Last updated: October 21, 2026

To overclock a GPU, open MSI Afterburner, raise the power limit to maximum, increase the core clock in +15 to +25 MHz steps and the memory clock in +100 to +200 MHz steps, and run a stress test after each change. When the game crashes or shows artifacts, go back to the last stable value and save it as a profile.

What do you need to overclock a GPU?

You need 4 tools to overclock a GPU:

• MSI Afterburner (works with NVIDIA and AMD cards of any brand), or AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for Radeon cards.
• A stress test: 3DMark Time Spy, Unigine Superposition or a demanding game.
• A monitoring tool: HWiNFO or GPU-Z; see how to check GPU temp.
• A baseline score to measure the gain.

How do you overclock a GPU step by step?

You overclock a GPU in 9 steps:

1. Run a baseline benchmark and note score, temperature and clock speed.
2. Raise the Power Limit slider to maximum and the Temp Limit with it.
3. Increase Core Clock by +25 MHz and click Apply.
4. Run the stress test for 5 minutes. Watch for crashes, driver resets and artifacting.
5. Repeat in +15 to +25 MHz steps until it fails, then go back one step and subtract 10–15 MHz for safety.
6. Increase Memory Clock by +200 MHz and test the same way.
7. Repeat in +100 to +200 MHz steps; stop when the score drops or errors appear, because GDDR memory uses error correction that hides instability.
8. Run a 30-minute stress test with both settings together.
9. Save the profile and tick Apply overclocking at system startup.

How much can you overclock a GPU?

Most modern GPUs overclock by +100 to +250 MHz on the core and +500 to +2,000 MHz on the memory (Afterburner’s effective value), which gives about 3–8% more performance. Every chip is different, a variation called the silicon lottery.

Is overclocking a GPU safe?

Yes, overclocking a GPU is safe when you stay within the voltage and power limits that the card allows. Modern GPUs protect themselves with temperature and power limits. Avoid raising core voltage unless you understand the risks, because extra voltage adds heat and wear. Read what overclocking a GPU does for the pros and cons.

How do you overclock an AMD GPU?

You overclock an AMD GPU in AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition in 4 steps:

1. Open Performance > Tuning and choose Manual or Custom.
2. Enable GPU Tuning, VRAM Tuning and Power Tuning.
3. Raise the power limit to maximum and increase max frequency and memory clock in small steps.
4. Use Stress Test in the tuning panel to check stability.

Radeon RX 9000 cards often gain more from undervolting (negative voltage offset) than from raising clocks; see how to undervolt a GPU.

Can you overclock a laptop GPU?

Yes, many laptop GPUs can be overclocked with MSI Afterburner or the laptop’s control software, but gains are small because laptop GPUs are limited by power and cooling.

How do you undo a GPU overclock?

You undo a GPU overclock by clicking Reset in MSI Afterburner or AMD Software. Read how to reset your graphics card for all reset methods.

FAQ

Does overclocking a GPU void the warranty?

Usually not. Most brands allow software overclocking with official tools; physical modifications or BIOS flashing can void the warranty.

Should I overclock memory or core first?

Overclock the core first, then the memory, and test each separately.

Does overclocking raise temperature?

Yes. Overclocking raises power draw, which raises temperature by a few degrees.

Related guides

• GPU Overclocking & Undervolting Guide
• What Does Overclocking a GPU Do?
• How to Undervolt a GPU
• How Hot Is Too Hot for a GPU?