GPU-Z gets a leak blocking feature for NVIDIA GPUs
An interesting update to GPU-Z has just been announced today.
Among many updates for existing and upcoming GPUs, the developer of GPU monitoring tool is also implementing measures to block traffic when NVIDIA engineering samples are used. Supposedly this feature was added by NVIDIA request.
What this essentially means is that 3rd parties, such as board partners, will no longer be able to submit GPU-Z validations or BIOSes to TechPowerUP database. However, this does not mean that they simply cannot take a picture and post it on any tech forum.
Furthermore, GPU-Z will no longer resolve www.techpowerup.com domain, only www.gpu-z.com. This should simplify network blocking and administration for entities, so even more updates to prevent leaks.
Are those changes going to limit NVIDIA GPU leaks? Probably not, but it is still interesting to see such features being implemented.
GPU-Z 2.48.0 changelog
- Added new “DLSS” section to Advanced Tab, which will locate all installed games with DLSS support and report their DLSS version
- GPU-Z will no longer send traffic to www.techpowerup.com and uses www.gpu-z.com exclusively, which makes it easier for IT administrators to block traffic originating from GPU-Z. All previous endpoints on techpowerup.com will be disabled soon, please update your firewall rules accordingly
- When an NVIDIA Engineering Sample GPU is installed, GPU-Z will block all network activity (feature request by NVIDIA)
- Many improvements to Intel Arc detection, sensors, reporting and specs
- Renamed Intel discrete GPU power sensor to “GPU Chip Power Draw” to clarify that it does not measure whole board power, but GPU chip power only
- Improvements to Chinese translation
- Added detection for Advantech vendor Id
- Fixed fan speed monitoring on Intel DG1 with newer drivers
- Fixed RTX 3080 12 GB release year
- Fixed Ryzen 5800H release date
- Fixed RV670 die size
- Added support for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, MX550 (TU117-A), RTX A5500, A5500 Mobile, A4500 Mobile, A3000 12 GB Mobile, A1000 Embedded
- Added support for Intel Core i5-1230U, several new Arc SKUs
- Added support for AMD FireStream 9170
Source and download: TechPowerUP