[seward]

I just got a 780 Ti (MSI GTX 780 Ti Gaming) to replace my two GTX 580 Lightnings. Since I bought those 580s, this whole Nvidia voltage lock/Boost thing came about. It had been my understanding that we could no longer raise volts through software like Afterburner and Precision; we were now at the mercy of the Boost programming that Nvidia put on their cards, which would raise clocks and volts automatically, up to each specific gpu's maximum allowable voltage (1.212 or something) or temp limit.

Having thoroughly enjoyed pumping volts into my 580s and getting great clocks in return, I was of course dismayed by this development. It seemed to me that the only workaround was raising the Power Limit on a card (through Afterburner or Precision), which allows the card to draw more-than-TDP voltage (up to a point).

Then I downloaded the beta version of Afterburner, and saw that I could unlock voltage for my 780 Ti (although there's certainly not the headroom that I had with my 580s). And I was confused.

So, basically: Does Boost, in fact, let me pump just a little more voltage into my card(s) manually, or am I wasting my time when I do so?

I swear I journeyed the Internets for answers to these questions and found none (at least, none that were simple enough for me to understand). Thanks for any help, and please feel free to give me links to Idiots' Guides to Boost.

 

[Yorkston]

I'm also somewhat new to this, and my understanding so far is:

Boost does not increase voltage, it allows the card to auto-clock higher than stock until voltage/temperature limits it.

Both Precision and Afterburner have tools in them to up the voltage to Nvidia's 1.212(?) limit.

Certain cards like the Classified and Lightning can go to 1.35v for the 780 and 1.5v for the 780ti.

The only true "unlocked" card is the Kingpin.

Hope that helps.

 

[seward]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkston

I'm also somewhat new to this, and my understanding so far is:

Boost does not increase voltage, it allows the card to auto-clock higher than stock until voltage/temperature limits it.

Both Precision and Afterburner have tools in them to up the voltage to Nvidia's 1.212(?) limit.

Certain cards like the Classified and Lightning can go to 1.35v for the 780 and 1.5v for the 780ti.

The only true "unlocked" card is the Kingpin.

Hope that helps.

That's actually quite helpful! 1.212 is the number I've been seeing, too. Frankly, as a limit on air, that's not so bad (if it's correct), although I can understand aquanauts and eskimos being disappointed. Of course, that's why there are Classifieds and Kingpins.

GPU-Z says that I've gotten my vcore up to 1.2 (seemed to correlate w/ raising Power Limit in AB) but HWMonitor says I've only gone as far as 1.0. Sigh...I really don't want to get a voltmeter just so I can play BF4...

 

[Yorkston]

Raising the power limit should not increase your voltage at all, just the threshold at which the card throttles for safety. Voltage needs to be raised manually, i believe with a voltage slider in afterburner. (Not 100% sure, I use precision and can't check AB from work)

 

[bluewr]

There are also multiple mods that turn off GPU Boost for 600 and 700 serie Nvidia card.

 

[seward]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkston

Raising the power limit should not increase your voltage at all, just the threshold at which the card throttles for safety. Voltage needs to be raised manually, i believe with a voltage slider in afterburner. (Not 100% sure, I use precision and can't check AB from work)

Yeah, that's the impression I get. But I still tell myself that in a roundabout way, somehow, it allows for high volts. Because it makes me feel better.