Gamers can now increase their in-game performance and enhance image quality without fear of damaging their equipment, reports PC World. To overclock your GPU, follow the steps below.

#1: Get the software

The first step to overclocking your GPU is downloading some proprietary software. PC World explains that AMD and Nvidia - the two biggest graphics card designers - have overclocking tools built into their drivers.

To access AMD's tool on supported cards, open the company's Catalyst Control Center software suite and go to the Performance section. An AMD Overdrive tab should be listed under the Performance section.

As for Nvidia's overclocking tools, users will have to download and install the company's System Tools utility first from its official website. Once installed, open up the GeForce Driver. Under the Performance and Tuning Section, you will find frequency controls for overclocking capability.

If these tools are not helpful, WCCF Tech recommends MSI's Afterburner, which supports both Nvidia and AMD cards.

#2: Install the Latest Drivers and Test Stock Speeds

Before overclocking, install the latest drivers for your graphics card. After, test out a couple games to make sure that the system is stable.

Tech Radar also suggests taking note of your card's performance at stock speeds, while playing games. Then, restart the entire system.

#3: Increase the Power Limit

Before playing around with the clockspeed, increase the power limit and enable Overdrive. PC World explains that maxing out the power control settings will "eliminate any power-related frequency restrictions."

#4: Increase Clock Speed in Small Increments

Tech Radar suggests doing some research on your card's most suitable clock speed (aka GPU frequency) and then testing it out.

On the other hand, PC World recommends increasing the clock speed in 10MHz increments. Test out the settings by playing a game or looping a benchmark. Keep increasing the clock speed until the system becomes unstable.

Instability can be shown through visual anomalies or game and system crashes. Once the system is unstable, bring the clock speed down to its last stable setting.

#5: Increasing the Memory Clock Speed

To test for the best optimum memory clock speed, make sure that the GPU frequency is set back to its default clock speed. Then, increase the memory clock speed in 10MHz increments, until the system becomes unstable. The setting before the system becomes unstable is the best memory clock speed.

#6: Set Optimum Clock Speed and Memory Clock Speed

Once you have figured out the best clock speed and memory clock speed, apply the settings together and test it out. Decrease the settings if the system becomes unstable.