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AMD Enables Extensive Overclocking Controls For Polaris GPUs With New WattMan Tool

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After months of strategic releases regarding its next-generation Polaris architecture, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has released its first graphics card featuring a GPU based on Polaris, the Radeon RX 480. The AMD Radeon RX 480 is available in two flavors, a $199 4GB variant and a $239 8GB model. The overarching feature set and other specifications between the two cards remain the same, and they both target gamers or those looking for a premium VR experience on a budget.

There are already a number of Radeon RX 480 related articles posted here at Forbes, and I have an in-depth analysis with a an array of benchmark, power, and acoustic data posted at HotHardware as well, but I want to call out one specific, brand-new feature here that targets the hardcore PC enthusiast crowd. AMD calls it WattMan.

WattMan is essentially a replacement for the OverDrive tab that’s been available in AMD drivers for many years. With WattMan and a Polaris GPU, however, users have much more fine-grained control over the frequencies, power characteristics, and fan speed of their AMD graphics card than ever before.

The AMD WattMan Tool Running On A Radeon RX 480.

Whereas users had simple sliders to offset the maximum GPU and memory frequencies, fan speed, and power targets before, with WattMan users now have control over individual frequencies and voltages for multiple (7) GPU states throughout the boost curve, controls for minimum and maximum fan speeds (including and acoustic target), target and maximum GPU temperatures, a memory speed slider, and an adjustable power target.

In addition to the aforementioned items, WattMan also offers users a real-time histogram that tracks frequency, temperature, and fan speed data over time, to more easily monitor GPU health.

Third party tools with similar capabilities have been available for NVIDIA GPUs, and overclocking has long been employed by enthusiasts of both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, but with WattMan, AMD is the first to offer this level of control with a utility built right into its driver suite.