Modern GPUs are adept at delivering most of their performance without additional tweaking from the user. Overclocking your graphics card doesn't yield the same benefits it used to. However, you can still optimize your new GPU by changing a few settings when you're first setting up your new build. You might know about the hidden settings in the Nvidia app (or Nvidia Control Panel) or the best settings to use in AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. Tuning the GPU fan curve and voltage-frequency curve, however, can deliver even bigger performance gains.

A custom fan curve is a must for every GPU

Don't miss out on the extra performance

If you never touched your GPU's fan curve after getting your new PC, you're missing out. Most GPU fan curves are configured in a way that prioritizes lower noise levels over maximum performance. Unless you tune the fan curve manually to get the right balance for your particular card, you're probably depriving yourself of some free performance. The difference between a stock and custom fan curve can be significant, allowing your card to boost higher, and hence, deliver more FPS.

You just need to use the "Fan" tab in MSI Afterburner's settings to dial in the custom fan curve you want. You could configure your fans to spin higher than usual when your GPU is under load, thereby keeping it cooler, and allowing it to maintain higher frequencies. You might want lower noise levels, which would mean keeping the fan speeds as low as you can without thermal throttling the GPU. Try out a few curves during gaming, and see which one you like in terms of performance vs. noise levels. You can also use Fan Control to set custom fan curves for your entire PC.

Undervolt your GPU with Curve Editor in MSI Afterburner

The best of both worlds

Undervolting your GPU instead of overclocking it can work out better for many people. What undervolting does is lower the voltage supplied to the card without reducing the frequency by much. The result is more or less the same performance at a lower voltage, and hence, power levels. This keeps the graphics card cool and extends its lifespan as well. In many cases, you might be able to get higher clock speeds as your card gets more headroom to boost higher, thereby increasing performance.

I always use Curve Editor in MSI Afterburner to configure a custom voltage-frequency curve for a new GPU. All it takes is observing the maximum frequency your GPU usually attains during an intensive game, and then lowering the voltage in the curve slightly at that frequency level. You'll need to test the stability of the undervolt with a benchmark or a game, and if everything looks stable, you can go lower on the voltage axis. The goal is to achieve the lowest possible voltage without reducing the maximum frequency or hurting the stability of the GPU.

Most people still don't touch the voltage settings of their card, but it promises immense performance and thermal benefits, which you shouldn't ignore.

Don't leave performance on the table

It's your funeral

Unless you leverage all the tools at your disposal to optimize your GPU, you're essentially missing out on its maximum performance. And it's not just about achieving a few more FPS in games; it's about running your GPU cooler, so it can last longer. Heat isn't good for any electronic equipment, and if a few tweaks in MSI Afterburner can help you achieve lower temps while improving or maintaining performance, it becomes a no-brainer.

Besides undervolting your GPU, setting a custom fan curve is the next best thing you can do to ensure maximum performance for your card. The stock fan curve is rarely perfect, so it pays to spend some time finding the right settings for your GPU model, and then sticking with it. Other GPU settings in MSI Afterburner that can help you unlock your GPU's potential are "Power Limit" and "Temperature Limit". You would have used them if you'd ever overclocked your graphics card.

Make a habit of optimizing a new graphics card

Setting up a new PC can sometimes get overwhelming, considering the number of things you need to keep track of. You might forget optimizing your GPU by setting a custom fan curve or dialing in a nice undervolt. These two settings can be game-changers for not only the performance but also the thermals and noise levels of your GPU. Once you get these right, you seldom need to touch them again.