There are a few methods to do a memory test and verify the health of RAM. Still, as is frequently the case, 3rd-party tools are likely to provide more information than Windows’ convenient but rather easy in-house techniques.

This article will teach you how to check the health of your RAM in several ways. But first, let us review some quick indicators of RAM problems.

RAM Problems Indications

Before you can do anything, you’ll like to be sure you’re howling up the correct tree, so these are a few clear symptoms that your RAM isn’t working properly like:

• PC beeps one or even more times when it boots up.
• PC processing slows down the longer you leave it on.
• Have trouble loading files.
• In System Info, the PC shows less RAM than what you have installed.

Now we can discuss the best methods to check RAM health on Windows.

Health Check by Windows Memory Diagnostic

The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is the easiest but least comprehensive way to check your RAM.

• Click Start
• Type in the search bar “mdsched.exe.”
• When requested, restart the computer.
• A diagnostic tool will be launched.

Click F1, then select whether you want to run the Basic, Standard, or Extended tests. This might take some time. During this procedure, you will see a progress bar and a “Status” message informing you whether any errors were discovered.

However, you are not required to watch the process; you may leave your computer and return later to get the results.

Your computer will restart and back to the Desktop when it’s finished. The result will show after you log in. To begin,

• Launch the Event Viewer.
• Select “Event Viewer” from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button. In Windows 7, enter Windows Key+R,
• then type “eventvwr.msc” into the Run dialogue and hit Enter.
• Go to Windows Logs > System.
• You’ll notice a long list of upcoming events. In the right pane, click “Find.”
  
• Enter “MemoryDiagnostic” into the search box and press “Find Next.”

At the bottom of the window, you’ll see the result as well as extra information about your RAM.

Boot and Run MemTest86

MemTest86 is a great testing tool that you may download and use if you’re seeking the finest one. It runs a broader range of tests and may uncover flaws that the bundled Windows test does not.

The most recent versions of this utility include a premium edition with additional functionality, albeit the free version should suffice. MemTest86 is Microsoft-signed; thus, it will run even on computers with Secure Boot activated.

You might also use the free and open-source MemTest86+ if you’re seeking another choice. We are, however, using MemTest86.

Both are self-contained, bootable gadgets. MemTest86 comes with a USB image that you may copy to a USB drive. To make a bootable USB drive, just execute the EXE file provided with the download as well as provide a spare USB drive.

Please be aware that copying the MemTest86 image to a USB device would delete its contents. Make a backup of any vital files on the disc first.

After you’ve made bootable discs, reboot your pc and instruct it to load from the USB device where you copied the memory test program.

The application will start up and begin analyzing your storage, running via test after test & notifying you if there is a problem. It will continue to conduct tests until you disable it, enabling you to check how memory operates over a longer duration.

Any mistakes will be shown on your screen. When you’re finished, just hit the “Esc” key to quit it and reboot your system.

If tests return errors, it’s very likely that the RAM—at least one of several sticks—is not healthy and is defective and must be replaced.

Physically Checking the RAM

Now, how would you deal with the faults that were discovered during the RAM checkup on your Windows system? Changing the RAM is the last resort, but it’s also worth double-checking that it’s correctly seated in your computer.

Remove the RAM sticks from the Computer one at a time, running the MemTest every session to check if the issues go away. That way, you’ll be able to determine which stick (or slot) was producing the issues.

If you notice that problems appear whenever you insert a particular stick, there is an issue with that stick. If there are issues every time a RAM stick is inserted into a specific slot, that slot may be the root of the issue, and you may need to repair the motherboard.

Conclusion: What If your RAM Is Bad?

If your RAM looks to be faulty, you would need to purchase a new RAM module & update your old one. Until then, you might attempt underclocking your RAM to temporarily make your system a bit more stable.

If the diagnostic methods reveal no faults or a clocking-related error, you should examine your RAM’s clock and speed parameters and overclock it to maximize its performance.

If that does not address your problem, the problem you are attempting to identify on your PC may be caused by a failure in another system part, and the RAM might not have been the source of the problem.

When users have difficulties with their PCs, they frequently blame a defective motherboard. But how do you know it’s a motherboard problem and not something else?

How to check the health of my motherboard? This will be the subject of our discussion. Make sure you go through this post to avoid misdiagnosing an issue.

Importance Of Motherboard

We can’t overlook the reality that the motherboard is the most crucial part of a PC since it connects numerous other components such as the central processing unit (CPU), RAM, and input and output devices.

By using the human brain as an example, you can see how vital the motherboard is because, just as the brain maintains balance, the motherboard does the same. That’s why it is essential to check motherboard health.

Ways To Check Health Of Motherboard

The major topic we’re talking about today is how to check motherboard health. Let’s move on to the symptoms of a faulty motherboard.

PCI-E Ports

This is a difficult one to narrow down. If your GPU ceases operating or you see unusual visual abnormalities on the screen (especially when gaming), it might be a defective PCI-E slot or even the GPU itself.

To begin, you should upgrade your GPU drivers & reinstall them if needed to ensure that the issue isn’t simply a software issue with the graphics card. If it fails, try inserting the GPU into a different slot to see whether the issue resurfaces.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, then it is clear that the slot from which you removed it is most likely defective. You might try upgrading your motherboard BIOS to see if that fixes the issue, but if that doesn’t work, you might have to check into a replacement.

RAM Slots

If your system beeps when you switch it on and slows down with time, you might have a RAM issue. However, it is possible that the issue is not with the RAM itself but with the RAM slots.

To test this, open your PC, remove a stick of RAM, and then turn it again on to check whether it functions properly. Continue doing so till your computer fails again. If this happens, try placing the RAM in some other RAM slot.

If the computer starts acting up once more, you realize that the problem is in the RAM stick. If the PC functions normally, you know it’s the RAM slot, and the motherboard is not working properly.

Power Supply Unit

The power supply unit (PSU) is equally critical as the motherboard. Despite this, many users pay little attention to it, even when their machine dies.

Fundamentally, a PSU gives electricity to your computer. If it fails to do so or is out of specification, it can cause lasting system damage. If the load is too large for the PSU, the system’s power supply will be inadequate, causing serious damage to other components.

As a result, you must utilize a high-quality power supply. Consult your motherboard documentation for instructions on how to check the PSU voltage using the BIOS menu. There are additional software utilities available from motherboard makers that can do this function.

If you have another PSU that is known to operate, try it in your system to check if the present PSU is just dead or malfunctioning. Several connected peripherals might cause the system to overload, so detach non-essential components like the optical drive or video card to verify if the computer works smoothly.

If it does work smoothly, then the problem is with the PSU. Alternatively, if it does not work, the motherboard can be at fault.

USB Ports

Examine the gadgets in various ports to determine if they function appropriately. If they do, you realize there’s a problem with the USB slot. You can check for keyboards and mice in multiple ports prior to being discarded.

But don’t start blaming your motherboard yet. Go to Device Manager on your PC, keep scrolling to “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” and see which ports have exclamation marks beside them.

If this is the case, right-click it and select Update Driver.

Although if there’s not an exclamation point (like in the image above), you should attempt the Upgrade Drivers option to be sure. Alternatively, you may right-click each one of the USB port drivers individually and select “Scan for Hardware Changes.”

Lastly, you might try removing each USB driver individually then rebooting your PC to compel it to reinstall them.

If any of these do not help, the issue is most likely with your motherboard’s hardware.

Video Ports (HDMI, VGI, DVI) Not Working

Suppose the multimedia outcomes are also not operating when connected to your motherboard. In that case, the very first thing to keep in mind is that if you’ve got a GPU within your PC, neither of that will work. That’s because, by default, your computer turns off its motherboard access points if there are GPU slots accessible. (This parameter may be changed in the BIOS).

If the problem persists, go to Device Manager, under Monitors, right-click “Nonexclusive PnP Monitor,” and carefully try every option, including “Output for equipment changes, too,” “Update driver software,” and simply “Uninstall gadget.”

Furthermore, when you do uninstall your display, restart the computer to enable it to reload, and then test it to see if it performs. If none of this functions, you’re looking at a damaged motherboard, and it’s a good opportunity to start looking for that assured data.

Blue/Black Screen

The Blue/Black Screen of Death (BSoD) indicates that there is indeed trouble with the mobo, which might be already dead. It’s a malfunction that indicates that your windows have been paused, but the system has a flaw.

In almost all of the cases, it signals an issue with the hardware or the driver, but it might also be the motherboard, so keep that in mind as well.

Burning Smell

If your system frequently gives a burning smell, this might signify a motherboard breakdown.

This smell is recognized when there is excessive overheating, which can be caused by any unsuitable part of the board.

Conclusion

Motherboards are complex, but all these measures will help to check motherboard health. Open your computer to determine whether the problem is with the board or other PC components.

When you do access your system, make certain that all wires, cards, and so on are correctly plugged in since a loose connection causes most issues.

When we use the PC for an extended amount of time, the PSU, or power supply unit, becomes hot. PSU efficiency is essential.

Now, it is a scientific concept that heat energy created within any device simply indicates that half of the energy delivered to the system or appliance is squandered as heat, as it is generated from the same power source that we use to operate the system.

The ideal remedy in such a situation is to turn off the system or install an air circulation or air conditioning system in that region to cool it, but in order to know when the PSU gets hot, we need a functioning technique to monitor the PSU temperature, which you can achieve by reading on.

Check PSU Temp

Use these tips to monitor or check PSU temperature:

Computer Will Shut Down

The finest feature of our system’s power supply unit is that it will immediately shut down the system if it overheats. Simply put, all computer systems are intended to turn off when the temperature of those components rises over a level that can’t be monitored using the software.

Use a Temperature Monitoring App

Although there are no programs that can directly monitor PSU heat, there are certainly plenty that can assist us in measuring CPU temperature, hard disk temperature, and, of course, graphics card temperature.

The temperature of the CPU core is linked to the temperature of the power supply.

Check the Temperature of Exhaust Air Using a Thermometer

The ideal technique to check the PSU temperature is to open the CPU cabinet and examine it personally, but you may not always be able to do so.

In these circumstances, you may easily bring a thermometer near the exhaust unit and measure the temperature of exhaust air, which will be the same for your system’s PSU.

During Gaming

When you play high-end graphics games on your PC, it’s only natural for your system to experience hangs and temperature spikes.

If your computer’s RAM is less than the designated RAM limit for playing the game, your system’s PSU is likely to overheat, and if you’re running numerous apps at the same time, the PSU temperature is still likely to rise due to the lack of free RAM.

Hold Your Hand in front of the Fan

Every computer has room for a CPU fan on the rear section, which may be found at any position on the back portion of your laptop base.

You may verify if the system has heated up by bringing your hand right after this spot. To keep your system temperature under control, you can utilize a CPU cooling pad.

App to Monitor the Motherboard

The temperature of your PSU is also linked to the temperature of your computer’s motherboard, either directly or indirectly.

On the internet, there is an application called Motherboard Monitor that can be downloaded and used to monitor PSU temperature by monitoring the motherboard temperature.

Recovering From an Overheated Power Supply

First, check what PSU do you have. Two power supplies are housed in a storage enclosure. A built-in temperature sensor is included in each power supply to protect it from overheating. The fans in the power supply maintain a reasonable operating temperature inside the storage enclosure under typical operation settings, with ambient air temperatures ranging from 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F).

The power supply turns off automatically when the interior temperature reaches 65°C (149°F). If both power sources fail due to overheating, the storage enclosure will be powerless, and all LEDs will be turned off.

Overheating of a power supply can be caused by the following factors:

• A room with an exceptionally high temperature
• In the power supply, there was a fan failure
• Circuitry in the power supply that is defective
• Vents that are clogged
• Other devices in the setup or rack fail

The system-error LED and the overtemperature LEDs on the front bezel light up if a fan failure causes overheating. The power supply’s fault LED may also be illuminated. The positions of the LEDs on a storage enclosure may be seen by checking the LEDs.

Remove all rack panels immediately to assist in lowering the rack air temperature and prevent damage to system components when the power sources automatically shut down.

Conclusion

How long a PSU can last is vital to determine. PSU failure might result in a slew of issues. A severely damaged power supply would prevent the machine from booting at all.

The power supply’s cooling fans might fail to provide adequate cooling, causing the CPU temperature to rise to unsafe levels.

Blue screens of death (BSoD), frequent computer crashes, storage failure, inability to start the software, hard disc reading difficulties, and other minor issues are all typical problems linked with the PSU.

If these issues recur regularly, the power supply should be checked first, and if it is faulty, better replace it.

We’ll show you how to determine which power supply you have in the following instructions. Methods will cover how to check your power supply with and without removing your side panel, as well as several essential recommendations that will help you make a more educated hardware buy.

What PSU Do You Need?

The power supply unit you purchase must be adequate for your system. Test it to make sure that it is.

Suppose you intend to update your computer components to something more powerful, you should get a power supply with a larger wattage and rated capacity.

Remember that your motherboard and other pricey components may be destroyed if you don’t utilize a top-quality power supply unit.

The best time to assess your power supply is shortly before an upgrade. New generations of hardware or even a same-gen update frequently require a significant amount of more power to function efficiently.

For example, switching from a 2060Ti to a 3060Ti will naturally demand roughly 50-100 extra watts of electricity.

This is often the case with any hardware change, so knowing what you’re working with in terms of watts is critical.

Check out the PSU calculator to see how much watts your new gear will take.

How To Check What PSU I have?

Here’s how to find out the power supply unit you have on your PC:

Power Supply Label

There is a printed layout or a label sticker on every power supply unit with the specs and the model number.

You will simply need to open the PC case and find out the written level on the PSU to verify this label on your PC power supply.

Suppose your power supply is hidden under a PSU cover. In that case, you’ll have to remove it to learn about its specifications and, more importantly, its model number.

To remove your PC’s power supply, you may need to loosen some screws. Before touching your computer, detach it from the power source and switch off the power supply.

Now that you’ve removed your power supply unit, closely examine its body to see whether it has any labels, such as the one seen below.

Image Source: Tech Spot

The certified ratings, model number, and characteristics of your power supply may be found here. This is the quickest and most accurate way to determine the wattage of your power supply.

Check the Manufacturer’s Website

This second method would work only if your computer was bought as a prebuilt.

In this case, the website where you purchased the PC should offer a complete components list that you may use to determine which PSU you have.

This method makes life a lot easier when determining the wattage of your power source. It’s also useful because the power supply on most prebuilt PCs isn’t labeled.

So, search for your computer’s model on the internet. It will verify the wattage of your power supply.

On the Box

You can examine the model and specifications of PSU on the pass apply box if you have it.

Inspecting the power supply’s box is the most straightforward approach to determine the wattage, model number, and other necessary details.

Hopefully, one of the three ways listed above has assisted you in determining what power supply you have.

Conclusion

Finally, the simplest approach to find out what PSU you have is to remove the panel from your chassis. However, we appreciate that not everyone has that privilege; therefore, other options must be considered.

Most people want to know how long does a PSU lasts. Always check your PSU if you want to upgrade, overclock, or make sure it has enough power. It has the potential to save you time, money, and a great deal of worry.

If your PC’s existing power supply is dying, don’t lose time and replace it as soon as feasible.

If you are tech-savvy or are simply into computers, you are probably more than aware of your entire PC’s hardware, including the graphics card. However, there is also the possibility you aren’t. You may like to play, and generally have a nice time, but you don’t get bothered with such details. However, there are occasions when knowing your graphics card may be important, for example, to check game compatibility.

Certain GPUs can play certain games, while others can’t. Some of the graphics cards support higher resolutions on certain games, while other support lower ones. Simply, knowing what type of graphics you have inside of your computer may give you a better insight into what games you should play and what you should avoid. Also, you might find out that maybe it is time to change your GPU.

Therefore, knowing how to find the type of graphics you have on your Windows 10 is pretty important, and the way to do it is presented in the following text.

How to Check Graphics Card on Windows 10

There are numerous ways you can discover your GPU on Windows 10 and here, you are going to be introduced to the most common ones.

How to Check Graphics Card on Windows 10 with the Help of Task Manager

One of the easiest and more preferred is with the help of Task Manager:

1. In this process, you are required to go to Start, right-click it

   

   and select “Task Manager” from the drop-down menu.



2. When the “Task Manager” opens, go to the “Performance” tab

   

   and you should see the name of the graphics card installed in the bottom left corner of it.

How to Check Graphics Card on Windows 10 through DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Another way you can discover your GPU type is through the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:

1. This process requires that you activate the “Run” command, by pressing “Windows key” + R on your keyboard and typing “dxdiag” in the blank field, and pressing “OK”.



2. Go to the “Display” tab and you will have the type of the GPU installed on your computer next to the “Name”.

How to Check Graphics Card on Windows 10 through Control Panel

The last way that is going to be presented in this guide is with the help of the “Control Panel”:

1. This is probably the longest of the three and it requires that you enter Control Panel, which can be achieved by typing “Control Panel” in the Search box

   

   and left-clicking it when it appears in the results.



2. After that, go to “Hardware and Sound”

   

   and select “Device Manager”.



3. If you are not logged in as the Administrator, the pop-up window, with the information that you will not be allowed to make changes, will appear, and you should just press “OK”.



4. Once you do, find the “Display adapters” among the listed devices in the “Device Manager”,

   

   expand them and you will have your computer’s graphics model written on the screen.

There is an array of reasons based on which you might need to reset your CMOS; you might be experiencing troubleshooting or hardware compatibility issues, maybe your PC’s doesn’t boot properly, or it hangs a lot.

Being in a similar situation to the aforementioned ones, resetting your CMOS can set things right.

How to Reset Your CMOS

In this guide, we will get you up to speed with all the methods that you can follow to reset your CMOS. So, let’s begin!

1. Reset to Default Settings from BIOS/UEFI Menu

The simplest way of clearing your CMOS is to head to your BIOS/UEFI setup utility and perform a factory data reset.

For that, first, restart your PC. As soon as the first screen with your computer manufacturer’s name pops up, press the relevant key to navigate to the BIOS/UEFI menu. Depending upon your manufacturer, this key can be either of the following: Esc, Del, F2, F8, or F12.

Anyway, once you’re in, look for the phrase similar to any one of these; reset to factory default, load setup defaults, load BIOS defaults etc.

After selecting the reset option, save the settings and reboot your PC.

2. Use the Case Button on Your CPU

In this method, you will be looking for a small button labeled ‘Clear’ or ‘Reset’ on your case that can be used to reset the CMOS.

So, first things first, turn off your computer and plug it off from the power outlet. Now, search over the body of your CPU for a button labeled ‘Clear’ or ‘Reset’.

You will most likely find it near the power button. Once you do, press it for 5-10 seconds and then, power on your PC.

Tap the right key to navigate to your BIOS options when prompted.

Finally, make the desired modifications in the BIOS setting and reboot your computer.

(Note: If your motherboard has the option ‘optimized defaults’ for the BIOS options, choosing it is highly recommended for beginners.)

3. Use the Button on Motherboard

This method commonly applies to the top-notch motherboards out there. It involves opening up your CPU and locating a tiny button labeled commonly as “CLR,” “CLEAR” or “RESET” on your motherboard.

Firstly, turn off your CPU and press the power button multiple times to ensure all the motherboard’s capacitors are completely discharged.

Next, unplug your computer power outlet and open up your CPU’s case.

Locate the button mentioned above. If you face trouble finding it, refer to the motherboard’s manual.

Once you’ve found it, press and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds using either your finger or a pencil. If you do it with your finger, be very careful do not forget to ground yourself beforehand.

Having done that, reconnect your PC to the power socket and turn it on. Head to the BIOS setting, make the right adjustments and you are good to go.

4. Adjust the Motherboard Jumper

Applicable to mostly the desktop computers, this way of resetting CMOS demands you to adjust the right jumper on your motherboard.

So, firstly, power off the computer and press the power button multiple times to clear out any capacitors. Then, unplug the power outlet.

Now, open your computer case and look for the CMOS clearing pins on the motherboard. These pins are usually in a series of two or three and are labeled as “CLEAR,” “RESET”, “CLRCMOS” or “CLRPWD”.

Image source: HP

If it is a two-pin configuration, remove the plastic jumper; if it is a three-pin configuration, move the jumper from the default 1-2 position to 2-3 position.

Wait out for 1-5 minutes before putting the jumper back to its original position.

Lastly, restart your PC. (Depending on your motherboard version, you might need to enter BIOS and perform a factory reset before you can begin using your computer.)

5. Replace the CMOS Battery

In this method, you will be removing the CMOS battery from your motherboard, resulting in the erasure of all data in it and then, replacing the battery. This is because this battery allows CMOS memory to keep running even when your PC is off.

To avoid any harm to your CMOS battery, only resort to this method when none of the other methods works for you.

Power off your computer and press the power button multiple times to discharge all the motherboard’s capacitors. For laptops and tablets, take off the main battery.

Now, disconnect your computer from the power outlet, open up the body of your CPU and search for the CMOS battery on your PC’s motherboard whereas for laptops and tablets, open the CMOS battery panel.

The CMOS battery is generally a coin-shaped, CR2032 battery fixed near PCI Express slots. If you still can’t find it, you can always look it up on your motherboard’s manual.

After finding it, remove it gently from its slot. You might find it position into place by a metal chip; if that is the case, take note of the orientation of + and – on the battery and try to cautiously slide out the battery without bending the chip.

If the battery is in connection with an onboard header via a wire as shown below, unplug the wire from the onboard header and then, remove the battery.

Once the CMOS battery is removed, wait for several minutes before placing it back. Finally, reboot the computer to finish up the process.

As far as the laptops and tablets are concerned, the CMOS battery is connected to the motherboard via a 2-pin connector. Unplug this white connector for the motherboard and plug it back on after 1-5 minutes.

Conclusion

All in all, there are a variety of ways to reset your CMOS. However, always first try to adopt the reset process through BIOS or UEFI Menu and if it doesn’t work out for you, move on to the other methods.

One of them will surely get the job done.

Owing to its sheer power and importance in the hierarchy, the PSU (power supply unit) is often first up on the list of hardware most likely to fail, especially for a computer with some years on it. This can cause random reboots, lockups such as the system randomly hanging, and issues that can run the gamut throughout the whole computer due to improper sensor operation.

Investing in the best power supplies is always a key. However, the efficiency of a power supply unit gradually falls with time and knowing when to replace one is even more important. This can be achieved by knowing how to test a power supply.

Why know how to test a computer power supply?

The indications of a faulty power supply unit could range from problems in the way your computer performs or “sounds”:

• Case fans and hard disks can’t be heard or seen spinning
• The blue “screen of death” occurs often and intermittently
• The system doesn’t move on from the boot-up process at all
• The system spontaneously restarts or lockouts while being in use
• The system doesn’t power on at all or to begin with
• System memory insufficient for function
• Flashing lights on the motherboard
• Overheating computer
• Voltage fluctuations
• Failing power rails

How to Test a Computer Power Supply

There are generally two ways to test a power supply: with a multimeter or through a device known as an automatic power supply tester. Please note, however, that the former – the multimeter test – should only be performed very carefully and usually only when you have previous experience with electrical devices and tests.

Before attempting to execute a millimeter test – perhaps the most nuanced of all the possible ways to test a power supply unit – try either the jumper test or check to see if the system is under warranty. It’s also possible that the PC not turning on at all might be the result of other factors such as disconnected wiring rather than the actual PSU having failed.

If your PC doesn’t turn on at all (especially if it’s a desktop with a separate CPU and all sorts of peripherals and wires), check to see the following:

• Is there an external switch, such as on the back of the CPU? Check to see if this is turned on.
• Try a different power cable and different power supply, alternatingly and with different combinations. The power supply might have a light that can help in knowing easily when it’s powered on.
• Check the lights on the motherboard case and listen for BIOS beeps, then refer to your motherboard product manual to see what the lights and sounds combined could mean. Flashing lights, for example, almost always means the power supply is faulty.

Alternatively, the paper-clip test can be employed.

How to test a power supply with a simple paper clip

The paper-clip test (also known as the jumpstart or jumper test as previously mentioned) is relatively one of the safest ways to test the PSU, with no contact needed with live wires or a live power source.

With the jumper test, you can pinpoint issues such as failed components, a live power connection, or short circuits inside the PSU, allowing you to know if the unit needs to be replaced. If the 3-step test is passed, you can move on to other factors such as power rail failure, overheating, and voltage fluctuations (yes, the last three on our list from two sections ago).

1. Turn off the power supply. This can be done by flipping the power switch at the rear of the PSU to the off position (essentially meaning that the ‘O’/zero symbol should be in the ‘down’ position).
2. Insert one end of the paperclip into the PS_ON (green) pin on the 24-pin (20+4P) motherboard connector, and the other into any of the Ground (black) pins.
3. Turn the PSU back on (by flipping the switch in Step 1). If you can hear an internal fan, your PSU has passed the paper clip test and is turned on.

How to test a power supply with a millimeter test

Learning this will also equip you with the knowledge needed of knowing how to test a laptop power supply.

A multimeter is a tool used primarily by electronics technicians to measure electrical current (in the form of amps, volts, and ohms). It is a simple enough tool to use, but caution should be taken nonetheless whenever enlisting the help of one in a DIY adventure:

• Turn off the computer and unplug it, and then wait a few minutes to let the capacitors drain any remaining electric charge.
• Take off anything conductive, such as metal rings, bracelets, and other hand jewelry.
• Tell yourself when to walk away and not get too intensively invested: the possible damage to other components (or yourself) will be worth less than simply knowing the PSU is replaceable.

These measures are particularly important in a workplace context or when using a computer that’s under warranty. It should also be noted that these tests should only be used to know when to replace a PSU: do not attempt to fix one on your own unless you are a professional (who probably does not need this article at all, then).

Once the necessary precautions have been taken and everything has been unplugged from the PSU, open the case with a screwdriver, and follow the ten steps as listed below:

1. Make sure all the power connectors are unplugged.
2. Make sure that there has been a considerable wait period, and that you are preferably not working in the same area as the computer.
3. Reroute and keep the power cables organized for easier execution of the final steps.
4. Find the pins 15 and 16 on the 24-pin (20+4P) connector to short them out, preferably using an online pinout table to locate them on your specific motherboard.
5. Ensure that the correct voltage is set on your PSU voltage switch, again preferably using an online outlet electricity guide.
6. Plug the PSU back in, turn on the power switch if there is one on the rear, and check to see if you can hear the internal fans. Continue testing even if you hear them functioning properly.
7. Turn the multimeter on, set the dial to the VDC (Volts DC) setting and, unless it has an auto-ranging feature, set the range to 10.00V.
8. Test the 24-pin (20+4P) motherboard power connector, preferably every pin with a voltage. Connect the black (negative) and red (positive) probes to any ground wired pin and the first power line you want to test, respectively. None that the main power connector has lines +3.3 VDC, +5 VDC, an optional -5 VDC, +12 VDC, and -12 VDC across multiple pins.
9. Document and note the voltage on each number and verify that it’s not over nor under the specifically approved voltage tolerance. If any of them go over the tolerance (again, refer to guides online, easily available across Wikipedia and websites for your specific unit), your PSU needs replacing.
10. Upon completing the test, replace the cover on the PSU and plug everything back the exact way it was (see how simple it is when we already paid attention to the first step)?

The benefits of using a multimeter over an automatic PSU tester

Knowing how to test a power supply is effective no matter which way you choose between these two, but there are still merits and demerits to each method:

A “manual” PSU test (using a multimeter) can be…

• …performed instantaneously with no other tools except a screwdriver and multimeter. Even if you own none of these, your total cost could be well under 40 bucks or so.
• …dangerous, and requires work, careful attention, focus, and usually some previous experience in electronics work and maintenance.

Conversely, you can perform an automatic test on your PSU using a power supply tester.

• A power supply tester gives a more conclusive result and reduces (or removes completely) the element of human error, direct exposure to live electricity, faulty components, and the need for previous experience or supervision.
• The cost could possibly be the exact same (or even way, way less) as buying a new screwdriver and multimeter, but it would require a bit of research beforehand and a waiting period if you’re ordering one online (which is a prime way to get a cheaper model that would still get the job done reliably).

In either case, however, the necessary precaution needed cannot be forgone, lest you end up electrocuted.

Conclusion

Even if you know how to test a power supply, it’s useful to keep yourself limited to just testing. Fixing one might be a bigger hassle than just buying a new one, both mentally and financially. If your PSU has failed even a single test, whether a simple one or a more complex and rigorously detailed set of procedures, it’s time to replace your unit or to contact a professional repairman.

You might want to look into how much RAM you actually need before you make any changes. However, this guide deals with overclocking RAM. Read on to learn how to overclock RAM for prime performance.

Why Should You Overclock RAM?

There are certain benefits to overclocking RAM, which is why it is usually recommended.

• The biggest pro is obviously better performance. In some scenarios, there might be only a marginal change, but this can still be worthwhile.
• As a result, you might be able to get more performance out of a cheaper product, which means you can save some bucks.
• Response times within applications will be reduced, meaning your system runs smoother in general.
• If you use your PC for multitasking and memory intensive tasks such as video work, overclocking is definitely something you should consider.
• Remember that RAM overclocking improves desktop use and file operations a lot more than it does gaming. If you are a gamer, you should look into overclocking your CPU or GPU.

The Basics: RAM Speed

As mentioned earlier, RAM efficiency depends on more than just clock speed. Other factors to bear in mind are base clock speed, memory timings, and latency.

How to Overclock RAM

As you probably already know, there are a few different RAMs popular right now. Regardless of whether you want to learn how to overclock DDR3 RAM or DDR4 RAM, or if you’re using AMD’s Ryzen or an Intel Core processor, the general process remains more or less the same. So let’s look at that before diving into specifics.

Checking For Stability

The most important step happens before you actually begin overclocking. You need to make sure that your memory is stable before you actually do anything. Use software such as Memtest86+ and run a test for about five minutes. Such software is also useful for monitoring stability after you’re done overclocking as well.

Using the BIOS

In the BIOS, you have a few options for overclocking RAM. You may use all of them together in whatever ratio works best for you.

Tweaking DRAM Frequency

The BIOS is where you’ll find the DRAM frequency that your memory is currently set on. For instance, DDR3 RAM generally runs at 1,333 MHz. The BIOS will have either a volting or overclocking options screen, from where you should be able to ramp up the DRAM frequency. Do this at certain intervals; rebooting the PC and checking for stability before increasing it further.

In addition to using Memtest86+, you can also run a memory bandwidth test to see just how much of a difference you’ve made. Remember that you can only increase DRAM frequency up to a certain limit and in chunks. Normally you won’t be able to go higher than 2,133 MHz.

Tweaking BCLK

BCLK means Base Clock Speed. When you tweak your BCLK, you are overclocking not only your RAM but your CPU as well, so keep that in mind. This option allows you to make much smaller increments (even as small as 0.5) than the previous.

You can increase BCLK in the same BIOS menu you’ve been using for the last few options. For RAM, you can either overclock up to the current BCLK you’re using to overclock your CPU, or you can overclock to your system’s maximum BCLK.

The latter option is recommended if your RAM is currently running at a speed lower than the maximum BCLK, if you’re using a fixed processor multiplier (meaning that turbo boost is disabled), or if you haven’t tried lowering your CPU multiplier to achieve an overclock at the highest possible BCLK.

Reducing Latency

The last thing you can do in the BIOS settings is to reduce CAS Latency. CAS Latency is the time lapse between the CPU requesting information and the RAM providing it. By reducing CAS Latency in the BIOS DRAM Timings screen, you get a lower response time and hence a more efficient memory.

Using Software to Overclock RAM

While the BIOS tends to get the job done for most users, you can still use some additional software if that is what suits you better. Just like how Memtest86+ is used for stress testing, you can use external software for overclocking RAM. The most popular ones are:

CPU-Z

This is a free overclocking tool that has a memory tab to let you adjust DRAM frequency and timings, and an SPD tab to look at the timing tables and XMP settings that your BIOS uses.

XMP

XMP or Extreme Memory Profiles are Intel’s preset overclocking settings. These can be enabled using a utility or the motherboard’s firmware. Once enabled, XMP can automatically set the best possible DRAM voltage and latency.

Conclusion

It is true that there will be some minute changes present in how different RAMs perform after overclocking or how much you need to overclock in the first place. For example, Ryzen processors can be more sensitive to changed memory clock speeds than Intel ones. But using the above techniques should get the job done in general, regardless of whether you want to learn how to overclock DDR4 RAM for Ryzen processors or the Intel ones.

You may have heard people say that overclocking will destroy your system memory or corrupt your hard drive. But this is a mere myth. Overclocking your RAM will have far more pros than cons. If you do it properly and make sure to stress test before and after every change, everything will be fine.

Remember to always prioritize speed with stability. High clock speeds are worthless if your memory can’t function properly. All in all, you should definitely at least try overclocking before you decide to simply buy a new RAM.

The problem is that sometimes these fans can get too loud. It is difficult to focus on your work when the constant whirring of these fans is making your device sound like an aircraft ready for takeoff.

This article looks at possible solutions for this problem by evaluating the ways in which you can control and set a custom fan speed.

Reasons for Fans Being Too Loud

First things first, you might be wondering just how your fans got so loud in the first place. The most common reasons are as follows.

• Your PC has to do a lot of heavy lifting, i.e., you play a lot of video games or use video editing software and such.
• Your CPU and GPU are overworked and overheated. (Remember to stress test these often).
• Sometimes the problem may be as simple as dust accumulation, in which case all you need to do is open up the hardware and give it a good cleaning.

Older systems have this problem more often, so if you were already planning on switching to a new one then that’s fine. But, if you would rather just fix this problem instead of going through the hassle of getting a new PC, then read on as we explain how to control CPU fan speed.

How to Control CPU Fan Speed

While fan control software might be the first thing that comes to mind, it is useful to explore a couple of other options as well. The following methods are ordered from most to least direct.

Utilizing Built-in Controls: BIOS Settings

Before moving on to any fan speed control software, try digging into the system’s BIOS. Most modern computers already have built-in controls there. To enter the BIOS, you need to reboot your computer and press a certain key. Your computer will tell you which one.

For instance, your screen may say Press Delete to enter setup once you reboot. This is your cue. In some computers, the F12 key might be used instead.

A slight problem here is that you will now have to look for the fan settings in the BIOS because the location and title vary with different systems. For instance, it could be called Smart Fan Control (Gigabyte) or Q Fan Control (ASUS). Generally, though, you should be able to find it under the BIOS menus. You will need to enable this feature to be able to tweak fan settings.

You now have two options for controlling fan speed: you can tweak either voltage or PWM. Lowering either one will mean a slower fan. However, PWM can get speeds relatively lower and is slightly more efficient. Ultimately, the option you choose depends on how the fans are plugged into the motherboard. Long story short, remember:

• Use PWM for a 4 pin connector
• Use Voltage for a 3 pin connector

Lastly, this method will only allow you to control the speed of CPU and system fans. Also, if you couldn’t locate any fan settings in your BIOS, to begin with, this means that your motherboard probably doesn’t support this option. In which case you should move on to the next method.

Remember that changing the default settings in the BIOS might not turn out well if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing. If your fans start acting up after doing this, you might want to look into the more detailed factors at play here.

Plan B: Fan Control Software

If the BIOS method didn’t work for you or seems too complicated, try going for some CPU fan control software. The most popular option is SpeedFan. It offers more control than a computer’s BIOS settings, but you will need to turn off any fan settings in the BIOS before using SpeedFan to avoid conflict.

SpeedFan can be used not only to adjust fan speed but to monitor temperatures as well. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Install and set up the software.
2. Start it up and you’ll get to the main window. Here you have a list of your current fan speeds in RPM as well as temperatures for all your hardware. Remember to keep an eye on the GPU and CPU temperatures in particular.
3. SpeedFan does not always name all sensors accurately. You will need to name your fans to be able to identify them later. Set control to manual and turn down all of the fans except for one. This will help you to identify them when renaming. Go to the Fans tab to rename.
4. Next, head over to the Advanced tab. Make sure manual mode is selected for all PWM controlled fans.
5. Set a minimum and maximum spinning speed for the fans in the Speeds tab.
6. Next, go to the Fan Control tab and set up a temperature curve for each fan. This is extremely important because it helps you monitor the effect your changes will have.
7. After all of this is done and you’ve saved the changes, open up a stressful application (like a game) just as a sort of test to see how your changes perform.
8. Remember to create a shortcut for SpeedFan and to set it up to start automatically. If the software is always running, then your fans will always be cool.

Just like BIOS, SpeedFan will only control the fans connected to the motherboard. Some systems are not supported by this software though.

The Last Resort: External Fan Controllers

Fan controllers are inexpensive and will let you control all the fans on your machine. This is unlike the other two methods we’ve talked about, which only let you control the speed of CPU and system fans.

A fan controller fits into one of your computer’s drive bays, and you can use the knobs to personally monitor and adjust fan speed.

AMD and NVIDIA are the most common GPU providers on the market right now. Even though GPUs tend to come with a set clock speed, most of them can easily be either overclocked or underclocked, depending on your needs.

While overclocking is the more popular option, there are some cases where you might want to underclock your GPU. So if you want to learn how to underclock your GPU, or whether you might even need to do so, then this is the right article for you.

The Benefits of Underclocking GPUs

Before we figure out how to underclock your GPU, it is important to know the benefits. In total, there are a total of 4 major benefits for anyone who underclocks their GPU.

Power Consumption is Reduced

When you lower clock speed, it means your computer hardware is now using less power to run. This reduced power consumption means you can save some money on your electricity bills.

Lower Temperature for the GPU

Once again, lowering clock speed will also result in lower fan speeds. Which further results in the GPU being cooler because it can now run at a lower temperature. This is important because most tech equipment is generally sensitive to and degraded by heat.

Quieter Fans

Things might be beginning to sound rather redundant at this point. This is because the one simple act of underclocking has so many benefits, and those are all inter-linked.

The higher the temperature of the GPU gets, the faster the fans have to run to keep things cool. This makes them louder. As you already know, the temperature rises with clock speed, so underclocking helps fans run at a slower and thus quieter speed.

Reduced Risk of Overheating

Your fans are now slower and don’t need to work as hard, your power consumption is less than before, and your GPU now runs at a lower temperature. So naturally and lastly, the chances of your system overheating are now significantly reduced as well.

But Do You Actually Need to Underclock?

Sure, we’ve made it sound like underclocking is going to solve a lot of your problems, but that does not necessarily mean that you absolutely have to do it. Consider your individual needs first.

For instance, if you don’t need a GPU functioning at full capacity all the time, then yes, it is best to underclock and save on your electricity bill. Increasing temperatures may also indicate a need to underclock. Similarly, if you are not a gamer and your pc isn’t used for anything besides maybe some mild internet games, then again, go right ahead. Lastly, if you have been dealing with overheating for some time and haven’t been able to find a solution, then this might be first a shot.

So now that you are familiar with both the benefits of underclocking as well as whether or not you should do it, let’s take a look at how it’s done.

Using Software to Underclock a GPU

There is certain software that you can use to get this job done. Some currently available options are EVGA Precision XOC, NZXT Cam, and ASUS GPU Tweak. However, the most popular one and the go-to for most people is MSI Afterburner. This is the one we’ll be discussing as well.

Hence, if you want to know how to underclock your AMD GPU or how to underclock your NVIDIA GPU, you will first need to learn how to use Afterburner. Luckily, it is fairly simple.

What is MSI Afterburner?

Afterburner helps you adjust variables such as voltage, temperature, core clock speed and memory clock speed for your GPU. You’ll find it has a very user-friendly interface.

Setting Things Up

The first step, of course, is to download the software. You can download MSI Afterburner from here. Once downloaded, go to the setup wizard and set it up just as you would with any new software. Make sure your graphics card is being detected before you proceed further.

Adjusting the Core Clock

Once everything is set up, open the utility. You will find all the adjustable settings in the middle of your screen. One of these is the Core Clock Meter which shows the GPU’s clock speed in MHz.

You can adjust the clock speed by sliding this meter all the way to the left to decrease, which is what we require in this case, and vice versa.

Optional: Undervolting for Added Benefit

Some users like to combine undervolting with underclocking to maximize benefit. Most GPUs are set at higher voltages by default, but once underclocked they don’t need as high a voltage to run. So undervolting can further add to the benefits already being given by underclocking.

Some things to consider if you want to undervolt:

1. Undervolting has less performance costs than underclocking, although both work well together.
2. Most cards will only allow adjustments in multiples.

If you decide to undervolt, you can do it by adjusting the Core Voltage Meter in the same way as you did for clock speed.

Saving Changes

Once you’re satisfied with the clock speed and/or voltage that you’ve set, be sure to click the check mark to apply and save these changes.

Monitoring for Stability

Theoretically, all these changes should help you achieve the benefits described above. We know for sure that underclocking leads to a cooler GPU, but what if your GPU isn’t as cool as it could be? You need to have a way to monitor progress after you’ve made any changes, so you’ll know what further change is needed.

The best way to do this is to set up a custom fan curve. Fan curves plot fan speed and the corresponding temperature, so this is ideal. To do this, go to the fan tab by clicking the gear icon under the fan speed meter. You can play around with the settings here to determine what ratio best suits you.

Lastly, remember to stress test your GPU. Stress testing can be used to see how your GPU and your rig, in general, perform under heavy loads. Underclocking your GPU should make for a lot more stability as well as lower temperatures whenever you are stress testing.

We have compiled a list of tests that indicate when to upgrade your CPU. If it does turn out that it is time for you to ditch your CPU, then we also tell you how to upgrade your CPU as well as certain issues that you need to be aware of.

When to Upgrade your CPU

The best way to determine whether your CPU is in need of an upgrade is by using it for your everyday tasks. The casual internet browser has no need for the fastest machine and should be fine with a low-end processor, but a person who wants to play Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings should probably start looking at the latest Intel or Ryzen processors.

Here is how you can ascertain whether your CPU requires an upgrade:

Stress Testing

You can stress test your CPU and benchmark its performance to see how it holds up. However, this method will only really be beneficial for the computer enthusiast who knows the kind of performance that he requires from his machine.

If you are not well-versed in computer technology, we recommend you avoid stress testing and instead look at some of the easier indicators to decide if you should upgrade your CPU.

Temperatures

The easiest way to determine if your CPU is in need of an upgrade is by monitoring the temperatures while performing your daily tasks. Whether it is gaming or video rendering, make sure your temperature is optimal by following our complete guide to CPU temperatures. If your CPU still overheats after following all of our guidelines, then it might be time to upgrade.

Bottlenecks

Bottlenecks are one of the most common ways to determine if your CPU needs an upgrade. In the simplest of terms, you experience a bottleneck when your computer randomly freezes for a short duration during high-intensity tasks.

The cause for a Bottleneck can be anything from an old CPU to an outdated GPU to slow RAM. As such, it is important to monitor your CPU usage to make sure it is your CPU causing the bottleneck. You can also follow our guide on lowering CPU usage to see if it has an impact on your bottleneck.

Check Requirements of Software/Games

If you are someone who uses a lot of robust software or plays a lot of games, then they can be a great indicator of when to upgrade your CPU. If you notice that the vast majority of modern applications recommend CPUs far newer and powerful than yours, then it is time for you to purchase a new one.

Do remember that upgrading your CPU can be a slightly complicated process. Although we guide you on how to upgrade your CPU, it might be best for novice computer users to leave the upgrading part to a professional.

How to Upgrade your CPU

Since upgrading your CPU can be quite expensive, remember that overclocking is a viable alternative. We have a comprehensive guide on how to overclock your CPU which can be of immense help. If you find that overclocking your CPU is still not enough for your needs, then you can begin shopping for a new CPU. Here is a small list of things to watch out for.

Always go for maximum future-proofing

You may be tempted to get the bare-minimum model that is enough for your current need, but that is not the way to go. Since CPUs are so much more expensive than most other equipment, it is best to go for the most high-performance model that you can afford.

This way, you do not need to keep on spending more money every year or two. For example, you should go for the latest generation Core i7 or Core i9. You can also go for their AMD equivalents if you prefer.

Remember the additional costs

Once you have decided which processor you want to buy, remember that there are other costs associated with it too. For example, you will certainly need to upgrade your motherboard along with your CPU as well. On top of that, you may require new RAM since your old RAM might not be compatible with your new motherboard.

That is not where the list ends either. A new motherboard will probably require you to format your hard drive (or at least a part of your hard drive), which will, in turn, mean that you need to back up your data. For this reason, you should only upgrade your processor when it is absolutely necessary and go for the best one that you can afford to delay future upgrades.

Professional Assistance

Replacing a CPU can be a tedious job which requires you to open up your PC and replace numerous components. It is also quite probable that you will fail to install the unit properly if you do not know what you are doing.

Taking your PC to a professional may cost a little bit more, but it is worth it. A professional will make sure all the components on your PC such as the heat-sink and the thermal paste are in place and functioning properly.

If you do plan on upgrading your CPU yourself, here is a detailed video by PCGamesN which explains the whole process quite well.

Final Words

Now that you know how to upgrade your CPU, all you need to do is to perform the associated tests to determine if an upgrade is necessary. Once you have an idea on when to upgrade your CPU, you can select the perfect model and begin assembling it along with all the other hardware.

Of course, remember to follow all the guidelines mentioned above when selecting a new CPU so as to minimize your costs in the long run. Once you have set up your new CPU, you can stress test it again to see how much better it is than your previous rig!

“Should I overclock my GPU?” is no longer a question, the only question is “How do I do it?” and that is what this guide is for in the first place, to help you out on that journey.

Do You Need a GPU Overclock?

GPU overclock, just like CPU overclock, demands for a lot of work that includes monitoring, testing and a lot of repeating. Nevertheless, it gives the following results:

• Improved frame rate
• Smoother gameplay

More importantly, the process itself isn’t complicated. It can be managed by an overclocking newbie, or in other words, anyone. All that is needed is to be patient and follow the instructions.

If you have doubts and are still asking yourself “Should I overclock my GPU?” or “How will this really help my gaming experience?”, just think about the FPS (First Person Shooter), where every moment is a difference between life and death, and remember how many times you lacked that extra moment.

With OC, that moment will be yours. You will get that split second to spot the enemy sooner and save your head.

Of course, there also some downsides that include increased temperature values and shorter lifespan of the card, but they are tolerable issues that the majority of players is ready to sacrifice.

How to Do It?

If you have decided for OC, but have no clue how to overclock GPU in the first place, the answer is the overclocking software. Yes, you can also do it through BIOS, but it is much more time consuming and the final results are the same. It is just not worth the hassle. The majority of users, even the die-hard OC fans, use the software. Therefore, there is no reason for you to do it differently.

Overclocking Software

Depending on the GPU that you have and your personal preferences, you may choose the overclocking software among a whole bunch of programs. Basically, every manufacturer of the graphics cards has its own software solution and here we will only present the most popular ones, ones that will help you finish your job successfully.

• MSI Afterburner is a great solution for both OC newbies and experienced users. It allows for an adjustment of a GPU, memory clock, fan speeds, etc., tweaking GPU voltage, it comes equipped with the handy hardware monitor. It is easy to use, offers plenty of options, it supports both Nvidia and AMD chips… everything that is required to overclock graphics card is there. Therefore, it is no wonder that it is among the most popular options on the market.
• AMD Overdrive is an amazing choice for all those with an AMD chip. This program is more than just a GPU overclocking tool: with it you can change RAM and fan speeds, or check your chip state through the built-in status monitor. Thanks to its streamlined interface (change values with sliders), ease of use is guaranteed, which is exactly what you need if you are a newbie.
• EVGA Precision X is another free solution that may prove to be very handy, especially if you want to improve the capabilities of your card, but with the least possible involvement. With the easily navigable interface, 10 custom user profiles and settings for changing GPU and memory clock speeds, this software offers everything the majority of users could need. The only downside is that it is designed only for Nvidia cards.
• NVIDIA Inspector is a free utility that offers all the needed hardware information about the built-in card, it allows for monitoring of the important overclocking parameters (clocks, fan speed and temperature) and it gives the user an opportunity to overclock (offers an increase of GPU and memory clock speeds and increase of fan speeds and GPU operating voltage). Very practical tool, but similar to EVGA Precision X it covers only the Nvidia cards.
• ASUS GPU Tweak II is another great software solution that came with time, that not only allows for full OC of your graphics card, but also optimization of the entire PC. What makes this tool different is that it offers an already set OC profile that unlocks the maximum performance. Also, there is a silent mode for video and music play and a custom profile that allows you to set everything to your personal needs. Other than that, you can turn off Windows visual effects and services and a lot more, all in order to give yourself the perfect gaming conditions. All you need is to have an ASUS card, and the rest is pure joy.
• GPU-Z is a must-have free utility for every overclocking enthusiast. This software gives you a comprehensive insight of your graphics card, revealing all the spots where you can tweak it and improve its performance. It supports Nvidia, AMD, ATI, even Intel GPUs. Therefore, no matter what graphics card is in your rig, it will do the job.
• 3DMark is a benchmarking tool that allows you to test your graphics card stability and performance.
• Unigine Heaven is a similar type of software as the 3DMark that allows for benchmarking and performance testing of your GPU.

What to do Before the Overclocking?

Research is always an important issue, especially if you are dealing with such a fragile thing as overclocking. Google it, and see what other people are saying about your graphics card. Learn what its weaknesses and advantages are , what overclock values have they reached, etc. Prepare yourself with as much knowledge as you can.

Also, prepare for the fact that if someone has reached certain values, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will reach them too. There are so many variables in overclocking that even the slightest difference in starting conditions may result in completely different results. Therefore, explore and get to know your card before you start to overclock.

Overclocking

Installing

The first step in GPU overclocking is the installation of the software needed for benchmarking, tweaking and monitoring. As previously mentioned, there are various options, but some of the most practical ones, that will suit the majority of the users at the same time, are certainly MSI Afterburner, 3DMark and GPU-Z. Use the first one for tweaking, the second one for benchmarking and the third one for general information.

For beginners, this is probably the best option – they are easy to use and free (3DMark also has a paid version), but at the end of the day, it is up to you what you are going to use. Whatever your choice is, install the software and get ready to rock.

Benchmarking

After you have installed your overclocking software, it is the time to benchmark your hardware (graphics card). You need to establish your card’s current performance in order for you to be able to compare it with the values that will get after the OC. That way you will have the full insight of the improvement that the OC brings with itself.

Although many of the games (GTA V, Far Cry 5, Hitman, etc…) have built-in benchmarking software and you can successfully use it for this purpose (they give accurate results), there are also games that don’t have it and for that purpose, there is 3DMark, Unigine Heaven, or similar software. Of course, you can use it for benchmarking of all the games, not just ones without the built-in feature, but that is up to you.

It is more important to get the numbers and save them, or even better, write them down for future comparison with the benchmarking results after the overclocking.

The Increase of Memory Clock Speed

If you still have doubts about whether you should overclock your GPU, this is the final moment you can quit. After this, there is no coming back.

Although this part isn’t essential and you can live without it, if you want the maximum performance out of your graphics card, it is recommended to do it. Improving your card’s performance should involve all of its aspects and include both memory and GPU overclock.

The whole process begins with a boot of overclocking software such as MSI Afterburner. The only thing you need to worry about in this part is that the Windows logo isn’t lit up. If it is, that means that the current settings are applied when system boots, and that is not something you need until you find the values under which the system will be stable.

The first thing you need to do is start a benchmark tool such as Unigine Heaven or 3DMark and start one of their looping themes. On a 1080p screen, chose a 720p resolution and on 1440p and 4K monitors, go for a 1080p resolution and check if there are any artefacts or similar. If there aren’t any, you can start the memory tweaking.

Increase the memory clocks values by 5-10MHz, apply the changes (press the little Windows logo that we mentioned a few lines earlier) and start the looping software. If there are no artefacts (solid blocks, stars, spots of color), increase the memory clock again and repeat the whole process.

Keep doing this until you spot the changes. In that case, go one step back, to the values under which everything worked, start the “looping”, and if everything is fine, write down the numbers and reset the card to default values.

If the problem persists, decrease the values furthermore, loop and keep repeating the process until you get the stable state. When you get it, apply the changes as mentioned above, reset the card to defaults and go to the next step.

The Increase of GPU Clock Speed (GPU Overclocking)

Before you start this step, you need to move the power limit sliders in the OC software to the maximum, because the increase of GPU clock speeds leads to an increase in power consumption. Also, because more power means higher temperatures, you need to push the temperature limit slider up a bit to account for this increase.

After this, you can begin the GPU clock speed boost. It is also a good idea to use the GPU-Z software simultaneously with the speed increase in order to check the frequency changes and see if the additional MHz are used or not.

When talking about the process itself, it is the same as what you did with memory. Raise the values by 5-10MHz and then use the looping software. As long as you have no problems, continue the process of increasing and looping until you end up with one of these three scenarios:

• Benchmark program crashes
• GPU driver crashes
• You get artefacts

There is not that much you can do about the first two scenarios – just restart the rig; however, in the case of artefacts (pixel-sized dots, random color fragments, or full-screen flashes) you have two options:

1. Decrease the values, loop and continue decreasing and looping until you have stable values. Once you have them, write them down and go to the next step.
2. Increase your voltage

If you have decided for the second solution, keep your eyes on the temperature values all the time (you can see them in GPU-Z), since the voltage increase also leads to temperature rise, which can ultimately lead to the chip damage.

Voltage boost should be done by 5mV at a time, after which you should try the benchmarking software (looping). In case there are no problems, you can increase the GPU clock speed for another 5-10MHz and benchmark again. If the artefacts show, increase the voltage again by 5mV, benchmark and keep increasing until you get the stable configuration. When you get into a stable state, raise the GPU speed again and continue with the whole process of both GPU clock speed and the voltage increase until you bump into a “wall” and cannot eliminate the artefacts anymore, the program crashes, or the temperature is too high.

Once you reach this situation, it means you have finished your overclocking and it is time to go back to your last stable configuration.

GPU and Memory Clock Speeds Pairing

Once you’ve found your peak GPU and memory clock speed values, it is time for their pairing to see how they work together. You need to move the sliders of both memory and the GPU to peak values and start looping.

Soon as you spot artefacts (and you surely will in this process) you need to decrease some of the values. Observe and see if the glitches are connected to VRAM or GPU, and according to that, decrease the value of the component affected by 5MHz. After that, start looping, and if there are still problems, decrease the values of the affected component, and continue this whole process of repeating until you reach the stable state.

In the case, you get a BSOD or something similar, just re-boot and decrease the values of both memory and the GPU by 5MHz and start the looping software again. If the problem persists, continue the process of decreasing and looping until you reach the values that will be saved.
Of course, if you have also decided for the voltage tempering during the GPU overclock, you also need to add that to the pairing process in order to try to lower the temperatures a bit.

When the memory and GPU speeds are paired, you can start with the voltage decrease by 5mV, after which you benchmark. If there are no problems, decrease by another 5mV and continue decreasing and benchmarking until you end up with artefacts or crashes.

Once you do, roll back to the last stable configuration and continue to the next part of the process.

Testing

After you have reached the values that are supposedly stable, it is the time for stress testing. You will again use the same software, but with one change, and that is to set the resolution of the looping theme to the native resolution of your monitor and test it as long as you can. The minimum is some ten minutes or so, but it is preferable to do it for at least an hour.

If you spot problems, go one step back and decrease the numbers a bit more until you reach the proper values. On the other hand, if everything is good, it is time to light the Windows logo button previously mentioned, apply the changes to the boot and that is it.

Conclusion

After all this, you can now just sit down, play your favorite title and enjoy the benefits of your hard work. Have a blast!