Overclocking

XFX: Overclocking
Taking Off the Sneakers and Lacing up Some Steel-Toe Boots

Overclocking: Taking Off the Sneakers and Lacing up Some Steel-Toe Boots

Overclocking, it’s a subject often shied away from by card manufactures that prefer to lock it away in the closet like some deep dark secret. This is completely understandable because if not performed properly it can lead to shortened product lifespan or blown components. I realize however that an elite segment of users are out there who are going to look for ways squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their video card. If you are thinking about joining ranks with this band of radicals, this article is aimed directly at you. First off to avoid any misunderstandings, I need to get my disclaimer out of the way now. We here at XFX in no way condone overclocking our product. Overclocking should only be attempted if you have a great understanding of computer hardware and realize that any damage incurred to the product due to over clocking is not covered under warranty. You also need to understand that two identical cards may have different Memory and GPU frequency thresholds. With that out of the way do note that overclocking can be a safe practice as long as you provide the correct environment and have plenty of patience. Airflow is everything The first rule of thumb is to have a well-ventilated case. If the only internal exhaust fan you have on your computer is the one built-into your power supply your computer is not the best environment for over clocking. If this is the case you should run out to your local computer hardware outlet and pickup a few internal fans (at least one for intake and one for exhaust). Another big plus is a nice roomy case. Small cases are often too crowded and do not allow for proper circulation. Take a look at the inside of your case. If you have ribbon cables and wires dangling about, strap or tuck them out of the way. These little bastards can block the path of airflow, thus