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6950 2GB Unlock

1Kurgan1

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Since BF3 is tomorrow and I been putting this off, time to get it done before then. I have heard of numerous methods to do this, but I have also heard of some people bricking their cards. So I'm wondering what the best method to use is here, also want to OC it. It's a HIS 6950 2GB reference card with dual bios. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
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Since BF3 is tomorrow and I been putting this off, time to get it done before then. I have heard of numerous methods to do this, but I have also heard of some people bricking their cards. So I'm wondering what the best method to use is here, also want to OC it. It's a HIS 6950 2GB reference card with dual bios. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I used this method, seemed to do everything for both my 6950's when I had reference models. Although I am not sure if this is shader unlocks only, I only recall myself using shader only unlocks and its the only method I can recommend to prevent damage to your vmem.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2137760&postcount=381

If you need to revert the settings just open your case up place the switch onto #2 and then reboot once you've booted up fine, turn your computer off again and then place the switch back at #1.
 
D

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The HIS unlocked BIOS is supposed to be the safe method...it's what I use...it doesn't increase the memory Voltage and along with several others Ive not noticed any increase in performance with the Core Voltage increased beyond +12% in CCC
 

1Kurgan1

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Well I now have a copy of my own bios, but with shaders unlocked. But following W1zzards steps using ATIWinFlash, I get "Cannot erase ROM". Any ideas?
 
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Well I now have a copy of my own bios, but with shaders unlocked. But following W1zzards steps using ATIWinFlash, I get "Cannot erase ROM". Any ideas?

Tried flashing both BIOS'?
 

1Kurgan1

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Turns out it was set on BIOS 2, must have been running that since new. I switched it to 1 and got both bios's working now, kind of sad though, only gained 12 points in Furmark. Was looking to OC, but seems Afterburners limits it to 840, anyway to bypass that? I tried editing the cfg for it to allow unofficial ocing, but that didn't change anything.
 
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Turns out it was set on BIOS 2, must have been running that since new. I switched it to 1 and got both bios's working now, kind of sad though, only gained 12 points in Furmark. Was looking to OC, but seems Afterburners limits it to 840, anyway to bypass that? I tried editing the cfg for it to allow unofficial ocing, but that didn't change anything.

It's a tad more tedious than before you need to fill out the EULA in the CFG file as well, instructions in the quote below.

We're receiving emails on how to enable additional overclockability for AMD cards (if supported) in MSI afterBurner.

To enable the unofficial overclocking in this version it is necessary to edit the MSIAfterburner.cfg file located in the installation directory of AfterBurner (typically Program Files (x86) MSI Afterburner):


You need to alter the following:

Seek UnofficialOverclockingEULA field and add following text:
I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it

Set UnofficialOverclockingMode to 1 to keep PowerPlay active (may not work on old ASICs), 2 to traditionally disable PowerPlay or to 0 to temporary disable unofficial overclocking path
Using the unofficial overclock method opens up more freedom in terms of voltages and clock ranges, it however also can open a can of worms in terms of stability or weird issues.

Unofficial means unsupported -- we grant some extra tweak options to fool around with, but in no way, manner or fashion is it supported by Guru3D.com or MSI.

So asking questions about it in the forums .. is a no-go. Regardless, have fun with this feature and be careful to not push the card over its limitations.

Source: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=338906
 

1Kurgan1

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Ah missed that confirm part, got it working now, great, now time to figure out settings that work.
 

cadaveca

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As an alternative, you can use the RacerX mod to increase the limits in CCC.

ccc limits.jpg


Find it here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2266947&postcount=79
 

LordJummy

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I would definitely use RBE to set the upper limits and default clocks for the card. That or find a custom BIOS someone has already made with the specs you want. I like to make my own for very specific settings, and it's very easy with RBE. All you have to do is adjust some sliders and check a box and you're good to go.
 

mediasorcerer

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im thinking of upgrading to this card, the "his" model too because its cheaper by 40$ than xfx,
is it true that amd has locked the bios on them because theyre onto folks doing the bios flash?
 

1Kurgan1

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im thinking of upgrading to this card, the "his" model too because its cheaper by 40$ than xfx,
is it true that amd has locked the bios on them because theyre onto folks doing the bios flash?

Mine is a HIS card, and it unlocked fine. But I got mine right when they came out, it has a backplate on it and none of the newer cards seem to (I assume to drop costs). So it could be true, just letting you know though that my HIS unlocked fine.
 

stargazer7

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his, sapphire... really doesnt matter. it comes down on your specific gpu. they're all made by PCpartner, Sapphire in Shenzhen factories of China. companies just sticker, tim, package then send them. so brand dont matter. just get reference. if non ref, go Lightning but reference is better. it has a completely digital PWM, volterra modules so no square Analog vrm's, not even one. that can deliver clean, up to enormous amounts of power. it also lets you software monitor vregs n stuff. these cards are like machines. they can take an overclocking beating yet work like in their first day. so you definately dont have to worry about vrm. Shaders are a different story though... i was scared of bricking mine so i got an msi 6970 that i lovely use next to my 580. i like nvidia CP | drivers more but build quality of these cards is nothing short of solidness.
 

mediasorcerer

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thanks kurgan1 and starg7 for the excellent information youve given me,i cant get enough atm,

i ended up buying a sapphire 6950 2gb but it wont arrive for maybe 5-6 days id say,but im very excited,ive never had such a nice card before,and this is my first build,oni had laptops[win] and imacs before this rigg i just put together,wow its hard with so much to choose from,in the end,the sapphire 6950 cost me 303$ all up delivered, which was cheaper than others, i think its ref model too, i will try the bios unlock when it arrives,why not?
in the mean time im selling my 6850 on tpu too just to let anyone know,kind regs from me!

ps,one more thing[sorry] how do you know which bios to use,there are 5- 6970 sapphire bios on tpu bios page?
 
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mediasorcerer

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Mine is a HIS card, and it unlocked fine. But I got mine right when they came out, it has a backplate on it and none of the newer cards seem to (I assume to drop costs). So it could be true, just letting you know though that my HIS unlocked fine.

hope the one i ordered has a backplate,i prefer it ,

im doubting whether i will bother flashing my 6950 to 6970 now,ive been reading heaps all over the web and it seems there is problems with ram timings or something like that,i will do the partial flash to higher clock speeds maybe,sounds safer,this will be my fist really gutsy vid card so not going to risk now,not worth it.it will be plenty for an old gaming geezer such as myself,but its fascinating to know it can be done and learning about it more too.
 
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