6950 Unlock vs. Bios flash?

[Copyright]

So I have read there is a difference between unlocking vs. the bios flash? I just bios flashed mine and I think I may revert back if its creating issues? Couple things I noticed so far was taht I cant OC much past the 880mhz without crashing. My voltage reported in GPU-Z is 1.175V but the Voltage reported in MSI Afterburner is 1.100 V and has no effect on my real voltage if I adjust it. I am running version 2.1 of afterburner. Thanks for any input.

 

[nxcess]

If you're noticing issues, I would revert back to the 6950 bios and do the unlock shaders mod.

 

[Sojuuk]

if your only issue is that you can't overclock MORE then you have no issue. You bought a card rated at 800mhz. there is no guarantee that it can do 880mhz even. And a voltage report error is also a non issue, trust that the bios did change it.

 

[Copyright]

Ok, guess you missed the actual question. I get no artifacts or issues. The Voltage thing is kinda odd but isnt my main concern. My concern is that I read unlocking is safer and flashing to the 6970 bios is not as safe? Not exactly sure what hte difference is. My card seems to run fine. Although I have no voltage control.

 

[Dr.GumbyM.D.]

The issue with the full flash was that supposedly it messed with memory voltage and timings, not just the core. The two cards 6950/6970 have different memory on each, which are rated for more speed on the 6970, so they can handle the tighter timings, while the 6950 memory has been corrupted in some reported cases, leaving permanent artifacting problems. People who received these problems after flashing always flash back and RMA their card, which is kind of a dick move on their part, but either way, the performance difference between flashing to 6970 and unlocking a 6950 and then overclocking the core and memory to near the 6970 standards is a bit safer and brings them to almost negligible performance difference.

 

[Copyright]

Where is the process for just unlocking?

 

[Dr.GumbyM.D.]

The TechPowerUp article, page 16 of the discussion thread.

 

[Copyright]

Tech power up is how I found out how to do mine. I used thier batch file to go to a 6970.

 

[Dr.GumbyM.D.]

Page 16 should have the batch file for unlocking. Hopefully you've kept a backup copy of your original BIOS. If so, just make a copy of that, run it through their unlocking batch file, then load that back up with winflash

 

[B2BigAl]

Try this guide, I used it for mine and it works great. It will unlock your shaders and up the core voltage. It'll also unlock the overclock setting in ccc.

 

[elpibe10]

If you're noticing issues, I would revert back to the 6950 bios and do the unlock shaders mod.

It could be too late.

Flashed my Gigabyte 6950 to 6970 and it was fine for a week then tons of artifacts appeared in games (even then the card is still rock stable and there's no BSOD).

Flashed back to 6950 didn't help. Switching to backup BIOS didn't help either.

Guess the memory chips were busted by the over-voltage specified in the 6970 BIOS.

Good thing I was able to RMA it and I'm leaving my 6950 as a 6950 for good.

 

[NathanP2007]

It could be too late.

Flashed my Gigabyte 6950 to 6970 and it was fine for a week then tons of artifacts appeared in games (even then the card is still rock stable and there's no BSOD).

Flashed back to 6950 didn't help. Switching to backup BIOS didn't help either.

Guess the memory chips were busted by the over-voltage specified in the 6970 BIOS.

Good thing I was able to RMA it and I'm leaving my 6950 as a 6950 for good.

So basically we dont know the long term affects yet of doing this to our GPU's....and once you've done it, its quite likely that undoing it (the bios flash) even just after a week wont help, damage done. Even if you havent experienced any negative affects like me. That blows but then again i have a XFX card so im not too worried.

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

Reading this post scared me into reflashing my 6950 back from 6970 bios to the stock 6950 and unlocking the shaders. My question now is what is everyone clocking their unlocked/not flashed 6950s to? Mine reverted back to stock 800 core and I'm sure it can push higher than that. Will I need to change the voltage to get the best "safe" overclock?

 

[Copyright]

Reading this post scared me into reflashing my 6950 back from 6970 bios to the stock 6950 and unlocking the shaders. My question now is what is everyone clocking their unlocked/not flashed 6950s to? Mine reverted back to stock 800 core and I'm sure it can push higher than that. Will I need to change the voltage to get the best "safe" overclock?

I think the main issue was that the memory voltage and timings was corrupting the ram. So you should be able to set it to 1.175V and hit 880\1375 and then some.

 

[Kirika]

I only did the unlock shaders mod to be on the safe side. Rather be safe then fry your card for only a few more fps.

 

[XacTactX]

If you unlock the shaders and your card is not stable, you will know immediately because your card will have bad shaders. If you flash a 6970 BIOS, then you are modifying memory timings and voltage which is generally what has caused problems.

TLDR: Use a modified 6950 BIOS to not put your card under undue stress and you're good to go.

 

[[H]ocusPocus]

Reading this post scared me into reflashing my 6950 back from 6970 bios to the stock 6950 and unlocking the shaders. My question now is what is everyone clocking their unlocked/not flashed 6950s to? Mine reverted back to stock 800 core and I'm sure it can push higher than that. Will I need to change the voltage to get the best "safe" overclock?

I am using Afterburner v2.1.0 to run my 6950 @ 920/1375 with 1.160V and a custom fan profile and +20% Power Control in CCC. I am still testing stability @ 940/1375 with 1.180V.

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but...

I'm using Trixx to set the core clock to 875 and memory to 1325. Problem is it's not staying there. When I booted up just now I found it back at 800/1300 in GPU-Z. What's the deal?

Am I not feeding it enough voltage for those clocks? I've left them at stock for now.

Edit: Does Trixx have to be loaded at startup for the tweaked clocks to stay? Is there a preferable way of "permanently" overclocking these cards?

 

[Violator]

It could be too late.

Flashed my Gigabyte 6950 to 6970 and it was fine for a week then tons of artifacts appeared in games (even then the card is still rock stable and there's no BSOD).

Flashed back to 6950 didn't help. Switching to backup BIOS didn't help either.

Guess the memory chips were busted by the over-voltage specified in the 6970 BIOS.

Good thing I was able to RMA it and I'm leaving my 6950 as a 6950 for good.

So you flashed it to a 6970, screwed the memory from the overvoltage and then RMA'd it?. Oh yes, congratulations.

 

[cwest1]

Yeah, I would suggest just unlocking the shaders versus 6970 flash, seems like there are far more many horror stories with the full flash

 

[NathanP2007]

Im not sure which i did, i followed the Techpowerup article to the T, which way was used then? Shaders unlock or bios flash?

 

[Mr. K6]

I think the main issue was that the memory voltage and timings was corrupting the ram. So you should be able to set it to 1.175V and hit 880\1375 and then some.

Exactly. Once unlocked, the 6950's overclock fine. Guessing from the success rates of unlocking (pretty much 99% or so), it seems like 6950's are 6950's not because they have bad shaders but just because they don't clock as high as true 6970's.

Im not sure which i did, i followed the Techpowerup article to the T, which way was used then? Shaders unlock or bios flash?

Did you use your own original BIOS and modify it or did you download a BIOS from the TPU website? Follow the original guide: http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159 and don't flash with a 6970 BIOS, modify your own BIOS (you can grab it from your card using GPU-Z) using this program and batch file: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=2137880&postcount=406

 

[NathanP2007]

Exactly. Once unlocked, the 6950's overclock fine. Guessing from the success rates of unlocking (pretty much 99% or so), it seems like 6950's are 6950's not because they have bad shaders but just because they don't clock as high as true 6970's.

Did you use your own original BIOS and modify it or did you download a BIOS from the TPU website? Follow the original guide: http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159 and don't flash with a 6970 BIOS, modify your own BIOS (you can grab it from your card using GPU-Z) using this program and batch file: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=2137880&postcount=406

I grabbed the Saphire 6970 Bios and flashed those. Im guessing if there is damage done iv done it, no point in flashing back to modified 6950 bios w/unlocked shaders right?

 

[Mr. K6]

I grabbed the Saphire 6970 Bios and flashed those. Im guessing if there is damage done iv done it, no point in flashing back to modified 6950 bios w/unlocked shaders right?

Not at all. Flashing it back ASAP is the quickest and surest way to save your card. Voltage kills based on a curve, and depending on your specific chips they might be standing up to it for a bit. Either way, grabbing your original BIOS and modifying it will make sure you're running your card safely.

 

[NathanP2007]

Not at all. Flashing it back ASAP is the quickest and surest way to save your card. Voltage kills based on a curve, and depending on your specific chips they might be standing up to it for a bit. Either way, grabbing your original BIOS and modifying it will make sure you're running your card safely.

I will do that, i did save (like techpowerup suggested) my bios before doing anything to them. But they are a file on my desktop and im not exactly sure how to use them to flash back. But i'll try. I might be RMA'ing my card aways due to noise. I ran furmark and major spooling whine came from the GPU, and later when running the Windows Experience Index it did it again but quiter/higher pitched. It has me worried that eventually in a high stressed game, the same will happen. So i might be RMA'ing this card anyways.

 

[XacTactX]

I will do that, i did save (like techpowerup suggested) my bios before doing anything to them. But they are a file on my desktop and im not exactly sure how to use them to flash back. But i'll try. I might be RMA'ing my card aways due to noise. I ran furmark and major spooling whine came from the GPU, and later when running the Windows Experience Index it did it again but quiter/higher pitched. It has me worried that eventually in a high stressed game, the same will happen. So i might be RMA'ing this card anyways.

Furmark is an artificial thermal benchmark that places a load on the GPU not representative of the load experienced in any game currently available. Not only are temperatures usually 3-4 C lower even on Crysis, but the fan usually spins 3-6% lower, so the card has headroom left in that sense. Has your video card been noisy while gaming? If not, you don't have a problem.

Being noise sensitive, which I am also to some extent, you may find gains from reapplying the TIM with high performance TIM.

 

[NathanP2007]

Furmark is an artificial thermal benchmark that places a load on the GPU not representative of the load experienced in any game currently available. Not only are temperatures usually 3-4 C lower even on Crysis, but the fan usually spins 3-6% lower, so the card has headroom left in that sense. Has your video card been noisy while gaming? If not, you don't have a problem.

Being noise sensitive, which I am also to some extent, you may find gains from reapplying the TIM with high performance TIM.

Well i used my saved Bios to flash my GPU, and it worked. Back to stock 6950 bios and went into CCC and un-did the 20%+ voltage and my OC'es. I will work on that "shader unlock on 6950 bios" thing later.
Yeah i havent heard any noise when playing a game ever, but i havent played a game yet that truely stresses my GPU i bet. Just MOH (2010) and L4D2. But considering i have lifetime warranty, i guess i have the time to wait and see if i ever hear it then RMA it if i ever do. ty XFX

What is TIM? What is High Performance TIM?

 

[XacTactX]

Well i used my saved Bios to flash my GPU, and it worked. Back to stock 6950 bios and went into CCC and un-did the 20%+ voltage and my OC'es. I will work on that "shader unlock on 6950 bios" thing later.
Yeah i havent heard any noise when playing a game ever, but i havent played a game yet that truely stresses my GPU i bet. Just MOH (2010) and L4D2. But considering i have lifetime warranty, i guess i have the time to wait and see if i ever hear it then RMA it if i ever do. ty XFX

What is TIM? What is High Performance TIM?

Thermal compound. The kind that they put on at the factory isn't particularly good, so if you have AS5 or better you will increase the cooling performance. XFX covers those kinds of mods in the warranty or can give tips or can install it for you if you send it in. But anyway if you decide to do it you're covered.

EDIT: Though it should be noted that AS5 in particular is conductive and GPU dies have electrical components relatively close-by. As long as you don't drown the die in TIM it won't be a problem.

 

[NathanP2007]

Thermal compound. The kind that they put on at the factory isn't particularly good, so if you have AS5 or better you will increase the cooling performance. XFX covers those kinds of mods in the warranty or can give tips or can install it for you if you send it in. But anyway if you decide to do it you're covered.

Interesting idea. I do have thermal compound (AS5). However my noise issue isnt FAN related. In the sense that i have a great Manual Fan profile setup so my fan doesnt get loud at all when at high temps. It is the spooling that whines loudly and high pitched, which you cant do anything about as far as i know. And so far only under 2 circumstances, running WEI and Furmark. Both being synthetic.

EDIT: So theres a super long thread about how the 6950-6970 bios flash doesnt even really do that much, and if it does do anything its thanks to the shaders increase. They say it increases performance like 1-2%. I was curious your opinion on that? Just interested in knowing what performance hit i will take now that im back at stock 6950. I am also curious once i have done the bios adjustment so i have increased shaders. What other OC can i do to my card? Can i do a regular overclock and set it to where i had my card when it had 6970 bios? Or will the improvement also be minimal so just keep it STOCK?

 

[XacTactX]

I think the gains are a little bit higher, around 4-5% for unlocking the shaders, but either way it's not a big deal. If you think of unlocking the shaders and overclocking as two distinct operations, overclocking to 6970 speeds is 80% of the difference, unlocking the shaders 20%. So you still get the vast majority of the performance even if you don't unlock shaders.

 

[NathanP2007]

I think the gains are a little bit higher, around 4-5% for unlocking the shaders, but either way it's not a big deal. If you think of unlocking the shaders and overclocking as two distinct operations, overclocking to 6970 speeds is 80% of the difference, unlocking the shaders 20%. So you still get the vast majority of the performance even if you don't unlock shaders.

Yeah but the shaders (20%) are the supposed safe part to adjust, and the 6970 flash (80%) is the risky part.

 

[XacTactX]

Yes, absolutely. No danger at all to use your modified 6950 BIOS to unlock the shaders, then use a utility like Afterburner to adjust GPU voltage. The same end result with no risk.

On a side note, AMD really hit bang for the buck gold with the 6950. Good for AMD.