PC Components

Can You Overclock Integrated Graphics? (Explained!)

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Overclocking means better performance; therefore, users want to overclock their system’s components. But many users are worried about whether it is possible or not to overclock integrated graphics?

I researched Integrated graphics and their overclocking capability, and after doing a complete analysis, I am writing this article to inform you about everything regarding this.

So, Can You Overclock Integrated Graphics?

Yes! It’s possible to overclock integrated graphics, but expert gamers don’t recommend overclocking integrated graphics; it can damage your system’s components and void your warranty. 

I know that the short answer doesn’t satisfy you; therefore, I have explained this in detail in the below section. So, keep reading this article till the end.

Is Overclocking Integrated Graphics Safe?

Overclocking has become such a familiar term these days; overclocking is usually an action of increasing the component’s clock rate, running it at a higher speed than it was designed to run.

In simple terms, Overclocking boosts the performance of the components to provide better performance.

Now, straight dive into the point, is Overclocking safe for integrated graphics?

No! the integrated graphics are not suitable for overclocking, and experts don’t recommend overclocking the integrated graphics. 

You have to realize that the integrated graphics are meant to be overclocked, and the primary purpose of the integrated graphics is to output graphics on your monitor. Most people want these Intel CPUs because they used for professional activities.

Can You Overclock Integrated Graphics
Intel HD 4600 Graphics

However, all the integrated graphics are not capable of overclocking. Intel does not recommend overclocking intel graphics frequencies; they only recommend overclocking the Intel “K” series processor-based integrated graphics.

Another thing you need to remember is that the integrated graphics are not cards like dedicated GPUs. The integrated graphics exist on the processor chip itself; therefore, these are not removable.

Now, if you forcefully overclock these Integrated graphics without a powerful cooling, it will increase the heat & probably your system will crash. In some instances, it might cause damage to the other system components and can void your warranty.

So, by looking at all of these factors, it’s apparent that Overclocking integrated graphics is possible but not safe at all.

Should You Overclock Integrated Graphics?

Overclocking is such a valuable feature for the users, and many gamers these days are overclocking their system’s components for better gaming performance. Still, it is also true that they use a dedicated graphics card.

Many users these days are playing games on integrated graphics; therefore, they want to know whether they should overclock the integrated graphics or not.

Generally, experts don’t recommend overclocking the integrated graphics, and Intel only allows the Intel “K” series processor-based integrated graphics for overclocking. 

On the other hand, those users who play games on integrated graphics said that there is no reason you can’t overclock the integrated graphics a little. Still, they also recommend that you should need a powerful cooling solution.

So, overall whether you should overclock your integrated graphics or not entirely depends on your system’s capability.

If you have a powerful cooling, then a little bit of overclocking won’t be harmful. If your system doesn’t have proper cooling, you should avoid overclocking; otherwise, too much heat will generate, and it will end up damaging your system’s components.

Also Read: Is Graphics card necessary for Coding?

Will Overclocking Integrated Graphics Increase Performance?

Overclocking is the practice of increasing the clock rate of a computer to exceed that certified by the manufacturer. You can overclock both the components, your graphics card, and your CPU. In general overclocking increases the overall performance up to a specific limit.

Now, the point is whether overclocking integrated graphics helps better performance?

Overclocking integrated graphics doesn’t increase the performance because you will only get an extra 1-2 FPS.

But if your RAM is currently a single RAM module, adding the 2nd one will allow the motherboard to use the RAM in a double-channel mode that nearly doubles RAM bandwidth. 

An added benefit is that more RAM means less swapping, which improves performance for the entire system. As a result, FPS can get significantly better by 25 to 30%.

So, if you want to increase the integrated graphics performance, there is no need to overclock it; instead, you can add a dual RAM.

Can You Overclock Integrated Graphics with MSI Afterburner?

No! for most instances, you cannot overclock Integrated graphics via MSI Afterburner; you can only overclock these Integrated graphics via the traditional BIOS method; otherwise, use the Ryzen Master utility. 

But in some instances, you can notice some discrimination between Intel and AMD’s integrated graphics. Many users also said that it is possible to overclock an AMD’s integrated graphics because they are APU, not the CPU.

Now, let’s dive deeper into this,

Integrated graphics are a core set inside of the CPU. It uses CPU clock speed. To overclock Intel HD graphics, you need to overclock your Intel CPU. This can only be done with the “K” model CPUs. But this can only be done by using the traditional BIOS method; the MSI Afterburner software is not capable of doing so.

On the other hand, AMD’s APUs are different because they have their own dedicated chunk in the CPU with their own clock speed and processing instructions.

AMD APUs are based on their dedicated graphics architecture, making them more independent than Intel’s integrated graphics. With that comes many benefits like higher performance and working with software like MSI Afterburner.

Overall, it needs to be said that if you want to overclock your integrated graphics, then traditional BIOS is the most suitable method for you because if you are using an Intel processor/ Intel’s integrated graphics, then these cannot be overclocked by the MSI Afterburner software.

Also Read: Does AMD Ryzen have Integrated Graphics?

Can You Overclock Intel Integrated Graphics?

Yes! It’s definitely possible to Overclock the Intel Integrated graphics, but only fewer Intel processors that end with the letter “K,” and their integrated graphics support the Overclocking. 

Can You Overclock Integrated Graphics
Intel HD 5500 Graphics

However, Intel doesn’t recommend overclocking graphics frequencies; they said that overclocking might cause damage and can void your warranty.

Now, let’s see some of the most familiar Intel Integrated graphics, whether these are capable of overclocking or not-

Intel Integrated GraphicsOverclocking
Intel UHD 620 GRaphicsYes! you can overclock 620 integrated graphics by downloading Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, but it’s very risky and not recommended.
Intel UHD 630 GraphicsYes! it’s possible to overclock 630 graphics but it requires proper cooling and most of the time after overclocking you will get no performance.
Intel Iris Xe GraphicsNo! you can’t overclock Iris Xe integrated graphics.
Intel HD 4600 GraphicsYes! it’s possible to overclock HD 4600 graphics with proper cooling.
Intel HD 4000 GraphicsNo! most time you can’t overclock HD 4000 integrated graphics.
Intel HD 5500 GraphicsYes! it’s definitely possible to overclock Intel 5500 graphics.

As you can see in the table, the majority of the intel integrated graphics support overclocking, but Intel doesn’t recommend doing so. It can damage your system’s components.

Does AMD Integrated Graphics support Overclocking?

Yes! It is possible to overclock AMD’s integrated graphics, and you can overclock these integrated graphics with MSI afterburner or with Ryzen master. Moreover, you can also overclock AMD’s integrated graphics via the traditional BIOS method. 

But before overclocking your AMD integrated graphics, you need to know that you need an excellent cooling solution.

If your graphics heated up too much, then avoid overclocking; otherwise, it will damage your system’s components like motherboards and CPU. In some instances, it can also catch up the fire; that’s why experts don’t recommend it overclocking integrated graphics.

Final Thoughts

After observing all the facts, it has to be said that it is possible to overclock integrated graphics, but for this, you need a powerful cooling solution inside your system.

At the same time, expert gamers don’t recommend overclocking integrated graphics they always prefer this for dedicated graphics.

I hope this article is helpful for you. If you want to know more about Integrated graphics, overclocking gaming, and other technology-related things, keep following this blog regularly.


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