Potentially rage inducing
So what could be the problem? Well, the end of the presentation had this to say:
“Overclocking AMD processors, including without limitation, altering clock frequencies / multipliers or memory timing / voltage, to operate beyond their stock specifications will void any applicable AMD product warranty,
even when such overclocking is enabled via AMD hardware and/or software. This may also void warranties offered by the system manufacturer or retailer. Users assume all risks and liabilities that may arise out of overclocking AMD processors, including without limitation, failure of or damage to hardware, reduced system performance and/or data loss, corruption or vulnerability,” as seen
in the livestream.
Naturally this alarmed us, as it made Rage Mode sound as if it would void AMD RX 6000 product warranties if used. It’s not an unreasonable conclusion to reach either, as overclocking any product traditionally voids the warranty. Once a user unshackles the product from manufacturer-set parameters, the product is considered vulnerable to overheating or voltage malfunctions. These factors can cause permanent damage to the performance and lifespan of a product or just outright kill it. Therefore, it seemed strange for AMD to apparently advertise overclocked performance without accepting liability for the results of Rage Mode. Especially when described as a defining technology that outperforms the competition. Naturally, we reached out to them for clarification.
Backpedaling
AMD responded to our inquiry about Rage Mode and warranties with a very different explanation than what was delivered during the presentation. It turns out that AMD Rage Mode is
not a genuine overclocking feature. Instead, the company likened it to a user profile. AMD officially categorizes it as a Radeon Software Performance Tuning Preset. Likewise, we can expect a few options for running our RX 6000 GPUs. We already know about Rage Mode, but there will be a Quiet and Balanced mode as well.
Rage Mode does not exceed the factory parameters of the GPU clocks or voltages. Instead, it works more like a power slider option to deliver a little more juice at the cost of power efficiency, fan noise, and temperatures. Nvidia Control Panel and Windows have similar features which allow users to crank up the power delivery a little more if desired. AMD Rage Mode sounds like a more aggressive version of that.
AMD also confirmed that the presets will
not void warranties and intends to rewrite its EULA to more clearly reflect the distinction. “We would like to make it clear: that warning does not apply to the Performance Tuning Presets like Rage and Quiet modes. These operating modes are fully supported by AMD and will not invalidate the product warranty. In fact, we will be updating the EULA in Radeon Software to clarify.”
They also had hardware dedicated to this.....