Hello I wanted to play a bit with undervolting gtx 970, the problem is that in MSI afterburner I can't call the table to change timings and voltages, I tried the CTRL + F combination and nothing .. I marked to monitor the voltages and edit them in the program. I would like to see if it can...

Only editing the BIOS of the graphics card remains.

What program is the best to play with it? So that it would be the easiest because I'd be doing it for the first time.

You have to be careful with this type of games. You can accidentally send a card to the land of the everlasting hunting.

From what I suppose, if I do not move IDLE, the card will always get up, and if I give too low voltage in stress, it will catch a bluescreen at most. It seems so to me though

So, as long as you don't touch the initial states (it's not only idle, but also clocks/voltage at boot time) then no big deal. At most under load sag, controller resets and similar attractions. (as a guideline, I had my GTX 970 set to 1350 MHz at 1.05 V)

So that's how I downloaded the bios from my card via gpu-z now I opened it with maxwell bios and the voltage table tab and I see CLK (these are certainly these states) so if I wanted to change the card core to 1.1v, all states above 1.1v lower to this values yes ?. But what about the first tensions In addition, what is it that my boost card should have 1253mhz and does 1303.6mhz?

This is the easiest and most reliable way (but a bit monotonous, because there are some of these sliders ). All those above 1.1V you lower them backwards. You do not have to touch those with lower values. 'Boost State' tab, profiles P00 and P02, GPC max field - numbers greater than 1253? If so, the card will accelerate to higher clocks (depending on temperature, load, power limit) than specified in the Boost Clock field in the first tab.

This is what it looks like in the Boost State tab: I'm attaching the edited bios (for now voltage) to check if I didn't break something. Screenshots from the program as I set it up: For clk 48 nothing moves from CLK 49 to CLK 56 only MAX voltage at 1.1 a from CLK 67 to CLK 74 min and max 1.1v @Edit After UV it looks like this: The problem is that during the test every few seconds there is a cut as you can see on the screen in the bus interface load and memory controller load tabs, the test freezes, blinks and goes on. Currently yes: Voltage from 1.125 to 1.156v core boost 1455.5mhz memory 1900.8Mhz in rise of the tomb raider everything works.

Crop - Voltage was too low. 1.1V usually gives 1380 - 1400 MHz. The additional 50 MHz requires a voltage boost - 1.1375 you probably did not want to test yourself (it's always a bit lower than 1.15)? :) So you currently have over 100MHz more on the core (+ faster clocked memory), with a slightly lower voltage?

I checked a weak copy can run in 3dmark. I currently have 1443mhz and 3758mhz mem, at 1.156v where on stock it was 1305mhz and 3505mhz mem, at 1.206v

Undervolting GTX 970 MSI GAMING: Adjusting Voltages & Timings in MSI Afterburner, GPU 1303.6MHz

RoStER 15777 11

Treść została przetłumaczona

Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu

Report a violation of the law

Reply | New topic

#1 16714078 22 Sep 2017 14:06

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author

Post #1
16714078 22 Sep 2017 14:06

Hello
I wanted to play a bit with undervolting gtx 970, the problem is that in MSI afterburner I can't call the table to change timings and voltages, I tried the CTRL + F combination and nothing ..
I marked to monitor the voltages and edit them in the program.
I would like to see if it can be slightly turned up while reducing the voltage.

Currently it is:

GPU 1303.6mhz
memory 1752.8mhz
VDDC 1.2060V

With render test in gpu-z
Stock card I have not changed anything, greetings and I am counting on some help.
ADVERTISEMENT
Helpful post

#2 16714267 22 Sep 2017 16:11

DriverMSG DriverMSG

VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl

» | Helpful post? (+1)

Helpful post
Post #2
16714267 22 Sep 2017 16:11

Only editing the BIOS of the graphics card remains.
ADVERTISEMENT
#3 16714427 22 Sep 2017 17:49

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author Helpful post? (0)

Post #3
16714427 22 Sep 2017 17:49

What program is the best to play with it? So that it would be the easiest because I'd be doing it for the first time.
#4 16714471 22 Sep 2017 18:11

DriverMSG DriverMSG

VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #4
16714471 22 Sep 2017 18:11

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/maxwell-ii-bios-tweaker/
ADVERTISEMENT
#5 16714481 22 Sep 2017 18:17

szkieletor11111 szkieletor11111

Level 23

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #5
16714481 22 Sep 2017 18:17

You have to be careful with this type of games. You can accidentally send a card to "the land of the everlasting hunting".
#6 16714536 22 Sep 2017 18:46

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author Helpful post? (0)

Post #6
16714536 22 Sep 2017 18:46

From what I suppose, if I do not move IDLE, the card will always get up, and if I give too low voltage in stress, it will catch a bluescreen at most. It seems so to me though
#7 16714628 22 Sep 2017 19:29

rzymo rzymo

Level 34

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #7
16714628 22 Sep 2017 19:29

So, as long as you don't touch the initial states (it's not only idle, but also clocks/voltage at boot time) then no big deal. At most under load sag, controller resets and similar attractions.

(as a guideline, I had my GTX 970 set to 1350 MHz at 1.05 V)
ADVERTISEMENT
#8 16714771 22 Sep 2017 20:44

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author Helpful post? (0)

Post #8
16714771 22 Sep 2017 20:44

So that's how I downloaded the bios from my card via gpu-z now I opened it with maxwell bios and the voltage table tab and I see CLK (these are certainly these states) so if I wanted to change the card core to 1.1v, all states above 1.1v lower to this values yes ?.

But what about the first tensions

In addition, what is it that my boost card should have 1253mhz and does 1303.6mhz?
#9 16714895 22 Sep 2017 21:40

rzymo rzymo

Level 34

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #9
16714895 22 Sep 2017 21:40

Quote:
(...) so if I wanted to, for example, change the core of the card to 1.1v, all states above 1.1v lower to this value, yes? "

This is the easiest and most reliable way (but a bit monotonous, because there are some of these sliders ). All those above 1.1V you lower them backwards. You do not have to touch those with lower values.

Quote:
In addition, what is it that my boost card should have 1253mhz and does 1303.6mhz?

'Boost State' tab, profiles P00 and P02, GPC max field - numbers greater than 1253? If so, the card will accelerate to higher clocks (depending on temperature, load, power limit) than specified in the Boost Clock field in the first tab.
#10 16715031 22 Sep 2017 22:33

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author Helpful post? (0)

Post #10
16715031 22 Sep 2017 22:33

This is what it looks like in the Boost State tab:

I'm attaching the edited bios (for now voltage) to check if I didn't break something.

Screenshots from the program as I set it up:

For clk 48 nothing moves from CLK 49 to CLK 56 only MAX voltage at 1.1 a from CLK 67 to CLK 74 min and max 1.1v

@Edit
After UV it looks like this:

The problem is that during the test every few seconds there is a cut as you can see on the screen in the "bus interface load" and "memory controller load" tabs, the test freezes, blinks and goes on.

Currently yes:
Voltage from 1.125 to 1.156v core boost 1455.5mhz memory 1900.8Mhz in rise of the tomb raider everything works.
#11 16715298 23 Sep 2017 07:52

rzymo rzymo

Level 34

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #11
16715298 23 Sep 2017 07:52

Crop - Voltage was too low. 1.1V usually gives 1380 - 1400 MHz. The additional 50 MHz requires a voltage boost - 1.1375 you probably did not want to test yourself (it's always a bit lower than 1.15)? :)

So you currently have over 100MHz more on the core (+ faster clocked memory), with a slightly lower voltage?
#12 16715862 23 Sep 2017 13:27

RoStER RoStER

Level 30

» | Topic author Helpful post? (+2)

Post #12
16715862 23 Sep 2017 13:27

I checked a weak copy can run in 3dmark.
I currently have 1443mhz and 3758mhz mem, at 1.156v
where on stock it was 1305mhz and 3505mhz mem, at 1.206v
Create an account, log in here. You will receive points by participating in discussions.
Join this discussion.

Install Elektroda application

Didn't find an answer? Ask Artificial Intelligence

*I agree to send the question to OpenAI, Anthropic PBC, Perplexity AI, Inc., Kagi Inc., Google LLC - owners of language models in order to prepare the best response. The companies may monitor and log information entered into the form.

*I agree to publicly display my question and answer. The question and answer will be publicly available to everyone. The process may take a few minutes. Upon completion, you will be redirected to the page with the answer.

Wait...(2min)

Reply | New topic

Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around undervolting the GTX 970 MSI Gaming graphics card using MSI Afterburner. The user initially faced difficulties accessing the voltage and timing adjustment table in the software. Suggestions included using the Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker for BIOS editing, with caution advised to avoid damaging the card. Users shared experiences with voltage settings, noting that lowering voltages can lead to instability under load. The user successfully modified the BIOS, achieving a core clock of 1443 MHz and memory clock of 3758 MHz at 1.156V, compared to stock settings of 1305 MHz and 3505 MHz at 1.206V. The conversation highlighted the importance of careful voltage adjustments to maintain stability and performance.

FAQ

TL;DR: Undervolting a GTX 970 can sustain 1380–1400 MHz at 1.10 V; “1.1V usually gives 1380–1400 MHz.” [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16715298]

Why it matters: This FAQ shows how to fix CTRL+F/voltage-curve limits, pick tools, and tune stable clocks without bricking your MSI GTX 970 Gaming.

Stock reference example: 1303.6 MHz core, 1752.8 MHz memory, VDDC 1.2060 V (GPU‑Z render test). [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714078]
Proven UV result: 1443 MHz core and 3758 MHz memory at 1.156 V on GTX 970. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16715862]
Tooling: Save VBIOS with GPU‑Z; edit with Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714771]
Afterburner curve locked? Then only BIOS editing helps. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16714267]
Risk: Bad edits can “send a card to the land of the everlasting hunting.” Back up first. [Elektroda, szkieletor11111, post #16714481]

Quick Facts

Stock reference example: 1303.6 MHz core, 1752.8 MHz memory, VDDC 1.2060 V (GPU‑Z render test). [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714078]
Proven UV result: 1443 MHz core and 3758 MHz memory at 1.156 V on GTX 970. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16715862]
Tooling: Save VBIOS with GPU‑Z; edit with Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714771]
Afterburner curve locked? Then only BIOS editing helps. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16714267]
Risk: Bad edits can “send a card to the land of the everlasting hunting.” Back up first. [Elektroda, szkieletor11111, post #16714481]

Why doesn’t CTRL+F open the voltage/frequency curve in MSI Afterburner on my GTX 970?

Some GTX 970 BIOS/driver combos lock the curve editor, so Afterburner can’t expose voltage tables. In such cases, only VBIOS editing will let you change voltages or boost states. Back up your original BIOS first before any experiments to avoid a non‑booting card. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16714267]

What program should I use to edit a GTX 970 VBIOS for undervolting?

Dump your current BIOS with GPU‑Z, then edit voltages and boost tables using Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker. Open the saved ROM, adjust CLK voltage entries, save, and flash carefully. “Boost State” shows P00/P02 limits that govern real boost behavior. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714771]

What voltage and clock targets are a good starting point for undervolting?

Aim near 1.10 V for 1380–1400 MHz core as a baseline. Pushing about +50 MHz often needs around 1.1375 V. Quote: “1.1V usually gives 1380–1400 MHz.” Validate with a render test and games, and log for stutters. [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16715298]

How do I safely edit the voltage table without breaking low-power states?

Lower only the entries above your target (e.g., set all >1.10 V down to 1.10 V). Leave lower‑voltage states unchanged. This is the simplest, most reliable workflow for first-time editors. It reduces risk and keeps idle behavior intact. [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16714895]

Why does my MSI GTX 970 boost past the advertised 1253 MHz (e.g., to 1303 MHz)?

Maxwell Boost uses internal limits. If GPC max in Boost State (P00/P02) exceeds 1253 MHz, the card boosts higher depending on thermals and power headroom. That’s normal behavior and varies with each BIOS. [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16714895]

What happens if I undervolt too far on the GTX 970?

Expect frame hitches, short freezes, or controller resets under load. You might see spikes in bus interface or memory controller load and brief flickers during tests. Raise voltage slightly until stutters disappear. [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16714628]

Can changing idle or boot states brick the card?

Yes. Touching initial boot clocks/voltages can cause boot failure. If you leave those initial states alone, issues are usually limited to load sag or resets, not permanent bricks. Always keep a known‑good ROM copy. [Elektroda, rzymo, post #16714628]

What real-world gains did users report after undervolting?

One user improved from 1305/3505 MHz at 1.206 V to 1443/3758 MHz at 1.156 V. That’s over 100 MHz more core clock with lower voltage. Validate stability with 3DMark and demanding games. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16715862]

How do I perform a quick 3‑step undervolt on a GTX 970?

Use GPU‑Z to save your current VBIOS ROM.
Open it in Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker; edit voltage table and Boost States.
Flash the edited ROM and test stability in GPU‑Z render or games. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714771]

What is VDDC on GPU‑Z, and why does it matter?

VDDC is the GPU core voltage reported by utilities like GPU‑Z. It’s the key metric you reduce when undervolting. Compare before/after VDDC at matched loads to gauge efficiency and thermal improvements from your changes. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16714078]

How do memory clocks interact with an undervolted core?

Higher memory clocks can offset core reductions, but unstable core voltage may surface as memory controller spikes or flicker. Stabilize the core first, then raise memory in small steps while checking for artifacts and freezes. [Elektroda, RoStER, post #16715031]

Is Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker my only option if Afterburner won’t change voltages?

If the curve editor is unavailable or locked, BIOS-level editing is the route. Maxwell II BIOS Tweaker is the recommended tool in this thread for adjusting tables and boost behavior. Proceed cautiously and keep backups. [Elektroda, DriverMSG, post #16714471]