Graphics Overclocking 7600GS

I have an XFX 7600GS XT in an ASUS P5WD2-E motherboard. In the BIOS there's an option to increase the power to the card (settings are something like heavier, heavy, normal, light, auto).

My card out-of-the-box is 500mHz core and 900mHz memory. I've overclocked it to 550mHz core but only got another 22 effective mHz out of the memory before the Rivatuner/Coolbits test stopped me. I want to push it further, but don't want a too high clock on the core and too low on the memory. Besides, I know I should be able to gain more than that (22mHz).Check here

Would increasing the power to the card allow for a higher memory overclock, or am I unnecessarily risking damage to the card? I don't have enough cash to get another card, even a budget one like this.

If you want to see the stats of my pc click on "The Silver Bullet" in my sig.

 

What you want is another software application to adjust the speeds with. Try RivaTuner.

 

I know that - in fact, I'm currently using RivaTuner.
But in order to overclock you have to test the speeds, and I can't pass the test any higher than 462mHz (924 effective).
What I'm wondering is will giving my card more power allow it to overclock without damaging it...

READ THE POST CAREFULLY.

 

you will need to volt mod the gfx card. tho change the voltage on the gpu and ram. those settings will only increase the power of the pci-e (from what i know that wont change the gpu and ram voltages)

 

Yes it's best to leave those values well alone. IIRC you can alter the core and memory voltage (and timings) with a modified gfx BIOS but it's not advisable to mess with that either IMHO.

The 7600GS has half the memory bandwidth of the 7600GT and it is this which you really need to improve by o/c'ing, I seriously doubt an extra 10% (or even 20%) on the core will do you much good outside of synthetics. IMHO the RAM is unlikely to go much further regardless of what you try so either be happy with your 7600GS or upgrade, eg. 7600GT £90, 7900GS £130 or X1900GT £140+. The XFX 7600GS XT does use a faster 900mhz RAM clock (7600GS default is 700mhz) but 7600GT uses 1400mhz (and even it only has 70% the memory bandwidth of the old 6800GT).