Can overclocking ruin the lifespan of my card?

[kandon]

Well I got a Dirt 3 edition HD 6950 card and I was trying to unlock/oc it to 6970 specs, but the unlocking failed. I thought about RMAing it for a different one, but, I want to know:

will overclocking it (to close or to 6970 specs) ruin the lifespan of it? Like lets say its supposed to last a year. Will it only last like 10 months? (thats just an example dont take it literally).

Cause if it does, I won't bother RMAing, I want to keep it as long as possible.

 

[amuffin]

what are the temps of the card? I would say anything under 70c should be fine 😉

 

[kandon]

Well the temps of the card right now I've never seen get passed 50. I know the temps are a problem, but will just overclocking it (with good temps) shorten the life span of it?

 

[refillable]

Technically yes, but not much. You will be fine!

 

[amuffin]

Well the temps of the card right now I've never seen get passed 50. I know the temps are a problem, but will just overclocking it (with good temps) shorten the life span of it?

nope, as long as you have good temps it shouldn't matter. Usually things start dying when they reach a very high temp.

 

[kandon]

Will it still be able to last me a good year or two? Possibly more? If I overclock that is.

Thanks for the answers guys

 

[amuffin]

Will it still be able to last me a good year or two? Possibly more? If I overclock that is.

Thanks for the answers guys

yep just monitor temps, a gpu tends to last 1-3 years.

 

[refillable]

If you take care of your GPU (don't accidentally broke it) and is normal (not broken or like to act strange) I think it should last 2 years even when overclocked correctly (Just don't let the temperature go above 80 Celsius) .

 

[kandon]

Is this a good guide to follow for unlocking it? And which Bios do I pick from the selection?

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/159

His linked one says it works for all reference design cards, but is mine a reference design? If not, which Bios should I pick from his list of Bios'?

This is my exact card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

 

[amuffin]

Is this a good guide to follow for unlocking it? And which Bios do I pick from the selection?

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/159

His linked one says it works for all reference design cards, but is mine a reference design? If not, which Bios should I pick from his list of Bios'?

This is my exact card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

I think its the 2nd bios.

 

[kandon]

@above

You mean the second Bios from the start of the Sapphires? How can you tell? I see no difference lol.

 

[amuffin]

try unlocking on the 2nd bios. It may or may not work.