Flashing a 9800pro 128mb to true 9800xt. + question about OCing

[mettleh3d]

I read an article here: http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=92&var2=0
that explains the different types of 9800pro cards and their ability to be modded into 9800xts throught flashing its BIOS.

The main aspect of flashing is to have the R360 core which the 9800xt needs. My problem however, is that using Everest of Aida32, it claims my GPU is a R350 core, so its not possible. When I installed my new VGA silencer, i noticed my GPU was a R360 core! So, im confused. Not that I wanna flash, I'm just intrigued by the possibility.

Also, I've read about some user experiences that claim when they OC their cards, from a stock 380/360 to like 450/390 for 24/7, their cards only last several months. I've heard OCing shortens the life of your parts, but why? Aren't natively higher clocked cards destined to fail sooner then?
If you were to OC, why wouldn't you leave it on for 24/7?

Ok, enough rambling. thanks

 

[mettleh3d]

nothing huh?

 

[formulav8]

The overclock could slightly shorten the life do to the higher frequency and more power being used along with the increase in heat output.

What could definitely shorten it, is increasing the voltage. I see some people increase the voltage for the memory and that could definitely help it die prematurely. Otherwise, just overclocking the frequency should not have to much of a effect on its lifespan. Instead of staying alive for 10 years it might die in 9.5 years or something. That card would be in the trash dump long before that time.


Jason

 

[sniperruff]

the performance, even if you flash it successfully, is quite minimal these days.

 

[x471x]

well if ur not stock cooling then it should be alright to push the card a little. I mean my card is running at 430/375 and nothing has gone wrong for me, and i tend to leave my computer on for 24/7, but then again im watercooling so i dunno.

edit: my card is a aiw 9800 pro

 

[mettleh3d]

ic. thanks

 

[Budman]

you can grab your bios here,cool site you can even download a bootable iso with the bios & flash util built in.

http://www.techpowerup.com/bios/?search=9800+XT&Submit=Search

be sure you get the bios that matches your ram type.

 

[mettleh3d]

how do i find my ram type? Is it labeled on the card's ram chips?

 

[TomKazansky]

yes, it should be

 

[bigboxes]

I've done it with my Sapphire 9800Pro 128mb/256bit. First I had to remove the stock fan. Then I put a Zalman VF700-Cu cooler on it (and the supplied ramsinks). Then flashed it to the XT bios and my core speed jumped from 380 to 412. My ram went from 340 to 365. Of course I had the R360 core. ATI Tool had it as an R350, but all my research prior to the procedure said that this card was in fact an R360 core. I'm not sure it is worth the cost, but it is quite a bit faster. My card starts showing artifacts at higher core/ram speeds so I am happy with the stock XT speeds. No need to ruin the card. It is a nice one!

 

[mettleh3d]

Cool. I bought the Arctic-Cooling VGA silencer. (got fantastic reviews on newegg and other websites) It drops temps from full load 80C to about 50-60C with the cooler.
Did flashing automatically change your speeds to 412/365? I definitely have a R360 core as well.

 

[bigboxes]

Yes. The XT bios does have that as it's default. Since my card was giving me troubles beyond that I just stuck with it. Good luck. Just follow the instructions (I printed them out ahead of time) and make sure that you have all of your software ready to go.

 

[Navid]

The software utilities use the Bios to come up with the name of the GPU chip. That is why they report 350 for your GPU since the Bios is the 350 Bios. If the chip has 360 written on it, you have a 360.

apoppin has a lot of information on this flash. You may want to PM him.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Navid
The software utilities use the Bios to come up with the name of the GPU chip. That is why they report 350 for your GPU since the Bios is the 350 Bios. If the chip has 360 written on it, you have a 360.

apoppin has a lot of information on this flash. You may want to PM him.

To add to this, the only real way to find out whether your core is R350 or R360 is to check on the actual core itself.

As Navid has said, software utilities read the video cards bios and report what the BIOS tells them.

My Sapphire 128 meg, 256-bit 9800 Pro was an R350 upon inspection. One day I ran ATI Tool on it for a good few hours. When I came back, it had been running at ~432 mhz on the Core for around 3-4 hours without artifacting. Havent got round to doing Find Max Memory yet.

Using a Zalman VF-700 Cu with AS5 and the RAMsinks that come with the VF700. If anyone wants to see pics, Ill be checking back and can link them if necessary.

 

[oogabooga]

I did the flash to 9800XT and overclocked it on my old 9800. I dont remember the speeds, but i had gotten one of the Artic Cooler Silencers, the appropriate one (or so they say) for the 9800 series.

I had the card for about a year prior, and then after the flash about 6 months later my card started to wig out. I ended up buying a 6800 from a friend since at the time he was selling his (that he had for 3 weeks just past the return date for the store ) for very cheap and still have and use that now. I've been running that card for about 8 months now.

As long as you make sure you have the cooling setup correctly and dont ream the hell outa your (i really worked that card it was straigned most hours of the day) i would say your fine. I know my personal expirience killed the life of my 9800 significantly, but of the 5 or so people i know who did the flash, i'm the only one whose card died prematurely to lead me to believe maybe i didn't apply the thermal paste right or something. *shrugs*