How to Reduce GPU Voltage (And Why Should It Be Done)

A GPU or graphics card is an important component in a computer, not only for gamers, but also for anyone who needs graphic rendering. GPUs of various large brands usually meet all user needs. If you build your own PC, usually the GPU settings are optimal. However, some PC fans like to overclock to get higher performance. The problem is, overclocking increases heat because it requires more energy. On the other hand, there is a better way, namely reducing the GPU or undervolting voltage.

What is undervolting?

Undervolting is the process of lowering the voltage required by the GPU to function normally without compromising performance. Why does it need to be done? Sometimes it’s not about getting the highest frame rate. Sometimes the default performance is quite good, and more importantly the power consumption, temperature, and noise. By reducing the GPU voltage, you can reduce the heat generated by the computer. This is very useful for gaming laptops because it saves battery.

Both AMD and NVIDIA users, you can undervolt the GPU. The steps are a little different, but not difficult to do.

how to reduce nvidia gpu voltage

Initial preparation

If you are not using the Pascal series (GTX 10xx or later) NVIDIA GPU, then undervolting is not possible. Older Nvidia cards have a locked voltage. You can try to find other ways, but not as reliable as using common undervolting tools like MSI Afterburner. MSI Afterburner is a free program that you can download for the following steps.

Undervolting steps

1. Open Curve Editor in MSI Afterburner
   • In the lower left afterburner area, there is a menu called “Curve Editor”. Click it, or press Ctrl+F on the keyboard.
   • A graph will appear in a new window. The X axis displays the voltage (mV), and the y-axis displays the frequency (MHz) of your GPU.
2. Determine the GPU clock speed
   • Run a GPU-like intensive program for about 15 minutes in high resolution. You can also use Heaven Benchmark for more accurate results.
   • Return to the Curve Editor in Afterburner, click on the curved line — find the frequency of the benchmark test results. Find the appropriate voltage on the x-axis.
3. lowering the voltage gradually
   • Lower the voltage frequency gradually (e.g. from 1000mV to 975mV or 950mV) until it finds the corresponding GPU frequency. Test new settings with the benchmark program to ensure stability and performance.

Save settings

After finding the appropriate voltage and having tested its stability, save this setting by clicking the “Save” button in the form of a diskette at the bottom of the afterburner main screen. Test this new setting again by playing GPU-intensive games for about an hour. If there is a problem, maybe you reduce the voltage too much and need to re-adjust.

how to reduce amd gpu voltage

Initial preparation

AMD cards, even older ones, can be undervolted. If you have an AMD GPU or CPU, you will have AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition installed on your PC.

Undervolting steps

1. Open AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition
   • Right-click on the desktop, select AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition.
   • At the top of the main screen, select the “Performance” tab.
   • Below it, select the “Tuning” tab.
2. Adjusting the voltage settings
   • You can set the undervolting manually or choose “Undervolt GPU” which will do it automatically.
   • To set the value yourself, turn on “GPU Tuning” and “Advanced Control”.
   • Lower the voltage by 10mV, and test it with your favorite stress program. If stable, lower again by 10mV until the test fails. Return the voltage to the last score that passed the test.

After all is done, you have reduced the voltage of your AMD graphics card.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GPU Undervolting

Advantages

1. reduce temperature
   • Reducing the GPU voltage means less power drawn, thereby reducing the heat generated.
2. reduce power consumption
   • Undervolting reduces power consumption, which is very beneficial for gaming laptops.
3. Stable performance
   • With lower temperatures, GPU performance can be more stable.

Deficiency

1. Periodic reset
   • Driver updates may reset the settings, so you need to make periodic adjustments.
2. The process takes time
   • This process requires a lot of adjustment and retesting to ensure stability.
3. potential instability
   • This process requires a lot of adjustment to ensure stability.

FAQ

What is GPU Undervolting?

Undervolting GPU is the process of reducing the voltage required by the GPU to function normally without loss of performance.

Why should I undervolt my GPU?

Undervolting can reduce the heat generated by the GPU, reduce power consumption, and make performance more stable.

Can all GPUs be undervolted?

Not all GPUs can be undervolted. Older NVIDIA cards usually have a locked voltage, while AMD cards, even older ones, can generally be undervolted.

Is undervolting safe for my GPU?

Undervolting won’t physically damage your GPU, but this process requires a lot of adjustment and testing to ensure stability.

Does undervolting reduce GPU performance?

If done correctly, undervolting will not reduce GPU performance. On the other hand, it can make performance more stable with lower temperatures.

By understanding the process and benefits of undervolting, you can get the optimal performance of your GPU while keeping the temperature and power consumption under control. Good luck!