My new graphics card has an overclock feature...

My new graphics card has an overclock feature, I need some advice on how to use it responisbly. Since it's brand new, I obviously dont wont to wreck it too quickly.

It's normal stats are core clock: 540 mhz, and memory clock:700mhz

It can go as high as core clock:710 mhz, and memory clock:840mhz

For starters, id like to know if those mins and maxs are big differances. And if I should push them high very often. It also has an option to change 3d and 2d graphics, what does that mean?

nvidia geforce 8600 gtGrandhand

:( noes

you can overclock them nicely, to 8600GTS speedsbatistafan99

??? Is that sarcasm?

Anyway, is there a safe/dangerous level to keep them in/away?

I guess you could use ATiTool, and use it to find the stablest (is that even a word?) clocks for your graphics card.

oh btw, ive got two of them, duo core.Grandhand

What do you mean? Two in Sli?

Anyway, if your card (or cards) runs all the games you want it to run at the settings you want them to run in then there's no need to overclock. Generally I find there isn't anyway, although I will admit there is some fun in tweaking and the achievement. The safest way to overclock (there is always some risk involved) is to take small steps after which you test stability and monitor the temperatures before taking another step. You do this until you either are satisfied with the performance, measure temps above your liking or start having stability issues (most commonly screen freezing or artifacts). In the last two cases you just reboot and revert to the previous stable setting.