is it safe to use beta drivers ?

[m1337]

is it safe to use beta GPU drivers ?

 

[coastie65]

Probably, although I don't. If there is a problem they be rolled back to the previous set of drivers.

 

[mironso]

is it safe to use beta GPU drivers ?

Well it's safe. You can expect crashes, but didn't hear that beta drivers fried someones component that was ment to update.

 

[mauller07]

beta doesn't always mean untested, it usually just means that it has not been through microsoft WHQL testing.

quite a few amd WHQL releases are pretty much just a name change from the previous beta version.

 

[bgunner]

for the most part they are safe But keep this in mind. They are beta releases meaning there could be bugs in the driver that could cause issues with certain systems. As an example: a couple years back Nvidia really goofed with the beta and the WHQL Driver, it would not let the fan on the GPU's using this driver to speed up and effectively frying the cards. I lost one due to this.


there is always risks changing drivers and even more when using beta drivers. It's oyur choice but just be aware that they are not a fully tested driver and could cause problems from but not limited to crashing and fried parts.

 

[bgunner]

is it safe to use beta GPU drivers ?

Well it's safe. You can expect crashes, but didn't hear that beta drivers fried someones component that was ment to update.

this is for you and the OP. this article touches on the issue i mentioned in my last post.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361488,00.asp

 

[m1337]

i dont care about crash/bugs and stuff like that i only care about my GPU staying safe

 

[Mousemonkey]

is it safe to use beta GPU drivers ?

Well it's safe. You can expect crashes, but didn't hear that beta drivers fried someones component that was ment to update.

this is for you and the OP. this article touches on the issue i mentioned in my last post.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361488,00.asp

And in the three years since then?

 

[bgunner]

In the three years since then this issue, exact issue, has not cropped up but can again or others. My thoughts were meant to be a warning not saying it will happen. As stated before "there is always risks changing drivers and even more when using beta drivers."

 

[Mousemonkey]

Was that driver a beta or a WHQL? I remember the hoo-hah but it didn't have any effect on my cards but I don't think it was a beta, I could be wrong though.

 

[bgunner]

Since it was three years or so ago my memory is not as sharp as if it was this year but I believe it was both the Beta and I know for a fact it was the WHQL version. It killed my card on the WHQL version.

 

[coastie65]

That driver was for the GeForce 6,7,8,9,100, & 200 Series Cards. Somewhere around there I was either running an 8600GT or 9800GT. Either way I never had any issues.

 

[Mousemonkey]

I was running SLi'd 8800GT's and a 9500GT and none suffered any ill effect.

 

[bgunner]

That seems odd because it fried my single 8800GT. maybe it was because it was sinlge and not SLI'd

Although it did not effect my 9800GTX+

 

[Mousemonkey]

I think it may have more to do with the fan controller, my 8800GT's had Zalman HSF's on and the 9500GT doesn't get hot enough to need a fan even though it has one.

 

[mironso]

is it safe to use beta GPU drivers ?

Well it's safe. You can expect crashes, but didn't hear that beta drivers fried someones component that was ment to update.

this is for you and the OP. this article touches on the issue i mentioned in my last post.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361488,00.asp

OK, my fault. You are first one that I heard who lost component.

 

[Mousemonkey]

That seems odd because it fried my single 8800GT. maybe it was because it was sinlge and not SLI'd

Although it did not effect my 9800GTX+

Did you try to get it replaced under warranty? IIRC Nvidia were supposed to have instructed AIB's to replace any cards that were damaged by that driver.

 

[bgunner]

It was a BFG made card and when I called them I got a big run around and they said they no longer made any cards or repaired any. This is the reason Best Buy and other companys stop doing business with them before this happened. Not to mention, If i'm not mistaken, the company is now closed down. My 9800GTX+ was the last thing I bought from them. Before this happened I decided not to purchase anymore from them when I had questions and there customer service was a major hassle.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Yes they are no longer with us, was your GTX+ a 55nm or 65nm GPU?

 

[bgunner]

it was the G92b chip which I think was a 55nm but I could be wrong.

 

[Mousemonkey]

it was the G92b chip which I think was a 55nm but I could be wrong.

No, that was the 55nm one. Well I'm sorry to hear about your bad luck there but the reason I asked was because I wanted to know if they had strayed from the party line hence their demise.

@OP, sorry for derailing your thread there.