Gigabyte GTX 760 OC Video Card Review
Author: Darren McCain
Published: Tuesday, June 25, 2013
GPU Boost 2.0
GPU Boost is best described as a turbo boost option for the GPU. Traditionally GPUs came with fixed clocks for both 2D and 3D operation and were determined based on maximum loads that stayed below a predefined power target. Often these limits were determined using a synthetic benchmark and not a real world situation, such as a friendly game of Battlefield 3. GPU Boost technology allows the core frequency to "average out" under load so that when TDP is not reached it can increase the core frequency and provide better performance.
GTX 700 series expands on this concept and exposes GPU Boost to the enthusiast in what Nvidia calls, GPU Boost 2.0. The new boost technology now scales on GPU temperature and a power target instead of board power.
Due to this change the boost clock is no longer determined by typical board power but scales based on temperature such that a properly cooled chassis will offer better performance than one that isn't well ventilated. Along the same lines if you choose to watercool your GTX 760 you will see even better performance since watercooling tends to cool much better.
So where does all of this extra performance come from?
It would seem that Nvidia had a change of heart when it comes to overclocking the GTX 700 series. As part of the GPU Boost 2.0 technology the boost controller will dynamically control GPU voltage along with frequency. So long as the GPU stays within the allowed range and temperature you have the ability to boost.
But there is more!
Default voltages on 760 are limited to a range fully qualified by NVIDIA. This voltage range is in place to protect the silicon from long term damage. However, some of their most enthusiastic customers (like us) may want to push their GPUs to the limit by raising the maximum voltage further.
GPU Boost 2.0 enables this "overvoltaging" capability, but does require users to acknowledge the risk to their GPU by clicking through a warning (overvoltaging is disabled by default). Each individual card manufacturer may limit the degree of overvoltaging supported by their cards. Support of overvoltaging is optional, and can be disabled in the VBIOS by the card manufacturer
GTX 700 series expands on this concept and exposes GPU Boost to the enthusiast in what Nvidia calls, GPU Boost 2.0. The new boost technology now scales on GPU temperature and a power target instead of board power.
Due to this change the boost clock is no longer determined by typical board power but scales based on temperature such that a properly cooled chassis will offer better performance than one that isn't well ventilated. Along the same lines if you choose to watercool your GTX 760 you will see even better performance since watercooling tends to cool much better.
So where does all of this extra performance come from?
It would seem that Nvidia had a change of heart when it comes to overclocking the GTX 700 series. As part of the GPU Boost 2.0 technology the boost controller will dynamically control GPU voltage along with frequency. So long as the GPU stays within the allowed range and temperature you have the ability to boost.
But there is more!
Default voltages on 760 are limited to a range fully qualified by NVIDIA. This voltage range is in place to protect the silicon from long term damage. However, some of their most enthusiastic customers (like us) may want to push their GPUs to the limit by raising the maximum voltage further.
GPU Boost 2.0 enables this "overvoltaging" capability, but does require users to acknowledge the risk to their GPU by clicking through a warning (overvoltaging is disabled by default). Each individual card manufacturer may limit the degree of overvoltaging supported by their cards. Support of overvoltaging is optional, and can be disabled in the VBIOS by the card manufacturer
