What is "Nvflash"

[Guest]

I found it on "techpowerup", a bios flashing utility for Nvidia....I dont know what it do....
...well I only want to know that is this thing any helpful for nvidia users

 

[BFG-9000]

It's exactly what it says on the tin--a commandline BIOS flashing utility.

to pull the existing bios from the card (I expect most people use GPU-Z instead nowadays):
nvflash -b bios.rom

to flash a new BIOS to the card, or the same BIOS after you have modified it with your favorite BIOS editor to custom clocks and fan speeds:
nvflash bios.rom

Permanently altering the settings in the BIOS instead of using overclocking software means you don't have to readjust it each time you reinstall the OS, and it also works in OSes that have no overclocking software.

 

[Guest]

but is this safe...

 

[bystander]

but is this safe...

Flashing the BIOS is not the safest thing to do. It is only recommended if you have a firmware issue with your video card. If you happen to have a card with a switch with 2 BIOS, the risk is very minimal as long as you preserve one of the BIOS, but few cards have 2 BIOS.

If you disrupt a BIOS flash, the power goes out, or you use the wrong BIOS, the card becomes unusable.

 

[BFG-9000]

The video card "BIOS" isn't really necessary to boot the system so it's really better termed an option ROM. If it gets bricked then installing a 2nd video card (even PCI) or using an IGP will let you see to fix it and sometimes you can even fix it blind.

It's similar to bricking a router or phone. As long as the CFE is still there (analogous to the BIOS) it still actually boots so you can flash install new firmware (which is like the OS)

Be aware that some manufacturer-supplied flashing tools are designed to set a flag if flashed so they can tell it's been modified before and deny warranty service.