Nvidia NTune 5.00 Utility

[Koroush Ghazi]

Nvidia have released a new version of NTune for NForce 2, 3, 4 and the new NForce5 motherboards. It seems to have some handy functions, and I'm installing it now to see how it works. I believe it incorporates itself into the new Nvidia Forceware Control Panel, so you can access it through there along with the regular 3D functionality as well.

Overview:
NVIDIA® nTune 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.

Installation Notes:

* This application package replaces all previous versions of the NVIDIA System Utility or NVIDIA nTune. Earlier versions of the application should be uninstalled and the system rebooted prior to installation of this package.
* Support for the advanced features of the NVIDIA nTune requires vendor specific setup files that are not included with this package. Please contact your motherboard or system vendor for the correct files to enable this functionality.

Release Highlights:

* This is a complete, updated release of the NVIDIA nTune. You are not required to install a previous version of this application before installing the latest version.
* On nForce motherboards where specific BIOS support is not available, only basic functionality will be available.
* Supported products:
o nForce 220, nForce 220D, nForce 415 and nForce 420D
o nForce2 and nForce2 400
o nForce2 Ultra and nForce2 Ultra 400
o nForce2 400R and nForce2 Ultra 400Gb
o nForce3 150 and nForce3 PRO 150
o nForce3 250, nForce3 250Gb and nForce3 PRO 250
o nForce4 Pro 2200, nForce4 Ultra, and nForce4 SLI
o nForce 590 SLI, nForce 570 SLI, nForce 570 Ultra, nForce 550
* Supported operating systems for this release:
o Windows XP
o Windows XP x64 Edition (SP1 5.2.3790.1830)
* Best when run at 1024x768 16-bit color

Some screenshots of the new functionality. It adds two new sections to the new Nvidia Forceware Control Panel (Performance and Stability):



You can view a range of system information:


You can adjust a range of things:


You can run a stability test:

Looks like this when running:



I haven't had the chance to test and refine it yet, but it seems quite a good addition to me.

[Twigbutt]

Problems with this one. It hard locks my system whenever I try to use it. I have the new beta video drivers and it even locks up when I try to open the CP, since they're intergrated now. System is in sig.

[Trid3c]

I hope this one will work with my setup, the last time I tried to install Ntune, I got a load of errors and system instabily for some reason.

[Koroush Ghazi]

To remove background resource usage, it looks like the 'nTune Service' can be disabled without any problems. The 'Nvidia NTune' startup item looks also to be unnecessary. Of course I haven't had the chance to thoroughly test out what functions may be affected, but all the functionality appears to remain after these items are removed.

As for the utility itself, when combined with the new Nvidia Forceware Control Panel, it seems to put a lot of handy information and tools into one location.

For example, if you want to run the Nvidia Monitor portion, it puts two small panels on your desktop which monitor/graph system temps and voltages in a nice interface:

[mist3r_q]

I installed the new nTUNE utility to see how it works. I installed it in conjunction with the new nFORCE drivers. Based on it's overall layout, design, & function, it seems as if nVIDIA has catered this driver to attract more of the beginner to intermediate users-giving them basic and intermediate options to overclock their system. The only feature that stood out to me initially was the motherboard tuning portion of the utility (3rd picture down from the first post), which is useful for overclockers because it let's you adjust a full range of items that need to be tuned while overclocking.

Another notable feature is the Stress Test utility, which allows you to do just that (for your PC) =) . I ran the test for the hell of it, for 10 minutes, and it simply completed stating all tests were successful. IMO, this test isn't very "stressful" for your PC. I could be dead wrong but the 3D portion of this test seems to be soo basic it could probably be pushed a good 30FPS by a cell phone. The tests are very basic and is most likely designed to test the stability of your system if you overclock it. If you overclock your settings and your PC becomes unstable or fails during this basic test, you can be pretty sure that's a good indicator that something needs to be reverted or slowed down.

For people such as myself who do not overclock, this release of nTUNE and just about any other is pretty much useless--less is more IMO. I don't like knowing that there are utilities installed in my system that can take control of voltages, etc. whether or not it's user controlled. SpeedFan is where I draw the line. =)

Note: Just for kicks, I tried to correct the HTT reference clock from the detected 201Mhz to 200Mhz. So, I moved the slider so that it read "200Mhz," hit "Apply," restarted the program, and it went back to 201Mhz. Perhaps you need to save it as a "Profile," but I don't know why they would have the Apply button if this is the case, I figured it would save to the default profile. It could be just some preliminary bugs.

[Jake2.0]

Originally Posted by Trid3c

I hope this one will work with my setup, the last time I tried to install Ntune, I got a load of errors and system instabily for some reason.

Ive had nothing but problems with the ntune utility. Ill try the newer version though.

[Koroush Ghazi]

I don't necessarily recommend it for overclockers, as I doubt any software-based utility can provide you with stable overclocking/testing. It is however useful at the very least as an information tool, and so far my system has had no problems with it installed.

For overclocking I would recommend altering the BIOS settings.

[motiv-8]

Does this version of nTune stick? That is... can you configure it and then exit, or does it need to be running in the background or in the tray at all times for the settings to stick?

[Moodyblue]

Ntune saves the "optimisation"and computer will return to default when rebooted.

There is a save feature which can allow one to reboot computer with the optimised option being used.

As advised by Koroush the "ntune services" can be disabled and no apperent problem encountered.

I am a complete newby in this area and I found the User Guide that comes with the programme most useful.


I did a back-up of Bios and also my system so should be able to recover fairly quickly.

[squashie8]

I installed this version of ntune and things were working great until a reboot at some point. I'm not really sure what went wrong but I dont have the performance icon for tuning up etc anymore. I had downloaded and installed 2.0 something of ntune but never tried to use it. I deleted it and had 5.00.04 and the newer 5.00.60. Installed both and uninstalled. Does anyone know what may be causing this. I have the POS Asus P5n32sli deluxe. I also have the newer beta display drivers. Any help would be appreciated.