Get your X1950Pro modded BIOS here

[skandal]

Thanks formula, very much appreciated.

Ket, but thats the normal ATI flash, i was asking about the ati win flash...... to use under windows..... or can the ati flash utility work under windows in a console?

[Ketxxx]

It should work in a console. ATi winflash you can make a backup of your BIOS with too tho, just click the save button to get a BIOS dump. As for the Omega thing, I constantly find the first install, while seemingly going fine, doesnt actually install the driver properly. using the omega re-install facility tho does install the drivers properly.

[skandal]

Re-installing didn't work for me.... probably because my card is GT, and is not suported by the 7.1 drivers.

well going home now.... will send the bios tomorrow morning as soon as i get to campus (don't have internet connection at home :|).

[Formula350]

W00T Ket :P A GT BIOS for you now heh

[Ketxxx]

Yea :D

[Ketxxx]

Flashing is now a go for me, so even more vital to grab a hold of that GT BIOS :cool:

[dashsmashed]

have been having a mess around with my system... tried to install warcat 7.2 - all seemed fine then my system hung everytime I ran a 3d app...?? I followed the instructions to the letter or so i thought... anyone else had problems?

on a better note when I installed ati 7.2 and ati tray tools 1.3.6.1009 I can now run stable at 634.5/810 - stoked ! on stock bios...

ketxxx have you had a crack at an AGP's bios yet ? If not, fancy taking look ?

[Formula350]

*I posted in the wrong thread*

[Ketxxx]

have been having a mess around with my system... tried to install warcat 7.2 - all seemed fine then my system hung everytime I ran a 3d app...?? I followed the instructions to the letter or so i thought... anyone else had problems?

on a better note when I installed ati 7.2 and ati tray tools 1.3.6.1009 I can now run stable at 634.5/810 - stoked ! on stock bios...

ketxxx have you had a crack at an AGP's bios yet ? If not, fancy taking look ?

Dont use warcat drivers, they really, really suck. I havent looked at any AGP BIOS yet, and wont until I've looked at that GT BIOS and organised all the 256\512MB PCI-E BIOS' as I plan to do a modded BIOS for the most popular brands.

[unsmart]

Flashing is now a go for me, so even more vital to grab a hold of that GT BIOS :cool:
Cool:)
How did you get around the lock?

[Ketxxx]

I forced atmel parameters, ATIflash \ winflash is supposed to automatically detect what ROM chip is present, but I guess the ROM chip I have is a newer revision, hence the flash problems.

[Ketxxx]

Yay :D now I'm away from the naff Xpertvision BIOS shes flying pretty high, 635\776 :cool: I can run 641 on the core, but thats somewhat the bleeding edge. I physically need to vmod my core.

ed- Sweet spot seems to be 635\770, scores 10951 in 3dm05. Will hopefully vmod soon. RAM I'm satisfied with, even @ stock thers virtually no bandwidth bottleneck, and by the time 750-783MHz range comes thers no bottleneck at all, its all the GPU then, faster the GPU can go the happier it is. Heres hoping a core vmod brings around 700MHz.

[Formula350]

How high do you plan to volt it too? o_0 Cuz if we can go higher than 1.45 I'd like to! I need more core since my memory hits 864. And as you said, at 780 it's caught up with the core being 635, and I only get 648 from 1.45v. (Man I should've checked my memory speed and brand)

God I hope we see something good from the GT bios :\ More pipes or SOMETHING ground breaking.

Hey Ket, you think you could tighten the hell out of my memory, since I can go so damn high? If it matters, my BIOS is dated 11-13-2006

[Formula350]

Think it's possible to enable HyperMemory on our 1950's with these registry entries? Would you have to change the memory size for how much you want it to use of your ram? Say 384mb for an extra 128?

[elfizs]

Yay :D now I'm away from the naff Xpertvision BIOS shes flying pretty high, 635\776 :cool: I can run 641 on the core, but thats somewhat the bleeding edge. I physically need to vmod my core.

ed- Sweet spot seems to be 635\770, scores 10951 in 3dm05. Will hopefully vmod soon. RAM I'm satisfied with, even @ stock thers virtually no bandwidth bottleneck, and by the time 750-783MHz range comes thers no bottleneck at all, its all the GPU then, faster the GPU can go the happier it is. Heres hoping a core vmod brings around 700MHz.

Could u upload as attachment which bios did u used to get the result as qouted.

[skandal]

Well, bad news. Neither AtiFlash or AtiWinFlash detected my graphic card... atiflash kept saying adapter not found, and AtiWinflash didn't even start giving an error alerting that i didn't have a ATI graphic card installed

Used ATIFlash 3.15 and Winflash 1.14, can try flashrom but i doubt it will have a different result of the other two programs. I'm sry :( maybe when a new version of atiflash is realeased.....

And formula, it worked.... good refresh rate now :)

[Ketxxx]

skandal; use ATIflash 3.25, shouldnt have any problems then.

formula; dont bother with hypermemory, its a crap feature just like nvidias turbocache.

I'll upload the BIOS I'm currently testing when its perfected.

[zangoc]

This is my first posting, first thing first thank you very much for your efforts to community.
have attached my bios here, if possible cld you tell me is it with voltage table or not?
And cld u make some mods to speed up me?

[SpookyWillow]

I can't oc my card at all. Help me. HIS x1950pro Turbo Ed. 256mb agp.

some more info on what happens when you try would help.

in the mean time grab the latest ati tray tools and use driver level (dont disable ati poller) and use increments of 8mhz.

dont use auto detect max overclock option.

[Formula350]

some more info on what happens when you try would help.

in the mean time grab the latest ati tray tools and use driver level (dont disable ati poller) and use increments of 8mhz.

dont use auto detect max overclock option.


Auto Detect is what let me figure out my max ram OC.

[dashsmashed]

Dont use warcat drivers, they really, really suck. I havent looked at any AGP BIOS yet, and wont until I've looked at that GT BIOS and organised all the 256\512MB PCI-E BIOS' as I plan to do a modded BIOS for the most popular brands.

lol @ warcat - i'd have to agree after my efforts ! fair enough on the bios -your a man in demand ..lol

'appriciate (on behalf of all us AGP dinasaurs) if you'd take a look when you have time tho :p

[Ketxxx]

This is my first posting, first thing first thank you very much for your efforts to community.
have attached my bios here, if possible cld you tell me is it with voltage table or not?
And cld u make some mods to speed up me?

Try this, voltage increased and fan now spins @ 100%

[Alcpone]

Try this, voltage increased and fan now spins @ 100%

That bios aint got a mem volt increase by any chance has it ket?

[Ketxxx]

Ok, time to simplify things. I'm getting FAR too many requests for personalised BIOS' for peoples cards, and it just cant happen anymore I don't have enough time. So heres whats going to happen instead, I'm going to make a list of card makers, people with a X1950Pro from that manufacturer feel free to submit your BIOS so I can do a universal modded BIOS for that manufacturer, but thats it. No more personal customisation requests.

The list:

Palit X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Xpertvision X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Club3D X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Connect3D X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Sapphire X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
HIS X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Powercolor X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
ATi X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS

A version of PCI-E and AGP for the above will be available based on what BIOS' people upload. Also, remember to tell me if the BIOS is AGP or PCI-E ;)

[Alcpone]

Sapphire X1950Pro 256Mb PCI-e

Maybe if you can give more volts, I understand the gpu may not beable to take more than 1.45v, but if my mem can be upped I would be happy :)

[dashsmashed]

Ok, time to simplify things. I'm getting FAR too many requests for personalised BIOS' for peoples cards, and it just cant happen anymore I don't have enough time. So heres whats going to happen instead, I'm going to make a list of card makers, people with a X1950Pro from that manufacturer feel free to submit your BIOS so I can do a universal modded BIOS for that manufacturer, but thats it. No more personal customisation requests.

The list:

Palit X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Xpertvision X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Club3D X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Connect3D X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Sapphire X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
HIS X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
Powercolor X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS
ATi X1950GT \ Pro 256MB \ 512MB BIOS

A version of PCI-E and AGP for the above will be available based on what BIOS' people upload. Also, remember to tell me if the BIOS is AGP or PCI-E ;)

Sapphire 1950Pro 512MB AGP:respect:

[Formula350]

I need like 1.5 core volts, but I'll live if not lol I have the same card as Al. I'm sure they're the same, my BIOS is dated 11-13-06

[SpookyWillow]

Explanation: Ok with low level oc'ing i can get the gpu to oc but then run into stability issues, and when I oc the memory of any increment i get system lock up. When i keep the poller runing and set it to driver level and then move a slider up any increment and click apply the sliders automatically go back to default.

are you using the latest beta ati tray tools? the sliders did that to me before i updated ati tray tools.

[Formula350]

Me too, but I had CCC installed as well. So I can't say if it's the new beta or not. I also ran into that lock up problem.

[Formula350]

No 2 cards are alike. I have the same HSF setup you guys have and I could only get 648 and thats with more voltage.

[SpookyWillow]

nah nothing unusual about my card, its using its original bios with no voltmods either.
like formula said, no cards are alike. this time i got lucky and got a half decent card lol.
highest benching clocks so far are 675 / 817, just need a volt mod but i'm starting to think other components on the card will give out before the extra voltage helps much as they get quite toasty.

[oily_17]

Here's a HIS x1950pro 256MB PCI-e bios.

[Formula350]

heh I should flash mine with the HIS. Then I could use their software again! Only difference then is the PCB!

[Alcpone]

648/817 benchable clocks :)

If the cpu clock is lower the mem will go to 830 and run happily for some reason?

[Formula350]

More stable voltage for the memory to have?

Heh I loaded up a HEX editor for fun, and then loaded up the Memory Timed and Non-Timed BIOSes in the "compare" funtion. I have NO idea how he does that haha I don't know how to translate squares lol

[Formula350]

Sup fellas I almost forgot about this. I have a hacked ATI Tool executable file that allows us to change the timings. All you have to do is install ATI Tool 0.26, then delete the .exe file in the Program Files\ATITool
folder, the unRAR the cracked.exe file there.
Timings are under the memory button below the memory clock slider.
Don't attempt to OC core or memory, or you will get a locked PC!
Let me know if the link is dead, I'll upload again.
Also, post any of your findings. Here are the optimized timings that an ASUS user found to produce higher performance:
Here it is, had to upload it again :\
http://www.filefactory.com/file/6813a0/

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6635&stc=1&d=1173056168


Just figured I'd make a note that my timings on my Sapphire are already a lot better than what that ASUS has for Default heh. I'd say about 1/2 are his "Optimal". I'm currious as to which one is like system ram's CAS. I should tighten them a little more since I can hit 864 with mine almost like those Optimal :D

[elfizs]

Here's my XperVision x1950pro Super 512MB PCI-e bios. :)

[SpookyWillow]

Just figured I'd make a note that my timings on my Sapphire are already a lot better than what that ASUS has for Default heh. I'd say about 1/2 are his "Optimal". I'm currious as to which one is like system ram's CAS. I should tighten them a little more since I can hit 864 with mine almost like those Optimal :D

all the x1950 cards have different timings, the his cards are far more relaxed and they cant get anywhere near those timings. the MEM_TCL is the cas latency ;)

heres my stock timings and the ones i'm testings, i know there bench stable.

-----------------my default --------testing

REFRESH RATE -----ox49 ------------0x4E

MEM_TRCDW -------8 ----------------6

MEM_TRCWA -------8 ----------------6

MEM_TRCDR --------12 ---------------9

MEM_TRCDRA -------12 ---------------9

MEM_TRRD ----------10 --------------8

MEM_TRC -----------35 --------------30

MEM_TNOPW --------0 ---------------0

MEM_TNOPR ---------0--------------- 0

MEM_TR2W ----------15 --------------15

MEM_TR2R -----------6 ---------------6

MEM_TW2R ----------12 --------------12

MEM_TCL ------------13 --------------11

MEM_TRP_WRA -------27 --------------25

MEM_TRP_RDA -------21 ---------------17

MEM_TRP ------------10 ---------------9

MEM_TRFC -----------45 ---------------45

MEM_TCKE -----------8 ----------------7



changing any of these ones result in instant artifacts or lockups for me,

MEM_TR2W ----------15 --------------15

MEM_TR2R -----------6 ---------------6

MEM_TW2R ----------12 --------------12

[Ketxxx]

I'll get around to starting the BIOS' when I can, currently I'm trying to sort piss poor memory tmings with my Xpertvision, their unoptimised, unbalanced, and unstable. I have a working alpha that was stable with ATItool artifact scanner for around 4.5hrs, then my monitor display went green.. so I'm guessing either my memory crapped out on its settings of 776 or the timings arent quite perfected yet. Trying to find settings to get 900MHz as I have 1.1ns memory, so it might be a few days.

[Ketxxx]

can anyone get a good translation on this?

[Alcpone]

can anyone get a good translation on this?

I had alook here, but they dont seem to match http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_numerals im assuming 1 - 10 will be most likely used?

[Ketxxx]

Damn the chinese\japanese, why cant they write normal like everyone else? :\

[Alcpone]

Damn the chinese\japanese, why cant they write normal like everyone else? :\

lol, i didnt think it might be japanese, d'oh! Might even be korean, maybe it holds the launch sequence to the nukes! :D

[Ketxxx]

lol no its not the latter of that lot :p bloody impossible translating that screen.

[KOMA]

i changed my timings with ati tool but after restart they are like before, although i save it in my profile

what i have to do?

[elfizs]

I'll get around to starting the BIOS' when I can, currently I'm trying to sort piss poor memory tmings with my Xpertvision, their unoptimised, unbalanced, and unstable. I have a working alpha that was stable with ATItool artifact scanner for around 4.5hrs, then my monitor display went green.. so I'm guessing either my memory crapped out on its settings of 776 or the timings arent quite perfected yet. Trying to find settings to get 900MHz as I have 1.1ns memory, so it might be a few days.

We will be waiting for u.:respect:

[SpookyWillow]

i changed my timings with ati tool but after restart they are like before, although i save it in my profile

what i have to do?

in the settings tab theres a startup page, just set the profile in there.

[KOMA]

i did it but nothing had changed

[Dumah Brazorf]

Hi, i've a Peak X1950PRO 256MB with no fan control and temperature monitoring.
I tried to flash the bios of formula350 but atiflash don't work neither forced. It can't erase the memory flash of the videocard. Tried to flash my own bios but reports the same error. Flash locked?
Here the bios of the card equipped with Samsung 1,4ns memory. GPU/MEM frequency standard.

[SpookyWillow]

i did it but nothing had changed

not sure then, i just tried and it never worked either.

[Alcpone]

Timings arnt supported in atitool with X1950Pro, I beleive!

[SpookyWillow]

they are, i use custom timings now ;)

binormalkilla posted a link to a modified atitool file which makes it work.

[Formula350]

Al, you have to use the 'patched' ATiTool EXE.

Dumah, you need to go into DOS and use -f -p 0 <name>.bin/rom
Where <name> is the file name. Depending on if it's a BIN or a ROM file, chose the correct one.

[Alcpone]

lol, I had that file in my downloads folder and forgot I had it :o it works a treat ;) Might have a fiddle and see what I can come up with :)

[Dumah Brazorf]

Al, you have to use the 'patched' ATiTool EXE.

Dumah, you need to go into DOS and use -f -p 0 <name>.bin/rom
Where <name> is the file name. Depending on if it's a BIN or a ROM file, chose the correct one.

I do that but report an error when tries to erase flash.

[KOMA]

yes i do it with the patched ati tool, i changed my timings although i save it in my profile and in startup page, but after restart most of the timings are like before

[Alcpone]

When I change the clocks with the patched version it gives me black screen and I have to reboot, no driver restart :(

Maybe there is a newer version of the patch or im doing something wrong?

[Formula350]

yes i do it with the patched ati tool, i changed my timings although i save it in my profile and in startup page, but after restart most of the timings are like before

Do you have it set to load a 2D and 3D profile? I did that, and when it boots, it loads 2D. So the mem timings won't reflect until you load the 3D ones, or a 3D app.

I was HOPING for more performance from those timings. I used Spooky's and only gained like 100 3DM05 points. After it was done, I closed 3DMark and my videocard crashed. Don't know if that was due to switching back to 2D mode, or what :\ I'll knock the Mem speed down to 800 from 815.

EDIT: Yea it's ATiTool locking me up. Bummer too since I liked those mem timings. Oh well. Maybe I can sweet talk Ket into him setting a BIOS with them :P =} Oooohhh KKEEETTT!!! <3 lol

[Ketxxx]

I have a X1950GT Super from Palit, same of ket but with Quimonda mem, and ,acording some "specialists" a worse core.... Tomorow i will upload my bios... i have 600/700 clocks stable, wich is a 100mhz bump in both frquencies :) for 130€ i think it was a good buy.

Another question, omega 7.1 did not detect my graphic card, with oficial 7.2 i have a refresh rate problem, i set it to 75 and the monitor stays @ 60..... wihtout drivers (XP fresh install) i have 75 with no problems. Will try WarCat 7.2 and oficial 7.1...

Wheres that BIOS? :p

[Ketxxx]

Hi, i've a Peak X1950PRO 256MB with no fan control and temperature monitoring.
I tried to flash the bios of formula350 but atiflash don't work neither forced. It can't erase the memory flash of the videocard. Tried to flash my own bios but reports the same error. Flash locked?

Can you upload a front and back pic of your card?

[SpookyWillow]

When I change the clocks with the patched version it gives me black screen and I have to reboot, no driver restart :(

Maybe there is a newer version of the patch or im doing something wrong?

use ati tray tools to overclock and then use atitool to apply the tweaked ram timings, do it in the other order and the timings revert back to default.

[Formula350]

I wonder if we set the ram timings, and save the profile, if we use the non-patched version, if the timings stay? I bet they will!

[Dumah Brazorf]

Can you upload a front and back pic of your card?

Tomorrow

[slugzkea]

use ati tray tools to overclock and then use atitool to apply the tweaked ram timings, do it in the other order and the timings revert back to default.

I tried that, it did not work.

Even before applying the profile, you can clearly see in the mem tab that the timings did not save.

Does it have to do with the AGP version?

[Formula350]

I was HOPING for more performance from those timings. I used Spooky's and only gained like 100 3DM05 points. After it was done, I closed 3DMark and my videocard crashed. Don't know if that was due to switching back to 2D mode, or what :\ I'll knock the Mem speed down to 800 from 815.

EDIT: Yea it's ATiTool locking me up. Bummer too since I liked those mem timings. Oh well. Maybe I can sweet talk Ket into him setting a BIOS with them :P =} Oooohhh KKEEETTT!!! <3 lol



To get ATiTool to NOT lock up the system. Run the non-patched version. Set a 2D and a 3D clock mode and SAVE them. Close that version, and load the patched version. Go into mem and set the timings how you want, and save them to 3D, and what I did was just rest for 2D. After you've saved the timings to each of the profiles, exit out of the patched, and re-load the normal ATiTool. Now you'll have the mem timing settings set into those 2 profiles, and ATiTool won't lock up the computer when it switches :D

[skandal]

Wheres that BIOS? :p


No luck, 3.25 kept saying no adapter found :/

[Formula350]

Use RaBIT to save it. Load the EEPROM option and then Save.

[Alcpone]

To get ATiTool to NOT lock up the system. Run the non-patched version. Set a 2D and a 3D clock mode and SAVE them. Close that version, and load the patched version. Go into mem and set the timings how you want, and save them to 3D, and what I did was just rest for 2D. After you've saved the timings to each of the profiles, exit out of the patched, and re-load the normal ATiTool. Now you'll have the mem timing settings set into those 2 profiles, and ATiTool won't lock up the computer when it switches :D

Can you post your file of the patched atitool? The 1 I have isnt working for me :( and if what you say is true, then maybe I have a corrupt file or something is up! ;)

[Dumah Brazorf]

Here some pics. I did not find LM63... :(

[Ketxxx]

Thats an unusual PCB layout. Looks more like an X1650XT. Ok guys, to help in figuring out volt mods for these cards can we start getting detailed front and back pictures? If needed you can put the files in a .zip package and upload, .zip allows up to 1.95MB ;)

[unsmart]

Here some pics. I did not find LM63... :(
Can you get some close up pics of the marked area and list the numbers on the I.C. That should be the PWM I.C. I'm very interested to see if theres a link between I.Cs and OC levels.
http://img.techpowerup.org/070318/IC copia.jpg

[Batou1986]

Heres a His 1950pro 512mb Iceq3 agp bios for ya

[Ketxxx]

Important note people, on doing some investigating its been suggested that the X1950Pro PCB was never meant to handle memory frequencies beyond 1.4GHz, meaning many manufacturers probably havent done anything to remedy this as the 1950Pro is almost exclusively VGPU limited not bandwidth limited. If fact, the VGPU could happily be increased to 700MHz before additional bandwidth would need to really be thought about.

ed - useful perf reference, 1950Pro vs. 7900GS

[Formula350]

It's a big file, but I'll see if it'll make the limit for zip. Cool, looks like it'll make it.

EDIT: As far as pictures go, mines just a Sapphire, so do you really need pics of mine as well? Its kind of a pain to get in and out :\

[Kursah]

I'd be very happy if I could get my Sapphire x1950pro 256mb eXtreme to hit 700+ on the vGPU! I can hit 1500 memory fine...so far I have hit 621 with the vGPU. But I know there's more to be had, and with that X2 cooler temps are 35-37c idle and 48-50c load at these clocks. I am still tinkering with ATI Tool .27 b1 to see how far I can get...cannot use it's automated oc cause it seems to jump up way too high and then my gpu resets to stock speeds. But hell it's running great right now...I keep fan speed set to keep GPU at 36c, and it is doing a pretty damn good job!

I did a quick scan through the forum, didn't find a bios for my specific card/brand, so if anyone gets a chance could they take a look at my vid bios? If not that's cool. I am sold on vid card bios mods since I turned my x850 pro agp to an x850 xt pe last year with all 16 pipes enabled.

[Kursah]

If I attepmt to go over 621 and use the fuzzy cube in ATI Tool for 3d testing...it freezes for a second and says there was an error in a driver and it resets to stock speeds. This all happens in seconds...then I reload my current OC settings and it's all good.

I am pretty sure I could add more speed to the memory (Catalyst OC util got my memory up to 794...I am sitting at 750 atm...), but I don't see the point unless I can get more speed from my vGPU. Probably not helpful info...but figured I'd post it anyways. Thanks!

[Formula350]

lol Kursah. Me and Alcapone both have the same card as you. I've posted my BIOS twice.

[Ketxxx]

Just thought I would inform the 1950Pro world that I have the 6th alpha BIOS, its being taylored to help those getting very poor memory OCs hopefully without effecting performance. The BIOS will be suitable for most X1950Pro cards using Samsung memory (and possibly Quimonda memory). As of Alpha 6 memory OCing should be improved by 50-70MHz+. Even when I release it consider the BIOS EXTREMELY experimental, and as such may have stability issues.

Just like the regular BIOS' this BIOS is dependent on voltages. Even memory with low voltage though, users should see a increase in memory OC.

Cards the BIOS is being tested on:

Xpertvision X1950 Pro 512MB
GeCube X1950 Pro 512MB

Stability testing

The BIOS is being tested with ATItool Artifact scanner, once its known it can survive 6hrs of the artifact scanner, I'll consider releasing it. Or, if anyone is interested in helping me with alpha testing, PM me and I will send a copy of the BIOS via email.

[Ketxxx]

It's a big file, but I'll see if it'll make the limit for zip. Cool, looks like it'll make it.

EDIT: As far as pictures go, mines just a Sapphire, so do you really need pics of mine as well? Its kind of a pain to get in and out :\

Yes :p Pics of all the most popular brands and a few of the less popular \ unknown are needed for PCB comparison, and to see which PCB layout is the best so people know what the mst reliable should be.

[Kursah]

Thanks Formula...I musta missed it...what page did ya post on? I quick scanned like every 2-3 pages...so yes...sorry I did the lazy route! I'll start my search now!

[Kursah]

Well I found a bios that Ketxxx did for bobbyjo on page 3...I downloaded it as it was one for the x1950 pro...but I'm going to keep searching through and see if I can find your post Formula. Thanks again!

[Ketxxx]

If anyone has a HIS IceQ3 512MB X1950Pro I would be very interested in a BIOS dump from that card, especially if the card is known to have Samsung -BJ11 (1.1ns) or -BJ12 (1.2ns) memory :cool:

[Alcpone]

It's a big file, but I'll see if it'll make the limit for zip. Cool, looks like it'll make it.

EDIT: As far as pictures go, mines just a Sapphire, so do you really need pics of mine as well? Its kind of a pain to get in and out :\

Cheers, I will maybe give it another go ;)

[Alcpone]

Just thought I would inform the 1950Pro world that I have the 6th alpha BIOS, its being taylored to help those getting very poor memory OCs hopefully without effecting performance. The BIOS will be suitable for most X1950Pro cards using Samsung memory (and possibly Quimonda memory). As of Alpha 6 memory OCing should be improved by 50-70MHz+. Even when I release it consider the BIOS EXTREMELY experimental, and as such may have stability issues.

Just like the regular BIOS' this BIOS is dependent on voltages. Even memory with low voltage though, users should see a increase in memory OC.

Cards the BIOS is being tested on:

Xpertvision X1950 Pro 512MB
GeCube X1950 Pro 512MB

Stability testing

The BIOS is being tested with ATItool Artifact scanner, once its known it can survive 6hrs of the artifact scanner, I'll consider releasing it. Or, if anyone is interested in helping me with alpha testing, PM me and I will send a copy of the BIOS via email.

I will test it for ya ;)

[Kursah]

Alright...got the sapphire under control. That was PC one. Moving onto my personal Powercolor x1950pro 256.. I see 512 bios'...maybe I'll just try the same bios I used for the sapphire.

[binormalkilla]

If anyone has a HIS IceQ3 512MB X1950Pro I would be very interested in a BIOS dump from that card, especially if the card is known to have Samsung -BJ11 (1.1ns) or -BJ12 (1.2ns) memory :cool:

Nah the HIS X1950 Pros have the Samsung 1.4ns chips on them. I don't know about the 512Mb, but I know mine has them.

[Ketxxx]

If your card is a HIS and is 512mb, i'd still like to take a look at it :cool:

[valrond]

If anyone has a HIS IceQ3 512MB X1950Pro I would be very interested in a BIOS dump from that card, especially if the card is known to have Samsung -BJ11 (1.1ns) or -BJ12 (1.2ns) memory :cool:

I have that card on AGP. No idea of the memory I have.

[Kursah]

Ya know what'd be cool? I like Ketxxx's list a couple of pages back for brands of x1950's w/modded bioses...but a list like that with links to uploaded bioses would be awesome! A one stop spot for all your bios mod needs! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Ket, it is much appreciated! Gonna use one of Alcpone's 256mb posted bios for my Powercolor 256 extreme and see what I can do with it!

[Ketxxx]

once i have all the bios' done they will be uploaded in a single post. right now im alpha testing and havent had time to start any.

[Ketxxx]

I will test it for ya ;)

your card is 256mb tho not 512mb :p

[binormalkilla]

Mine's 256 Mb. I'm getting Crossfire soon YAY!

[Formula350]

Well if Alcapone can get pics of his, there's no need for my to post any of mine. We have the same Sapphire card.

As far as what my RAM is, I can't tell ya sorry :\ I removed the plastic when I installed my RAM sinks, so it's stuck on and I don't feel like ripping the thermal foam just to check. Being able to hit 864mhz must mean something though heh

For the record, if you ever get a GT BIOS, I believe they have 1.4/5v ram compared to our 1.9v. I think it's because of them having GDDR4.

[Ketxxx]

GTs use lower grade ram, like 1.6ns, 1.4ns at best. Voltage for parts with that spec will still be around 1.7-1.8v+. As far as I know ram voltage is the same with both Pros and GTs tho. Still waiting on somebody to surface with a PCI-E and AGP 512mb GT BIOS.

[binormalkilla]

Well if Alcapone can get pics of his, there's no need for my to post any of mine. We have the same Sapphire card.

As far as what my RAM is, I can't tell ya sorry :\ I removed the plastic when I installed my RAM sinks, so it's stuck on and I don't feel like ripping the thermal foam just to check. Being able to hit 864mhz must mean something though heh

For the record, if you ever get a GT BIOS, I believe they have 1.4/5v ram compared to our 1.9v. I think it's because of them having GDDR4.

What? They have GDDR3 I thought.........?

[Ketxxx]

They do, its a typo :p

[binormalkilla]

Oh ok LOL. Hey BTW you ever edit that BIOS I posted? I've been a bit busy as well, so I haven't been around too much lately. Also, you tried the timings patch for ATI Tool yet? SpookyWillow took one for the team and tested his timings; I'm trying them now. Just had a fresh install of XP, and my ATI Tray Tools bench is 7036 with 6X aa force, quality adaptive, high quality AF.....I was pretty excited. This was stock timings at 661.5/816.75. I'm about to try the timings and bench, then I'll post results.

BTW the only thing that I was wanting on the BIOS is some more VGPU, nothing for OCing or fan control, I'll do that with software :)

[binormalkilla]

Well those timings made my crash after I ran the ATT bench. My screen went black after about 15s. Oh well, worth a shot. I tried before and couldn't get any better timings that were stable, so no biggie I guess.

[Ketxxx]

Consider yourself lucky, my card isnt stable with stock timings :p oddly changing my CAS latency for my card all the way down to 3 makes it significantly more stable. Yes.. you read that right, tightening my timings makes it more stable :wtf: I do have an odd graphical corruption, weird pink blocky sorta thing in the bottom right of ATItool artifact scanner window, ATI scanner still continues running though without problem

[unsmart]

I have the same thing but yellow with Atitools and in the middle:wtf: I have to turn my mem way down from 700mh[ ATT stable speed last I ran it] to 630mh just so it goes away. I was thinking I F'ed the ram up running it at 700mh or perhaps driver corruption from so many lock ups. Is it possible ATItools is messing with timings or something.
I get and error code when the card locks and restarts now it's 100000ea. It's a driver loop error, the driver sends a command and the hardware doesn't respond causing it to loop. I've been getting it ever since I pushed my CPU past 2.4gh so could be link to that but it only happens when the cards OCed.
Odd lot the x1950pros:rolleyes:

[Kursah]

I tried Alcpone's and another modded 570 bios...no such luck! Alcpone's version was preset at 641/790...which loaded in windows fine ( I had to force the flash though ), but as soon as I tried any 3d it'd freeze! So I tried the 570mod bios from someone else on like page 11 or so...which had 621/700 and it was less stable than my original bios! As soon as I tried OC-ing it'd do vertical green lines and freeze, and performance was 50% less in Aquamark...almost exaclty. =(.... I know I can OC this card pretty damn decently and I'd like to have the bios modded with vgpu, and have the fan running 100% that way I don't need to load programs to do driver level OC-ing...it'd be set.

The only Powercolor bios I found on this forum that wasn't original as far as I know was for the 512mb card.

Can somone link me to a modded Powercolor extreme 256 bios? I'll upload my original bios also, but as I understand Ketxxx is busy as hell, I don't expect anything to be done with it any time soon. My buddies Sapphire I did earlier today went fine as far as I know...he wanted me to load it for him, I did, and he left...haven't heard anything back (generally good news). So I know that these work...just maybe mine has some issue or something. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!

[SpookyWillow]

Well those timings made my crash after I ran the ATT bench. My screen went black after about 15s. Oh well, worth a shot. I tried before and couldn't get any better timings that were stable, so no biggie I guess.

the timings i'm using made it crash?

[Ketxxx]

While we are on the note of memory timings, I should remind people that the memory on graphics cards is very similar to system memory, and its very possible to get instability and odd behavior from timings being set too relaxed as well as too tight. For example, right now my VC CAS latency has been changed from 13 > 3, running @ 790MHz and is coming up to 26mins stable with absolutely no problems with ATItool artifact scanner. This may be something I'm extremely privelledged with though as my memory is Samsung K4J52324QC - BJ11, which is 1.1ns memory, and now I come to think about it, the pdf specs the memory for some very tight timings, not loose.

[Kursah]

Do you think that the timings in capone's/modded570 bios mod you did for him were part of my instability? Aside from the vGPU maybe being pushed a little too far...I've had this card for a month and it's barely been used as I spent 2 weeks waiting for RMA on DDR2. Also in ATI Tool it says the chip is a 570 XT...that probably means nothing...but just to throw it out there.

[Ketxxx]

570XT means it has the higher grade core, in other words the core that the Pro carsd are supposed to have. Timings are absolutely everything, just like for system memory, if graphics memory timings are not set accordingly, everything can go to pot. So I have no doubt that 99% of peoples problems with the 1950Pros are memory timings related. Right now I've just jumped in with both feet and set timings to 3-3-3-3-3-14, set memory to 790MHz and kicked ATItool into gear, I'm getting very slight artifacts (as is to be expected with timings that insanely tight) but no very odd behaviour like black screens.

[Ketxxx]

Making another post to make absolutely sure this isnt missed as memory on graphics cards is VERY finicky about timings, basically, its dead-set on timings\refresh rates for its frequency, so be careful when testing. For people with samsung memory rated @ 1.1,1.2 or 1.4ns try changing timings to 3-3-3-3-3-14 to start with, and be sure to not have the timing adjustments active in realtime mode, make the changes first, THEN turn realtime mode on.

[Kursah]

WOW! Those are insane timings! I can't wait until you get a good bios set to toss out for beta or something! I'd do alpha, but I'm not on enough to give consistant testing...But I really want to get this card of mine figured out as I have heard these cards clock up pretty damn good with voltage...and I bet timings are a big part of why the other bioses I tried didn't stay stable! Thanks for the info...I'll keep my fingers crossed that someone here as a 256mb Powercolor bios on their HDD just waiting to be uploaded for access!

[Ketxxx]

Don't worry, I'm getting closer to cracking the timing dilemma ;) I'm not sure how these timings will effect higher resolutions (testing with 1280*1024 32bit) but as the card is much more unstable with stock timings, I assume higher resolutions will be fine.

ed- im going to try 2-2-2-2-2-14 @ 810MHz to see how it goes. Timings like that will more than make up for the 90MHz drop. Besides, I think 1.60GHz is quite fast enough :p

ed2- running now, but driver recovery, so going for slightly higher timings. for those worried about additional memory heat due to very tight timings, I havent seen memory heat up any worse than with default timings. erg.. artifacts @ 810mhz.. lets try slightly looser

[Kursah]

If you could pull timings like that....1.6 would be more than sufficient! I run my desktop at 1600x1200, but I'd go down to 1280x1024 for stability without arguement! In fact I generally run my games at 1280x1024 anyways, that way I can crank up the goodies, have smooth gameplay and a sharp picture. I don't need ultra res gaming anyways...if I did I'd have to get another card or an 8800...don't want to dump that kind of money into video. Which is why I'm here waiting for the good word from ya Ket! As I know you are close to success, and you will greatly help all of us get speed and stability in the same package!

[Ketxxx]

Well from what I can tell so far, 783MHz @ 3-3-3-3-3-14 should deffinately be good to go, instead of jumping right in I'll test that now.

[binormalkilla]

the timings i'm using made it crash?

Yea they made the screen go black. I checked and double checked......
what was your refresh rate? Mine by default is different than yours I think.
I wish that there was software to test video memory bandwidth, like SiSandra for system memory. Oh well.

Spookywillow, are you running those timings at 816.75? That's what I ran the ATI Tray Tools bench.

BTW to all you guys getting yellow artifacts in the ATI Tool scanner:
If you're using the 0.26 patched then that's normal, as the RV570 will report artifacts instantly, regardless of temps or instability. Also, check alternate pixel center, as that can report artifacts inaccurately as well.

[Kursah]

Good luck Ketxxx...those are some promising timings!

[Formula350]

Well yes, it may be GDDR3, but I guarantee I read that it used 1.3-1.5v memory. heh Why would I lie?

[Ketxxx]

Ok I abandoned the crazy tight timings for now, instead I'm going to work with one timing at a time. This is me just being a perfectionist, if I can get timings down, while keeping stability and bumping performance I will consider that my first big stepping stone victory. The reason for one timing at a time is if I can help it I want to try and make sure there wont be any odd monitor resolution problems. Stability will always be my primary goal.

Aside from my keep things simple motto, I always live by the rule of a stable system is a happy system.

[Ketxxx]

Well yes, it may be GDDR3, but I guarantee I read that it used 1.3-1.5v memory. heh Why would I lie?

Nobody said you were :p you probably read the 1.5v thing from a review stating some minimal specification voltages for the BGA mem on the card.

Small update: I decided to be patient and regain control of myself after finding some rather stable timings. Currently I'm testing 783MHz with a CAS latency of 3, which is just about the most important latency ;) Reducing that alone will have increased the cards bandwidth a lot.

[Kursah]

Awesome! I'll keep checking this forum as much as I can for updates, and hopefully a little blue link for a beta bios with sweet CAS3 timings, with all the other awesome mods you've made!

On a sidenote, I did a lot of searching in the last couple of hours to find anyone else doing or even attempting what you are, and I came up with jack diddly. Hell the first five or so links in google were to this very forum. You have a whole community and many more on the web looking forward to your progress! Keep up the awesome work! Anything I can do, let me know! I'm still searching for a good bios for my Powercolor, which so far no avail. Maybe I'll try to be patient and wait for the grand prize, which will be your completed work Ket!

If you can pull of CAS3, vGPU, voltage maps, vMem (was that even modifiable?), better fan speed presets all modded in a nice little bios package, man you are worth your weight in gold! Good luck to ya.

[SpookyWillow]

Yea they made the screen go black. I checked and double checked......
what was your refresh rate? Mine by default is different than yours I think.
I wish that there was software to test video memory bandwidth, like SiSandra for system memory. Oh well.

Spookywillow, are you running those timings at 816.75? That's what I ran the ATI Tray Tools bench.

.

yes im running those timings at that speed, i never messed with the refresh rate, i left it alone.

-----------------My default-------testing
REFRESH RATE-----ox49-------------0x4E

the refresh rate changes when i apply my overclock to the card, i then go and load up the timings.

Kettxxx can you adjust these without lockups/errors

MEM_TR2W
MEM_TR2R
MEM_TW2R

any adjust i make results in an instant lockup.

[Ketxxx]

They are very finicky timings and some may not "agree", where moving the slider to a tighter timing would be fine. Generally you cant adjust them "on the fly" without problems. I dont recommend adjusting any VGA memory timings "on the fly". Instead disable realtime, make the VGA mem timing adjustments, then enable realtime.

[Formula350]

He's using ATiTools Patched, not RaBIT or something else.

The review I read said the ram was used in laptop situations where low power consumption was needed. *shrug* Might just have been brand specific. I spent 15mins trying to find the review w/o luck. I hate that so much :(

[Kursah]

Damn...I'm bummed...

It seems that even one of the older modded bioses I tried using for x1950 pro 256 was still no go.... =/
I tried the one that increases vGPU, fan speed, 641gpu, 730mem... I get about 10 seconds into the Aquamark test (it's quick to load and bench, and gives a decent idea of performance to base previous scores I've set in it) and the screen blacks out, comes back on, and the performance get's cut in half. I exit out and there's a warning about driver R300 having issues (only noticed when OC'ing too far) and had to reset. Then it resets GPU to stock speeds 600/700...

I am using 7.2 Catalyst in Windows Vista Home Premium...and I understand that vista sucks to a certain extent, and doesn't match performance of XP, but I have it and am going to keep using it (spendy software!!).

Any ideas? I hope it's something to do with the memory timings. If I use Catalyst OD then I can hit 621/796 (if I maintain that through CCC I get the notorious screen flickering issue). It's the Powercolor with the X2 Cooler and Ceramic heatsinks on the VR's.

[Ketxxx]

It probably is memory timings.

[Kursah]

I sure hope so...well I once again reloaded my original bios. I will just do my best to be patient for the next release of bios from you and do some minor OC-ing with ATI Tool. And hopefully ATI will release some drivers that are of better quality for oc-ing (lol). Thanks again! And good luck with your testing!

[Ketxxx]

ATi need drivers that are of better quality period for the X1950Pro.. their just not very good. I will release a 512MB PCIE BIOS soon hopefully. Just have to find some timings again, I forgot to note them before I changed them. I know the neighbourhood they were in tho so shouldnt take too long.

[Kursah]

Well I'll keep checking to see when the 256 bios is released, so far doing okay at 621/750...I think I'll keep it there for a while.

[Batou1986]

If anyone has a HIS IceQ3 512MB X1950Pro I would be very interested in a BIOS dump from that card, especially if the card is known to have Samsung -BJ11 (1.1ns) or -BJ12 (1.2ns) memory :cool:

its posted on pg24 agp and pcie bios are the same i don't know what mem it has im not taking it apart yet cause its brand new

[Ketxxx]

The 1950Pro largely needs GPU speed, the BIOS I will be releasing is to fix many users memory OC bottleneck limit while at the same time not adversely effecting performance (too much anyway) and to correct a large majority of strange anomalies that ATItool artifact scanner shows, but isnt necessarily detected. Hopefully those horrible random VPU recoverys can be addressed to a good degree as well. I noticed VPU recover kicking in when the card was actually operating perfectly normally. Also the BIOS should fix the blacking out problems like some users have.

[Batou1986]

interesting enough i was wondering why i kept crashing black screen altho its prob due to the fact my psu is way under powered i actually have a dell 450 in my computer and a cheap o "500"w both 17a hooked up outside and split the load over a molex-PCI e connector between both psu's. one time tho it crashed and it went to vpu recover the temp was only 52 so i figure its power related :confused:

anyway im ordering a new psu once i get paid friday

[Formula350]

Well using ATiWinFlash to dump my BIOS, then RaBIT to mod it a little, I can flash it in windows. Which works much better than having to boot into DOS to do it :) So I tweaked some mem timings, put the Voltage to the best I could (1.425v, only allows 10%) and upped the OC a wee for kicks.

[Formula350]

I only use a 430w True Power from Antec. I don't have a dual core though, but I do have 5HDDs, a NIC, a JBOD Card, floppy, CDRom and the 1950 heh

[Batou1986]

yea my psu's make noises when anything 3d runs so im sure thats the problem

[elfizs]

My xpertvision only have 2 phase voltage regulator, is it the cause of poor oc? Is it really dangerous for voltmodding?

[Ketxxx]

The xpertvision OCs as well as most others. Ignoring the fact I'm looking for those stable timings again (forgot to make a note of em, I know the ballpark tho) I've has my Xpertvision all the way to 641\810, which is no mean feat. You just have to get around the very tight refresh rates and bad timings the Xpertvision card uses.

[Formula350]

Ket, why can my ram get to 864 w/ stock timings and your 1.1ns is having problems breaking 800? Again, not that it matters, I'm running 810mhz myself.

So my question is, what Volt is the GPU stock?

[Ketxxx]

On my card my GPU is fed 1.3v just like most others. I'm having problems cracking 800 pure and simple because timings in the Xpertvision are very poor, as are the refresh rates. It actually looks like the timings were deliberately set poorly along with refresh rates to prevent OCing, obviously zero testing went on to see just how stable the altered timings were tho.

[Formula350]

Want my timings?

Which leads me to:When you turn on "Realtime" in RaBIT, and change say, memory settings. They get applied right? Because changing tR2W to 10 caused quite a few graphical errors even in 2D, until I moved it back to 13. I do have my CAS set to 9, but I'm scared to go any lower.

[Batou1986]

ok guys so what is it have to do to oc this card
HIS 1950pro 512mb Ice Q 3 Turbo AGP
http://img.techpowerup.org/070319/oc1.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/070319/oc2.jpg

[Ketxxx]

Timings in rabit do get applied, however selecting the different options with realtime enabled is dangerous as it "autochanges" selected settings 99% of the time, which can be catastrophic. So far I've found a setting of 14 or 15 to be most stable for tR2W. If you could post your timings that would be useful, that way I can reference them to see if I've tried that combination yet, I know I'm in the ballpark for great stable, OCable settings, but I'm perhaps not quite there yet.

[Formula350]

Whats a good way for me to show you them[timings]?

I set the timings with RaBIT, then benched 3DMark05 (I just know my score for it), which netted me a loss of about 100-200 points. Doesn't bother me, but when I came back to RaBIT (left it open) the timings had changed o_0 So I'm a bit confused. When I changed the CAS back to 9, I got graphics anomalies, like maybe it WAS still at 9, but RaBIT was showing the stock timings. And moving to 9 was actually more like it moving to 5 >_>

[Ketxxx]

Best way to show timings would be to just load an image of the BIOS from your card, keep realtime unchecked and just click the down arrow to display all the timing options ;)

ed- atitool artifact scanner just ticked over 32 mins with zero anomalies, getting closer :cool:

[Formula350]

Except that only shows 5 or 6 timings :\ Unless that's all you're tweaking, then NM :P

EDIT: Anyways, here ye are.

[Ketxxx]

Right now I cant actually think how many timings I'm tweaking, I think its like 7-8. This is what lack of sleep does fo you, been up all night cos I been so close to finding good timings :p

[Formula350]

See above EDIT, since we posted at the same time :|

Also, I added you to MSN if you want a less spamtastic thread :P

[Ketxxx]

lol i'll get on msn when I can. This laptop has zero on it really as its my uni workhorse. Been fun staying up all night tho, I think I'm so tired each time I even marginally look at the ATitool artifact scanner from the corner of my eye I'm imagining seeing artifacts :p

ed- ta for the screen, havent tried some of those combos yet. Hws that refresh rate working for you? 0x4B is an unusual setting to opt for.

[Formula350]

Its stock! I have it at these (Well one should be lower, but it goes 1 higher anyways when I do real-time and check):

BTW Is Core Voltage of 1.5v safe when I run a max load temp of 50c?

[Ketxxx]

You can set it to 1.5v, but the card wont supply that voltage. Havent seen a Pro yet that supports voltages above 1.4v -1.45v stable

[Formula350]

Any idea what it'll do then? Crash on boot? Crash on Windows Load? Crash on 3D?

[Ketxxx]

It shouldnt crash or anything, its just an unusual choice.

[Formula350]

Havent seen a Pro yet that supports voltages above 1.4v -1.45v stable

So what you MEAN is that the clocks you get at 1.4 - 1.45v most likely won't change when the BIOS is set to 1.45+. Since it doesn't technically supply that.

And on that note, how would I know if it runs @ 1.5v w/o using a multimeter?

[Ketxxx]

Just by trying to OC more :p

[Formula350]

Well meh. I'm sick of RaBIT :\ And I can't read HEX or Binary heh.

Heres what ATiTools Patched shows for my tweaked timings.

[Ketxxx]

Ok cool, i'll mix the timings up some more. Tighter timings deffinately appear to be far more stable on the 1950Pro, so now its just a matter of time until I find that killer combo ;)

[unsmart]

Kett, what are your monitors refresh rates for testing?
I've found the cause of my artifacts to be refresh rate related. The higher the fresh the lower my mem OC is 60=670 and at 75=625:wtf:. Also ATT lets me go a lot higher 60=690 and 75=650. I haven't checked timings yet but positive there bad:mad:
My jetway has samsug BC12 mem 1.2ns, the bios is on page four. If i can get some time I'll mess with timings:) I'm working on my CPU OC now got my e6300 up to 2.78 and still rising:rockout: temps are getting bad though :(

[Ketxxx]

60Hz, I decided to go with that as its a base setting. Your timings deffinately sound like their funky too, trying a low CAS latency may help with memory stability on your card as well as your memory from a technical standpoint is identical to my 1.1ns samsung.

[Alcpone]

Alreet ;)

Im in a good mood I passed my theory and hazard perception today :D

I see you were up all night ket lol, good on ya ;)

Ive been having problems getting the patched atitool to run :( everytime I go to run it from within the atitool folder it just crashes my rig??? I cant sus it out at all, I dunno if it is trying to run a stupid freq when it launches or what? Could I use rabit to edit the timings or not?

Dunno how other people can get it to work and I cant :cry:

[Ketxxx]

If you want to change timings use rabit. Just adjust the timings before checking the realtime tab, and if you want to change timings due to instability uncheck realtime first, make the adjustments then enable realtime again.

[nvubert]

Hello, I have a sapphire x1950pro, Rabit says bios version is: 113-A99906-00 RV570XT BIOS 702m/581e, The problem is that any of modded bioses for sapphire dosen't work for me, after succefully flash at dos my card is saying that i don't have connected the extendet power :) LOL, here's my bios dumped by rabit 2.2.1

[Alcpone]

If you want to change timings use rabit. Just adjust the timings before checking the realtime tab, and if you want to change timings due to instability uncheck realtime first, make the adjustments then enable realtime again.

lol,

It doesnt want me to do that successfully either, nevermind, I am happy with how it runs as it is! Gotta stop this obsession before its too late, not be long until I get me a R600 :)

[Dumah Brazorf]

Here I Am with an high-res pic of my Peak X1950PRO 256MB.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2953/dsc00058copiazp8.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00058copiazp8.jpg)

I'm not interested in oc yet but to make my videocard more silent. The bios seems have fan regulation but hardware lacks (no LM63).
Here the log of Atiflash with the error.

Old SSID: 0000
New SSID: 0000
Old P/N: X1950 PRO
New P/N: X1950 PRO
Old DeviceID: 7280
New DeviceID: 7280
Old Product Name: RV570 BIOS 8*32*8 700m/575e


New Product Name: RV570 BIOS 8*32*8 700m/575e


Old BIOS Version: 009.013.001.022.000000
New BIOS Version: 009.013.001.022.000000
Flash type: M25P10/C
ROM not erased

ERROR : press '1' to continue

[Ketxxx]

Thats a deceptive error, but heres how to fix it, at DOS prompt just type; atiflash -f -p -atmel 0 *BIOSfilename*.rom

[unsmart]

Same IC a I have, if /when you decide to OC please post your results.
Can someone post the atitools patch the link no longer has the file:( I used rabit 2.2 to look at my timings but it said my card was a x1650. Kett, do you have any suggested timings?
Does anyone feel like running some scans at different refresh rates:) I think it's just a issue with my card but would like to know for sure.
I switch atitools to old mode for scanning and it seems to have cleared up the odd artifacts. I only had a chance to run it for around 10min so they may show up later.
Sorry for the hectic post but I have to watch Naruto :rockout:

[Ketxxx]

Can people post screenshots of their timings and what memory their card has (if known) its for compatibility reasons.

[nvubert]

after atiflash -f -p -atmel 0 new.rom
I have this:

Flash type: M25P10/C
ROM not erased

ERROR : press '1' to continue

but if atiflash -p -f 0 new.rom bios flash correct, but after reboot i have a message that i don't connect my external power ?!?

Is there something i can do with this?

Thanks for help

[Formula350]

Ive been having problems getting the patched atitool to run :( everytime I go to run it from within the atitool folder it just crashes my rig??? I cant sus it out at all, I dunno if it is trying to run a stupid freq when it launches or what? Could I use rabit to edit the timings or not?

Dunno how other people can get it to work and I cant :cry:

Do you have ATiTool normal set to change 2D and 3D settings, and when you load up Patched it trys to change to lower 2D or higher 3D? Because I'm pretty sure there's an option that says "Load High Clocks when ATiTools is launched", or there abouts.

For the record, I run @ 85hz in everything. OCing, Desktop, Games.

RaBIT has been misleading to me with timings. I set stuff, save the BIOS, flash and reboot. They're off then. It's like it mis-saves. I doubt it's user error >_>

[Formula350]

Can someone post the atitools patch the link no longer has the file:(


I did, look at page 25 or 26.

[Ketxxx]

after atiflash -f -p -atmel 0 new.rom
I have this:

Flash type: M25P10/C
ROM not erased

ERROR : press '1' to continue

but if atiflash -p -f 0 new.rom bios flash correct, but after reboot i have a message that i don't connect my external power ?!?

Is there something i can do with this?

Thanks for help

Can you upload a detailed high res shot of your card? once I know what ROM chip your card has I can give you the correct command paramater to allow flashing.

[Ketxxx]

First release of my uber modded BIOS is almost fit for release, the timings are being configured to be as tight as possible for 1.2ns memory, by doing this it should allow maximum possible memory clock frequencies for those stuck with crappy memory while maintaining good performance across the board from 1.1 to 1.6ns samsung memory. 2ns memory might suffer, but its not like your going to find that on a GT or Pro ;)

As a rough guide, one card the BIOS is being tested on had a very poor OC of 730MHz (1.4ns memory) and is now busting out 783MHz, with the highest clock being reported as 810MHz.

[elfizs]

First release of my uber modded BIOS is almost fit for release, the timings are being configured to be as tight as possible for 1.2ns memory, by doing this it should allow maximum possible memory clock frequencies for those stuck with crappy memory while maintaining good performance across the board from 1.1 to 1.6ns samsung memory. 2ns memory might suffer, but its not like your going to find that on a GT or Pro ;)

As a rough guide, one card the BIOS is being tested on had a very poor OC of 730MHz (1.4ns memory) and is now busting out 783MHz, with the highest clock being reported as 810MHz.

So the theoretical speed of 900MHz for samsung 1.1ns cannot be reached due to 1950pro design itself heh.....:confused:

[Ketxxx]

It would seem that way yeah. Not that 810MHz is anything to sniff at, you certainly wont be bandwidth limited that for sure ;)

[Dumah Brazorf]

Thats a deceptive error, but heres how to fix it, at DOS prompt just type; atiflash -f -p -atmel 0 *BIOSfilename*.rom

In the help of atiflash i read -st for M25Pxx and -atmel for AT25Fxx, are you sure?
-st don't work anyway...
Peak X1950PRO 256MB uses Samsung 1,4ns memory, i'll edit the bios post.

[Formula350]

I'll reach 900! I'm the closest to it! (lol keeeeeep dreaming)

Sounds promising for a lot of people, I hope it works well!

I'll try it if you want.

[nvubert]

Here's hires pic of my sap x1950pro, my flash is M25p10/C and bios says 113-A99906-00-RV570XT

-atmel ( no bios flash )
-sst ( no bios flash )
-st ( bios flash,but after reboot "you have not connected..bla..bla.bla..")

[mehukatti]

BIOS Version 009.013.001.020.000000
this is some sapphire card and it just goes about 600/775
oh it didnt come i try to zip it,wait a second
now..
does that look normal, card doesnt

[Alcpone]

Do you have ATiTool normal set to change 2D and 3D settings, and when you load up Patched it trys to change to lower 2D or higher 3D? Because I'm pretty sure there's an option that says "Load High Clocks when ATiTools is launched", or there abouts.


Thanks for the advice, I might give it another go, it just gets boring having to reboot again then again lol

Ive got a good oc with kets help, maybe when he releases the updated bios I will try them!

;)

[Formula350]

I think people are posting their BIOS' in hope Ket will monkey with them. Clearly people aren't as bored as me and read all the pages before posting lol

He's not taking anymore requests.

And yes Al, I know what you mean :\

[SpookyWillow]

no but he wants all the bios's posted so he can list them all in one place ;)

[Kursah]

It'll be worth the wait when Ketxxx pulls out the new bios. I think it'll open new OC levels for the x1950 pro. I'm very excited to try it and see the results!

[Ketxxx]

Ok the first version of my ultimate tweaked BIOS is just about complete. Heres a full list of what its had done to it;

- Memory timing tweaks
- Memory refresh rate tweak
- Fan speed 100%
- Default VGPU 621MHz
- Default memory 1.4GHz
- Attempt at improving overclocked stability
- Improved memory overclocking

Notes: This BIOS is strongly recommended to be tried with Palit, Xpertvision, and Gecube cards which are having trouble OCing and stability problems. It should be fine for most cards, feedback of how the BIOS performs on other cards is welcome.

Compatibility Notes:

- Compatible with Samsung memory, other memorys untested.
- VIVO is not supported in this BIOS
- Based on a PCI-E 512MB 1950Pro BIOS

While testing it was noted that this BIOS improved VGPU OCs. Previously ATItool would lock at 648MHz instantly, now ATItool will continue scanning for max VGPU frequency to 661MHz on the weakest X1950Pro the BIOS has been tested with. ATItool has been set to scan for 20 seconds before increasing clock frequency, so this was not a one-time fluke, and has consistently passed its previous limit of 648MHz.

I hope the BIOS brings as much success in the "real world" as it has done in testing :cool: It would be great if people can give me feedback on new VGPU \ memory OCs so I can perhaps make a few adjustments for speed and stability.

[Formula350]

Nice. Will have to give it a try (moded to 256 of corse) in a bit.

BTW Are timings tightened or relaxed.

[Ketxxx]

Their a combination of both, they should allow for a maximum performance to OC ratio. I opted for this method as the card is not bandwidth limited by any means, it seemed pointless completely relaxing timings on a card with no bandwidth limitation. This BIOS combined with a VGPU vmod should see some insane performance too. Quite possible the 1950Pro could crack 14k in 05 with this BIOS and a VGPU vmod.

ed- I already have a v1.2 thats almost complete ;) it just has a little testing to be done as I want to try and improve stability a little more.

[josh64fx]

They work fine with ATI X1950pro 256mb PCI-E??

Whats the highest you guys have it?

[Formula350]

Yea, its a simple edit to make it 256.

And how do you do the VMod?

[Ketxxx]

Vmod depends on your card. Its trickier for me cos I have a non reference PCB, thats not all bad tho as I dont have to deal with that damn vitec\pulse chip, my card stays nice an cool.

[josh64fx]

simple edit for the 256mb?? How do I do that?

I thought this one was ready..

X1950PRO 256MB v1.1.zip << Does this work fine with the ATI X1950pro 256mb?

[Formula350]

Yes, simple :P

Hope you don't mind Ket, here's yours as 256mb nothing else touched.

Ket: What all else is done that would allow for higher core? The few mem timings I saw looked stock to me. The Voltage just said "Default" heh but if I wanted I'm sure I could look, is itjust 1.45?

[Ketxxx]

I havent done anything like voltages.. yet anyway. I took a BIOS that was specific to Samsung memory for maximum compatibility and tweaked the crap out of it to improve stability and overclocking. Timings while looking stock have actually had suttle changes and rest on a platue between 1.1ns and 1.2ns timings. As I said, a balance between performance and maximum OC ;)

[unsmart]

A core increase without a VGPU increase:wtf:
What did you find in the bios a speed lock or just sloppy settings like the mem?
I figured mine was PWM IC related, I really hope I'm wrong:) I would love to get my core over 621 stable.
My hats off to you on the timings:respect: I messed with them last night and thats some real tedious sh*t, I could only handle about and hour of it. The tighter times did raise my ATT bench by about 140 at stock:)

[elfizs]

I'd tried to flash using flashrom 2.40 cmd line but not succeed:(

A:\>flashrom -f -p 0 modv1.rom

Adapter 0 not found

A:\>flashrom -i

ATi video adapter not found

I am using ABIT AB9 QUADGT. Please help with the solution.:respect:

[skandal]

Use atiflash, altough it didn't worked with my X1950GT it should work with the pro.

[Formula350]

He hasnt gotten a GT BIOS dump yet, so I wouldn't be tryin to flash a GT with a Pro one yet.

On that note, dump and UL your BIOS, Skandal.

Elfizs. You using DOS, or command prompt?

[skandal]

He hasnt gotten a GT BIOS dump yet, so I wouldn't be tryin to flash a GT with a Pro one yet.

On that note, dump and UL your BIOS, Skandal.

Elfizs. You using DOS, or command prompt?

I couldn't upload my bios.... none of the tools detected my graphic card. The pro bios shouldo work perfectly in the GT.

[elfizs]

He hasnt gotten a GT BIOS dump yet, so I wouldn't be tryin to flash a GT with a Pro one yet.

On that note, dump and UL your BIOS, Skandal.

Elfizs. You using DOS, or command prompt?

Command prompt after restarting windows. I'll try Atiflash later on. Ehm, is there need to dump my bios too?

[elfizs]

OK. now i had already flashed the bios using atiflash. But somehow the result is not going well with my xpertvision. Kentxxx, is there any specific driver that u used for tweaking the bios? Is it becoz of pcb revision? I tried 3dmark and it quickly showed artifact and then blue screen. I tried using NGO 1.7.2, catalyst 7.1 and 7.2 and the result was the same.:(

[Ketxxx]

OK. now i had already flashed the bios using atiflash. But somehow the result is not going well with my xpertvision. Kentxxx, is there any specific driver that u used for tweaking the bios? Is it becoz of pcb revision? I tried 3dmark and it quickly showed artifact and then blue screen. I tried using NGO 1.7.2, catalyst 7.1 and 7.2 and the result was the same.:(

Is your card using samsung memory? If its using something like hynix memory the BIOS deffinately wont work

[Ketxxx]

I'd tried to flash using flashrom 2.40 cmd line but not succeed:(

A:\>flashrom -f -p 0 modv1.rom

Adapter 0 not found

A:\>flashrom -i

ATi video adapter not found

I am using ABIT AB9 QUADGT. Please help with the solution.:respect:

Flashrom doesnt work with X1950 cards, you need to use atiflash 3.25

[Ketxxx]

A core increase without a VGPU increase:wtf:
What did you find in the bios a speed lock or just sloppy settings like the mem?
I figured mine was PWM IC related, I really hope I'm wrong:) I would love to get my core over 621 stable.
My hats off to you on the timings:respect: I messed with them last night and thats some real tedious sh*t, I could only handle about and hour of it. The tighter times did raise my ATT bench by about 140 at stock:)

Sloppy settings, which in turn sort of act like a clock lock as the settings arent as stable as they could be.

[Marioace]

any one who owns an Sapphire X1950Pro Ultimate could submitt their VGA BIOS please?

[Dumah Brazorf]

Atiflash worked with my Peak vga using -sst option.
I've flashed a bios with different fan settings, nothing changed. Useless.

[Alcpone]

any one who owns an Sapphire X1950Pro Ultimate could submitt their VGA BIOS please?

Why dont you dump your bios and upload it here if that is what you have? Have you not made a backup of it?

[Marioace]

Why dont you dump your bios and upload it here if that is what you have? Have you not made a backup of it?

cause i think the BIOS is wrong, because my VGA is not detected by the drivers, but it shows image :(

[Ketxxx]

Sounds like a system \ driver level problem.

[Marioace]

Sounds like a system \ driver level problem.

tested in 2 PCs :confused: same problem

using latest AMD/ATI catalyst (7.2), LAtest Sapphire's Site Drivers (7.2) and CD Drivers but w/o results

[Ketxxx]

Deffinately odd, I doubt its a dodgy BIOS tho, if it was the card likely wouldnt even be able to display anything.

Try reinstalling the driver withour uninstalling. Ive had drivers for ATi cards not "take" endless times, reinstalling the driver without uninstalling the previous install sorts it.

[Ketxxx]

Ok anyone that tried the modded BIOS can you run 3dmark05 and 06 and tell me before and after results? All part of tweakiing the BIOS for max performance ;)

[Alcpone]

How long you wreckoning on a 256Mb version of your god like bios ket? :D

[Ketxxx]

lol I wouldnt say its godlike I just fixed what was screwed up in it. Not sure on an eta for a 256MB version, one thing at a time ;) I have a V1.25 still in the mix I'm testing now, OCing isnt quite as good, but it should be more stable.

[Alcpone]

If it gets me more power it will be godlike ;)

Anything I do myself to try and get more power it just laughs @ me, if I can get another few points in 3dmark I will be happy, maybe abit more on my core, but I wont be too sad if it doesnt happen :)

[Ketxxx]

Who knows, you might. The timings are very well balanced, more stable cycle times are used, overall its just a far more balanced set of options the BIOS uses.

[Alcpone]

Who knows, you might. The timings are very well balanced, more stable cycle times are used, overall its just a far more balanced set of options the BIOS uses.

Will look forward to the release ;)

[Kursah]

Bummer, I tried Forumula350's 256mb version of your new bios Ketxxx...and my card still won't clock for crap. I must have a bunk card or something. It works great at stock speeds or a little faster. The fastest I can get is 614gpu/749mem w/o issues. That is of course under Vista home premium with 7.2 cat drivers...so maybe there's an issue there. But I used the bios, it sets my gpu at 641, mem at 729 and as soon as I attempt anything 3d the screen goes blank for one second and comes back on and at the bottom right says that there was an error in driver R300, and that it has been reset. Then with your bios my clock is reset to 500gpu/600memory (if I oc with my original bios, the error causes reset to card's stock speeds of 600/700).

It stays plenty cool, as it has the X2 cooler on it...maybe I'll take it off and see if I have hynix memory, but my mem clocks up to 750 n/p...my gpu is the main issue here as with ATI Tool .27 b1 (supportive of x1950's) I can't go over 714 without stability issues.

I'm not giving up yet...but I am losing hope...

[Alcpone]

Bummer, I tried Forumula350's 256mb version of your new bios Ketxxx...and my card still won't clock for crap. I must have a bunk card or something. It works great at stock speeds or a little faster. The fastest I can get is 614gpu/749mem w/o issues. That is of course under Vista home premium with 7.2 cat drivers...so maybe there's an issue there. But I used the bios, it sets my gpu at 641, mem at 729 and as soon as I attempt anything 3d the screen goes blank for one second and comes back on and at the bottom right says that there was an error in driver R300, and that it has been reset. Then with your bios my clock is reset to 500gpu/600memory (if I oc with my original bios, the error causes reset to card's stock speeds of 600/700).

It stays plenty cool, as it has the X2 cooler on it...maybe I'll take it off and see if I have hynix memory, but my mem clocks up to 750 n/p...my gpu is the main issue here as with ATI Tool .27 b1 (supportive of x1950's) I can't go over 714 without stability issues.

I'm not giving up yet...but I am losing hope...

That bios aint what you want, just flash back to stock bios and wait for the 256Mb version

[Ketxxx]

Vista is a bitch for OCing in. If you can move your card to a puter with xp on it. At least then you can find out if its hardware limiting you.

[Kursah]

I don't have and XP pc in the house that has a PCI-E slot...they are AGP... =(

I guess I will flash back to original bios and wait to see what happens with the next release. Vista is very aggrivating, and I really hope ATI releases 7.3 soon with some worthy updating and stability.

I'm still tempted to take off my X2 cooler and see what memory I have, I'm going to search for more cards like mine and see if I can get some answers before I do that as I don't have any MX-1 paste...I do have some AS5 left over though.

Oh well...I wish I could OC this thing...but if I can't, then at least it performs well for the money.

[Kursah]

From a review at X-Bit labs it says that Powercolor x1950 Pro Extreme 256 cards have Samsung K4J55323QG-BC14 memory chips on them. I'm guessing that's 1.4ns, which is probably a limiting factor to an extent..but I don't see why it'd limit my gpu to 614...

I found a link to Samsung's website that has some info on this type of memory chip:
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Semiconductor/GraphicsMemory/GDDR3SDRAM/256Mbit/K4J55323QG/K4J55323QG.htm

I like OC-ing and tweaking, but I don't get much deeper into PC's then that, and that is why I come to places like TechPowerup, cause there are people who are willing to get knowlege and create better ways for the goal we all here want to get to. Thanks for your help.

[Formula350]

I wish my card/drivers would catch my card and reset it :(

Do I need CCC installed for that? (Or Control Panel?)

And yes, that BIOS I posted isn't anything Official by Ket, and he won't really support it. All I did was edit it for 256mb. He's tweaked it for 512mb. I'm still going to try it mind you. Just don't expect anything special

[Dumah Brazorf]

You can't oc all gpus to the same clock, some are lucky some not.

[Ketxxx]

Something deffinately seems out of the ordinary with your card. If memory serves all manufacturers have to produce a product with a minimum of a 10% leeway, this is for stability and reliability. Your GPU only offers a little over 2%. If your unhappy with your card as it doesnt meet minimal production guidelines kill it with the gentlemans approach and RMA it. Before that taking the cooler off could help tho as it could be a simple case of a bad thermal application, and as the 1950Pro runs cool anyway, you wont really know until the cooler is off.

[elfizs]

Is your card using samsung memory? If its using something like hynix memory the BIOS deffinately wont work

Yes it use samsung bj11. Still got artifact with ur default setting and i need to downclock a bit.:( Maybe something wrong with my card. For PSU im using Strider ST56F.

[Ketxxx]

Where does your memory seem to reach its peak? I'm testing some new timings that appear to work very, very well. 1.5hrs so for using ATi Tool artifact scanner without a single anomaly or mysterious lockup with the memory running @ 800MHz, which prior to these new settings I could not get stable.

[elfizs]

Ehm only around 750MHz but completely not stable(crash) and need to restart. Maybe bcoz of my card.:( One more thing it did ok with ATI tool artifact scanner but when run 3dmark it shows artifact immediately.

[Ketxxx]

out of curiosity, where is everybody getting their timings from out of ati tool? I checked everywhere in it and there just isnt anywhere :wtf: at least not what I can see.

[Alcpone]

out of curiosity, where is everybody getting their timings from out of ati tool? I checked everywhere in it and there just isnt anywhere :wtf: at least not what I can see.

It doesnt allow you to unless you can run the patched atitool, which is a pain! I dunno why but it is for me! If you click mem next to settings in the newest beta it says chipset not supported or something, so its patched that works when you click on that, apparently ;)

[unsmart]

out of curiosity, where is everybody getting their timings from out of ati tool? I checked everywhere in it and there just isnt anywhere :wtf: at least not what I can see.

It's the patched ATItools, uploaded on page 24. It's .26 so you can't OC with it but it does allow for changing timings. I use ATT to set the OC then open the patched ATItools to set timings.What I think is screwing up alot of mem OCs is you [at least I can't] can't stop it from auto tuning the mem. I tighten my timings at a safe OC of 650 to get around the auto tune, I'm going to try 675 later.
By the way do you think the poor timings for MEM/GPU are to pervent OCing? I read some reviews and they pointed to 621mh on the GPU as being the highest ATI overdrive will let you go, seems like a convenient coincidence Thats where most cards top out.

Alcpone beat me to it.

[Ketxxx]

Yes, sloppy (deliberate?) settings are to blame for OCs and stability. I've made my card much more stable adjusting settings, even increasing my OC limits, it still tops at the same levels, but the point is better timings should be used for proper stability with the 1950Pro.

ed- o yea, also while testing timings out I also managed to severely cripple my core OC (580MHz) normally it runs 635 with a max of 641. I've also managed to increase core OC to 661MHz with adjustments, its not been stable, but its just more proof that the card can be made a lot more stable

[Formula350]

I've messed around with clocks, and timings, and at the end of the day, I still get the same 3DMark 05 and 06 scores, I can still play WoW with the graphics cranked, as goes for any other game I have (not that I have any new ones).

[Ketxxx]

This should go without saying, but the 1950Pro is almost maxed for performance even at stock, its 12 ROPS are what bottleneck it. I'm not sure why ATi didnt opt for 16\36\8, it would of made a lot more sence in terms of product longetivity without having to refresh the lineup.

[Ketxxx]

Ok I got the ati tool patch, am I the only one in the world to get an atitoolhooks.dll error? :wtf: nvm fixed

As a sidenote when attempting to OC remember to;

- disable ati poller service via services.msc
- use atitool 0.25 beta 14, it works with 1950Pros
- increase pci-e frequency to 105-109MHz

[unsmart]

Are you getting any performance per clock increases with the core? My vgpu is already at 1.35 so if the prob is settings getting it up to 641 or so should be doable. If my card can't go much higher then it is now a boost in performance would be great:) Just tightening the mem times had and improvement in benches.

[Ketxxx]

I havent looked for that. Stability over speed will always come first. Plus stable settings often end up being a bit faster than stock settings anyway once they have been tweaked

[Ketxxx]

No. Feel free to experiment tho if you have AGP\PCI locks.

[Kursah]

Something deffinately seems out of the ordinary with your card. If memory serves all manufacturers have to produce a product with a minimum of a 10% leeway, this is for stability and reliability. Your GPU only offers a little over 2%. If your unhappy with your card as it doesnt meet minimal production guidelines kill it with the gentlemans approach and RMA it. Before that taking the cooler off could help tho as it could be a simple case of a bad thermal application, and as the 1950Pro runs cool anyway, you wont really know until the cooler is off.

Probably a stupid question, but what is the gentleman's approach to killing my vid card? I am planning on taking the cooler off..but my issue is that I read the cooler uses thermal tape to cool the ram...and if so, I am unsure if a layer of AS5 would fill the gap properly. Any recommendations would be great.

[anticlutch]

Probably a stupid question, but what is the gentleman's approach to killing my vid card? I am planning on taking the cooler off..but my issue is that I read the cooler uses thermal tape to cool the ram...and if so, I am unsure if a layer of AS5 would fill the gap properly. Any recommendations would be great.

The gentleman's way of killing a video card (in Ketxxx's terms) is to RMA it ASAP. If I were in your situation I'd take that advice and RMA it :D

Edit: Oh and btw, I'm not too sure on this but the AS5 on my memory seems to be doing ok... I didn't notice a significant increase in overclockability or anything like that but the temperatures seem to be stable.

[Kursah]

I'll contact Newegg and see what I can do...bummer cause my last RMA took about 3 weeks...as I just got this PC up a week and a half ago from from having a bad stick of memory. Wonder what I should tell em my reason is for RMA...lackluster performance and instability would probably suffice.

[Ketxxx]

Heres a nice new BIOS to try, based on a 512MB card still. I think I've managed to find that balance between performance, stability and overclock-ability. I'll probably try tweaking timings down to get more performance though as the 1950Pro is so limited by its 12 ROPs.

Heres the full list of changes:

- Core clock: 625MHz
- VidRAM clock: 1.5GHz (750MHz*2)
- Tweaked memory timings
- Re-configured memory refresh & row cycle times
- Fan speed 100%

No VIVO support. Be aware this BIOS, just like the other BIOS' this is just BETA and not final.

Hopefully I can bring life to a BIOS supporting VIVO soon, but not sure when. Getting very warn down testing so many timings and refresh rates - its mind numbing :twitch: :ohwell: :nutkick:

[Alcpone]

I'll contact Newegg and see what I can do...bummer cause my last RMA took about 3 weeks...as I just got this PC up a week and a half ago from from having a bad stick of memory. Wonder what I should tell em my reason is for RMA...lackluster performance and instability would probably suffice.

Nah, you need to cook it imo, they will just send it back to you when they find nothing wrong with it!

[Ketxxx]

Agreed, use the gentlemans approach to cooking it.

[Alcpone]

Your doing a great job for the X1950Pro community ket, keep up the good work ;)

[Kursah]

Well from what I've read for my card from newegg, it seems noone is getting OC from their cards at all, so I should be considered lucky to a certain extent. Another bummer is that I have to go through Newegg to RMA my card as per Powercolor's warranty rules, after that they'll replace it through RMA themselves.

So do I take a chance and RMA for a card that won't OC? Could vista/vista ati drivers not be helping? When I OC too far there's that driver R300 stopped responding and has been successfully reset message. Possibly my cooler isn't properly set, but I cannot find much on people removing the X2 cooler once installed, especially on these cards. So if it has thermal tape I'd probably be screwed as I probably wouldn't be able to fill the gap with AS5 w/o a serious problem.

I could flip a coin, but I have a bad feeling about RMA-ing this card for one that might be worse off. And right now they have a sale on Sapphire x1950XT 256 for $199 (same price I payed for the pro), but I'm past the 30-day exchange period. LoL I dunno what I should do, but I think I may just stick with this card and wait for better vista/driver support. CCC can OC my core to 621 and my memory to 796, it just does that infamous screen flicker that the 7 series of drivers is greatly known for in Vista.

[Ketxxx]

I'm kinda hoping this BIOS works for most people so I can move onto the dinosaurs that still use AGP :p

[Alcpone]

I wreckon you do AGP last lol, should be 256 PCI-e next imo ;)

[Alcpone]

Well from what I've read for my card from newegg, it seems noone is getting OC from their cards at all, so I should be considered lucky to a certain extent. Another bummer is that I have to go through Newegg to RMA my card as per Powercolor's warranty rules, after that they'll replace it through RMA themselves.

So do I take a chance and RMA for a card that won't OC? Could vista/vista ati drivers not be helping? When I OC too far there's that driver R300 stopped responding and has been successfully reset message. Possibly my cooler isn't properly set, but I cannot find much on people removing the X2 cooler once installed, especially on these cards. So if it has thermal tape I'd probably be screwed as I probably wouldn't be able to fill the gap with AS5 w/o a serious problem.

I could flip a coin, but I have a bad feeling about RMA-ing this card for one that might be worse off. And right now they have a sale on Sapphire x1950XT 256 for $199 (same price I payed for the pro), but I'm past the 30-day exchange period. LoL I dunno what I should do, but I think I may just stick with this card and wait for better vista/driver support. CCC can OC my core to 621 and my memory to 796, it just does that infamous screen flicker that the 7 series of drivers is greatly known for in Vista.

Good plan, it does work @ the end of the day, most likely vista being pants! $199 for a XT is sweeeeet, thats like £100, cant get a XT in the uk for that price for love nor money..

[Ketxxx]

lol you can do a very basic mod to my 512MB BIOS' to make them 256, which is why I havent worried too much about a "specific" 256MB BIOS :p

[Alcpone]

lol you can do a very basic mod to my 512MB BIOS' to make them 256, which is why I havent worried too much about a "specific" 256MB BIOS :p

Oh well, have you done that and I aint seen the post?

[Ketxxx]

Good plan, it does work @ the end of the day, most likely vista being pants! $199 for a XT is sweeeeet, thats like £100, cant get a XT in the uk for that price for love nor money..

Nope, cheapest I found was £158 for a 512MB XT or £133 for a 256MB, vs £100 for a 256\512MB Pro. All things considered the Pro works out to be the better card anyway, 3Dmark shows little FPS difference between to two.

[Kursah]

Yeah, if I woulda been more patient I'd wouldn't got the XT, but I love this Pro card, and hell I wouldn't have ended up here. Plus I was just reading that there are quite a few issues with the XT and Vista, so that might have not been the route to go...but who knows. As you said at the end of the day the card works, I'm almost tempted to create a dual boot config for this Pc to try it in Xp...just no time right now. Thanks for all your help and support and I am still looking forward to at least trying the latest Ketxxx Deluxe x1950Pro 256 Bios Collection Release! And also better vista/ati drivers/support!

[Ketxxx]

Oh well, have you done that and I aint seen the post?

Thats what I done for a while, if your worried about doing it yourself ask Formula350. Maybe he wants to mod 512 to 256 for people (I'm lazy, I know :p)

[Alcpone]

Thats what I done for a while, if your worried about doing it yourself ask Formula350. Maybe he wants to mod 512 to 256 for people (I'm lazy, I know :p)

He posted a 256 ver after you posted your first 512 ver, should I try that out or will I just wait and see what he does with your most recent 1? So many decisions to make :confused:

[Ketxxx]

You will probably do better with v1.4, IMO the refresh rates and timings are better.

[Alcpone]

Ok, I will give it ago when its done! :toast:

[Formula350]

lol I'll take charge of changing it from 512 to 256. It only takes 5 seconds :)

Stay tuned for the edit.

EDIT: OK changed to 256mb. Just to be fair to some people, I changed the CORE clock from 631 to 600. Since some can't quite do 631 yet. It allows them to take advantage of this too and not have to de-clock every windows boot. They can set it up to their max then.

No memory, voltage, timings or fan settings were changed.

[Ketxxx]

Does anyone remember about those crazy tight video memory timings I mentioned? Well my little pet project (codename: RVX570 GODFATHER) is up and running ;) Be warned that the timings in this BIOS are INSANELY tight for video memory, which is why the clocks are only 600\1.4GHz. The timings however *should* be lax enough for 1.1\1.2ns samsung memory. 1.4ns Samsung memory might have trouble though. Let me know how you all get on with this BIOS :cool:

Notes: PCI-E 512MB BIOS