NVIDIA Begins Requiring Signed GPU Firmware Images

An anonymous reader writes: In a blow to those working on open-source drivers, soft-mods for enhancing graphics cards, and the Chinese knock-offs of graphics cards, NVIDIA has begun signing and validating GPU firmware images. With the latest-generation Maxwell GPUs, not all engine functionality is being exposed unless the hardware detects the firmware image was signed by NVIDIA. This is a setback to the open-source Nouveau Linux graphics driver but they're working towards a solution where NVIDIA can provide signed, closed-source firmware images to the driver project for redistribution. Initially the lack of a signed firmware image will prevent some thermal-related bits from being programmed but with future hardware the list of requirements is expected to rise.

Comments

Alibaba

[rsilvergun]

I'm guessing this is a response to Alibaba, where you can buy a $300 graphics card for $100 so long as you're OK with being an $80 card with a flashed bios. Remember folks, if it looks too good to be true it probably is :(.

f**k nvidia...

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah. F**k Nvidia for keeping scammers from selling faulty video cards with hacked bios's.

How dare they protect their brand integrity!

Re:f**k nvidia...

[Anonymous Coward]

Nonsense, it's not on Nvidia to stop fake cards, its on law enforcement. All they are doing is fucking everyone into having to use their signed firmware. Its another avenue for NSA style snooping from public and private parties without you ever knowing. No code reviews, no way to know if that signed firmware is actually what you would've compiled from any code snippets they may provide. No way to know if other functions are being executed from withing the code without your knowledge.

Re:Fuck That Shit!

[Anonymous Coward]

So that they can pretend to sell hardware while maintaining permanent control of it?

that's sorta the problem

[rsilvergun]

they are capable for a little while. Usually the 90 days to get out of any warranty work. Maybe a few of 'em even run at the clock freqs without crashing. It's not just clock freq either. Nvidia shuts off broken cores in software. You're games might run but they'll crash a lot. What Nvidia's worried about is that You'll blame them for a buggy card and go buy AMD. It has major brand damage potential especially with Alibaba about to become a household word what with their IPO.