When you are using your graphics card for gaming or any other type of video editing, reducing the power draw will help lower your PC’s operating temperature and keep the card from being damaged.
However, finding an optimal safe voltage while providing enough performance in your game may still take work. This article will cover how to undervolt your graphics card with both software and hardware, as well as some common pitfalls that might occur.
How do I undervolt my graphics card?
Undervolting a graphics card can result in a performance boost and prolong the card’s life. There are several ways to undervolt your graphics card, but the easiest way to do it is through your Nvidia or AMD control panel.
To undervolt your graphics card:
- Open your Nvidia or AMD control panel and navigate to “Manage 3D Settings.”
- Select your graphics card under the “Primary Graphics Adapter” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Settings” button next to the “Primary Graphics Adapter” dropdown menu.
- Under the “GPU Performance” tab, click on the “Undervolting Options” button.
- Select either the “Standard Mode” or the “Power Saving Mode.”
- Under the “Undervoltage Options” tab, select either the “High Performance” or the “Extended Performance” option.
- Click on OK to save your changes.
How does undervolt work?
Undervolting a graphics card can have positive effects on performance. It is an adjustment of the voltage provided to the GPU, which can be done to lower its power draw. This decreases heat production and allows for longer fan-cooling cycles, leading to improved performance.
When overclocking, it is important to maintain a stable voltage since too many voltage fluctuations can cause damage to the graphics card and the system it’s installed in. Undervolting will allow users to fine-tune their system for optimum performance without worrying about damaging their hardware.
Why would you want to undervolt your graphics card?
Undervolting your graphics card can have various benefits, the most common of which is saving power. Undervolting may also increase performance in some cases, though this is often minor.
Lastly, undervolting may help avoid issues with your graphics card’s fan spinning too fast and causing thermal problems.
Undervolting your graphics card can be done in several ways, including using software or a hardware device.
The most popular way to undervolt is to use a software tool like MSI Afterburner or EVGA PrecisionX OC. These tools allow you to independently adjust the voltage levels of your graphics card’s cores and memory modules.
Hardware devices like the ASUS ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 Ti O8G Undervoltter allow you to undervolt your graphics card without using any software. This device comes with an overclocking probe that allows you to overclock your graphics card while undervolting it simultaneously easily.
Why Do You Need Undervolt?
Graphics cards are designed to work with specific voltages, and the card can fail when the voltage is incorrect. Undervoltting a graphics card allows it to operate at a lower voltage than specified by the manufacturer, resulting in a longer lifespan and improved performance.
Many graphics card manufacturers specify a maximum voltage for their products. If you attempt to overvolt your graphics card beyond this limit, you can damage the internal circuitry or even cause the card to fail.
By undervolting your graphics card, you can reduce its operating voltage while providing adequate power to the device. This results in a longer lifespan and improved performance.
Several factors determine how much undervolting your graphics card requires. First, your PC’s BIOS must be set up correctly for undervolting to work properly.
Second, your graphics card’s tolerance for temperature must be considered; undervolting will cause the GPU to run hotter, which may result in accelerated wear and tear on the component.
Lastly, be aware that some third-party software may not support undervolting your graphics card; if this is the case, you’ll need to disable undervolting through your OS or driver settings before using such software.
Benefits of Undervolting
Undervolting a graphics card can provide several benefits. Reducing the voltage supplied to the graphics card can improve performance, VRAM usage, and battery life. Additionally, undervolting can be a security measure against malware or hackers.
One of the most common reasons to undervolt a graphics card is to improve performance. Reducing the voltage supplied to the graphics card can reduce power consumption and heat output. This can increase FPS and stability when gaming or using other graphical-intensive applications.
Undervolting also has implications for VRAM usage. Reducing the voltage supplied to the graphics memory can improve overall performance when loading large textures or video files. In some cases, this allows users to use less powerful video cards without any noticeable impact on image quality.
Lastly, undervolting can be a security measure against malware or hackers. Reducing the voltage supplied to the graphics card will make it more difficult for these malicious actors to access sensitive data or install malicious software.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is undervoltage?
Undervoltage is a technique used by hardware enthusiasts to lower the power draw of their graphics card without sacrificing performance. Lowering the power draw will extend the card’s lifespan and may even boost performance.
Why would I want to undervolt my graphics card?
There are a few reasons why you should undervolt your graphics card. If you’re experiencing high system temperatures, undervolting can help cool your system down. If you’re struggling to achieve max performance out of your graphics card, undervolting can help improve frame rates. Additionally, undervolting can help extend your graphics card’s life by reducing the heat it produces.
How do I undervolt my graphics card?
Depending on your hardware and preferences, there are several ways to undervolt your graphics card: BIOS modification, Nvidia GPU Tweak Tool, AMD GPU Tweak Tool, or direct CLI commands. BIOS modifications require access to a PC’s firmware and should be done at your own risk. Nvidia GPU Tweak Tool and AMD GPU Tweak Tool offer software-based methods that allow more user control over voltage settings. Direct CLI commands are easier to use but may require more technical know-how.
Is undervolting safe?
Yes, Undervolting is generally safe if you follow proper safety practices and measure voltages carefully before making any changes. Undervolting should not be used to fix graphics card issues caused by incorrect motherboard settings or improper power supply voltages.
Conclusion
If you’re like most computer users, your graphics card is running a bit hot, and you want to cool it down. This guide has shown you how to undervolt your graphics card so that it runs more quietly and cooler, which in turn can extend the life of your graphics card and reduce power consumption.
Be sure to follow all of the steps in the guide carefully to ensure that your graphics card stays underpowered and cool all the time!
