EVGA Prepares Software-Control For GPU Voltages

[btarunr]

Overclocking video cards has become a child's play these days, thanks to helpful software utilities that feature simple sliders to adjust clock speeds, test and apply overclocked parameters. Those serious about overclocking take to high-end cooling, and volt-modding. EVGA picked on a gray-area, where users should be given a level of control over the GPU's voltage. The company is known for taking initiatives in making performance control accessible to most users by providing easy to use utilities such as the EVGA Precision.

Now, the company is coming up with a nifty utility called the EVGA Voltage Tuner. Exclusive for registered users of EVGA GeForce GTX 200 series graphics cards, the utility allows a decent level of control over the GPU's voltage settings, within a range permissible by the GPU's BIOS. While this utility isn't an all out substitute to volt-modding, it allows for all the voltage tuning the default state of the graphics card's electrical components allow. A simple slider allows for adjusting the GPU core voltage with a resolution of milli-Volts. The results of using this utility are impressive, with a small voltage adjustment sending the maximum core overclock up by 100 MHz, a significant amount when it comes to GPUs. The first version of this utility is said to support GeForce GTX 260 (65nm), GeForce GTX 280 and GeForce GTX 295. Suceeding versions may expand the compatibility list to include some important graphics cards, namely GeForce GTX 285 and GTX 260 (55nm). The second and third screenshots below show a before&after scene of adjusting voltages using this utility.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[human_error]

Nice, not only is this useful for overclocking but if they put this on lower-end cards it would be nice to underclock and undervolt some cards for some nice htpc setups with low fan speeds.

 

[evil_raptor]

w00t!!! glad i bought an evga card
but it is sad to know that it doesn't support the 9800GTX+

 

[The Gonz]

I think ASUS beat EVGA to the punch.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/881/9/

ASUS iTracker lets users adjust GPU & DDR5 voltages.

 

[Laurijan]

Wicked! I was going to get a 200 series card but now i know that it will be a EVGA

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

ATI had cards with software voltage control since the x1900 series. Too bad they stopped the idea.

EVGA is just asking for a flood for RMA'd cards to come in. It will now be so easy to kill a GPU.

 

[OnBoard]

Kewl, no more bios flash to crap out the card. This looks something that might make consider who has manufactured my next card.

 

[farlex85]

Another great reason to go Evga, they are starting to run away with best manufacturer (double-lifetime warranty for xfx seems to be the only real reason to choose another). Great stuff, I've always wanted to nudge the voltage on my 8800gts but I'm too afraid to take a soldering iron to it. Nice to know the next card I have could do it w/ software.

 

[ShadowFold]

They need a BIOS reset switch on them now lol

 

[3870x2]

this is a very big deal. now every card can have the advantage of the end result of volt mods. Im pretty excited, this will completely revolutionize VGA overclocking. Imagine an 80% overclock on your favorite x2 GFX card.

 

[alexp999]

Now all I need is the AC acclero GTX280 to become available and get properyl OCing!

 

[Binge]

ATI had cards with software voltage control since the x1900 series. Too bad they stopped the idea.

EVGA is just asking for a flood for RMA'd cards to come in. It will now be so easy to kill a GPU.

EVGA has a strict no RMA policy when it comes to modded voltages/bios

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

EVGA has a strict no RMA policy when it comes to modded voltages/bios

Surely they cant enforce that with the release of a software vmod they created. :shadedshu

 

[Binge]

Surely they cant enforce that with the release of a software vmod they created. :shadedshu

Of course they can : Wow this ram is absolutely fried, the only thing that could do it like this would be modded voltage. They went too far. RMA revoked.

 

[r9]

Nice, not only is this useful for overclocking but if they put this on lower-end cards it would be nice to underclock and undervolt some cards for some nice htpc setups with low fan speeds.

When you read about software that allows changing voltage on GTX260 and GTX280 first you think of was underclocking undervolting and htpc

 

[The Witcher]

Thank god I bought the EVGa GTX260 (65nm) and it will arrive tomorrow, I hope someone here make a guide about how to use this new program

Thank you EVGA

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

Of course they can : Wow this ram is absolutely fried, the only thing that could do it like this would be modded voltage. They went too far. RMA revoked.

I hear what your saying but it sounds unethical to me.. they are making it far too easy for people to damage their products.. Hardware vmods and bad BIOS flashes are easy to spot but overvolting that would cause internal damage. Damage that is usually diagnosed by speculation.

They could in (in theory) reject every RMAd card they receive that has been OCd with that utility regardless if it had a manufacturers default or not.

 

[DrPepper]

Surely they cant enforce that with the release of a software vmod they created. :shadedshu

Yes they can they don't force you to use the program.

 

[KBD]

This is still great news regardless. As someone said Asus was the first with their 4870 Matrix card and now eVGA. I'm sure more manufacturers will follow soon as this gives eVGA and Asus Matrix a competitive advantage. Hopefully soon there will be no need to up the voltage via Ati Tray Tools (which is limited anyway)

 

[wolf2009]

I think ASUS beat EVGA to the punch.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/881/9/

ASUS iTracker lets users adjust GPU & DDR5 voltages.

This is still great news regardless. As someone said Asus was the first with their 4870 Matrix card and now eVGA. I'm sure more manufacturers will follow soon as this gives eVGA and Asus Matrix a competitive advantage. Hopefully soon there will be no need to up the voltage via Ati Tray Tools (which is limited anyway)

GIGABYTE beat them both.

http://en.expreview.com/2007/12/24/gigabyte-developing-new-vga-card-overclocking-utility.html

thats more than a year old

 

[erocker]

Is that ATi Tool running in those screenshots?

 

[wolf2009]

Is that ATi Tool running in those screenshots?

How can you even have doubt about that

 

[erocker]

How can you even have doubt about that

Because ATi Tool hasn't been updated in some time. Notice the clocks being shown for the GTX 260. That doesn't happen with any version I've tried. That's why I'm wondering if it IS ATi Tool or a program that looks a lot like it.

 

[wolf2009]

Because ATi Tool hasn't been updated in some time. Notice the clocks being shown for the GTX 260. That doesn't happen with any version I've tried. That's why I'm wondering if it IS ATi Tool or a program that looks a lot like it.

maybe EVGA has access to a build in progress of a newer ATI Tool. Otherwise I am not aware of any tool that uses a fur like that and looks like like ATI Tool

 

[KBD]

GIGABYTE beat them both.

http://en.expreview.com/2007/12/24/gigabyte-developing-new-vga-card-overclocking-utility.html

thats more than a year old

wow, havent heard that. looks like that Gamer Hud only works on some models?


http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/FileList/WebPage/vga_20080718_gamerhud/tech_20080718_gamer-model.htm