MSI has released a new beta version of the overclocking tool Afterburner. The application can be used to increase clock frequency and voltage with graphics cards. MSI has managed to gain control of the voltages of GeForce GTX 480, which sounds both exciting and a bit dangerous considering the heat coming from the card at stock. The graphics card has a default voltage of 1.0V and MSI recommends not going higher than 1.1V to keep the heat at relatively manageable levels.
We have already seen a couple of tests with MSI Afterburner 1.6.0 that showed promise, but as promised the power consumption gets extreme which forces the cooler up to levels of 80dBA at full force.
In Afterburner 1.6.0 Beta 4, you can adjust the voltage of GeForce GTX 480 from 0.825~1.125V. It’s not very big adjustment range, but considering egg-cooking capability of GeForce GTX 480, it is safe to stay in this range, Garret Wu of MSI.
Water cooling manufacturer DangerDen also performed some quick tests with raised voltage and has achieved much more pleasant results when the cooling doesn’t hinder the user, even if it too noticed the higher power output. With just a small increase in voltage they got the chip up to 901MHz with load temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius.
Those who have a GeForce GTX 480 can fetch Afterburner 1.6.0 Beta 4 from MSI’s website.
