The gaming industry relies heavily on the performance of GPUs, and one key aspect that determines this performance is the GPU clock speed. As an IT specialist, I understand that technical terms can sometimes be confusing, so I’ll break down the concepts into simpler terms so anybody can understand.
In this guide, we’ll cover the following:
- Does GPU clock speed matter for gaming?
- Core count vs core speed – which one is more important?
- What is a good GPU clock speed for gaming?
- Base vs boost clock
- How to safely increase GPU clock speed
So, whether you’re a casual gamer or an aspiring esports professional, this guide is designed to help you better understand the role of GPU clock speed in your gaming journey.
Does GPU clock speed matter for gaming?
In simple terms, GPU clock speed refers to how fast a computer’s GPU can perform calculations and process information. It’s like the heartbeat of the GPU, with each “beat” representing a cycle of work completed. The speed is usually measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), with higher numbers indicating a faster clock speed.
If your system has enough power, adequate VRAM, and isn’t subject to throttling, there’s generally an almost-linear connection between GPU clock speed and frame rates. For example, at a 2 GHz clock speed producing 100 FPS, raising it to 2.2 GHz may lead to roughly 110 FPS, which is a 10% increase.
Nonetheless, the actual FPS improvement might be somewhat lower due to imperfections and the extra strain on components such as the CPU and memory. The influence of factors like GPU architecture, memory, the specific game in question, and others can’t be ignored. Consequently, the expected fps increase may range from around 0.5 to 0.9.
Generally speaking, higher clock speeds result in higher FPS, resolutions, and better texture quality. However, it’s important to note that GPU clock speed is not the only factor affecting gaming performance. Other aspects, such as GPU architecture, VRAM, and memory bandwidth, also play a significant role.
One of the factors gamers don’t frequently talk about enough is the core count, which refers to the number of processing units in the GPU. More cores mean the GPU can process more tasks simultaneously, improving gaming performance.
Namely, modern graphics technologies such as ray tracing benefit significantly from more GPU cores. So, just because one GPU has a higher clock speed does not necessarily mean it is better than one with more CUDA cores. It is all about GPU architecture.
What is a good GPU clock speed for gaming?
Let’s get straight to it. Folks, there isn’t a typical “good” GPU clock speed for gaming because the “good” clock speed depends on various factors, such as the GPU architecture, the game you’re playing, and the resolution you want to play at.
In general, higher clock speeds can result in better gaming performance. However, it’s important to consider other aspects of the GPU and your system when evaluating gaming performance.
You will often come across the terms “base” and “boost” clocks. The base clock speed is the minimum guaranteed performance level for a GPU, while the boost clock speed represents the potential maximum performance the GPU can reach under ideal conditions.
The actual performance of a GPU during operation usually falls somewhere between the base and boost clock speeds, depending on factors like power, temperature, and the specific tasks being performed.
Modern gaming GPUs from major manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD typically have base clock speeds ranging from around 1.3 GHz to 2.2 GHz. The boost clock speeds can go even higher, depending on the specific model and GPU architecture.
When choosing a GPU for gaming, it’s essential to look at the whole package, including the GPU architecture, core count, VRAM, memory bandwidth, and clock speed. I would also recommend reading reviews and looking at benchmarks for the card you’re considering, as they can provide real-world performance data for various games and settings.
However, sometimes you may notice that your core clock suddenly drops while gaming. Is that normal? Check our in-depth answer in GPU Clock Speed Fluctuating – Here’s What To Do.
Higher GPU clock speed = better gaming performance?
Short answer: it depends.
Generally speaking, while a higher GPU core clock will produce a better gaming performance, it is not the only determining factor. GPU architecture and memory bandwidth also play a crucial role in this.
For instance, different GPU architectures have different efficiency and performance. Some will achieve better performance at lower clock speeds compared to others. Also, a GPU memory bandwidth greatly affects the speed at which the GPU can access and process texture and geometry data. If one GPU has a higher bandwidth, even with a lower core clock, it can still perform better.
Here is one example.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080:
Core clock: 1607 MHz (base) / 1733 MHz (boost)
GPU architecture: Pascal
CUDA cores: 2560
Memory: 8 GB GDDR5X, 256-bit memory bus
Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s
AMD Radeon RX Vega 64:
Core clock: 1247 MHz (base) / 1546 MHz (boost)
GPU architecture: Vega
Stream processors: 4096
Memory: 8 GB HBM2, 2048-bit memory bus
Memory bandwidth: 484 GB/s
RX Vega 64 vs GTX 1080 GB Gaming Performance
| Game | RX Vega 64 8GB | GTX 1080 8GB |
| Resident Evil Village | 128 FPS | 105 FPS |
| Hitman 3 | 127 FPS | 102 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 50 FPS | 45 FPS |
| AC: Valhalla | 60 FPS | 55 FPS |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 76 FPS | 76 FPS |
| Death Stranding | 106 FPS | 102 FPS |
| Doom Eternal | 154 FPS | 139 FPS |
| Red Dead Redemption | 67 FPS | 64 FPS |
As we can clearly see, RX Vega 64 performs 5-10% better while having around 10% lower core clock than GTX 1080. This can be attributed to factors such as the larger number of stream processors and the higher memory bandwidth provided by HBM2 memory.
How to safely increase GPU clock speed for gaming
This is done through the process called overclocking, and this is how you do it.
Step 1) Check compatibility
First, make sure your GPU supports overclocking. Most modern GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD are designed with some level of the overclocking capability.
Step 2) Monitor temperatures
Before starting, install a monitoring tool like GPU-Z, HWMonitor, or MSI Afterburner to track GPU temperatures, clock speeds, and other essential parameters during the overclocking process.
Step 3) Choose overclocking software
Download and install an overclocking utility, such as MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision X1, or ASUS GPU Tweak II, depending on your GPU brand and preference.
Step 4) Test baseline performance
Run a benchmark like Unigine Heaven, 3DMark, or a demanding game with built-in benchmarks to establish a baseline for GPU performance and temperatures.
Step 5) Increase clock speed gradually
Start by increasing the core clock speed in small increments (e.g., 10-25 MHz). Apply the new settings, and then run a benchmark or stress test to check for stability and temperature changes. Keep an eye on temperatures, ensuring they stay within safe limits (typically under 85°C for most GPUs).
Step 6) Test stability
After each clock speed increase, run a stress test (like Unigine Heaven) or a demanding game for an extended period to ensure there are no crashes, visual artifacts, or other issues. If you encounter instability or artifacts, dial back the clock speed slightly and test again.
Step 7) Fine-tune and finalize
Once you’ve found stable core and memory clock speeds, run extended stress tests and monitor temperatures to ensure long-term stability. If everything looks good, save your overclocking profile in your chosen utility.
In summary, OC performance depends on numerous factors. My perspective is that if you can overclock a graphics card, go for it, as it won’t negatively impact FPS. Properly overclocked core and memory can significantly improve the playability of a game. Just ensure that you aren’t limited by VRAM or temperature, as overclocking would be practically pointless in those cases.
Also, contrary to popular opinion, overclocking (if done correctly) will not directly damage the GPU. While it can reduce its lifespan, you will probably have a new GPU by then. To learn more about this, make sure to read Does Overclocking Damage GPU? Is It Safe?.