Nvidia software update reduces power capacity on RTX 50 cards and affects performance
Semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia recently released the GeForce Game Ready 595.71 WHQL driver package, aimed at fixing specific technical issues such as failed fan detection and system instabilities. However, the implementation of this update brought an undocumented change that altered the power functioning of RTX 50 series graphics cards.
The discovery sparked immediate discussion on technology forums and hardware communities, as the change directly affects the leeway for manual adjustments. The restriction was mainly identified in high-end models, such as the RTX 5090, which no longer reached the frequency peaks observed in previous versions of the driver. The measure, applied silently, prevents the component from receiving the energy necessary to sustain operations above factory standard parameters.
Technical changes in voltage management
Detailed comparative analysis shows a significant difference in the electrical behavior of the GPU between the old driver, version 591.86, and the current 595.71. Anteriormente, the hardware allowed fluid operation with voltages between 1,020 V and 1,030 V when subjected to manual overclocking adjustments. With the new update installed, the power management system forces the card to operate at a lower ceiling, only oscillating between 1,005V and 1,010V.
More on this story: Nvidia’s 595.71 update imposes voltage ceiling on RTX 5090 cards and frustrates enthusiasts
This reduction in available voltage creates a physical bottleneck for the graphics processor. In practical tests, it was found that the limitation makes it impossible for the RTX 5090 to maintain operating frequencies above 3,000 MHz in a stable manner. Mesmo when the user attempts to set higher values through monitoring and adjustment software, the board’s protection mechanism acts instantly to reduce the voltage, resulting in restrained performance.
The impact also extends to custom models manufactured by Nvidia partners, such as premium lines from MSI and ASUS. Proprietários of these boards reported that even when maximizing the power limit allowed in the settings, the voltage curve does not respond as expected. The behavior suggests that the restriction is implemented deep in the driver, bypassing the more robust hardware specifications designed by third parties to support high loads.
Consequences for the enthusiastic public
The change in power profile disproportionately affects the niche of enthusiasts and benchmark competitors, who invest in cutting-edge hardware to extract the maximum theoretical performance possible. Popular Ferramentas tuners, such as the MSI Afterburner, have become less effective with the new update, as the system reacts to clock increases with an automatic undervolt. Isso neutralizes the performance gains that justify the practice of overclocking for this segment of users.
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Learn more: New Nvidia driver update reduces RTX 5090 voltage limit and blocks extreme overclocking
Reports indicate that the limitation is not exclusive to the most powerful model. The RTX 5080 also showed similar behavior, failing to reach peaks of 3,230 MHz that were accessible with previous drivers. Para the common consumer, who uses the equipment in original configurations for games and professional applications, the change is imperceptible, maintaining stability and performance within the official specifications guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Possible security motivations
Although Nvidia has not issued an official statement detailing the technical reasons for imposing this limit, industry experts raise hypotheses related to the safety and longevity of the components. Acredita The reduction in the maximum allowable voltage is intended to be a preventative measure to protect the 12V-2×6 power connector and prevent overheating in extreme load scenarios, which could compromise the physical integrity of the board in the long term.
Faced with the impossibility of circumventing the restriction via software, many owners of the affected cards initiated a rollback movement to previous versions of the drivers. Installing the 591.86 WHQL package has been the solution adopted to regain freedom of control over voltage and frequency, even if this means losing the latest optimizations for games recently released on the market.
