HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR VIDEO CARD HAS BEEN OCED?!?!!

[x86]

I am wondering if there is any way of telling if a video card has been Overclocked in the past. Is there any physical characteristics? Is there traces of an OC on the multiplier setter?

Thanks

-x86

 

[ViRGE]

Video cards are overclocked by software, not by hardware. As such, unless the thing is obviously screwed up, there's no real way to tell.

 

[tboo]

PNY's website claims they can tell if you overclocked their cards, but I think they are just blowing smoke.

 

[Dreadogg]

try looking for heatsink fan traces, you know like scratch marks on a lock !

 

[Amused]

<< PNY's website claims they can tell if you overclocked their cards, but I think they are just blowing smoke. >>



I looked but couldn't find it. Where do they say this? It will be a good joke to show people

 

[Rand]

<< PNY's website claims they can tell if you overclocked their cards, but I think they are just blowing smoke. >>



I looked but couldn't find it. Where do they say this? It will be a good joke to show people [/i] >>



While I don't think it's likely it's not necessarily a joke, with proper BIOS modifications a graphics card could be set to record the default specified clockspeed and if the clockspeed is altered at any time it could alter a simple pre-recorded setting set aside for such usage.
It could still easily be gotten around via modifying the BIOS, but the average user probably wouldnt know such a thing is possible let alone how to go about it.

Just to point out that it is indeed possible, if the manufacturer has designed it to report such conditions.
I havent actually heard of such a method being used in a couple years now, but it's been done before.

 

[tboo]

Hmm, I could have sworn to have seen it at thier website. Now that I think of it, I think it was actually stated in a response email from them after I emailed them with problems on my card. I got a standard mass reply email with many things to try before I call them & one of their statements was something to the effect of:" do not overclock your card-it voids the warranty. We can tell if the card was overclocked"
Just send an email to them saying you have a problem with one of their video cards & see if you get the above response.

 

[tboo]

I knew they had it at their website. Here is a link. Scroll down to the bottom of "GeForce3 Ti 200 Video Card Specifications" & you will see it right under the warranty

 

[Clockwurk]

Oh sh*t!!!! I have the PNY Verto GF4 Ti4400. When I bought the card, it was the wrong color(not red like they said, just plain green). I sent them a email stating that the website was in error. They said if I wanted the red card, they would give me an RMA and I would get it replaced. I've overclocked my card (it still runs great, just wrong color). Will PNY still give me a new card if I send mine in???

 

[tboo]

I dont think one can really tell if a card has been overclocked. PNY is probably just blowing smoke when they say they can.

 

[tomrizzo]

bump

 

[anthrax]

It sounds like you want to RMA it...lol...
well, I don't think there really is a way to tell coz its done in software..