MSI Afterburner Settings Explained / AMD and NVIDIA!

JayzTwoCents
21 Oct 202123:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video tutorial guides viewers on how to optimize and overclock their NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards using MSI Afterburner software. It covers the basics of the software's interface, explains the purpose of each setting, and demonstrates how to adjust core voltage, power limits, and clock speeds for improved performance. The host also discusses monitoring tools like on-screen display for real-time tracking of GPU temperature, usage, and frame rates. Additionally, the video addresses common misconceptions and provides practical advice for achieving stable overclocks without causing system instability.

Takeaways
  • ๐ŸŽฎ MSI Afterburner is a universal software that works with all graphics cards, not just MSI, and is used for adjusting settings and monitoring graphics card performance.
  • ๐Ÿ” The video provides an in-depth guide on how to use MSI Afterburner for overclocking NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, explaining the different settings and their implications.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Monitoring important metrics such as GPU temperature, usage, core clock, and CPU temperature is crucial for understanding the performance and stability of your overclocks.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง The script explains that core voltage percentage in MSI Afterburner for NVIDIA cards does not set an exact voltage but rather allows the GPU to reach its maximum voltage at a sooner curve for better stability.
  • โš ๏ธ For NVIDIA cards, the power limit setting is essential for stability during overclocking, but it increases heat production, necessitating better cooling solutions.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ The core clock offset setting adds a specific amount of frequency to the GPU's base clock, but other factors like power and voltage limits can affect the actual achieved frequency.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Memory clock settings are crucial for AMD cards, where the offset is multiplied by the data rate of the RAM, impacting the effective frequency.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ The video emphasizes the importance of adjusting fan curves for optimal cooling and suggests avoiding 'ladder' fan curves for smoother operation.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Incremental adjustments to overclocking settings are recommended to find the most stable configuration without causing system instability or thermal throttling.
  • ๐Ÿš€ The script mentions that modern GPUs, especially NVIDIA cards with GPU Boost, are already pushed close to their limits, meaning the potential for performance gains through overclocking is minimal.
  • ๐Ÿค” The video suggests that stutters and pauses in gaming are likely due to other system factors rather than graphics card clock speeds, indicating the need for a holistic approach to system optimization.
Q & A
  • What is the purpose of the video?

    -The video aims to explain the settings in MSI Afterburner for both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards and how to use them effectively for monitoring and overclocking.

  • What software does the video recommend for testing different settings?

    -The video recommends using Heaven, a DX11 title, for testing different settings, although it notes that it is an older software.

  • What is the primary function of MSI Afterburner?

    -MSI Afterburner is a universal software for monitoring and overclocking graphics cards, reading the EPROM on the card, and allowing adjustments based on the EPROM settings.

  • Why is it important to watch the previous video mentioned in the script?

    -The previous video explains how to set up the on-screen display (OSD) to show telemetry while gaming, which is crucial for understanding the settings discussed in this video.

  • What does the core voltage percentage slider do?

    -The core voltage percentage slider allows the maximum voltage to be applied earlier in the curve, helping to alleviate stability issues caused by sudden load changes.

  • How does the power limit percentage slider affect the graphics card?

    -The power limit percentage slider allows the graphics card to draw more power than the factory rating, which can help with stability but also increases heat output.

  • What is the difference between core clock adjustments in Nvidia and AMD graphics cards?

    -In Nvidia cards, core clock adjustments are offsets added to the GPU Boost's automatic overclock, whereas AMD cards allow setting an exact core clock frequency.

  • Why might overclocking not provide significant performance improvements with modern Nvidia cards?

    -Modern Nvidia cards already push their limits with GPU Boost, so additional overclocking typically only results in small performance gains, such as a few extra FPS.

  • What should users monitor when overclocking their graphics cards?

    -Users should monitor GPU temperature, usage, core clock, CPU temperature, CPU usage, frame rate, and GPU voltage to understand how adjustments affect performance and stability.

  • Why is it important to test overclock settings in different games?

    -Different game engines utilize the GPU in various ways, so stability and performance can vary. Testing in multiple titles ensures that the overclock is stable across different loads.

  • How does the fan speed adjustment work in MSI Afterburner?

    -The fan speed can be adjusted manually using a user-defined curve or set to auto to use the factory fan curve. The user-defined curve allows precise control of fan speed based on GPU temperature.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿ•น๏ธ Introduction to MSI Afterburner and On-Screen Display Setup

The script begins with an introduction to a previous video about setting up on-screen display (OSD) for telemetry while gaming. It emphasizes the importance of watching the prior video for understanding the basics before diving into the details of MSI Afterburner settings. The video is sponsored, and there's a giveaway of three graphics cards, with details available through a link in the description. MSI Afterburner is introduced as a universal software that reads and adjusts settings on the graphics card's EPROM. The tutorial will cover settings for both NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, with timestamps provided for viewers to jump to their relevant sections. The importance of testing different settings in the games one plays is highlighted, as each game engine impacts the GPU differently.

05:00
๐Ÿ”ง Understanding MSI Afterburner Settings for NVIDIA GPUs

This paragraph delves into the specifics of MSI Afterburner settings for NVIDIA graphics cards. It explains that the core voltage percentage setting does not set an absolute voltage but rather allows the GPU to reach its maximum voltage at a steeper curve, which can help with stability during sudden load changes. The power limit setting is discussed, noting that it should be adjusted based on the card's capabilities and that increasing it can lead to higher core clock speeds but also more heat. The paragraph also covers the core clock offset, which adds megahertz to the GPU boost, and the importance of incremental adjustments. It concludes with a brief mention of monitoring frame rates and GPU voltage during the process.

10:00
๐Ÿ”ฉ Fine-Tuning Overclocking Settings with MSI Afterburner

The script continues with a detailed explanation of additional MSI Afterburner settings. It discusses the linkage between power and temperature limits, suggesting that the temperature limit can be maximized for stability. The memory megahertz setting is explained as an offset that affects the memory frequency, with a clarification on how it differs between AMD and NVIDIA cards. Fan speed settings are covered, with a preference for a smooth curve over a ladder pattern to avoid harsh fan noises. The paragraph concludes with a demonstration of how these settings respond in real-time, using an OSD to monitor GPU temperature, CPU temperature, load, core clock, and power usage, illustrating the dynamic adjustments made by the GPU during operation.

15:02
๐Ÿ“Š Practical Application of Overclocking Adjustments

The practical application of overclocking adjustments is showcased, with real-time demonstrations of how changing settings impacts performance. The script explains how to monitor memory clock speeds and the effects of pushing memory frequencies too far, which can lead to errors and reduced FPS due to error-correcting mechanisms. It advises against increasing memory clock offsets significantly on non-water-cooled systems due to high temperatures and potential instability. The paragraph also touches on the limited tangible benefits of overclocking modern GPUs, as GPU boost already optimizes performance, and suggests that minor improvements in FPS may not be noticeable.

20:02
๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Transitioning to AMD GPU Overclocking with MSI Afterburner

The script transitions to discussing overclocking for AMD GPUs using MSI Afterburner. It notes the differences in how core voltage and power limits are presented compared to NVIDIA cards. The paragraph explains that AMD's software allows for direct input of core clock frequencies, unlike NVIDIA, and that memory clock adjustments are multiplied by the data rate of the RAM. It also mentions that fan speed settings are consistent across both NVIDIA and AMD cards. The paragraph concludes with a brief comparison of using MSI Afterburner versus AMD's own Radeon software for overclocking, suggesting that the latter may already provide optimal settings out of the box.

๐ŸŽฎ Final Thoughts on Overclocking and Upcoming Events

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion on overclocking graphics cards and provides some final thoughts. It suggests that overclocking may not be necessary or beneficial for AMD cards, especially with the built-in features of AMD's Radeon software. The script teases upcoming events in November, dubbed 'Jay's Giving,' and encourages viewers to stay subscribed and follow for announcements. It concludes by thanking viewers for watching and looking forward to the next video.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กMSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is a widely used graphics card utility software that allows users to monitor and tweak the performance of their GPUs. It is not limited to MSI graphics cards but is universal and can be used with various brands. In the video, it is used to demonstrate how to adjust settings for on-screen display (OSD) and overclocking, making it central to the theme of optimizing gaming performance.
๐Ÿ’กOn-Screen Display (OSD)
On-Screen Display, or OSD, is a feature that allows users to view real-time information about their system's performance, such as temperatures and frame rates, while gaming. The video script mentions an 'OSD video' that explains how to set up this feature, emphasizing its importance for gamers who want to keep an eye on their system's vital statistics.
๐Ÿ’กOverclocking
Overclocking refers to the process of increasing the clock rate of a device, such as a GPU, beyond its factory settings to achieve higher performance. The video script discusses how to use MSI Afterburner to overclock NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, highlighting the various settings that can be adjusted to achieve this, such as core clock, memory clock, and power limits.
๐Ÿ’กGPU Boost
GPU Boost is a technology by NVIDIA that allows the GPU to dynamically increase its clock rate based on workload and thermal headroom. The script explains how this technology has evolved and how it affects the way users can manually overclock their NVIDIA GPUs using MSI Afterburner, emphasizing that the core voltage percentage setting now works differently due to GPU Boost.
๐Ÿ’กVoltage
Voltage in the context of GPUs refers to the electrical potential difference required for operation. The script discusses how core voltage percentage in MSI Afterburner is used to manage the maximum voltage that can be supplied to the GPU, which is crucial for stability when overclocking.
๐Ÿ’กPower Limit
Power Limit is a setting that controls the maximum power consumption of a GPU. The video script explains that adjusting the power limit in MSI Afterburner can help achieve higher clock rates for overclocking, but it also warns that increasing this can lead to more heat, necessitating better cooling solutions.
๐Ÿ’กCore Clock
Core Clock refers to the speed at which the GPU's processor cores operate, measured in megahertz. The script details how to increase the core clock offset in MSI Afterburner to push the GPU to higher frequencies for improved performance in games.
๐Ÿ’กMemory Clock
Memory Clock is the operating speed of the GPU's memory, also measured in megahertz. The video script explains how adjusting the memory clock offset in MSI Afterburner can increase the speed of the GPU's memory, which can contribute to better gaming performance.
๐Ÿ’กFan Curve
A Fan Curve is a graphical representation of how fan speed changes in response to temperature. The script discusses setting a custom fan curve in MSI Afterburner to ensure optimal cooling of the GPU, which is essential when overclocking to prevent thermal throttling and maintain performance.
๐Ÿ’กECC Memory
ECC stands for Error-Correcting Code memory, a type of memory that can detect and correct common data corruption types. The script mentions that pushing memory clocks too far on ECC memory can lead to stutters and FPS drops due to the memory taking longer to error-correct, illustrating the balance needed between performance and stability.
Highlights

Introduction to MSI Afterburner for on-screen display and telemetry monitoring during gaming.

Explanation of MSI Afterburner's universal software utility beyond just MSI graphics cards.

The importance of using software like Heaven for GPU stress testing during overclocking.

Instructions on setting up the default MSI Afterburner skin for consistency.

Monitoring GPU temperature, usage, core clock, and CPU temperature for overclocking.

Clarification on the function of core voltage percentage in relation to GPU Boost.

Details on power limit settings and their impact on stability and heat generation.

How to adjust core clock offset for overclocking and understanding its limitations.

The significance of temperature limits in relation to core clock adjustments.

Memory clock adjustments and their impact on performance and stability.

Customizing fan speed curves for optimal cooling during overclocking.

Real-time demonstration of MSI Afterburner settings and their effects on GPU performance.

The minimal performance gains from overclocking modern NVIDIA GPUs due to GPU Boost.

Troubleshooting stutters and pauses in gaming by addressing non-GPU related issues.

Transition to AMD GPU settings in MSI Afterburner and their differences from NVIDIA.

Comparison of using MSI Afterburner versus AMD Radeon Software for overclocking AMD GPUs.

Final thoughts on the limited benefits of overclocking with current GPU technology.

Announcement of upcoming events and giveaways related to the channel.

Transcripts
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