Make the GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 significantly faster? A Blackwell overclocking guide (not only) for dummies

1 - Introduction and download links 2 - Problems with overclocking and typical error patterns 3 - Memory clock over 2000 MHz? Here's the trick! 4 - Benchmark results and conclusion

First of all, tactful greetings to all those who want something more than just an off-the-shelf card! As is customary with a new generation, here on igor’sLab I present you with some detailed tips and techniques for overclocking (OC) the latest Nvidia RTX 5000 series and so you can see that this is a guest article. This article is aimed at both enthusiasts and newcomers, so that both experienced readers and those who are dealing with the topic for the first time are equally addressed.

First, some basic information on overclocking the new cards. For beginners, I will explain the most important points in an understandable way, while experienced enthusiasts may find some familiar aspects. Nevertheless, a solid introduction is necessary for everyone. The following topics will be covered in detail today:

• Basics of overclocking on the RTX 5000 series
• The “boost clock problem” and an effective solution
• An exclusive trick for memory overclocking with more than 2000 MHz

Is overclocking with Blackwell even worth it?

In short: In my opinion, overclocking is definitely worthwhile with the new RTX 5080 models! The test cards available to me show a considerable overclocking potential overall. It is particularly interesting that an increase in clock speed only results in a minimal increase in power consumption. Even more advantageous is memory overclocking, which is possible with practically no significant additional load. Even though many people are interested in undervolting, I have personally found that overclocking pays off more in this case. Ultimately, this is a question of individual preference. If you want to learn more about undervolting, you can find comprehensive instructions in my previous articles, as the basic procedure and the relevant voltage ranges have hardly changed.

For chips of average quality, the expected clock increase is around 275 to 350 MHz, while particularly good examples remain stable up to 400 to 450 MHz above the base clock. The exact potential also depends on the respective card model. A base card with an exceptionally good chip can achieve higher clock rates in the MSI Afterburner, as the factory boost clock is set lower. OC models with factory-boosted clock rates, on the other hand, have less room for improvement. For example, 350 MHz on an MSI Ventus does not mean the same as 350 MHz on an MSI Suprim, as the Ventus starts with a lower output clock and therefore nominally suggests more leeway (internal boost offset).

Another influencing factor is the driver version used. For example, the last driver release slightly increased the boost clock of my test card, so I had to adjust the OC values downwards accordingly in order to get back to the originally stable frequencies. Such variables should always be kept in mind.

Overall, the new GDDR7 memory is extremely overclockable. Although it is currently still difficult to determine general average values, all of the cards I have have mastered at least 2000 MHz in the MSI Afterburner without any problems. My best example even reached 3000 MHz, which I will discuss in more detail later. However, the memory bandwidth of the new cards is already so high that additional memory overclocking in many cases hardly brings any measurable performance gains. Nevertheless, more speed has always been better.

At 430 MHz on the core and 2000 MHz on the memory, my test card only showed an additional consumption of 20 to 30 watts in most scenarios. This is an absolutely acceptable value, especially as most models are equipped with generously dimensioned cooling so that there are no significant disadvantages. My conclusion: Overclocking is worthwhile with these cards. The power limit can be maintained or even reduced according to taste, while the additional performance is taken without major disadvantages. The opportunistic boost mechanism of the card is retained without having to accept additional heat development or other restrictions. In contrast to a fixed clock, this method always enables the maximum performance that is available at any given moment.

Disclaimer

However, it is important to emphasize that any intervention in the factory settings of the graphics card, regardless of the method, is always associated with a certain risk. Even if software overclocking does not usually cause any immediate damage, it can still lead to instability, unforeseen behavior or a shortened service life of the hardware. It should also be borne in mind that some manufacturers have internal mechanisms to track unusual operating parameters, even if no direct modifications have been made to the firmware or hardware. Anyone who is not comfortable with these risks should therefore refrain from making any changes.

Overclocking your GPU may invalidate the warranty in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. All modifications are at your own risk and I accept no liability for any damage. However, as long as no changes are made to the BIOS or the hardware itself, the risk of detection by the manufacturer is low. Personally, I consider software overclocking to be harmless, as a faulty card would fail for a long time anyway. I therefore always test my cards directly to their maximum and have not had any problems so far.

Available OC tools

There are a variety of overclocking tools available for adjusting the graphics card performance. For classic overclocking, however, the MSI Afterburner (AB) has established itself as the most reliable and versatile solution. It not only offers the option of adjusting all relevant parameters, but also enables direct editing of the voltage-frequency curve. This can either be used to optimize the clock rate (keyword: boost table) or to lower the voltage in a targeted manner in order to reduce energy consumption through undervolting. If you want to find out more about these methods, you can find a detailed explanation in my article on the Nvidia Ampere series, which is still largely valid. And if you remember, I already had something similar as a guide for Ampere:

GeForce RTX 3080 und RTX 3090 Undervolting – Wenn Vernunft und Experimentierfreude auf Ampere treffen

In addition to the MSI Afterburner, there are other manufacturer-specific tools such as EVGA Precision X1, ASUS GPU Tweak III and numerous others. However, these currently have the disadvantage that they automatically modify the voltage-frequency curve at certain settings, which can lead to unexpected clock reductions. If you only want to reduce the voltage and energy consumption of the graphics card or perform a classic overclocking, the Afterburner is the easiest and most reliable option.

In this article, we will focus in particular on two essential tools that you can download from the following link:

MSI Afterburner
Official website: https://www.msi.com/Landing/afterburner

EVGA Precision X1
Official website: https://www.evga.com/precisionx1/

Both tools offer extensive options for adjusting the graphics card performance. While the MSI Afterburner can be used universally and is particularly suitable for voltage-frequency adjustments, EVGA Precision X1 is primarily aimed at users with specific functions, which I will discuss later.