AMD Confirms Its GPU Drivers Are Overclocking CPUs Without Asking

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AMD has confirmed to Tom's Hardware that a bug in its GPU driver is, in fact, changing Ryzen CPU settings in the BIOS without permission. This condition has been shown to auto-overclock Ryzen CPUs without the user's knowledge.

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"We are aware of an issue in the AMD software suite that is adjusting certain AMD processor settings for some users. We are investigating the issue and we'll share more information as soon as we're able." — AMD representative to Tom's Hardware.

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Reports of this issue began cropping up on various social media outlets recently, with users reporting that their CPUs had mysteriously been overclocked without their consent. The issue was subsequently investigated and tracked back to AMD's GPU drivers.

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AMD Confirms Its GPU Drivers Are Overclocking CPUs Without Asking

Radeon Adrenalin drivers have a mind of their own

www.tomshardware.com

Please check your PC. Close if old.

 

[Ra]

Excuse me? That is even possible?

 

[Allietraa]

Lotta voided CPU warranties out there now technically. Not that AMD can even tell that you OC'd a chip unless you really fuck it up

 

[Inugami]

Excuse me? That is even possible?

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You've been able to modify bios settings for overclocking in software for ages. This is absolutely still a problem since it's done without the users permission, but the fact that modern CPUs already dynamically set their clocks and voltages based on available power and thermal availability means the chance of any damage is super slim.

The only question remaining is if this was accidentally left in by an engineer, or whether this was done intentionally to claim performance improvements. Most likely the former, but with AMD and Intel competition heating up again, it could be the latter.

 

[Thera]

Who f* up the "if" condition that should verify if the software is a benchmark one or a "normal" one.
Because this is probably what we are talking about here.

 

[Terbinator]

"Bug".

That's one way to squeeze some extra FPS from your new driver drop 👀

 

[bes.gen]

anything to get those benchmarks i guess, lol.

 

[VariantX]

not good. People who intend to overclock build their systems around that fact.

 

[Merv]

You've been able to modify bios settings for overclocking in software for ages. This is absolutely still a problem since it's done without the users permission, but the fact that modern CPUs already dynamically set their clocks and voltages based on available power and thermal availability means the chance of any damage is super slim.

The only question remaining is if this was accidentally left in by an engineer, or whether this was done intentionally to claim performance improvements. Most likely the former, but with AMD and Intel competition heating up again, it could be the latter.

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Yeah, I used the AMD Ryzen software to overclock my 3700x.

Most overclocking these days involves under volting so there is less power/heat, which allows the CPU to clock higher

Some MBs have auto overclocking which is usually more aggressive power settings and usually sucks, so hopefully this isn't what they were doing.

Where's the Gamers Nexus video? Lol

 

[Vintage]

gee I wonder how this "bug" happened

 

[pksu]

It's not even the first time AMD has done shady stuff with drivers: https://twitter.com/aionescu/status/1393728057005920263