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How to enable additional shaders on Radeon HD 6950

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AstroBounce said:
Ok so I should make a copy (atiwinflash) of my original Bios. Save it into that folder of downloadable link. Run it to mod the bios. Then use the flashing process described in the first post for the 6970? Sorry I'm just a little confused at the moment.
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Yes, make the backup of the original bio using atiwinflash. When i made the copy, it saved it without a file extension, so if that happens, add ".bin" to the end. You'll notice the .bin files are the files used to flash. I made an original copy (saved that just in case), and then I made an extra copy of the original and modded it.

That link i mentioned above is for the download. Extract the files in the rar file to a folder. Dump your copy of the original bios into that folder and run the file "run.bat" Running that file will modd your bios file. Once modded, use it to flash as outlined in the beginning of the thread like you said.
 
I have a quick question that I wondered if anyone knew the answer to. I have a Gigabyte 6950, is the serial number stored in the bios or anywhere else in/on the card except for the couple stickers on the outside of the card?
 
manofthem said:
Yes, make the backup of the original bio using atiwinflash. When i made the copy, it saved it without a file extension, so if that happens, add ".bin" to the end. You'll notice the .bin files are the files used to flash. I made an original copy (saved that just in case), and then I made an extra copy of the original and modded it.

That link i mentioned above is for the download. Extract the files in the rar file to a folder. Dump your copy of the original bios into that folder and run the file "run.bat" Running that file will modd your bios file. Once modded, use it to flash as outlined in the beginning of the thread like you said.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
wmblalock said:
I have a quick question that I wondered if anyone knew the answer to. I have a Gigabyte 6950, is the serial number stored in the bios or anywhere else in/on the card except for the couple stickers on the outside of the card?
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Not in the bios, it might be awailable from the PCI-e inteface but definitly not from the bios.
 
Since I'm considering using the 6950 mod bios to unlock the shaders for my Sapphire 6950, how would I go about raising the GPU clock speed to 880 and memory to 1375 once the GPU is unlocked? Can anyone answer this thanks.
 
AstroBounce said:
Since I'm considering using the 6950 mod bios to unlock the shaders for my Sapphire 6950, how would I go about raising the GPU clock speed to 880 and memory to 1375 once the GPU is unlocked? Can anyone answer this thanks.
Click to expand...

You can use MSI Afterburner.
 
itsdanny said:
You can use MSI Afterburner.
Click to expand...

I opened up MSI Afterburner, and the limits were the same as CCC. I've never used MSI AB so if there a way to be able to raise up past those levels?

And is it safe to OC to 880 and 1375 using MSI AB as opposed to the 6970 BIOS?
 
W1zzard said:
For the people who need to unlockrom and fail at command line:

- Unpack the Winflash download onto your desktop in a folder called "winflash"
- Save the 6970 BIOS in your Winflash folder and name it unlock.bin
- Click Start Button
- Type "cmd"
- Right click the entry and select "Run as Administrator"
- Black command prompt windows opens
- Type "cd %USERPROFILE%\desktop\winflash"
- Type "atiwinflash -unlockrom 0" <-- the 0 means first adapter, if you have multiple cards, physically uninstall all but the one you want to flash
- Type "atiwinflash -f -p 0 unlock.bin"
- It should complete the flashing process with a message saying something with "verified".
Click to expand...

Thanks for these instructions. Got my XFX to unlock without issue following your steps. Once unlocked and drivers reinstalled, you have the same clock/memory limits in CCC as a 6970. When I hit default settings, it goes to the 880/1375 settings with room for more if possible. At stock 6970 settings, ran 3dmark11 with no problems, but locked up hard on COD Black OPS. I set clock/mem at 850/1250 and all is ok. I believe the ram is different on the 6950s, and is only rated for 1250. Going higher may be causing damage to some folks cards on here. I am pleased with the boost I have gotten, without risking ram damage.
 
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AstroBounce said:
Wouldn't that work for MSI products only? If it can work with my Sapphire Card then techically can I use Asus Smart Doctor or even Sapphire's own Trixx.
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No, it works for all. I mean, honestly, why not just try it? It doesn't hurt. Well, hey, you said you wanted to enhance your overclocking capabilities, and I suggested an application. If you want to suggest your own, then feel free, but then why ask? At least help out yourself and try it then.
 
manofthem said:
Thank you good sir. Might I ask: Is it safe?... meaning if I go over the limits set, will I run into the same problems as those running the 6970 bios?

I was reading the OCC review of the 6950, and they said that they OC'd it to 906/1493. I'm thinking about maybe trying that out, but I'm just unsure. So it looks like i'll go little by little.
Click to expand...

Dont be too shy! :-) - You have evertime your 2. Bios for rescue.

My XFX6950 @ 6970 BIOS did 1000/1500 @ VGPU 1300 mV @ 80% Fan to be safe (set this only for a short 3DMark11 bench) which gave me hughe P6042...

For a 24/7 setup I now have Furmark/Game stable 950/1450(set in MSI Afterburner or CCC) + 20% (in CCC) and 1225 mV (set by RBE). For this I also have to set a new FAN curve in MSI Afterburner...
With FAN on Auto it will be too hot and driver will reset while running furmark...
Max FAN is now (with new curve) ca. 60-65% @ 75-78°C (on heavy Furmark Load)
In normal Gaming it is evertime under 70°C @ Fan 50-55%

Found out for my card that above 80°C it become critical if you set (only) 1225 mV...

Its the major thing to play around with VGPU / FAN / CLOCKS to find the perfect balance for you (and your card :) )

By the way: Have not seen a simgle artifact or something like this while testing (and testing, and testing :) )
 
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DJManiac said:
Dont be too shy! :-) - You have evertime your 2. Bios for rescue.

My XFX6950 @ 6970 BIOS did 1000/1500 @ VGPU 1300 mV @ 80% Fan to be safe (set this only for a short 3DMark11 bench) which gave me hughe P6042...

For a 24/7 setup I now have Furmark/Game stable 950/1450(set in MSI Afterburner or CCC) + 20% (in CCC) and 1225 mV (set by RBE). For this I also have to set a new FAN curve in MSI Afterburner...
With FAN on Auto it will be too hot and driver will reset while running furmark...
Max FAN is now (with new curve) ca. 60-65% @ 75-78°C (on heavy Furmark Load)
In normal Gaming it is evertime under 70°C @ Fan 50-55%

Found out for my card that above 80°C it become critical if you set (only) 1225 mV...

Its the major thing to play around with VGPU / FAN / CLOCKS to find the perfect balance for you (and your card :) )

By the way: Have not seen a simgle artifact or something like this while testing (and testing, and testing :) )
Click to expand...

So are you still on the 6970 BIOS and running fine?

I'm on the XFX card too trying to get some higher numbers, but drivers crashed in 3DMark11 like you were saying. I haven't played with the voltages yet, but that's the next step.
 
manofthem said:
So are you still on the 6970 BIOS and running fine?

I'm on the XFX card too trying to get some higher numbers, but drivers crashed in 3DMark11 like you were saying. I haven't played with the voltages yet, but that's the next step.
Click to expand...

Yes and again NO problems for me here with 6970 BIOS here... Already tried XFX6970 BIOS... And now I am running on my XFX 6950 the ASUS 6970 BIOS :)

Saw it RBE that the Asus BIOS has a entry more under clocks than the other BIOSe (Clock Info 4) - so I think that this might be helpfull it some ways (or not - dont know :) )



Keep in mind: Clock changing in RBE do NOT work at the moment!
 
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davetheshrew said:
that may all be well and true but I bet at least a third are totally fine, people return cards for all sorts of reasons and just say 'artifacting', I bet a few more are ok because they last minute decided to get a gtx570 etc etc etc, the ones that are dead dead more than likely doomed sub-par cards before the flash, 17 cards, how many did you sell?
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People don't return the cards broken if they want change it to the GTX570. If RMA will be OK with those cards, thay probably get new HD6950. We sold them like 80 or 90 (I don't know exact numbers since this is not my deal). The dead ones were all flashed (we double checked each one and we called to the customers about it). My manager is angry because now we must handle a lot of RMA paper work.
 
arroyo said:
The dead ones were all flashed (we double checked each one and we called to the customers about it)
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Hey Arroyo,

how do you want to judge if a broken card was flashed? People should be clever enough to flash the original Bios back before returning it...

And no, i don't have a defective one, i only enabled the additional shaders and will watch this here very closely before going to o/c the card ;)

Greetings!
 
@RoniN2k11

1. 90% of people on earth are idiots. That's why they don't flash to the oryginal bios. Just set the a switch to position 2. There were some that flashed card back but confesed to use HD6970 bios. That's why we decided to put our stickers on that switch. If client flash his hars and f#$k it up, then RMA is his problem, not our.
2. "Everybody lies" (House MD (TM))
3. If you flashed with unlocked HD6950, you are ok. The card will be rocking.

Greetings
 
arroyo said:
@RoniN2k11

1. 90% of people on earth are idiots
Click to expand...

I wouldn't agree with 90%, but ppl trying to return the card without having flashed it back or admitting that they flashed it definitely belong to this group :slap: ;)

Hopefully, i'll be able to test the card over the weekend a little bit longer, if i'm not satisfied i'll get a GTX570...decided for the 6950 because i play in 2560/1600 resolution, so i thought 2GB VRAM could be a good idea.

And surely, this mod gave the final kick...so i hope this will be a lasting solution ;)

I would'nt mind investing more money and buying GTX570/HD6970 since i didn't buy anything for my pc the last 2 years...but i surely don't mind either if i can save that money and nevertheless can have (almost) the same performance :)

Actually, i really only wanted to buy that card, but than i could't resist and ordered a
Core i5-250K plus Mainboard and 8GB RAM...hell, life's 2 short 2 NOT waste your money :D

That should assure me the next 2 years of problem-free gaming i hope!

Have a nice WE!
 
RoniN2k11 said:
Hey Arroyo,

how do you want to judge if a broken card was flashed? People should be clever enough to flash the original Bios back before returning it...

And no, i don't have a defective one, i only enabled the additional shaders and will watch this here very closely before going to o/c the card ;)

Greetings!
Click to expand...

How can you re-flash a "broken" card? Once it's broken it's too late to flash it back, unless of course all the broken cards are just showing artifacts or only behave badly whilst in 3D clocks, if it's truly broken and won't boot it's too late to re-flash surely.
 
Tatty_One said:
How can you re-flash a "broken" card? Once it's broken it's too late to flash it back, unless of course all the broken cards are just showing artifacts or only behave badly whilst in 3D clocks, if it's truly broken and won't boot it's too late to re-flash surely.
Click to expand...

Hi,

right, wrong expressed by me, with 'broken' i meant those card showing 'only' artifacts.

Flashing a device that can't be booted anymore could be quite a challenge ;)

However, didn't read the whole thread, but has a card already really been broken?

Only read about the artifacts so far...

Greetings, nice WE!
 
@Tatty_One

All the broken cards are booting properly but they show graphical glithes in 3D. After restoring HD6950 regular bios, the artifacts still exist. We will send the first batch of them today to RMA. Will see what service will do.

PS. Thank you Tatty_One for changing your monkey avatar to the new one. Can you post a link to full sized one?
 
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