GTX 780 Reference - Upgrading VBIOS with other manufacturer's VBIOS?

mda

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Hi All,

I'm having some issues running an older GTX 780 reference model (the one with the metal heatblower) with a B350+2600X combo.

The 780 is fine, and so is the 2600X/B350. The 780 won't post while the PCIE slot is set to Gen1/2 (documented issue) with Zen+ 2xxx CPUs.
https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/ryzen-7-2700x-no-display-on-boot.421204/
https://community.amd.com/thread/228819

AMD basically says run the GPU in PCIE1.0 to get it to work. This is fine and all, if this was the end of it, since PCIE 1.0 probably won't starve the GTX 780 anyway. My problem is that the computer will now boot but gaming of any sort will result in a black screen after a few minutes in. Chipset and GPU drivers are updated, and I can confirm the GPU was still working since it was last in my Haswell rig.

Upon further reading, it seems all 780s with 80.10.xx VBIOS have this compatibility problem. Palit seems to have never released an updated VBIOS, if techpowerup is any indication. HOWEVER, other manufacturers have, and it seems to be fixed with the GTX 780 VBIOS versions that start with the 80.80.xx

Is it possible to flash the VBIOS with an updated one from a different manufacturer?
Looking at this EVGA one, which seems to be a reference model.
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/147583/evga-gtx780-3072-130909

Relevant Specs:
2600X
Gigabyte AB350N Wifi Bios F23D
8GB DDR4 2133
GTX 780; used to be a GT 1030
Corsair RMX 550

I'd rather not spend cash out on a new card since this is my GTX 780 I'm basically gifting to a relative.

Thanks!
 
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If they're both reference designs with the nvidia cooler, this should work, although you'll likely have to use the hacked version of nvflash to do it.

You may want to check what part number the memory ICs are on both your card and the donor to make sure they match. It may work even if they don't, but you need the memory timings to be close enough that your memory aren't causing you problems.
 
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Theoretically it should be fine, ive flashed different vendors BIOS on plenty of cards (reference cards) without issue. I think nvflash has switches to override the warnings.
 
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Theoretically it should be fine, ive flashed different vendors BIOS on plenty of cards (reference cards) without issue. I think nvflash has switches to override the warnings.

Thanks for this!

If they're both reference designs with the nvidia cooler, this should work, although you'll likely have to use the hacked version of nvflash to do it.

You may want to check what part number the memory ICs are on both your card and the donor to make sure they match. It may work even if they don't, but you need the memory timings to be close enough that your memory aren't causing you problems.

Thanks for this.

I unfortunately don't have the donor card. It's entirely based off the TPU site.

What's a good way to check if they should be compatible?

What's the worst that could happen? Black screen and blind reflash? Or is there a risk I'll damage anything?

Here is my card:
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/141691/palit-gtx780-3072-130517
according to the site, it shares the same VBIOS as all the other reference 780 launch VBIOSes..

Here is the card I want to flash to:
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/147583/evga-gtx780-3072-130909
This seems like a reference card with an updated VBIOS, and seems to be the only "reference" card with an updated VBIOS.
 
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Thanks for this!



Thanks for this.

I unfortunately don't have the donor card. It's entirely based off the TPU site.

What's a good way to check if they should be compatible?

What's the worst that could happen? Black screen and blind reflash? Or is there a risk I'll damage anything?
Yeah, basically, make sure that you have at least one additional functioning video card, and a PC that can accommodate both this card and your backup. (That is, two PCI-E slots, and whatever power leads are required).

Make sure to back up the old BIOS first, so you can flash it back on there if things go pear shaped.

As for comparing the boards, look for a photo of the donor card and try to read the label on the memory chips. If they're the same brand as the ones on your board, it should work. Should.
 
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Yeah, basically, make sure that you have at least one additional functioning video card, and a PC that can accommodate both this card and your backup. (That is, two PCI-E slots, and whatever power leads are required).

Make sure to back up the old BIOS first, so you can flash it back on there if things go pear shaped.

As for comparing the boards, look for a photo of the donor card and try to read the label on the memory chips. If they're the same brand as the ones on your board, it should work. Should.

Doesn't seem like I can properly tell if the donor board VBIOS is really a reference aside from the TPU picture.

Can I somehow "read" the BIOS to find out?

Edit: Added links to the cards in question in my above post.
 
Doesn't seem like I can properly tell if the donor board VBIOS is really a reference aside from the TPU picture.

Can I somehow "read" the BIOS to find out?

Edit: Added links to the cards in question in my above post.
Ideally, you'd compare a photo of the donor board's PCB (with the heatsink off) to your board.

Failing that, just back up the original BIOS and go for it.
 
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