Hi
+1 Jester 2x 6950 should be fast enough
but on the other hand if feel have to try to unlock and flash
First
Make a backup of
both of the vga cards vbios
[
Note: do not assume both cards are the same because they share the same name; manufacturers often make small amendments to the PCB revisions]
Download and run GPU-Z
here
Example
Select: vbios chip icon
Select: save to file [VbiosName].rom [
don't mix these up]
Do this for each card individually, one vga card at a time.
[**it is not best practice to flash vga cards while installed in crossfire so remove one from the system]
{Not heard of or seen evidence of crossfire not working after flashing;
**not to say there are not cases out there. However there is always a RISK involved, as mentioned in the OP from experience already gained.
}
Note: MSI 6950 Twin Forzr III 2GB PE/OC is NON-Reference PCB Layout
Example
**Later models and some non-reference design layout HD6950's are hard locked/laser cut
*If the vga card can be unlocked will only be able to use RBE
Open the extracted copy of vbios to modify in RBE_1.28
Select Additional features
Select 6970 shader count & Save BIOS [** if shaders can be unlocked]
go here
http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/browse.php?c=21
download - HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 & Windows 98 System Files
click Primary Download unzip the files to a folder on your HDD; make sure your USB Memory stick is attached to your PC; open HP USB Disk
Storage Format Tool v2.1.8 ; select Create a DOS start-up disk/ select: using DOS system files located at: (these are the files you have just downloaded): browse to the files in win98boot; then start the process.
Download latest version of ATIFlash
here [*may require an older version]
Add atiflash and 6950 [VbiosName].rom to the usb flash drives root directory
**Uninstall any AMD drivers for the vga card before flashing
Set the motherboard bios to boot from usb *press F8 during boot; select from boot menu *if option is available; this should boot to a win98 dos prompt
Type at the dos prompt - dir to view the content of the flash drive
Type at the dos prompt; atiflash -i 0 command to see if adapter is at this address and is recognised
Type at the dos prompt; atiflash -unlockrom 0 to unlock the gpu in adapter 0 [Note: 0 is the primary card PCIe slot one & 1 is the secondary PCIe slot two][
*may be required]
Type at the dos prompt; atiflash -f -p 0 [VbiosName].rom [Note: 0 is the primary card PCIe slot one & 1 is the secondary PCIe slot two][*onboard vga = 0 if recovering from bad flash]
reboot once finished and remove the flash drive
reinstall AMD Catalyst Drivers
Note: test each card individually for stability; as shaders are not guaranteed to be stable if unlocked
atb
Law-II