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Anyone analysed binary differences btw 6950 and 6970 BIOS?

scooper22

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Hi guys and experts :)

I noticed the "original Sapphire" BIOS files for 6950 and 6970 are not that much different, binary-wise:

(differences are highlighted in red on the left)

So of the 128 KiB BIOS way more than 95% are exactly the same.
The differences on top are mainly ID-strings.
Also there has to be the shader-unlocking-trick as a visible difference somewhere.

Leaving us with the rest:
The diffs in the middle look to my unsuspecting eye like lookup-tables, leaving only few differences in code-blocks, if at all.

Now my question to the bitpushers: what exactly *are* the differences between the BIOSes? Are the RAM parameters (voltage/timings) stored in here? Can they be read and analyzed to know the exact values?

scooper
 
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It's not that simple as it looks. Like if you compare bios from ASUS Crosshair Formula IV with Asrock 890gx Extreme. The 97% of code is the same, bacause they are both AMI bioses. But you simply cannot flash Asrock to ASUS and ASUS to Asrock. They are 2 different motherboards with two different chipsets.
 
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men and women are like that..lol

Ok... let us try to compare. On one side you have Keeley Hazell:


And on the other side you have Danny Trejo:


I'm sure there is a far more differences (more than 95%) that you can see on those 2 pictures. :D

Let's count them....one...two...
 
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scooper22

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now, come on, if someone could find the spot to unlock the disabled shaders in the 6950, then it should be possible to figure out what the rest of the diffs are.
 
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now, come on, if someone could find the spot to unlock the disabled shaders in the 6950, then it should be possible to figure out what the rest of the diffs are.

The problem with this BIOS is that AMD used some kind of coding. That's why BAGZZlash didn't found the way to modify clocks in those cards yet.
 

scooper22

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DNA-wise a Chimp is more than 97% Human. ;)

now, why not?

Both have a lung, two arms, eyes with lids, an analytical brain, social relationships... I'm sure they actually ARE that much alike.

The trick is to know what are the differences between the two (on a BIOS, with a known x86-platform and functioning disassemblers, more easily detected than in a kilometer-long DNA which functionality hasn't been fully understood yet) and what the impact of these differences is, by trying to figure out what these differences lead to.
 

scooper22

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The problem with this BIOS is that AMD used some kind of coding. That's why BAGZZlash didn't found the way to modify clocks in those cards yet.

now that sounds more interesting :) is there a post somewhere with details of work?
 
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Over50

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It is possible for both BIOS for 6950 and 6970 from same mfgr be the same.
The INSTRUCTIONS code applied (addresses) tells it (the GPU ) what to do.
The thing you have to remember is the Video Card design will be (6950 vs 6970) different plus those Components (Diodes, Resistors, Capacitors etc,) effect Voltages , frequency, timing and other aspects to how the card will operate.
Meaning even though the software is the same .. the Hardware used is different giving you Different Performance.

Example: There is a Thread showing how to Mod a HD 3870 by using a pencil ( adding or erasing graphite / lead )to change a resistor value (increase/decrease resistance therefore effecting voltage).
It has to be done carefully using electronic testing equipment ..in this case a Volt-Ohm meter. You can cause damage if you don't know what you are doing even if you are knowledgeable there is still a RISK. People who have money and like to experiment ..great for them.
Other people have Oscilloscopes and Data analyzers to observe. If you understand Binary and have some Application Software ability you might figure things out.
But you lack the Schematics and Parts Listing to identify the whole video cards circuit/ layout. So it is a definite Challenge for those have know how and equipment plus money to play this game.

Again ... Software can be the same .. Hardware = different performance.
same visa-versa ..Hardware same .. Software = different performance.
 
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scooper22

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It is possible for both BIOS for 6950 and 6970 from same mfgr be the same.
The INSTRUCTIONS code applied (addresses) tells it (the GPU ) what to do.
The thing you have to remember is the Video Card design will be (6950 vs 6970) different plus those Components (Diodes, Resistors, Capacitors etc,) effect Voltages , frequency, timing and other aspects to how the card will operate.
Meaning even though the software is the same .. the Hardware used is different giving you Different Performance.

Example: There is a Thread showing how to Mod a HD 3870 by using a pencil ( adding or erasing graphite / lead )to change a resistor value (increase/decrease resistance therefore effecting voltage).
It has to be done carefully using electronic testing equipment ..in this case a Volt-Ohm meter. You can cause damage if you don't know what you are doing even if you are knowledgeable there is still a RISK. People who have money and like to experiment ..great for them.
Other people have Oscilloscopes and Data analyzers to observe. If you understand Binary and have some Application Software ability you might figure things out.
But you lack the Schematics and Parts Listing to identify the whole video cards circuit/ layout. So it is a definite Challenge for those have know how and equipment plus money to play this game.

Again ... Software can be the same .. Hardware = different performance.
same visa-versa ..Hardware same .. Software = different performance.

There's was thread regarding the (physical) differences btw 6950 and 6970. This thread here was to point out the (BIOS) differences btw the two.
Link: Differences between 6950 and 6970
 

scooper22

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Over50

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To Scooper22 Thanks for link !

To everyone else

People trying to find these variables between card components and bios so they can modify them is very experimental and risky. It's good if you have knowledge , money, time and proper testing equipment which could cost you a small fortune.

The best anyone can hope for is do what has been going on for a long time ... Just OverClock the video cards. Bad enough that OC can possibly damage the card alone.
Forget about modifying them. You want something better ..then you should of bought the better card.

Okay.. you want to know more and experiment.. then Create a Lab or go work for the company that makes the Video Card. Tampering will Void the Warranty and when you ruin the card you'll have to spend more for another experiment. Better yet... get a hugh Finance Group together and buy out a company or Start your own company.

OH! has anyone just ask the folks at AMD what is the difference between any of the cards they make outside the Specifications. Is it Corporate Espionage if they give you the answer ? Uhm ..What will their Research and Development people say ?
 
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What will their Research and Development people say ?

They would say:
GTFO
...using polite words.

I've tried this tactics on Foxconn with P35A-S@Mars and on Asrock with 880G@890GX.
 

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i have posted a script in the discussion thread for the 6950 mod article that disables the disable shaders code. it's written in php so easy for you to take a look at
 
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