Again, it feels confusing, right? But worry not this guide is all you were looking for. It will lay down the “to-the-point” and “easy-to-understand” explanations of the memory clock and the core clock of a GPU, and the difference between the two.<\/p>\n
With that said, let’s get started.<\/p>\n\n
GPU Memory Clock Explained<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"gpu](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GPU-Memory-Clock-1-1.png\")
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Memory clock refers to the VRAM (don’t mix it with the DRAM which are the sticks that we put on the motherboard) of your GPU.<\/p>\n
In other words, the memory clock is the frequency of the RAM of your GPU.<\/p>\n
“What, does my GPU also have RAM?”<\/p>\n
Yes, it does. And quite similar to the computer RAM, the RAM of the GPU (VRAM) is also used to store data temporarily.<\/p>\n
However, the difference is VRAM stores various textures, effects, objects, and elements of the graphics of the game you’re playing or the program you’re using.<\/p>\n
Now, the question arises “does VRAM or memory clock affect performance?”<\/p>\n
Well, it does. A GPU with a FASTER VRAM can store data more quickly and increase the overall performance of the GPU. Similarly, a GPU with LARGER VRAM can store more data and free up some load of the GPU.<\/p>\n
Summary: <\/b>To sum things up:<\/p>\n The core clock of your GPU is the performance of your GPU’s main chip, also known as the processor of the GPU (don’t confuse it with the main processor of the computer).<\/p>\n The core clock refers to how fast your GPU can process the graphics data it receives. It is, in fact, a more important aspect of a GPU compared to memory clocks as it affects performance and FPS more. <\/b><\/p>\n As a rule of thumb, it also offers significantly faster performance than memory overclocking.<\/p>\n Summary: <\/b>To sum things up:<\/p>\n Here are the main differences between the memory clock and the core clock of a GPU:<\/p>\n\n The memory clock speed (VRAM) can affect gaming but not significantly. In fact, overclocking the GPU memory clock typically gives a negligible performance increase. However, it solely depends upon the game you’re playing.<\/p>\n Summary: <\/b>Yes, but very slightly.<\/p>\n The memory clock speed can affect FPS but not significantly. The improvement in FPS through the memory clock actually depends upon the game you’re playing and can be in the range of 1% to 10%.<\/p>\n Summary: <\/b>Yes, but very slightly.<\/p>\n The boost clock is the maximum clock speed a GPU can attain when in the normal mode before you turn on the GPU boost or overclock mode.<\/p>\n Now, does the boost clock matter?<\/b><\/p>\n Yes, it does, the boost clock directly affects the performance during your gaming. A higher boost clock promises a smoother gaming experience and vice versa. Typically, a clock speed of 3.5GHz to 4.0GHz is considered a good boost clock for gaming.<\/p>\n Summary: <\/b>Yes it does, a lot.<\/p>\n If you want to know how we can check and control the overclocking of your GPU then here’s an article for you: Overclock your laptop GPU<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you want to test the clock speed of your GPU, you will need to use a GPU benchmark tool. Such a tool will allow you to stress test your GPU by putting graphics load on it and testing its stability, clock speed, single-core performance, memory clock, and so on.<\/p>\n Following are some great tools to run a clock speed test on your GPU:<\/p>\n GPU-Z is so far the best tool to test the clock speed on your GPU. It lets you do that with a straightforward installation and interface. The most exciting part is, it gives you in-depth specifications of GPU that you might find extremely useful.<\/p>\n The downside of GPU-Z, however, is that it isn’t versatile enough to give details of your other components eg. CPU and RAM.<\/p>\n MSI Afterburner or RivaTuner is the best versatile pick for testing the core speed of your GPU.<\/p>\n The reason I picked it as a versatile software is that it also offers a variety of advanced features like seeing the details of your other hardware parts as well, and to track the FPS in the games, etc.<\/p>\n An optimal GPU temperature for gaming and high-end use should never exceed 85°C or 185°F, regardless of what the manufacturer of your GPU promises. However, a good practice is to make sure your GPU temperature is between 65°C and 85°C (149°F and 185°F).<\/p>\n Summary: <\/b>60°C-85°C (149°F and 185°F) is a good temperature range for a GPU.<\/p>\n\n
Core Clock Explained<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Memory](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Screenshot_3.png\")
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What’s The Difference Between The Memory Clock and The Core Clock on a GPU?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n\t \nMemory Clock (VRAM)<\/th> Core Clock<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\t It is the RAM of your GPU<\/td> It is the performance of your GPU’s chip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t The memory clock is also called the VRAM of a GPU<\/td> The core clock is also called the processor of a GPU<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t It temporarily stores data <\/td> It helps in processing data<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t It impacts performance and FPS more<\/td> It doesn’t significantly affect the performance and FPS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Does Memory Clock Affect Gaming?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Does Memory Clock Speed Affect FPS?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Does Boost Clock Matter?<\/b><\/h2>\n
GPU Clock Speed Test and Utilities<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Best for in-depth testings: GPU-Z<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"test](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/test-the-clock-speed-on-your-GPU.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Best versatile: MSI Afterburner (<\/b>RivaTuner)<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"testing](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/testing-the-core-speed-of-your-GPU-RivaTuner.png\")
)<\/b><\/h3>\nWhat is a Good GPU Temperature?<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image1-1.jpg\")
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