Notebook Review / TPU: nVidia blocks laptop overclocking - again

[BFG10K]

Now, I personally think IHVs have zero responsibility to allow overclocking unless they specifically market the feature, but this re-enabled "clock-block" will likely upset many.

It's also a bit strange they're doing it so close to the 980 Ti launch.

http://www.techpowerup.com/212769/n...th-gtx-900m-series-overclocking.html#comments

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...blocked-in-347-88-reblocked-in-350-12.771900/

 

[5150Joker]

This isn't something new, they had the vbios lock for awhile now. If someone wants to overclock that badly, they can go to Tech|Inferno and grab a vbios from Prema that bypasses it.

 

[Silverforce11]

They backed down after the uproar last time. Now they are going at it again heh.

Its like they are trying to send a message, dirty overclocking peasants, pay extra for the higher clock model!

 

[Enigmoid]

Does this affect kepler? I have a 660m in my laptop which I always run +135 with absolutely no ill effects (temps are maybe 82 degrees vs. 78-80) and have been holding off updating drivers for a while.

 

[tviceman]

I think the difference this time is that overclocking is being locked via a bios check of the laptop. So Nvidia is basically blocking overclocking on specific laptops at manufacturer's requests. Which is still crappy. This is what happens when there is no competition.

 

[tviceman]

Does this affect kepler? I have a 660m in my laptop which I always run +135 with absolutely no ill effects (temps are maybe 82 degrees vs. 78-80) and have been holding off updating drivers for a while.

No it does not affect kepler. It only affects the newest laptops.

 

[Creig]

When Nvidia blocked laptop overclocking the first time, they said it was because overclocking was a "bug". Then after the PR fallout hit, they re-enabled overclocking and called it a "feature". Apparently they've changed their minds yet again and have decided to go back to calling it a "bug".

Consistent, aren't they? Don't worry. I'm sure they'll flip-flop yet again and in a few weeks it will go back to being a "feature".

 

[tviceman]

When Nvidia blocked laptop overclocking the first time, they said it was because overclocking was a "bug". Then after the PR fallout hit, they re-enabled overclocking and called it a "feature". Apparently they've changed their minds yet again and have decided to go back to calling it a "bug".

Consistent, aren't they? Don't worry. I'm sure they'll flip-flop yet again and in a few weeks it will go back to being a "feature".

They're not calling it a bug this time. The forum post pictures on TPU are from the first time. Laptops that are getting OC lock outs are because the laptop makers are putting an OC lock-out setting into the firmware/bios and Nvidia's new drivers are searching for this setting and abiding by the request.

 

[Elfear]

I think the difference this time is that overclocking is being locked via a bios check of the laptop. So Nvidia is basically blocking overclocking on specific laptops at manufacturer's requests. Which is still crappy. This is what happens when there is no competition.

It's not strictly a function of competition. Back in the Nvidia 7000 series days, software voltage control was done away with despite fierce competition from the X1800s/X1900s. Overclocking was effectively neutered unless you wanted to solder stuff onto your GeForce card (anyone remember Viper John's hardware mods?).

 

[LTC8K6]

Nvidia GTX 900M Overclocking Block To Be Rectified in Driver Update Next Week

http://wccftech.com/nvidia-gtx-900m-overclocking-block-rectified-driver-update-week/