GPU Overclocking and CPU 3dmark Score

[chaleur]

I just unlocked GPU overclocking. I took a machine that I had previously optimised the CPU and RAM clocks on, and overclocked the GPU core clock to the edge of where it would run. I then ran 3dmark again. My score was cut in about half (2000ish vs. 4000ish). OCCT doesn't say that I'm getting throtted, and the CPU overclock worked perfectly until I overclocked the GPU as well. Can anyone help me understand?

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

If you are using an air cooled video card and an air cooler on the CPU then when you overclock the video card it makes more heat in the system. Which in turn will heat up the CPU and make it run hotter than it did with the video card at stock. Both are "connected" in an air cooled configuration and if either one of the two components are overclocked, they will produce more heat into the computer and in turn heat up the other component too.

I mention heat because you said that it ran fine when you didn't overclock the video card, but does cause issues when you overclock the video card.

Also there is only one reason in-game for 3dmark to complete and have a reduced score: Thermal throttling.

You could try adding more case fans in all possible inlets and outlets to improve airflow through the system and that may help. Focus on the highest CFM fans you have access to at the moment.

[spanki2]

Are you sure you are running OCCT in the "Infinite" mode? For sure it's a matter of CPU throttling, but OCCT should say so. If there is no such information, I bet you are running OCCT in wrong mode.

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by spanki2:

Are you sure you are running OCCT in the "Infinite" mode? For sure it's a matter of CPU throttling, but OCCT should say so. If there is no such information, I bet you are running OCCT in wrong mode.

In OCCT (sadly) the thermals and temperatures do -NOT- function like real life. In-game all processors and video cards immediately jump to maximum temperature the second you start either normal or infinite tests in OCCT. Yes I do realize that in real life it takes time for the heat to build up in a computer and we would have to run a computer for a while to determine it's maximum operating temperature. But not in PCBS. In PCBS if something is going to thermal throttle then it will say it in either tests in OCCT.

[chaleur]

Hmmm you are right, I double checked and the CPU is now getting throttled. So how do I choose whether to give the extra OC to the GPU or the CPU?

[PUC_Snakeman]

Push all of the things to their limits, so they are all at their limit simultaneously, with no throttling and no BSODs!

[chaleur]

But if overclocking the GPU also causes the CPU to get hotter, I need to choose some kind of balance between them, no? Or do I just focus on the GPU (say) and ignore the CPU.

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by chaleur:

But if overclocking the GPU also causes the CPU to get hotter, I need to choose some kind of balance between them, no? Or do I just focus on the GPU (say) and ignore the CPU.

Or increase cooling in the case, put an AIO on the CPU and overclock the video card further.

Or put both parts under a combined custom water loop and OC it even further. There are custom water cooling parts in-game. Including looping radiators together.

[PUC_Snakeman]

Focus on getting both to be the highest they can be TOGETHER. :) That's how I do it, at least.

[PUC_Snakeman]

Another note on this:

There is currently a bug where the CPU thinks the "GPU affect on CPU temperature" is "constant at time of bootup, based on bootup GPU Tuner settings". So, if you overclock the GPU, it may not say it is throttling the CPU, until you reboot and check again.

If you feel that this should be improved, you might consider contacting Irregular Corporation's support email.