As part of this review, the overclocking of the GTX 950 will be described in stages. This video card belongs to a series of entry-level devices. It provided at the time of release a sufficient level of performance for most tasks. Not much time has passed since its start of sales, and this accelerator continues to be relevant. It will also provide its main technical specifications and consider a program for overclocking.
Equipment
Before overclocking the GTX 950 will be described, consider a typical delivery list of such a device. The accelerator package included the following main components:
- Discrete graphics accelerator.
- A disk with installation versions of diagnostic utilities, drivers and documentation in electronic format.
- A quick start guide that describes how to configure and operate such an adapter.
- Warranty card.
For the operation of the graphics subsystem based on such a video card in the nominal mode, the above list is sufficient. If you plan to increase the speed by increasing the clock frequency and voltage, then you need to download and install a special program for these purposes. In some cases, you may also need a utility to update the accelerator BIOS.
Special requirements are put forward to the components of a personal computer. First of all, the motherboard must be in ATX format and based on solid-state capacitors.
Another important point is the power of the power supply. If, before increasing the operating speed, 400 W is enough, then after performing such an operation, the total power consumption of a PC can reach 500-550 W. Therefore, the power of the power supply in this case should be appropriate.
It will also be useful to install additional fans on the system unit case. After overclocking the graphics adapter, the heat dissipation of the computer increases significantly. Therefore, additional cooling elements in this case will certainly not be superfluous.
Accelerator Options
Also, before overclocking from the MSI GTX 950 or any other manufacturer, we will determine its technical characteristics in the nominal mode. It is based on them that it is necessary to increase the speed of the graphics subsystem of a personal computer.
The main parameters of the described series of devices are as follows:
- GM206 processor based on Maxwell microarchitecture.
- The nominal clock frequency of the main chip is 1024-1088 MHz. That is, its value in the process of work varies depending on the level of heating and the complexity of the task.
- The supply voltage is in the range of 0.87-1.25 V. Moreover, its greatest value can reach 1.3 V.
- The type of RAM used is high-speed chips of the GDDR5 standard. Their recommended frequency is 6600 MHz.
Positioning
Initially, such an accelerator model refers to entry-level devices. Their speed is significantly higher than the integrated video cards, but significantly lower than the mid-range accelerators. And overclocking the GTX 950 graphics card does not allow it to significantly reduce the gap with more productive devices. Therefore, in any case, it will refer to discrete entry-level adapters.
Program
Overclocking the ASUS GTX 950 or any other device is recommended to be implemented using the AFTERBURNER program from MSI. This is a universal utility that can be used to increase the performance of both NVidia and AMD devices.
Its interface has three main controls. One of them controls the frequency of the processor. The second regulator is designed to adjust the voltage on it. The third sets the memory frequency. It is due to changes in these three parameters that the speed of the graphics subsystem of the PC is increased.
There is also a separate button for checking the stability of the accelerator - Stress Test. After pressing it, a comprehensive check of the adapter is carried out, then the verdict regarding the correct and reliable operation of the video card is issued based on its results.
Procedure for increasing speed
Overclocking the NVidia GeForce GTX 950 consists of the following main stages:
- Download the AFTERBURNER program from the official website. Install it.
- Then we reboot the computer system to re-initialize it.
- Run the program.
- In the interface window that opens after this, we pay attention to the regulators. The processor frequency is set to 1230 MHz. In this case, the voltage on it should be equal to 1.3 V. Well, at the final stage, the frequency of RAM must be set to 1800 MHz, which will correspond to the real 7200 MHz. As experience shows, it is with these parameters that this adapter is guaranteed to function. If they are exceeded, the stability of the graphics system may be impaired.
- If the voltage value does not change when adjusting the corresponding regulator, then this possibility is blocked by the manufacturer at the system BIOS level of the video card. Again, you can reflash the accelerator and activate the opportunity after that. But experience shows that manufacturers are not without reason blocking such an opportunity. Typically, such devices use a defective microprocessor. In nominal mode, it functions stably. But after overclocking, it can fail. Therefore, the user must, at his own risk, update the BIOS of the graphics subsystem.
- After setting the previously specified values, we check the stability of the PC using the appropriate menu item in the program. If the test passes, then save the changes and exit the program. Otherwise, you need to lower the parameters and check the stability of the accelerator again.
Actually, the overclocking operation is completely completed.
Actual performance after increased performance
According to the results of the tests, overclocking the GTX 950 allows you to increase the clock speed of the chip from 1024-1188 MHz to 1230-1280 MHz. That is, the growth is not so big. In this case, the voltage automatically rises to the maximum possible 1.3 V. Also, the memory subsystem functions at the limit of its capabilities. Its frequency in this mode is 7000-7200 MHz.
Feasibility of implementation
Now let's figure out whether it makes sense to overclock the NVidia GTX 950. As previously noted, this does not allow to achieve a dramatic increase in the speed of work. That is, to reduce in this way the difference of 30-40 percent from mid-range devices certainly will not work. In this case, the load on the components of a personal computer increases significantly. The same fully applies to the heat dissipation of a computer system.
Under the most favorable circumstances, we can only reduce the 10 percent lag. In most cases, we are talking about 5-7%. If a lack of performance falls into this range, then you can try to compensate for it. In all other cases, it makes no sense to make an additional load on the main elements of the PC.
Owner reviews
In most cases, overclocking the GeForce GTX 950 is impractical. He does not allow to solve the problem with a lack of speed. At the same time, energy consumption and load on the main components of a personal computer increase. That is, their degree of wear increases, and because of this, the PC system unit can break much faster. Therefore, resorting to this operation is necessary only as a last resort.
And experts advise updating the graphics accelerator model with a lack of speed. At the same time, it’s enough to sell an old video card, report a small amount and buy a device in the middle price range of the last recharge. This will allow a much simpler and more reliable solution to the issue with insufficient adapter speed.
Conclusion
The GTX 950 overclocking algorithm was described in this review. It is not so simple to increase the speed of the graphics subsystem based on such an adapter. Initially, it belonged to a manufacturer of a series of budget devices. Therefore, an impressive increase in performance in this case certainly will not work.
As experience shows, in the best case, an increase in speed will be 10 percent. According to the test results, this increases the indicator by 5-10 frames per second in the most demanding applications and games. That is, to achieve a significant improvement in the quality of the output image certainly will not work.
The only case when such an operation is justified is if there is a slight lack of speed. For example, you need a minimum of 60-65 frames per second, and the adapter produces 55-57. If you increase the frequency of the processor and RAM along with the voltage, then the missing difference can be compensated and it is quite comfortable to play after that. In all other cases, conducting such an operation does not make much sense.