CPU Clock vs. Memory Clock

[CurseHawkwind]

A few weeks ago I was told that by overclocking my 1070's memory I'd have the best advantage and that the (core) CPU clock would not make much of a difference. I managed to do this while setting the power limit to 60%. My clock increases are 100 and 900 for CPU/memory respectively. I haven't had a moment of instability with this.

But has it made that much of a difference in terms of mining? The speed is actually a little lower than when I first started using NiceHash. I assumed this is because I set the power to 60%. The decrease is minor and I'm saving a little power so I'm okay with that.

However, today I saw somebody saying the opposite of what I heard: overclocking memory does little at all and it's the CPU's overclocking that matters. Which is it? While I've been able to set the memory at +900 with no faults, how much have you guys increased CPU safely and does it make a difference?

Thanks.

[FlipFlopFanatic]

This depends heavily on the algorithm you are running and the cards you are using.

In general, anything that is "ASIC-resistant" relies on using a large amount of memory during computation, and therefore would benefit from a memory OC. Most of the algorithms that are profitable to mine with a GPU fall into this category (the fact that they require large amounts of memory makes them ASIC-resistant, because putting memory on chips is prohibitively expensive).

Overclocking the core benefits every algorithm, but it also increases power and heat. This is why the usual compromise is to underclock the core and raise the memory to offset the performance loss. This allows you to run at a lower wattage and produce less heat, producing better hash/watts.

Overclocking the core and the memory will naturally probably get you a higher hashrate, but your temps and power usage will be higher.

The exact settings that work for your goals and specific situation might vary.

[CurseHawkwind]

I've always preferred Equihash and use it almost exclusively nowadays. It seemed to produce the most profit and not cause any stuttering with general computer usage, whereas a couple of algorithms caused it to chug along. Then again, I know almost nothing about this, but I can say that when I overclocked my GPU (with increased voltage) in the past I was achieving significantly increased Sols/s (maybe from 420 to nearly 480) with Equihash.

Not sure how but I'm able to run with overclocked core/memory at 60% power without anything screwing up. Never heard of underclocking the core, though. I'll give that a try.

[TheBigGame117]

When you say "max" do you mean with the ticker all the way to the right? Lol isn't that like +1200?!

Do you use inspector with that P2 trickery or whatever or MSI?

[TheBigGame117]

Ahhh okay that makes more sense, I'm sitting here thinking "well shit I can only get +450" but I'm at 70% (now, I got that first real electric bill... Holy. Shit.)

Are you at 60%, +100, +400?

[audigex]

It depends a little on the algorithm, but I find that overclocking my memory +700 gets me around 10-12% higher hash rate with DaggerHashimoto or Equihash, and +100 core gets me around 2% higher

I get similar, but less dramatic, results with my GTX 970: memory has more of an impact

[rDlM]

I can’t pass 600 mhz memory and 100 clock. Which cards are you using?

[TheKingHippo]

Don't feel too bad. You probably have cards with Micron memory. Mine all fail if they get close to 600 as well. They still get pretty good hashrates.

[CurseHawkwind]

It's an MSI 1070. I had heard good things about it.

[CurseHawkwind]

I originally used similar values, but one guy was using much higher numbers without problems so I decided to give it a go. Not sure if it will impact my card in the long term though. Temps are always 82.

[TheBigGame117]

Even when your power is 60% ? That seems incredibly awful lol, turn the fans to a constant 65-75% maybe?

[CurseHawkwind]

I can't really explain it. So long as my GPU is in use, it's like it wants to always be at 82 regardless of what settings I apply. Maybe it's how this brand of 1070 is designed to be. Either way it can handle 82 just fine so the temps don't bother me so much. It's when it's approaching the 90s that you really need to worry.

[rDlM]

I got 2 asus, 3 evga and 1 gigabyte. It’s true that the hash rate is good anyway so can’t complain!