to perform more serious computer tasks:

• active and stable activity in games and 3D programs;
• quick response to any user command;
• no freezes even in the most modern and advanced games.

However, the video card will be able not only to successfully demonstrate its inherent potential, but also to work for a long time if overclocking is performed with a clear understanding of the features of this process.

Do you need to overclock?

An attempt to overclock a video card is only advisable if the device belongs to the junior or middle models of the line in question. In this case, it becomes possible to note an increase from 10 to 50 percent. If you are interested in whether overclocking a video card is harmful, you need to consider that overclocking samples, which are offered by well-known manufacturers, are ideal for the procedure. Only if the video card did not show itself at the desired level during rigorous evaluation tests by the manufacturer, it becomes possible to further overclock it and achieve the best results.

If you want to understand whether overclocking a video card is dangerous or not, you should note a number of cases when the event still ceases to be appropriate.

You need to understand that overclocking a video card is dangerous for a computer if there is no balance in technology. In this regard, the initial task is to optimize the operating system and increase the functionality of the computer, and then use the video card at the highest possible frequencies.

At the very beginning, you need to take care of the following tasks:

• use of a powerful processor;
• guaranteed availability of sufficient RAM;
• installing the latest versions of drivers with their correct settings;
• no extra apps running in the background.

The computer should not slow down, otherwise there are unnecessarily high risks that a responsible event will be carried out without benefit.

Potential risk of video card overclocking

So, why is overclocking a video card dangerous? For what reasons is it undesirable to carry out this event, and what risks should be taken into account initially?

Watch a video about the dangers of overclocking a video card.

Overclocking a computer video card involves exceeding the passport capabilities. Focusing on this fact, one can purely theoretically assume the potential failure of the device. Only a well-executed procedure reduces the initial risks to a minimum level. If the actions turn out to be illiterate, the risk of a sad outcome becomes an almost guaranteed event. It is important to understand that in case of an unsuccessful development of events, the video card fails due to insufficient cooling of the GPU and the burning of the video card, which is forced to overheat.

An additional problem may be a decrease in the operational life of a video card that has survived overclocking. This situation is actually real, because the life of the microcircuit of any device is determined by the operating temperature. If the set optimum operating temperature is exceeded, the service life is gradually reduced. Experts note that every 10 degrees above the normal temperature range reduces the life of the chip by half. Despite this, you should not worry, because the operational life of high-quality microcircuits reaches tens of years, and the slightest changes will not be serious.

Secrets of the correct overclocking of the video card

Properly conducted event allows you to count on achieving the best results. Overclocking a video card is a complex and responsible procedure, because if you fail, you can face serious troubles.

For overclocking, it is advisable to use special applications:

• AMD/ATI – ATITool;
• NVIDIA – RivaTuner;
• universal option – PowerStrip.

In the above programs, you can set the optimal characteristics: the operating frequencies of the video chip and memory. Overclocking is desirable to be carried out gradually, increasing the initial performance by 10 – 50 MHz with further checking the performance of the video card in modern 3D programs. Reduction of indicators by the characteristics of the previous step should be carried out if during the overclocking of the video card the computer freezes or artifacts appear on the computer. Accounting for real indicators and the real potential of the video card is mandatory, since the success of the event depends on this.

A careful approach to overclocking a video card eliminates any risks and guarantees the maximum chance of success.