Did I unlock my 6950 just by flipping the bios switch?

[cobra1981]

GPU-Z used to show 1408 shaders. After shutting down the pc, flipping the 6950's bios switch and booting up again GPU-Z now shows 1536 shaders. So...I guess they're unlocked? Is there anyway of knowing for sure? I ran 3dmark11 and it did score about 138 points higher with no overclock.

 

[MiataNC]

Yes, you unlocked the shaders.
1536 is the 6970 spec.

 

[Shmee]

grats!

 

[lehtv]

That sounds almost like a Steam Achievement. Too easy

 

[Rhezuss]

GPU-Z used to show 1408 shaders. After shutting down the pc, flipping the 6950's bios switch and booting up again GPU-Z now shows 1536 shaders. So...I guess they're unlocked? Is there anyway of knowing for sure? I ran 3dmark11 and it did score about 138 points higher with no overclock.

Which model do you have?
I should receive my Sapphire 6950 2gb early next week and I hope I'll have this magic switch!

 

[cobra1981]

I ordered it from newegg on 10/7. It's the Sapphire 2gb Dirt 3 edition. Model 100312-3SR. I guess I was expecting the unlock to be more involved than that. I guess I got lucky.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I thought AMD removed that from new versions of 6950...hmm

 

[96Firebird]

Unlocked card that was returned?

 

[Rhezuss]

Ok, the one I ordered is the Sapphire 11188-05-20G...probably the newer version without the switch...

 

[notty22]

This is a feature that the 6950 Toxic model, that Hocp and a few other review sites just reviewed featured. It's not a normal feature of the launch reference 6950's. Which had dual 6950 bios's. A 6970 uses about 50 more watts than a 6950 under heavy loads. Imo, these might even use a hair more, and that's why they choose to sell them as 6950's with bonus features. It's just conjecture. A great plus regardless.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4061/amds-radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950/24

 

[Rhezuss]

Ok, just received my card. It's not the Dirt 3 Edition but it's the same card (dual fans with black shroud), number 11188-05-20G.

Just to be sure, I can see a switch right next to the CF plug...but it's damn tiny, like a pin...is that it? Am I lucky enough to have a magic switch?!!?

 

[Zargon]

yup

 

[Rhezuss]

Well!!! My 6950 is unlocked and simply by moving the switch!!!!!!

Other thing, I used Trixx to OC the 6950 to 6970 clocks (880/1375) and saved this to profile 1. Is there anything I should do/check to make sure everything is in order?