Nvidia driver 615.56 crashes mVolt+ tool, blocking extreme power-limit tweaks on RTX 50-series
Nvidia's newest driver release, version 615.56, causes mVolt+ to crash whenever users attempt to adjust core power limits on RTX 50-series graphics cards. The open-source utility previously let enthusiasts push power draw beyond official limits, with some reaching 700W on an RTX 5090. Another overclocking app, Hydra 2.3B Pro, continues to function, suggesting the issue is a driver conflict rather than a deliberate block.
The driver conflict appears isolated to mVolt+’s core power-limit adjustment, which targets the NVVDD overcurrent limit rather than the standard global power slider. While the tool previously enabled extreme draws—such as 680W on an RTX 5080 and 650–700W on an RTX 5090—the crash occurs regardless of applied current, suggesting a deeper incompatibility with driver 615.56’s power-management routines. Hydra 2.3B Pro’s continued operation hints that Nvidia did not intentionally disable third-party overclocking, and mVolt+’s developer, b00nz, may release a patch. The utility’s granular control over separate core, memory, and interconnect power targets remains unique among enthusiast software.
This break could affect a niche but vocal community of extreme overclockers and benchmark enthusiasts who rely on software-only power unlocks to push RTX 50-series cards beyond official limits. If the conflict persists, it may discourage hobbyist experimentation and shift attention to hardware mods or older drivers, potentially slowing innovation in cooling and power delivery. However, the impact on typical gamers or professionals is minimal, as official driver limits already cover mainstream use. The episode also underscores how fragile third-party tools can be against rapid driver updates, raising questions about long-term support for open-source overclocking utilities.