Someone run games on AMD BC-250 under Linux * Cut down PS5 die to 6 CPU cores 24 GPU cores for use in crypto mining

[Rabit]

There is an SVM option in the BIOS, I'll have to see if I actually enabled it or not.

Man, I wish I had the space for an entire rack of these just to screw around with.

EDIT: SVM is enabled in the BIOS, but Windows doesn't show virtualization as supported. Nevermind, Windows now shows virtualization as enabled.

Geekbench results:

GB6: 1143/5764

Default string AMD BC-250 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Default string AMD BC-250 with an AMD BC-250 processor.

browser.geekbench.com

GB5: 888/6271

Default string AMD BC-250 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Default string AMD BC-250 with an AMD BC-250 processor.

browser.geekbench.com

GB4: 4019/22888

Default string AMD BC-250 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Default string AMD BC-250 with an AMD BC-250 processor.

browser.geekbench.com

GB3: 3907/24933

Default string AMD BC-250 - Geekbench

Benchmark results for a Default string AMD BC-250 with an AMD BC-250 processor.

browser.geekbench.com

So basically, a Steam Deck with six cores (makes sense) or a tiny bit slower than an R5 2600X.

Try linux to get GPU drivers and run some games.

 

[sam_86314]

Turns out that outside of Debian, I'm well out of my league when it comes to Linux.

Fortunately, someone on Reddit provided a download for a pre-made Fedora image for the BC-250.

Spoiler: true_gamer13 on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/1bvdfi3/_/ls9ka8i

I know using images provided by some rando on the internet isn't the best idea, but dammit, I want to see this thing working properly!

It took some trial and error, but I eventually got it booted.

It recognizes the GPU properly, so let's try something with GPU acceleration.

Here's Unigine Valley at the Extreme HD preset.

Unigine Heaven at Extreme

Unigine Superposition at Medium 1080P

Next step is to figure out how to safely extend the root partition size so I can try some games.Turns out that was actually stupidly easy. Game tests incoming at some point.

EDIT: I tried updating to Fedora 41 and that borked everything (fell back to software rendering, I tried to reinstall the drivers and it broke everything).

I'm too much of a noob to fix it, so I'll just reimage it at some point.

 

[Rabit]

I read above redit post, community even make modified bios for this board that allowed changing Vram allocation https://github.com/mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation/ originally was 8/8 or 4/12 depends to bios version.

Also GPU OC is possible via https://gitlab.com/TuxThePenguin0/oberon-governor or manually via

echo vc 0 <CLOCK> <VOLTAGE> > /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:01:00.0/pp_od_clk_voltage
echo c > /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:01:00.0/pp_od_clk_voltage

Looks like lowest historical price was 29,16$ per blade asic if you bought in bulk 10 rigs x 12 Asic each on clearance. https://pcserverandparts.com/used-l...mo55FtzUgFn2VZ8eyuu5NXREDCcEHw9Ajie7zdA_tY5oR

 

[sepheronx]

I

I read above redit post, community even make modified bios for this board that allowed changing Vram allocation https://github.com/mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation/ originally was 8/8 or 4/12 depends to bios version.

Also GPU OC is possible via https://gitlab.com/TuxThePenguin0/oberon-governor or manually via


Looks like lowest historical price was 29,16$ per blade asic if you bought in bulk 10 rigs x 12 Asic each on clearance. https://pcserverandparts.com/used-l...mo55FtzUgFn2VZ8eyuu5NXREDCcEHw9Ajie7zdA_tY5oR

I looked at that but it was gonna cost me $1100 to ship it.

There really is no real way to get one of these in Canada without paying extortion for shipping or the device itself.

This country is such trash.

 

[sam_86314]

So while trying to run the Final Fantasy XV benchmark, I was running into issues where it would start out fine and then turn into a stuttery mess. Upon looking into it, I found that it was simply running out of memory.

Unfortunately, changing the memory split requires a custom BIOS, which requires an SPI flasher.

So I got an SPI flasher and the custom BIOS and loaded it up.

Everything went smoothly, so I reset the CMOS, booted it up, and...

There we go, the memory split is adjustable now. I went with a 12:4 split instead of the default 4:12.

And it worked. Now I can try running FFXV bench again.

There are some weird graphical glitches with textures, but overall it ran great.

6567 in 1080P at the standard preset puts this in line with an RX 480 or GTX 1060 3GB.

More game tests coming at some point.

 

[Apocalypsee]

That is an interesting thing to play around! Alas, I don't have time or money for such things, but I will watch this post closely. I love watching hacking hardware to make things works like this.

 

[Solaris17]

So while trying to run the Final Fantasy XV benchmark, I was running into issues where it would start out fine and then turn into a stuttery mess. Upon looking into it, I found that it was simply running out of memory.

Unfortunately, changing the memory split requires a custom BIOS, which requires an SPI flasher.

So I got an SPI flasher and the custom BIOS and loaded it up.

View attachment 377073

Everything went smoothly, so I reset the CMOS, booted it up, and...

View attachment 377074

There we go, the memory split is adjustable now. I went with a 12:4 split instead of the default 4:12.

View attachment 377075

And it worked. Now I can try running FFXV bench again.

View attachment 377077View attachment 377078

There are some weird graphical glitches with textures, but overall it ran great.

View attachment 377079

6567 in 1080P at the standard preset puts this in line with an RX 480 or GTX 1060 3GB.

More game tests coming at some point.

Please document this and attach the bios’ and or what modifications need to be done. This is super cool!

 

[eidairaman1]

You might be able to show people how to properly flash a gpu using a spi tool considering many can't seem to follow written directions in my guide.

So while trying to run the Final Fantasy XV benchmark, I was running into issues where it would start out fine and then turn into a stuttery mess. Upon looking into it, I found that it was simply running out of memory.

Unfortunately, changing the memory split requires a custom BIOS, which requires an SPI flasher.

So I got an SPI flasher and the custom BIOS and loaded it up.

View attachment 377073

Everything went smoothly, so I reset the CMOS, booted it up, and...

View attachment 377074

There we go, the memory split is adjustable now. I went with a 12:4 split instead of the default 4:12.

View attachment 377075

And it worked. Now I can try running FFXV bench again.

View attachment 377077View attachment 377078

There are some weird graphical glitches with textures, but overall it ran great.

View attachment 377079

6567 in 1080P at the standard preset puts this in line with an RX 480 or GTX 1060 3GB.

More game tests coming at some point.

 

[sam_86314]

Please document this and attach the bios’ and or what modifications need to be done. This is super cool!

Most of the info about this thing is here.

GitHub - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation: Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop.

Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop. - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation

github.com

Custom BIOS is here.

Segfault / BC-250 BIOS · GitLab

GitLab.com

gitlab.com

You might be able to show people how to properly flash a gpu using a spi tool considering many can't seem to follow written directions in my guide.

This was the flashing guide I followed.

[Guide] How to Use a CH341A SPI Programmer/Flasher (with Pictures!)

If you’re worried about flashing your motherboard with an SPI Programmer, then this is the guide for you. Each step is explained in detail, with pictures. We’ll go over everything, from buying your Programmer to flashing your chip with Flashrom. As per usual, this is a tutorial on the internet...

winraid.level1techs.com

And this is the flasher I used.

Amazon.com

 

[Solaris17]

Most of the info about this thing is here.

GitHub - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation: Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop.

Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop. - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation

github.com

Custom BIOS is here.

Segfault / BC-250 BIOS · GitLab

GitLab.com

gitlab.com

This was the flashing guide I followed.

[Guide] How to Use a CH341A SPI Programmer/Flasher (with Pictures!)

If you’re worried about flashing your motherboard with an SPI Programmer, then this is the guide for you. Each step is explained in detail, with pictures. We’ll go over everything, from buying your Programmer to flashing your chip with Flashrom. As per usual, this is a tutorial on the internet...

winraid.level1techs.com

Thanks.

I dont need the flashing guide.

Guide: Flashing with a hardware programmer

Lets get physical So; you tried flashing your GPU and you didn't backup. Now you have some dude on the forum linking you a BIOS but you have no way to apply it because you don't have a spare GPU either. Well no worries friend. In this guide we are going to cover the simple procedures of...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[eidairaman1]

Most of the info about this thing is here.

GitHub - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation: Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop.

Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop. - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation

github.com

Custom BIOS is here.

Segfault / BC-250 BIOS · GitLab

GitLab.com

gitlab.com

This was the flashing guide I followed.

[Guide] How to Use a CH341A SPI Programmer/Flasher (with Pictures!)

If you’re worried about flashing your motherboard with an SPI Programmer, then this is the guide for you. Each step is explained in detail, with pictures. We’ll go over everything, from buying your Programmer to flashing your chip with Flashrom. As per usual, this is a tutorial on the internet...

winraid.level1techs.com

And this is the flasher I used.

Amazon.com

Thanks.

I dont need the flashing guide.

Guide: Flashing with a hardware programmer

Lets get physical So; you tried flashing your GPU and you didn't backup. Now you have some dude on the forum linking you a BIOS but you have no way to apply it because you don't have a spare GPU either. Well no worries friend. In this guide we are going to cover the simple procedures of...

www.techpowerup.com

I will need to refer people to these guides for gpu bios repros.

 

[machinezero]

Most of the info about this thing is here.

GitHub - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation: Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop.

Information on running the AMD BC-250 powered ASRock mining boards as a desktop. - mothenjoyer69/bc250-documentation

github.com

Custom BIOS is here.

Segfault / BC-250 BIOS · GitLab

GitLab.com

gitlab.com

This was the flashing guide I followed.

[Guide] How to Use a CH341A SPI Programmer/Flasher (with Pictures!)

If you’re worried about flashing your motherboard with an SPI Programmer, then this is the guide for you. Each step is explained in detail, with pictures. We’ll go over everything, from buying your Programmer to flashing your chip with Flashrom. As per usual, this is a tutorial on the internet...

winraid.level1techs.com

And this is the flasher I used.

Amazon.com

You don’t need a flasher. You can update BIOS via usb stick. This is v5 of the bios. Just prep the stick and rename/overwrite the robin file with your preferred bios. The pdf file inside has step by step on upgrade process. Disclaimer: not my google drive or original upload.

4U12G BIOS Update.zip

drive.google.com

I have a step by step on how to get Vulkan drivers working on Fedora 40. No need to download other people’s images or unvetted binaries. It’ll be copy/paste/enter.

Even getting llama.cpp running with 10gb VRAM visible on 4/12 split of P4.00G or modded v3.
Just cleaning it up.

Step by step on how to get Vulkan drivers working on Fedora 40
Additional steps to compile llama.cpp and leverage 10gb in the 4/12 split on P4.00G Bios.

Llama.cpp over Vulkan on AMD BC-250 - Pastebin.com

Pastebin.com is the number one paste tool since 2002. Pastebin is a website where you can store text online for a set period of time.

pastebin.com

 

[sam_86314]

Decided to start messing with this again.

I went ahead and did my own clean install of Fedora 40, as mothenjoyer69's guide now has a one-click setup script.

I also switched the memory split to only 512MB for the GPU.

The best part is now I can use Cinnamon instead of the buggy version of KDE Plasma that premade image had.

Reran FFXV Benchmark after that, and...

...that's one hell of an improvement. Aside from no longer having any graphical glitches, it's now performing in the same league as a GTX 1070 or 980 Ti.

This is more what I'd expect from 24 RDNA2 CUs.

EDIT: Hooking up a power meter to it, I see it drawing around 230W from the wall while running FFXV Benchmark. It sketches me out a little since it's pulling that from a single 8-pin PCIe connector, but I guess it's technically fine. I'm using the power supply from my Razer Core X (rated for 600W on the 12V rail), and the cable is only slightly warm to the touch.

EDIT 2: Updating to Fedora 41 broke GPU acceleration as expected, but it was as simple as rerunning the setup script, and it was fixed.

 

[Avru]

Also got small cluster, sadly there where only one seller in eu. Lucky US could get them dirt cheap, would buy few clusters

 

[sam_86314]

I finally got around to running a few games. Also got Mangohud working for stats.

Before doing this, I took it apart because I wanted to look at the APU and also get ideas for custom cooling.

Look at that sexy beast. I repasted it with Arctic MX-4 when I was done admiring it.

Mangohud shows that the GPU runs at up to 2000MHz (the setup script applies a custom GPU governor), and the memory runs at 450MHz.

All games except Skyrim were run off an NTFS-formatted USB 3 SSD. Skyrim was run off the internal drive (256GB Teamgroup MP33).

Skyrim AE with some mods runs fine at ultra settings and 1080P. It usually sticks at the 60 FPS cap but sometimes briefly drops into the upper 40s.

Playing through the prologue and starting act one of BG3 was decent as well. At 1080P and the ultra preset with no upscaling, it hovered between 40 and 70 most of the time, occasionally dropping into the 30s during the main prologue battle.

I also ran the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark.

None of these games had graphical glitches, though I ran them all in DX11 mode (DXVK). SotTR had some texture issues in DX12 mode (VKD3D).

I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by the gaming experience on this thing so far.

I also discovered an interesting quirk (to be fair, it is mentioned in mothenjoyer69's documentation): GPU acceleration does not work in Flatpak applications. Something, something, Flatpak is weird with custom Mesa drivers, so you gotta get programs from RPM or just download and run the executables. I discovered this when I found that Minecraft ran like trash in one launcher but not in another. When I used the non-Flatpak version of the former launcher, it ran fine again (well over 100 FPS at 16 chunks and fancy graphics).

 

[eidairaman1]

Ar

I finally got around to running a few games. Also got Mangohud working for stats.

Before doing this, I took it apart because I wanted to look at the APU and also get ideas for custom cooling.

View attachment 380309

Look at that sexy beast. I repasted it with Arctic MX-4 when I was done admiring it.

Mangohud shows that the GPU runs at up to 2000MHz (the setup script applies a custom GPU governor), and the memory runs at 450MHz.

All games except Skyrim were run off an NTFS-formatted USB 3 SSD. Skyrim was run off the internal drive (256GB Teamgroup MP33).

View attachment 380305

Skyrim AE with some mods runs fine at ultra settings and 1080P. It usually sticks at the 60 FPS cap but sometimes briefly drops into the upper 40s.

View attachment 380306

Playing through the prologue and starting act one of BG3 was decent as well. At 1080P and the ultra preset with no upscaling, it hovered between 40 and 70 most of the time, occasionally dropping into the 30s during the main prologue battle.

View attachment 380307

I also ran the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark.

None of these games had graphical glitches, though I ran them all in DX11 mode (DXVK). SotTR had some texture issues in DX12 mode (VKD3D).

I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by the gaming experience on this thing so far.

I also discovered an interesting quirk (to be fair, it is mentioned in mothenjoyer69's documentation): GPU acceleration does not work in Flatpak applications. Something, something, Flatpak is weird with custom Mesa drivers, so you gotta get programs from RPM or just download and run the executables. I discovered this when I found that Minecraft ran like trash in one launcher but not in another. When I used the non-Flatpak version of the former launcher, it ran fine again (well over 100 FPS at 16 chunks and fancy graphics).

Arcade setup anyone?

 

[Avru]

I tested PoE 2, 100FPS in hideout on max settings 1080p, but on endgame mapping it strugles CPU wise. Also CPU latency is bigger, probaby coz of GDDR. On LOW its the same.

As for arcade, its quite overkill ;p Maybe for new streetfighter PC from steam

wanted to use em as llm machine, but connecting 3 of em for single model split over lan ... its so damn ineficient and buggy.
So I also look for some Small, flat PSUs. The one from Xbox 360 FAT looks nice, but will probably fry with constant 200W+.
SFXs are still quite big ...

 

[Nathaaab]

SFXs are still quite big ...

Maybe Flex ATX PSUs? or the HDPLEX GaN PSUs.

I wonder if those are any good for F@H in a cluster, though bigger modern GPUs are most likely plain better.

 

[igormp]

wanted to use em as llm machine, but connecting 3 of em for single model split over lan ... its so damn ineficient and buggy.

Have you managed to get ROCm running on a single one?

 

[Avru]

Have you managed to get ROCm running on a single one?

i used vulcan

 

[_sporksinjected_]

Have you managed to get ROCm running on a single one?

I have five of these coming sometime next week. Rocm is the first thing I'm planning to tackle if no-one has gotten it by then. Would love to help out!

 

[sam_86314]

I have five of these coming sometime next week. Rocm is the first thing I'm planning to tackle if no-one has gotten it by then. Would love to help out!

Worth noting from the documentation:

Some OpenGL workloads cause a GPU hang still, and most compute loads will trigger a GPU reset when the compute instance is closed. This would normally be fine, but it is unrecoverable on these boards.

I might try getting ROCm working at some point, but doesn't it require the normal AMD drivers instead of Mesa? That's been the whole challenge with this thing; getting working GPU drivers. I guess as far as AMD is concerned, this thing doesn't exist.

 

[Rabit]

You try steam OS / steam deck ISO or variations ? have RDNA2 and Zen 2 support as standard.

 

[eidairaman1]

Worth noting from the documentation:



I might try getting ROCm working at some point, but doesn't it require the normal AMD drivers instead of Mesa? That's been the whole challenge with this thing; getting working GPU drivers. I guess as far as AMD is concerned, this thing doesn't exist.

Its a niche application is why, drivers would need ini modifications, this stuff would have to go back to the pcb maker for driver creation

 

[igormp]

Worth noting from the documentation:



I might try getting ROCm working at some point, but doesn't it require the normal AMD drivers instead of Mesa? That's been the whole challenge with this thing; getting working GPU drivers. I guess as far as AMD is concerned, this thing doesn't exist.

Aren't you using AMDGPU with it?