Overclocking my video card!!!

[TTUSteveo]

How much do you think i could OC a sapphire 128mb radeon 9500 card with the stock cooling? Default is 275/275mhz, think i could get 345mhz/305mhz w/no problems?

[ECA]

Do it tell us if you FRIED it. Then we wont do it.

Overclocking isnt always nice. 90% of the time you will Loose on the life of the card. Card should last 3-5 years, not 2 months. Unless you are rich, and dont care about cost. DONT DO IT.

[TTUSteveo]

if i oc'd to 330/300 i would loose that much life?

[ECA]

Probably not 2 months. maybe 1 year of use.

The main difference between OLD cards and new cards, is the new ones are already OC'ed just a bit. Unless you take the precaution to cool the card, and its ram ALOT more, is it really worth it.
IF the card is doing well, and you really dont have complaints, why OC. There are a few tricks to try before you OC.
Raise system ram,
Enlarge your system cache,
Upgrade system ram speed, if your mobo can use faster ram do it.
Optimize your system and kill any task you dont need/want/ or should be running when its not needed.

You are adding more heat to the system when you dont need to, if you havent done these things first. I worked in a computer shop with 8 comps running at all times, we didnt need to turn the heat on during the winter from the heat from the systems.