Thursday, February 12th 2015

NVIDIA Disables GeForce GTX 900M Mobile GPU Overclocking with Driver Update

With GeForce R347 drivers (version 347.29), NVIDIA disabled overclocking on its GeForce GTX 900M series mobile GPUs. Buyers of new notebooks, and using older drivers, with the chips fell under the impression that like their desktop counterparts, the GTX 900M series support overclocking, until they updated their drivers to 347.29, to find that their overclocks were wiped back to reference clocks, and overclocking using third-party tools was disabled.

When angry users took to the official GeForce forums to report the bug, NVIDIA explained that overclocking on the GTX 900M series was enabled by accident, and has since been disabled with the recent driver updates. This explanation was met by angry reactions by users who argued that they should be allowed to use the hardware as they want, even if it voids their warranties. Historically, overclocking was allowed on NVIDIA GPUs.
Source: NVIDIA GeForce Forums
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160 Comments on NVIDIA Disables GeForce GTX 900M Mobile GPU Overclocking with Driver Update

#51
Captain_Tom
To all the people claiming overclocking on Laptops is pointless:

I have overclocked my GTX 765m +100 core / +500 memory, and it netted me a 25% performance increase. That is a BIG DEAL! The same difference between a 780 and 980!

Oh and what temperature is it hitting? Never goes over 80c, and that is in a compact 13.3" netbook.


If I can't overclock future Nvidia cards, I will not buy them - it is that simple.
Posted on Reply
#52
Captain_Tom
macintuxAs someone who owns a Clevo gaming laptop, and has built several gaming desktops, the amount of vitriol and hatred in this thread for people with gaming laptops is saddening and disturbing.

"This is the most sensible comment I've heard yet. People play "Bejeweled" on their craptops and think they have a "Gaming Laptop" They probably think a console is better for gaming than a PC..."

This kind of rude comment is unnecessary, hateful, and does nothing to further the conversation. The GTX 860M GPU in my laptop overclocks very well without reaching thermal limits, and the idea of nVidia taking that away from me is, to say the least, annoying.
It's god damn ridiculous is what it is! Mark my words, this will be coming to desktops in some form in the future...
Posted on Reply
#53
Captain_Tom
RegenwealdYeah Amd rebranded the 7870M multiple times and sold that for about 2-3 years....
standard fare for this industry really... but i dn't see the need for OC'ing laptop gpus. heat is too big a factor.
Except it isn't. No laptop that I have owned in the past 4 years has had any trouble with heat when overclocked.
Posted on Reply
#55
64K
Captain_TomIt's #bleep# ridiculous is what it is! Mark my words, this will be coming to desktops in some form in the future...
I don't think it will be happening on desktop GPUs. Nividia is using this excuse

"Unfortunately GeForce notebooks were not designed to support overclocking. Overclocking is by no means a trivial feature, and depends on thoughtful design of thermal, electrical, and other considerations. By overclocking a notebook, a user risks serious damage to the system that could result in non-functional systems, reduced notebook life, or many other effects.

There was a bug introduced into our drivers which enabled some systems to overclock. This was fixed in a recent update. Our intent was not to remove features from GeForce notebooks, but rather to safeguard systems from operating outside design limits."

They can't use that excuse for desktop GPUs as an owner can add case fans/after market coolers ect to reduce thermal issues.
XzibitNvidia tells you its giving you ROPs, L2 cache and now overclocking only to take it back.

Looks like the goal is to convince people to only play at 1080p and phase out overclocking since its not needed, judging by the reactions.
They're coming for our shaders next. Will they leave us nothing? :cry:
Posted on Reply
#56
moviemarketing
64KI don't think it will be happening on desktop GPUs. Nividia is using this excuse

"Unfortunately GeForce notebooks were not designed to support overclocking. Overclocking is by no means a trivial feature, and depends on thoughtful design of thermal, electrical, and other considerations. By overclocking a notebook, a user risks serious damage to the system that could result in non-functional systems, reduced notebook life, or many other effects.

There was a bug introduced into our drivers which enabled some systems to overclock. This was fixed in a recent update. Our intent was not to remove features from GeForce notebooks, but rather to safeguard systems from operating outside design limits."

They can't use that excuse for desktop GPUs as an owner can add case fans/after market coolers ect to reduce thermal issues.
Laptop owners can buy a cooler, repaste, undervolt, mod the heat sinks, even delid the desktop CPUs sold on some models.
64KThey're coming for our shaders next. Will they leave us nothing? :cry:
Posted on Reply
#57
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
xfiayeah that 980m sli is op for 1080p.. could do 4k pretty damn good
I don't know that 4k would be good, the 980m is weaker than the GTX970 desktop parts. But 980m SLI would definitely do great at 1440p.
Posted on Reply
#58
Captain_Tom
64KI don't think it will be happening on desktop GPUs. Nividia is using this excuse

"Unfortunately GeForce notebooks were not designed to support overclocking. Overclocking is by no means a trivial feature, and depends on thoughtful design of thermal, electrical, and other considerations. By overclocking a notebook, a user risks serious damage to the system that could result in non-functional systems, reduced notebook life, or many other effects.

There was a bug introduced into our drivers which enabled some systems to overclock. This was fixed in a recent update. Our intent was not to remove features from GeForce notebooks, but rather to safeguard systems from operating outside design limits."

They can't use that excuse for desktop GPUs as an owner can add case fans/after market coolers ect to reduce thermal issues.




They're coming for our shaders next. Will they leave us nothing? :cry:
It probably won't be removed from desktop, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely. Remember Nvidia started cracking down on voltages AIB could use a while ago. At the very least I wouldn't be surprised if they permanently lock out voltage control on desktop cards in the future.
Posted on Reply
#59
Patriot
64KI don't think it will be happening on desktop GPUs. Nividia is using this excuse

"Unfortunately GeForce notebooks were not designed to support overclocking. Overclocking is by no means a trivial feature, and depends on thoughtful design of thermal, electrical, and other considerations. By overclocking a notebook, a user risks serious damage to the system that could result in non-functional systems, reduced notebook life, or many other effects.

There was a bug introduced into our drivers which enabled some systems to overclock. This was fixed in a recent update. Our intent was not to remove features from GeForce notebooks, but rather to safeguard systems from operating outside design limits."

They can't use that excuse for desktop GPUs as an owner can add case fans/after market coolers ect to reduce thermal issues.

They're coming for our shaders next. Will they leave us nothing? :cry:
If they wanted to safeguard they would use the thermal throttling supposedly built into the chips to safeguard them.

They have taken away overvolting on the desktop before...
I have to agree...
Posted on Reply
#60
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
CheeseballThen there is also the blown AC adapters because they end up drawing too much power over the factory-rated wattage (usually gaming laptops have 120W bricks). I've seen a ton of these when I worked for Toshiba and their P-series Satellites and X-series Qosmos.
My Inspiron XPS Gen 1/9100 had a 150W unit
Posted on Reply
#61
P4-630
eidairaman1My Inspiron XPS Gen 1/9100 had a 150W unit
My Asus G750JX with GTX770M comes with a 180W powerbrick, the Asus G751 with GTX980M comes with a 230W powerbrick.
Posted on Reply
#62
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
P4-630My Asus G750JX with GTX770M comes with a 180W powerbrick, the Asus G751 with GTX980M comes with a 230W powerbrick.
10 year diff. That unit had a m18 (r420) r9800 256mb and a Gallatin or Prescott 478 chip. Funny how their wattage levels keep going up
Posted on Reply
#63
the54thvoid
Super Intoxicated Moderator
Captain_TomIt probably won't be removed from desktop, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely. Remember Nvidia started cracking down on voltages AIB could use a while ago. At the very least I wouldn't be surprised if they permanently lock out voltage control on desktop cards in the future.
I can't overvolt my Classified 780ti's. I had to flash them to do it but at least EVGA give me two BIOS options and a nice warranty.

Some ASUS 7970 cards were voltage locked too. Maybe not an AMD prerogative but nonetheless, an issue.

If you want to overvolt a card, it's your choice but it's not a right. It's amusing such a petty issue has the salivating masses up in arms. What's that saying about sense of entitlement?
Posted on Reply
#64
Patriot
the54thvoidIf you want to overvolt a card, it's your choice but it's not a right. It's amusing such a petty issue has the salivating masses up in arms. What's that saying about sense of entitlement?
Removing features on something you paid for. It is yours, that is your sense of entitlement.
They are changing features sets already paid for.
Posted on Reply
#66
Patriot
FluffmeisterRoll back to the previous driver, gee.
Level of not getting it over 9000.

If you are having instability yes... but for gaming you want to be on the driver that has the latest game patches in it... being forever stuck on an old driver is a ridiculous suggestion.
Posted on Reply
#67
P4-630
FluffmeisterRoll back to the previous driver, gee.
What if you buy a new game and you have issues and need the latest driver?
Not buy games anymore?
Posted on Reply
#68
Fluffmeister
PatriotLevel of not getting it over 9000.

If you are having instability yes... but for gaming you want to be on the driver that has the latest game patches in it... being forever stuck on an old driver is a ridiculous suggestion.
Then upgrade and enjoy the best your laptop can offer, if playing the latest triple A titles on a laptop is your thing.

Besides there are bound to be work arounds, but go ahead and get upset.
P4-630What if you buy a new game and you have issues and need the latest driver?
Not buy games anymore?
Yes, you stop playing games and become a farmer instead.

You're only option.
Posted on Reply
#69
Patriot
FluffmeisterThen upgrade and enjoy the best your laptop can offer, if playing the latest triple A titles on a laptop is your thing.

Besides there are bound to be work arounds, but go ahead and get upset.
But that isn't the best your laptop can do... It just got a downgrade.
FluffmeisterYes, you stop playing games and become a farmer instead.

You're only option.
The difference between knowing you're shit and knowing your shit...
Glad we found which side you are on. ;)
Posted on Reply
#70
P4-630
FluffmeisterYes, you stop playing games and become a farmer instead.

You're only option.
Perhaps pigeon farm? :roll:
Posted on Reply
#71
Fluffmeister
PatriotBut that isn't the best your laptop can do... It just got a downgrade.
Not overclocking is a downgrade now?

OK.
PatriotThe difference between knowing you're shit and knowing your shit...
Glad we found which side you are on. ;)
But your clearly a l33t overclocker, you dump the laptop in LN2 and enjoy!

And yes, I'm on the successful side.
P4-630Perhaps pigeon farm? :roll:
Will coo be mine? :P
Posted on Reply
#72
Captain_Tom
the54thvoidI can't overvolt my Classified 780ti's. I had to flash them to do it but at least EVGA give me two BIOS options and a nice warranty.

Some ASUS 7970 cards were voltage locked too. Maybe not an AMD prerogative but nonetheless, an issue.

If you want to overvolt a card, it's your choice but it's not a right. It's amusing such a petty issue has the salivating masses up in arms. What's that saying about sense of entitlement?
That's why I only buy SAPPHIRE and Powercolor (For AMD). They let me overclock as much as I want. Nobody is saying this is a right, we are just upset that things we were used to having are being taken away. That is human nature, and we have a right to be upset.

All it means is less Nvidia cards bought by me and some other people...
Posted on Reply
#73
Patriot
FluffmeisterAnd yes, I'm on the successful side.


You're/Your... you used the wrong one.
It's only the difference between knowing you're shit and knowing your shit. :P

And if you could previously overclock and gain performance... and now you can't... Yes, that is very clearly a downgrade of performance.
Especially on the mobile side where the "next gen" chips are often just overclocked old ones.

Let me resell you the same thing you have for more... is the message given.
Posted on Reply
#74
Fluffmeister
PatriotYou're/Your... you used the wrong one.
It's only the difference between knowing you're shit and knowing your shit. :p
Good catch... I did assume you were a bit of a Nazi. But then it's also knowing the difference between giving a shit or not. :p

Nice Gif though, I'll nick it and use as required.
PatriotAnd if you could previously overclock and gain performance... and now you can't... Yes, that is very clearly a downgrade of performance.
Especially on the mobile side where the "next gen" chips are often just overclocked old ones.

Let me resell you the same thing you have for more... is the message given.
Unless the driver update yields suitable performance gains that flat out overclocking just can't deliver.

I'd still suggest that if your in the market for the best performance you can get, these gaming laptops probably aren't the best option for you.

Companies resell and rebrand products all the time BTW, welcome to the big mean world of business.
Posted on Reply
#75
Cheeseball
Not a Potato
I really believe they did this to avoid flak with the laptop OEMs. :p They don't want a repeat of the 8600M fiasco.

The majority of enthusiast/gaming laptops are meant to be long-term, mobile "pre-built desktop replacements", so overclocking isn't exactly a supported or marketed feature of most OEMs.
Posted on Reply
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