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Flashing two different sized VBIOS' onto the same card (potentially)

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proxyoxy

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Hi, I'm assuming there is a well known answer to this but I cant find any results for my particular question within the search function. So, here goes.

My original BIOS has a filesize of 266,240 bytes, I then flashed another that I knew would work and all is well (Same size Vbios). Now I'm trying to find an MSI Gaming 1070 Z BIOS that I could flash onto it (this card is an MSI Gaming 1070 X). I'm pretty sure the Z has the exact same PCB layout only with slightly higher clocks.

Is it safe to flash the slighter larger/smaller BIOS onto my X? Off the top of my head I don't see any reason they should even differ in size, unless MSI decided to rearrange it internally.

If I'm missing something/or more info is needed, please let me know. Thank you
 

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Yes
 
Flashing a different sized BIOS always carries the risk of bricking your card. Also, there could be small hardware differences that cause the timings in the Z bios to brick the X card.

W1z seems to think it's safe in this instance though, so you take a calculated risk with doing this. I don't think that card has a dual BIOS, does it?

In the end, you take a calculated risk with flashing this BIOS. Personally, I would just overclock it with MSI Afterburner and leave it at that.
 
Thank you sir,

If you don't mind, would you care to share why it does/could differ? It just seems odd that they differ at all... especially since they are essentially the same exact card (from my POV). Just internal changes from MSI I assume?


And, thanks qubit. I take full responsibility for this, I know the drill. Those are my exact reasons for me asking the above question btw (about the SLIGHTEST hardware/firmware differences that could result from those few kb's)
No, there is also no dual BIOS. So if for whatever reason I brick it, I have backup cards to flash it back to normal. (assuming it doesn't die outright)

Appreciate the concern though, you guys are a huge help.



Edit: Yeah, I already found a few Gaming Z's to use through the vgabioscollection, in fact the screenshot I posted up top is from an unverified BIOS I was contemplating using. These are clocked a little lower than I the one I found, but like I said it IS unverified. So ill most likely wind up using one of those two.
 
proxyoxy said:
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/188985/188985

Oddly enough (coincidence?) the second Gaming Z you linked me was the same exact filesize that my X BIOS is.
Click to expand...
I'd have more confidence with using this one. Famous last words lol. :D

Hope it all goes well. I remember the time a full decade ago now* when I flashed my HD2900Pro 1GB to a HD2900XT which worked perfectly.

*I'm getting old.
 
I honestly cant even remember the first card I flashed, probably around that long ago for me as well. However... ill never forget purchasing that 6800 vanilla with the hopes that those 4 disabled pipes were good, they were too =D. Managed to grab myself a budget 6800GT (albeit with half the vram and lower clocks). Nowadays everything is laser cut.

Ill do that though, Thank you guys.
 
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