How to overclock or underclock GPU devices for more efficient mining bitcoin

 Overclocking is increasing default memory and core clocks of the GPU so that they run on higher speeds than they were designed to run by the manufacturer. When overclocking, you could increase power limit and/or voltage, but keep in mind that this will increase power consumption. This can be relatively safe to experiment with, but note that extreme clocks and temperatures might damage your hardware faster than they normally would. With efficient overclocking, you can achieve higher mining profits and lower power usage!

Underclocking is the opposite of overclocking. When underclocking, you decrease memory and core clocks. Also, when underclocking, you can decrease the power limit and/or voltage which will result in lower power consumption.

Both. You should find the sweet spot between power usage (lowering power limit) and hashrate(memory and core clocks).

While you increase clocks, your GPU will need more power to be able to run at higher clocks. If you have free electricity, you could increase the power limit which will allow even higher clocks, but keep in mind that higher power usage = higher temperatures.

The word overclocking (OC) is usually used for either overclocking, underclocking or both.

What software to use for overclocking?

We suggest MSI Afterburner. You can download the latest version of the MSI Afterburner here (scroll all the way down).

MSI Afterburner allows you to set overclocks, fan speed, temperature limit, fan curve, etc. It also allows you to monitor your hardware temperatures, usage and much more.

How to overclock your GPU for mining?

Note that NVIDIA and AMD GPU overclocking is slightly different.

When changing the setting for NVIDIA cards you add or subtract value from the default value, while in AMD you set the absolute value.

The process of overclocking is relatively simple. You only have to set:

- Power Limit

- Core Clock

- Memory Clock

Follow these steps to overclock your GPUs with MSI Afterburner:

1. Run MSI Afterburner.

2. Unlink Power Limit and Temperature Limit [1 on the image above]. This will allow you to change the Power Limit without changing the Temperature Limit.

3. Set Power Limit [2 on the image above].

4. Set Core Clock [3 on the image above].

5. Set Memory Clock [4 on the image above].

6. Click Checkmark to apply the settings [5 in the image above].

7. Change the GPU [6 on the image above] and repeat the steps 3,4,5 and 6. This is only required if you have multiple GPUs.

8. Click on Save icon [7 on the image above] and select profile number [8 on the image above] to save the profile.

9. Make sure that Startup [9 on the image above] is enabled. This will make MSI Afterburner start on Windows startup.

Where to find overclock settings for my NVIDIA GPU?

For most NVIDIA cards, you can try the basic all-around setting:

75% Power Limit

+100 Core Clock

+200 Memory Clock

These setting should fit most NVIDIA GPUs. If you experience issues with these settings, you can try lowering Core or Memory clocks. If the settings are stable, you can increase the clocks by 50. Repeat this until mining is not stable anymore. Again, always increase the parameters gradually and stress test the system before the next increase.

Where to find overclock settings for my AMD GPU?

For AMD cards, you could slowly increase your base Core and Memory clocks by 50 MHz. Repeat this process until mining is not stable anymore. Always increase the parameters gradually and stress test the system before the next increase.

You can also find more overclock settings in our official Discord server where we have an overclock-settings channel where other users share their OC settings.