Overclocking GTX 970

[Roguebantha]

I always feel like I'm doing something wrong.

I have an EVGA GTX 970 ACX 2.0 that runs great at stock, and with an OC of up to 1427 Mhz on core and 1843 Mhz on memory, with no overvolting and a 110% power target in EVGA PrecisionX.
I see these posts of people who are easily getting 1500+ Mhz on their core, and casually throwing out memory OC's of +400 Mhz, where I can barely manage +180 Mhz on the memory without artifacting. And I have to wonder...am I doing something wrong? Did I just lose the silicon lottery? Or is it just because I haven't chosen to modify the card's BIOS as many people have?

 

[wingman99]

I think you lost the silicon lottery you don't have the winning ticket.

 

[Vellinious]

I always feel like I'm doing something wrong.

I have an EVGA GTX 970 ACX 2.0 that runs great at stock, and with an OC of up to 1427 Mhz on core and 1843 Mhz on memory, with no overvolting and a 110% power target in EVGA PrecisionX.
I see these posts of people who are easily getting 1500+ Mhz on their core, and casually throwing out memory OC's of +400 Mhz, where I can barely manage +180 Mhz on the memory without artifacting. And I have to wonder...am I doing something wrong? Did I just lose the silicon lottery? Or is it just because I haven't chosen to modify the card's BIOS as many people have?

The ACX 2.0 EVGA cards are hampered by 170 watts at 100% and 187 watts at 110% power limits. The power limits have an effect on the card's overall performance. I also believe that the generic ACX 2.0 card, and the ACX 2.0 SC 970s are limited to 1.212v, so, you're also hampered by voltage restrictions.

Try adding some volts in PCX with "KBoost" enabled. If it reads 1.212v in the PCX window, you'll know for sure. If not, don't worry...there is absolutely NOTHING in the stock bios versions that are going to hurt your card in any way, shape, or form. Even if you CAN raise the voltage via the slider in PCX, it'll be limited to a max of 1.262v. WAY under the "safe limits" of 1.3v.

Also, during your overclock testing in FS / Heaven / Valley, whatever (don't use Furmark), have the GPUz sensors tab open and watch the "PerfCap Reason" line. It's one up from the bottom. It will tell you EXACTLY why your card is hitting it's performance cap.

Also....Maxwell and the memory Maxwell uses LOVES to run cool. So, the cooler you keep the card, the higher it'll clock. If you want higher clocks, lower the ambient in your pc room a tad and run the fans at 100%....might get you a little bit extra.