Radeon HD 5970 Overclocking Guide

The overclocking 101

So here's what we need to do, please download these three files:

Download:

• Download AMD Overvolt tool
• Download Furmark
• Download AfterBurner

Before you start -- make sure you have a properly cooled chassis -- create cold air airflow (!), overclocking with a voltage tweak means increased GPU temperatures. Please know and undersatand what you are doing -- otherwise please stay away from overclocking whatsoever.

We apply three steps.

*** UPDATE *** AMD requested that the AMD volt tool needs to be taken offline. As such we have no alternative other then to follow up on that request.

You however can and should use MSI's AfterBurner which does not have the memory Voltage option, but you can tweak and insert the same voltage as shown below with this tool.

Step 1:
After proper driver installation please startup AfterBurner. Using the software increase the voltage of 1.05V on the GPU core to 1.1625V.

Now these are just modest increases really, but it's significant enough to greatly increase the overclocking possibilities of the Radeon HD 5970 graphics card.

Step 2:
After downloading the software, install Furmark. Furmark is very handy to use to define an overclock. With that application running in a window and ATI Catalyst Overdrive or MSI's AfterBurner next to it, you can gradually increase clock and memory frequency real-time and on the fly, while stressing the GPU fairly harsh. 

Some people prefer other software, OCCT GPU stress, Running 3DMark or a game each time after a frequency change. Everybody has his/her own preferences. Just use an application that is hard on your graphics card. Yet for ease of use we recommend Furmark as it will get the GPU down on it's knees.

Step 3:
Overclocking software -- Take Catalyst Control Center's 'OverDrive' feature as it comes unlocked for the 5970 series. Or since you are already using it -- MSI afterBurner OC software where you can save OC profiles as well as having advanced monitoring features. That or the upcoming Rivatuner 2.25.

We are now ready to start overclocking.

Note -- neither ATI or Guru3D is responsible for a damaged card. Mind you that we've never been able to break a card with an overclock, that doesn't mean it can not happen. You are driving the graphics card closer to it's maximum limit. As such do it wise, do it careful .. but most of all you do it at your own risk.