nVidia Forceware 1.0

[Staz]

I was over at majorgeeks.com and saw that nVidia has released nVidia Forceware system utility.

Here is a quote from thier website.

Overview:

NVIDIA® System Utility is the ultimate utility for accessing, monitoring, and adjusting your system components, including temperature and voltages with clear, user-friendly control panels. Overclock your system for highest performance or underclock it for near silent operation. All changes are performed within the Microsoft® Windows® interface – enabling full functionality without the need to make changes in the BIOS and reboot your system.

Release Notes:

This is the initial release of the NVIDIA System Utility.
Supported products:
NVIDIA nForce™2 Ultra 400
NVIDIA nForce2 400
NVIDIA nForce3 Pro 150
NVIDIA nForce3 150
Supported operating systems for this release:
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows ME
Windows 98SE
Best when run at 1024x768 16-bit color



Products Supported

Full product functionality is only available on the products below. Check www.nvidia.com/motherboards periodically for updated vendor support of this utility.

NVIDIA nForce2:
ASUS A7N8X-E
Biostar M7NCG
Epox EP-8RDA+
Epox EP-8RDA3+
ABIT NF7-S
NVIDIA nForce 3:
Gigabyte K8NNXP
Shuttle AN50

NOTE: Some NVIDIA nForce products will require you to update your BIOS to enable functionality with the NVIDIA System Utility.

I am going offshore tonight and don't have time to play with it. Has anyone tried to use it yet? Also if anyone tries this please report back and maybe post a screen shot or two.

[SteveI]

There is an ongoing thread in the epox section...
I loaded it on my nf7s, but I don't have full access, and I am using the latest bios. I haven't had much time to play with it, yet. Maybe in a few days.

[funnyperson1]

I tried with my AN35 Ultra and not only did I not have full access, but changing either AGP clock or FSB locked up my computer. This could be a really cool utility once compatibility is fixed.

[SteveI]

AFAIK, there isn't a single mobo on the market that has full access to all the functions... Only time will tell if mfgrs decide to do the leg work to build functionality into bios updates.... either that or nvidia will be left with egg on their face.

[bldegle2]

should be called farceware.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I haven't had much time to play with it, yet.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

spend about 20 seconds working with it, that is all it takes to cover the whole enchilada.

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WTH do we need this for??? NForce boards have the ability to do all this properly in the bios, and, I, for one, don't like or have to change stuffs while in windows, I just let her boot at the highest stable attainable speed and live with it..

Limited and not anything to write home about, for sure.

baldy

[funnyperson1]

Well actually I think it could be very useful if it worked.

For example maybe you dont want your cpu at full speed all the time, you can just crank up the settings for a game or a benchmark and otherwise run your cpu at 1.1V at stock speeds, kinda like speedstep. This could be really cool especially if you had a rheobus you could have a stealth mode.

[SteveI]

On a cynical note, this would give nVidia an 'out' for all the corrupt bios's overclockers have been dealing with. By making changes in windows, and saving... I think this limits the likelihood of corrupting the bios considerably. Eventually, everyone will get on board and will write the code necessary to really be compatible... just don't hold your breadth.

[MiGGinZ]

I think Nvidia could have enabled full functionality themselves but they left it upto the mobo manufacturers to enable the features for RMA sake.