How do manufacturers check GPU overclocking?

[Mmeester]

I recently send my gpu back to my manufacturer because it had some problems, which weren't caused by overclocking. It is a amd 280x.

I used it maybe a few times with 10% over the recommended voltage, power limit, core clock, memory clock.

Is there a way for the manufacturer to find out and thus void my warrranty? I don't think I've damaged the card.

 

[Dunlop0078]

No I am almost positive there is no way for them to tell if the card was overclocked, unless you flashed a custom bios to the card to get more voltage or something I would imagine they would be able to tell if you did that.

 

[Wolfshadw]

While I don't think there is a way for them to know (unless, like above, you flashed a custom BIOS not from the manufacturer), I really wish they would find a way to do so. Whether your overclock damaged the card or not, the moment you altered the default settings, you voided your warranty. That seems to be the risk most are ready to take, but never want to pay for when it goes south.

-Wolf sends

 

[TJ Hooker]

Whether your overclock damaged the card or not, the moment you altered the default settings, you voided your warranty.

Do you have a source for this? I've seen this repeated in many places, but I'm curious if there's a source somewhere that actually backs it up.

 

[Wolfshadw]

EVGA Warranty

Warranty Terms
Product condition:
This Limited Warranty is conditioned upon proper use of the Product by the Purchaser. This Limited Warranty does not cover:

Graphics Cards that are modified by customer outside of factory specifications and/or not in factory condition.

From ASUS:

The warranty only covers failures or malfunctions that occur during the warranty period and under normal use conditions as well as any material or workmanship defect.

and

b) The product has been tampered with, repaired and/or modified by non-authorized personnel;

This was the first two I Googled. I'm sure there are the same for all manufacturers.

-Wolf sends

 

[TJ Hooker]

Yeah, but they don't actually define what constitutes "proper" or "normal" use. And "modified" and "tampered" sound more like physically messing with the card to me.

Here's an answer on the EVGA FAQ which explicitly states that overclocking their GPUs does not void warranty:
http://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmmain.aspx?faqid=55

I'm not saying that one should not exercise caution when overclocking and realize it may complicate RMA-ing if something goes wrong. It just doesn't seem as cut and dry as some people make out.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Yeah, but they don't actually define what constitutes "proper" or "normal" use.

"Proper" and "Normal" use are also called, "System Specifications". If you try to operate above (or below) that level, you've voided your warranty. I think that was clearly spelled out.

And "modified" and "tampered" sound more like physically messing with the card to me.

And a court of law would disagree with you. If you changed the core clock speed or recommended voltage, you modified the component. End of Story.

As for the reply in your EVGA thread, I do not see an official EVGA moniker on the reply.

I don't mean to discredit you, but Tom's Hardware policy does state we do not condone any illegal activities, to include fraud. Falsifying data for your own means constitutes fraud.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

 

[Hellfire13]

Yeah, but they don't actually define what constitutes "proper" or "normal" use.

"Proper" and "Normal" use are also called, "System Specifications". If you try to operate above (or below) that level, you've voided your warranty. I think that was clearly spelled out.

And "modified" and "tampered" sound more like physically messing with the card to me.

And a court of law would disagree with you. If you changed the core clock speed or recommended voltage, you modified the component. End of Story.

As for the reply in your EVGA thread, I do not see an official EVGA moniker on the reply.

I don't mean to discredit you, but Tom's Hardware policy does state we do not condone any illegal activities, to include fraud. Falsifying data for your own means constitutes fraud.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

i tend to agree with wolfshadow here...i used to be ignorant abt warranty specifications of cpus...but thn one of my frnd tried to ovrclock his 4790k and thn when it went kaput...he applied for rma...but intel guys immediately knew it was bust and didnt comply...so thy certainly know how to measure stock abberation...

 

[Mmeester]

While I don't think there is a way for them to know (unless, like above, you flashed a custom BIOS not from the manufacturer), I really wish they would find a way to do so. Whether your overclock damaged the card or not, the moment you altered the default settings, you voided your warranty. That seems to be the risk most are ready to take, but never want to pay for when it goes south.

-Wolf sends

So I'm pretty safe?

 

[Wolfshadw]

While I don't think there is a way for them to know (unless, like above, you flashed a custom BIOS not from the manufacturer), I really wish they would find a way to do so. Whether your overclock damaged the card or not, the moment you altered the default settings, you voided your warranty. That seems to be the risk most are ready to take, but never want to pay for when it goes south.

-Wolf sends

So I'm pretty safe?

Only one way to find out.

-Wolf sends