What is a GPU Core clock? (Explained)

 

The Core Clock is the frequency at which the graphics processing processor on the video card operates. Depending on the manufacturer, this may be SuperClocked or pre-overclocked.

In this article, I’ll explain all you need to know about GPU core clocks and GPU memory clocks.

Understanding these parameters will assist you when searching for a graphics card, particularly when deciding between different manufacturers’ versions of the same GPU.

Everything You Need to Know About GPU Core Clocks and Memory Clocks

What Exactly Are GPU Cores?

GPU cores are in charge of the majority of the processing performed by your graphics card.

As with CPU cores, the underlying design of the core will have a significantly greater impact on performance than the clock speed or the number of cores.

For the sake of argument, suppose you have two 4-core Intel CPUs running at 3.6 GHz to pick from.

If you merely look at the base level specifications, it will be a more difficult option to make, because the obvious difference simply isn’t present on the surface level.

In this case, you need to figure out which of your options is using a better, more modern CPU design that will get more performance out of those four cores running at 3.6 GHz.

If both are using the same architecture in the same generation, it may also come down to whether or not particular features are included (like integrated graphics).

When it comes to performance, GPU cores, like CPU cores, are strongly dependent on their design.

Consider the GTX 760 in comparison to its replacement, the GTX 960.

In terms of specifications such as CUDA core count, GPU core clock, and VRAM, these cards are very similar. The GTX 760 features 1024 CUDA cores, whereas the GTX 960 has 1152. Both come with 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM.

The GTX760 can boost to 1033 MHz, while the GTX960 can boost to 1178 MHz.

Based on those specifications, you could think they perform similarly, with a slight advantage over the GTX960…

However, a generational transition implies a change in architecture, which results in a significantly larger change in performance levels.

The overall performance increase from the GTX 760 to the GTX 960 is around 20%.

And that performance boost didn’t come from adding 20% more cores, 20% more memory, or 20% faster clock speeds: it came from fundamental enhancements to the underlying GPU architecture.

Of fact, the 960 is still superior to the 760 in these specifications, but not by as much as the real performance boost.

So GPU cores are similar to CPU cores, except they come in hundreds or thousands rather than pairs or triplets.

GPU cores, like CPU cores, rely on their underlying architecture for performance advantages rather than raw clock speeds or core counts. With this understanding, it will be much easier to explain how GPU core clocks function in the sections below.

What Exactly Is GPU Memory?

Let’s define ordinary memory first, then GPU memory.

Memory in this context refers to RAM (Random Access Memory) that a CPU uses as a volatile cache for whatever is currently running on your system.

Because of this, RAM is also known as dynamic memory, whereas your hard drive or SSD is known as static memory because it isn’t as closely linked to your processing workload.

However, unlike CPUs, most GPUs do not use conventional RAM. Instead, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) is used, which is exactly what it sounds like.

VRAM is very different from the RAM utilized by your CPU, and it does not function in the same manner that ordinary RAM does.

Instead of juggling several jobs on your PC, VRAM is committed to whatever your GPU is concentrating on, whether that’s rendering in professional applications or gaming.

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The Effect of GPU Core Clocks on Performance

Between GPU core clocks and GPU memory clocks, GPU core clocks have a far greater impact on performance.

Increasing the clock speed of your GPU core is effectively the same as increasing the clock speed of your CPU by increasing the speed of operations per second, you can boost performance.

However, increasing your clock speed by 5% does not ensure a 5% performance boost.

As previously said, there’s a lot more going on within a graphics card than just the number of cores or the pace at which those cores execute.

Nonetheless, GPU core clocks have the most direct impact on GPU performance.

If you want to boost your in-game framerate or reduce render times, the GPU core clock is unquestionably the more significant characteristic. What about the GPU memory clock?

The Effect of GPU Memory Clocks on Performance

The GPU memory clock is a little strange.

There are occasions when prioritizing this standard can improve performance and other times when it appears to have no effect.

This isn’t too dissimilar to how ordinary RAM works, as many users can’t tell the difference between running low and high-speed RAM kits across a variety of tasks.

Before we go into GPU memory clocks, let’s take a step back and look at GPU memory, also known as VRAM.

VRAM is in charge of storing all of the data that your graphics card requires to render a scene, whether it’s your favorite Counter-Strike map or a Blender animation.

If you don’t have enough VRAM to store all of that information in a place where your GPU can quickly access it, you’ll either crash or (more likely) start eating into your PC’s RAM. When this happens, your PC’s RAM will become much slower, resulting in performance loss.

VRAM is intimately related to resolution and texture fidelity, notably in games, in addition to raw capacity.

Playing something at 1080p with high textures should be possible with a graphics card that has 4GB of VRAM or less. If you wish to play the same game at 1440p or 4K, you may run into problems.

Even if your GPU cores have the raw processing power to handle higher settings, low VRAM can drastically degrade performance in certain cases since everything the GPU does must pass through VRAM before it can be displayed on your screen.

There are two primary solutions to VRAM bottlenecks. The ideal answer is to just add additional VRAM, but this isn’t always possible, especially in this day and age of chip shortages.

Another option is to overclock your GPU memory clock, which involves increasing the speed at which that VRAM is functioning.

Improving GPU memory frequency will only help you if your memory bandwidth is the bottleneck, which it usually isn’t. And, while it can assist, it isn’t a replacement for having enough VRAM, to begin with.

What is a GPU Core clock? (Explained)
What is a GPU Core clock? (Explained)

FAQ

How Much Can GPU Overclocking Improve My Performance?

I would estimate that the most you can fairly expect from a GPU overclock are a 5-10% performance gain.

At the end of the day, no matter how hard you try, overclocking an RTX 3060 will not turn it into an RTX 3070. So don’t expect GPU overclocking to be a replacement for a better graphics card or an eventual upgrade.

However, that extra amount of performance can go a long way toward extending the life of your graphics card, especially if you’re seeing games with framerates that are just below playable.

Can Normal RAM Be Used As VRAM?

No, unless you have a CPU with integrated graphics.

If you do have to utilize ordinary RAM as VRAM, make sure to obtain at least DDR4-3600 RAM to get some half-decent performance.

While you won’t be able to get the same levels of speed as with a discrete GPU and dedicated GDDR RAM, having adequate desktop RAM can greatly improve the scenario.

Can VRAM Be Used Like Normal RAM?

No. Unless you have a contemporary game console. Consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series S employ PC-based architecture and large amounts of GDDR RAM for both graphics rendering and general memory utilization.

However, you cannot accomplish this in a standard desktop environment.

Is Undervolting The Same As Underclocking?

Undervolting is the process of lowering the voltage applied to a graphics card to lower temperatures and, ideally, stabilize performance.

Overclocking is the technique of boosting clock speed to improve overall performance, but it also needs increasing voltage to fully utilize the hardware in question.

This will also raise the heat, so do it only if you know what you’re doing and how to reduce GPU temps in your PC.

Undervolting does not require you to reduce clock speeds to achieve your objectives.

Undervolting a GPU properly can result in almost similar performance while significantly lowering temps and power consumption.

Because undervolting minimizes the possibility of thermal throttling, you may even notice improved performance.

Final thought 

If you have any additional questions concerning GPU core clocks or memory clocks, or if this article has helped you comprehend any issues you may have about GPU core clocks and memory clocks, please leave them in the comments section below.

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