How to bypass NVIDIA Driver voltage limits

[Swazzie]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

 

[Vellinious]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

 

[Swazzie]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

I have the PNY EVGA GTX 960 OC

Not under load:

Under load:

 

[Vellinious]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

I have the PNY EVGA GTX 960 OC

Not under load:

Under load:

Follow the link. Explain your situation, link those 2 screenshots. They should be able to help you. Can honestly say, that without keeping the GPU cooler, it likely isn't going to do a lot of good, but.....eh, it's worth a try, anyway.

Be aware, that if you screw up flashing to a custom bios, you WILL brick your card, and it ranges from impossible to very difficult to bring them back should that happen. Buyer beware....

http://www.overclock.net/t/1573308/nvidia-gtx-900-cards-custom-bios-upon-request

 

[Swazzie]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

I have the PNY EVGA GTX 960 OC

Not under load:

Under load:

Follow the link. Explain your situation, link those 2 screenshots. They should be able to help you. Can honestly say, that without keeping the GPU cooler, it likely isn't going to do a lot of good, but.....eh, it's worth a try, anyway.

Be aware, that if you screw up flashing to a custom bios, you WILL brick your card, and it ranges from impossible to very difficult to bring them back should that happen. Buyer beware....

http://www.overclock.net/t/1573308/nvidia-gtx-900-cards-custom-bios-upon-request

Thanks for the help, and I do know the risks of this.. In your opinion would it be worth it? I know people say if you're not sure of yourself don't do it, but I don't ever follow those rules lol. Just HOW risky is it? Is it like you have to be stupid to brick your card or is it like hold your breath and pray to god it works hard?

 

[Vellinious]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

I have the PNY EVGA GTX 960 OC

Not under load:

Under load:

Follow the link. Explain your situation, link those 2 screenshots. They should be able to help you. Can honestly say, that without keeping the GPU cooler, it likely isn't going to do a lot of good, but.....eh, it's worth a try, anyway.

Be aware, that if you screw up flashing to a custom bios, you WILL brick your card, and it ranges from impossible to very difficult to bring them back should that happen. Buyer beware....

http://www.overclock.net/t/1573308/nvidia-gtx-900-cards-custom-bios-upon-request

Thanks for the help, and I do know the risks of this.. In your opinion would it be worth it? I know people say if you're not sure of yourself don't do it, but I don't ever follow those rules lol. Just HOW risky is it? Is it like you have to be stupid to brick your card or is it like hold your breath and pray to god it works hard?

With the GPU already running at 61c under load, additional voltage isn't likely to do a whole lot. Maxwell tends to run better when cooler, so adding voltage is just going to increase heat...counter to how they like to run. It may gain you a little extra overclock, but I don't think it'll really add any value. It's always worth a shot....

Is it dangerous? Can be....power flickers, or there's something wrong with the bios file, or something happens during the flash....it can go sideways pretty quick. I have flashed Maxwell cards a few hundred times and only had one bad flash. But that was on a GPU with a dual bios, so it was easy to recover.

My opinion? On the stock air cooler, you're not going to gain enough headroom to make it worth the trouble. Just my two copper.

 

[Swazzie]

I've overclocked my GTX 960 using msi afterburner to 1400mhz but would like to push it to at least 1500mhz. When I run Unigine my temps get only to 60C (which is why I'd like to push it more) but when I look at perfcap in gpuz it says vref and vop. Is there a way to allow more voltage to my GPU? My core voltage and power limit are maxed in afterburner as well.

I also have a 1600w atx power supply, so should have PLENTY of power.

thanks!

The only way to bypass the voltage restrictions without hardware modding, is the flash to a custom bios.

Which model of 960 do you have? Some of them are hardlocked in the bios, and can't be changed regardless. Would need to know this information before creating a custom bios for you.

A screenshot of your GPUz would also be helpful. Please include one with the sensors tab, while the GPU is under load, as well.

I have the PNY EVGA GTX 960 OC

Not under load:

Under load:

Follow the link. Explain your situation, link those 2 screenshots. They should be able to help you. Can honestly say, that without keeping the GPU cooler, it likely isn't going to do a lot of good, but.....eh, it's worth a try, anyway.

Be aware, that if you screw up flashing to a custom bios, you WILL brick your card, and it ranges from impossible to very difficult to bring them back should that happen. Buyer beware....

http://www.overclock.net/t/1573308/nvidia-gtx-900-cards-custom-bios-upon-request

Thanks for the help, and I do know the risks of this.. In your opinion would it be worth it? I know people say if you're not sure of yourself don't do it, but I don't ever follow those rules lol. Just HOW risky is it? Is it like you have to be stupid to brick your card or is it like hold your breath and pray to god it works hard?

With the GPU already running at 61c under load, additional voltage isn't likely to do a whole lot. Maxwell tends to run better when cooler, so adding voltage is just going to increase heat...counter to how they like to run. It may gain you a little extra overclock, but I don't think it'll really add any value. It's always worth a shot....

Is it dangerous? Can be....power flickers, or there's something wrong with the bios file, or something happens during the flash....it can go sideways pretty quick. I have flashed Maxwell cards a few hundred times and only had one bad flash. But that was on a GPU with a dual bios, so it was easy to recover.

My opinion? On the stock air cooler, you're not going to gain enough headroom to make it worth the trouble. Just my two copper.

Alright, well I'll just see how it works for now... Maybe sometime in the future I will flash a bios when I have a watercooler. Thanks for the help!