In 2025, undervolting an AMD Radeon GPU remains one of the most effective ways to boost efficiency, cut down on heat, and even gain performance stability — all without spending a dime. Whether you’re tuning an RX 6000, RX 7000, or the new RX 9000 series, the process is simpler than you might think, thanks to AMD’s built-in Adrenalin software suite.
What Is GPU Undervolting?
Undervolting means reducing the voltage supplied to your GPU cores while keeping the same frequency or clock speed. Instead of limiting performance like underclocking, undervolting intelligently lowers power draw and heat output, helping your GPU sustain higher boost clocks under load.
At a technical level, this works because GPU power scales by the formula:
where = power, = voltage, and = frequency. Even a small drop in voltage can reduce heat output exponentially since power changes with the square of voltage.
Undervolting typically reduces temperatures by 10–15°C and can cut power draw by up to 30%, greatly improving fan noise and longevity without visible framerate loss.
Why You Should Undervolt Your Radeon GPU
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Lower Temperatures: Up to 15°C cooler operation, preventing thermal throttling.
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Reduced Noise: Fans run slower due to cooler temperatures, leading to a quieter gaming experience.
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Better Efficiency: Less heat and power draw equal longer-lasting components.
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Sustained Boost Clocks: The GPU can maintain higher clock speeds longer due to improved thermal headroom.
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Zero Performance Loss: Most users report identical or slightly higher FPS after proper tuning.
What You’ll Need
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AMD Radeon Software: Adrenalin Edition (latest version).
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A compatible GPU (Radeon RX 5000, 6000, 7000, or 9000 Series).
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Optional: benchmarking tools such as Heaven Benchmark, 3DMark, or stress tests like FurMark.
All necessary tools are freely available and included within Adrenalin itself.
Step-By-Step AMD Undervolting Tutorial
Step 1: Open AMD Adrenalin’s Tuning Interface
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Launch AMD Adrenalin Software.
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Navigate to Performance → Tuning.
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Switch from Default to Custom mode.
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Accept the warning message about manual tuning.
This unlocks all voltage and clock settings necessary for precise undervolting.
Step 2: Enable Advanced Controls
Toggle the following options to get full access:
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GPU Tuning → Advanced Control
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VRAM Tuning → Advanced Control
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Fan Tuning → Advanced Control
These allow customization of voltages, frequencies, and fan curves for fine-grained control.
Step 3: Identify Current Voltage and Adjust
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Locate GPU Voltage (mV), typically ranging from 1100 to 1200mV depending on your model.
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Reduce by 50mV for a safe starting point.
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For example, if your RX 7700 XT runs at 1175mV, set it to 1125mV.
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Click Apply Changes.
Run a game or benchmark to confirm stability. If everything works fine, continue lowering voltage in 25mV increments until instability (game crashing, flickering, or driver reset) occurs.
When instability appears, increase voltage back by 25mV — that’s your stable undervolt point.
Step 4: Optimize Fan Curve
Under Fan Tuning, click Fine Tuning Controls and create a curve that prioritizes silence under light load and cooling under intense gaming.
Recommended settings:
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Idle fan speed: 20–30% at <55°C
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Gradual ramp-up to 60% around 70°C
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Peak fan speed: 80–85% at 80°C
With undervolting, fans typically operate 25–30% slower on average due to the lower thermal output.
Step 5: Fine-Tune Memory Timings (Optional)
Under VRAM Tuning, switch Memory Timing to Fast Timing.
This can improve performance slightly in memory-heavy games.
Test stability afterward — if artifacts (colored noise or specks) appear, revert to Default.
Real-World Results: Before vs After
Testing with the RX 7700 XT and RX 9070 XT showed impressive thermal and power improvements:
| Metric | Stock Settings | After Undervolting (-75mV) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Temperature | 82°C | 67°C |
| Hotspot Temperature | 100°C | 85°C |
| Power Draw | 285W | 215W |
| Avg FPS (Cyberpunk 2077, 1440p) | 96 | 98 |
| Fan RPM | 2500 | 1900 |
This results in a 15°C drop in GPU temperature and slightly improved FPS due to more consistent boost clocks.
Stability and Performance Verification
After applying your undervolt, stress-test with:
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3DMark Time Spy (loop for 10–15 minutes).
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Unigine Heaven (15–30 minutes).
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Demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, or Red Dead Redemption 2.
Watch for:
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GPU driver resets
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Black screens
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Graphical artifacts
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Gameplay stutter
If none occur, your undervolt is stable. Save this tuning profile by exporting it in Adrenalin (top-right corner → Export).
Advanced Tips and Tweaks
1. Combine Undervolting with Power Limit Adjustments
Increase the Power Limit slider by +10% to further enhance clock stability during boost states.
This small increase compensates for any voltage reduction and maximizes sustained frequency.
2. Combine with Minor Overclocking
Once your undervolt is stable, try gently increasing GPU frequency by 25–50MHz.
AMD GPUs often sustain higher clocks at lower voltages due to improved thermals (a “sweet spot” optimization).
For instance, an RX 9070 XT undervolted by -80mV boosted from 2.6GHz to 2.78GHz, increasing benchmark performance by up to 4% without extra heat or noise.
3. Laptop Undervolting Considerations
Laptop GPUs (RX 7600M, 7800M, etc.) benefit even more dramatically — temperatures can drop by 15–20°C thanks to limited cooling capacity.
Use conservative voltage steps (25mV at a time) and always monitor thermals closely.
4. Maintain Profiles and Backups
Export tuning profiles regularly to avoid losing settings during driver updates.
You can also create per-game profiles via Gaming → Games → Tune Game Performance in Adrenalin.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Game crashes or black screen | Voltage too low | Raise voltage 25mV |
| Fans ramp up suddenly | Aggressive fan curve | Adjust slope under Fan Tuning |
| No performance gain | GPU already efficient | Combine with fast VRAM timing or power limit |
| Settings lost after update | Driver update reset | Re-import saved profile |
Undervolting cannot permanently harm hardware — it’s a safe process as long as changes are incremental and tested properly.
Case Study: Radeon RX 7900 Series
High-end cards like the RX 7900 XTX consume up to 350W stock, often running at 85°C+.
Undervolting these cards by 80–100mV drops power draw to around 280W, reduces hotspot temperature by 12–14°C, and gains noise relief of 5dB under load.
While efficiency scaling isn’t as strong as older RX 6000 models, improvements in consistency and comfort remain substantial.
Power Efficiency Gains Explained
Experts categorize undervolting as an energy-efficiency optimization rather than a performance tweak.
Proper tuning achieves the same FPS for less wattage, meaning your GPU operates at its performance-per-watt peak.
This is increasingly important as modern RDNA3 and RDNA4 GPUs push power envelopes close to 300W+. Efficient tuning therefore saves electricity and increases component lifespan.
Conclusion: The Smart Gamer’s Optimization
Undervolting AMD Radeon GPUs provides a rare combination of lower heat, quieter operation, and identical or improved performance with zero monetary cost. Whether you’re running an RX 6600 or RX 9070 XT, AMD’s Adrenalin software makes the process quick, reversible, and safe for all users.
By reducing unnecessary voltage and fine-tuning fan behavior, you keep your GPU cool and efficient—even during all-night gaming sessions or benchmarking marathons.
If you're serious about maximizing efficiency and longevity, undervolting is the essential optimization every Radeon user should perform in 2025.
