How do I know if my GPU is performing properly?
Open Windows' Control Panel, click "System and Security" and then click "Device Manager." Open the "Display Adapters" section, double click on the name of your graphics card and then look for whatever information is under "Device status." This area will typically say, "This device is working properly." If it does not ...
Program Crashes. Like freezing, program crashes are a common sign that a chip's overclock is unstable. An overclock might appear stable as it loads the operating system and runs basic tasks—but as soon as you load an intensive task, the program crashes.
- Use CPU-Z to See the Clock Frequency of Your CPU. ...
- Use GPU-Z to Check Your GPU Clock Frequency. ...
- Use MSI Afterburner to See the Clock Speed of the GPU. ...
- Find Out the Clock Speed of the CPU in the BIOS.
Try overclocking GPU memory by 10%, or by 50 to 100 MHz. Anything below 10% should still give stable performance. If your computer crashes or if your games start malfunctioning, your hardware may not be designed for overlocking at all — or you may need to increase your computer's temperature limit.
If all of your drivers are up to date, the best way to test for a failing GPU is to download and run the free tool FurMark. FurMark is designed to max out your graphics card and will run a GPU health test. You'll be able to tell very quickly if your GPU is the cause of your problems.
GPUs can generally last for 5 – 8 years give or take assuming regular use and adequate care. More if the card is barely ever used and well taken care of. Performance-wise, a good mid-level GPU today would only really serve at a mid to high-performance level for 3ish years.
GPUs tend to run hot when processing graphically intensive tasks like gaming. The ideal temperature for a GPU to run when under load is between 65–85° Celsius. But, if your GPU is running hotter than the 110° Celsius mark, your GPU is running too hot and is at risk of damaging itself or other PC components.
If the CPU overclock is crashing games, it's possible that your overclock isn't stable enough. You can test that by using reliable overclocking stress test software. Start the stress test and make sure that your computer can handle it.
Increase Multiplier one at a time testing for half an hour between each bump. When stability is lost, add 0.05v and try again. Repeat process until you reach your desired OC or unacceptable temps(drop one clock and/or Voltage) and viola you have your OC... Just follow the process and you can OC with ease.
How to fix a bad overclock on any Video Card - YouTube
How do I know if I am overclocking?
Open the Task Manager by either right clicking on the Task Bar and then selecting Task Manager or by pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE and then selecting Task Manager. Select the Performance Tab and check the “Speed” provided. If this is higher than the turbo frequency of your CPU then its overclocked.
The safeguards built into the graphics card will force it to crash the application you're running, or your system before that happens. So the likelihood of permanently damaging your GPU from a faulty overclock is pretty much zero.

Overclocking VRAM allows for faster data transfer between itself and the GPU, which leads to higher-quality images being processed.
Open the Task Manager by either right clicking on the Task Bar and then selecting Task Manager or by pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE and then selecting Task Manager. Select the Performance Tab and check the “Speed” provided. If this is higher than the turbo frequency of your CPU then its overclocked.
The safeguards built into the graphics card will force it to crash the application you're running, or your system before that happens. So the likelihood of permanently damaging your GPU from a faulty overclock is pretty much zero.
Cards are only rated to handle so much, and overclocking generally means that you're moving past what's considered safe. While you can burn out the card just from running too much power through it, you can also damage the GPU by running it too hot, too often.
Overclocking a GPU increases the base clock and frequency. So primarily, at the same quality, it will increase only FPS...