Why Can't I Overclock My RTX 5090 Past 3.2 GHz?

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Hey everyone! I’m reaching out to fellow RTX 5090 users for some advice. Here’s my setup:

– CPU: 9800X3D with a +200 MHz boost, all cores
– RAM: 32 GB at 6000 MHz CL36 (2×16)
– GPU: Gainward Phantom 5090

I typically game at 1440p with everything maxed out. Here’s the issue: my GPU just won’t go above 3.2 GHz no matter what I try. The highest stable overclock I’ve managed is 3000 MHz on the VRAM and 328 on the core. My temperatures are always under 50°C and the max wattage I’ve seen is 430W.

I’ve noticed that some people are hitting 350–400 on the core and even reaching 3.3 to 3.4 GHz. Is this just the luck of the silicon lottery? Do I need to crank up the voltage? Or am I running into a CPU limitation? I haven’t changed the voltage in my current overclock profile. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

2 Answers

PixelProwler88 -

Honestly, you might not even need to overclock at all. A lot of folks find that just enjoying the card at stock settings leads to a way less frustrating gaming experience. Those higher numbers are cool, but they don’t really translate to much in real-world gaming. Just play and enjoy!

CpuLover84 -

I get that, but I’m just trying to max out performance where it’s possible. I’m not into chasing 3DMark scores, just want everything to run smoothly!

OverclockNinja12 -

I had a similar experience with my AMD GPU. I could undervolt and boost the VRAM, but overclocking just seemed to either yield no results or even make things worse. Maybe it’s just not worth the hassle?

GamerXplosion99 -

I did see some gains with the 328+ core, but there are folks hitting higher and I’m just trying to figure out how they do it. I can run Cyberpunk stable but aiming for 329+ crashes after two minutes.

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