is my new xfx XXX 7950 A BRICK?

[hodgenutts]

Just flashed my new XFX 7950 XXX black edition with new AMD BIOS and now its not sending a signal to the monitor when I boot the PC. Do I now have a brick and need to request an RMA from from newegg, or is there a way to correct this problem? Thanks much for the help.

 

[hodgenutts]

I meant the xfx double d balcony edition, not XXX edition. Here is a link to the video card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150589

 

[fleshconsumed]

If you have saved original BIOS you can try connecting your monitor to the EVGA Z68 video output and then flash the original BIOS.

 

[hodgenutts]

Evga Z68 motherboard doesn't have an onboard video, but I have an old xfx 5770, can I put both cards in the mobo and use the hd 5770 while I flash the 7950?

 

[MTDEW]

You haven't tried flipping the switch on the card to the other bios and seeing if that works?
Or did you brick both bios's on the card?
(bios switch is right next to the x-fire connectors on the card and are labeled 1 and 2 )
There are two bio's so you have a backup for this very problem.

If you only bricked one bios, you can boot to the desktop with the good bios, then flip the switch to the "bad" bios and reflash it.

I'd just be sure not to get "confused" and end up bricking both bios's.
Then you are facing an RMA. :'(
So make SURE you don't flash the remaining "good bios" no matter what, so you always have it as a backup..

 

[MTDEW]

WTF?
Seems XFX removed the bios switch on these cards! (5:10)
So you may be screwed.

With not being able to use your 2500k's video to boot, I'm not even sure you can do a "blind flash".
Since i'm pretty sure your pc wont even post with a bad video card bios.

I wouldn't try flashing with the HD 5770 in there, you may end up messing up its bios also since its AMD also.

EDIT: I wonder if you can enable the 2500k video and get it to post with no monitor hookup and try and flash back "blind" with a bootable USB stick.

BTW: IMO XFX are some cheap mofos for saving a few cents by not including a 2nd backup bios like all other 7950's.
If you can RMA it, I personally would sell the new card and never buy XFX again, since IMO this alone says a lot about how they feel about offering a quality product.
Makes ya wonder where else they cut corners on their cards.

 

[hodgenutts]

Yup, no BIOS switch luckily I got it from newegg and its under 30 days. I initially asked for a replacement, but think I may call and just ask for a refund and get a 660 ti instead just because this whole issue has ticked me off. What really upsets me, is this wasn't even another vendors BIOS. This was a new BIOS xfx put out specefically for this card. Xfx makes you register the card, and based on model and serial number gives you support. This was THEIR BIOS that they released for THIS SPECIFIC card. Then after this happens I read in fine print on their site, that they are not responsible for a bad flash. Like I said newegg went ahead and issued an RMA last night. Wondering if I should contact xfx and give them a chance to fix this, or just rage quit all together, send card back to newegg and make the jump to an evga 660 ti. Even though I'd go down a bit in performance, I hear they have better support. I don't know. I'm just so frustrated.

 

[lavaheadache]

There is no reason why he can't boot using the onboard gpu on the 2500k with the bricked card in the pci-e slot. This thread is gonna go downhill really fast however since there going to be lots of peeps chiming about the fraud you are about to commit. Glwt

 

[lavaheadache]

Also, why would xfx be responsible for your bad bios flash? Who's to say your power didn't cut out during the flash, which would definitely brick the card. Who's to say your not running an unstable Overclock that reared its ugly head in the middle if you flash attempt. These are all things to consider while taking on a risky task like flashing a bios.

I have no qualms about flashing a bios but I definitely make sure I have all my t's crossed an i's dotted with a back up plan going into the ordeal

 

[BrightCandle]

My xfx 5970 was near on bricked because xfx got the master and slave the wrong way around. Luckily I had another graphics card and could boot that and reflash after modifying their bat file to make it the right way around.

I think its highly likely its xfx's fault. Neitherless its still bricked and if you can't get the machine up so you can reflash it then it will have to go back and be repaired.

 

[hodgenutts]

It's RMA.ed for a replacement. And I am not commuting fraud when I get a RMA after I install a bIOS file in a safe environment that the company releases on their website for that exact product recommended for its serial number and follow their step by step instructions. XfX dropped the ball and have apperently had that trend going recently as they have discontinued their double life time warranty on products.

 

[MTDEW]

That a shame you couldn't get it re-flashed.
Its still a perfectly good card, it just needs re-flashed, if i lived near ya, i'd do it for ya, but i'm in PA.

Hope it all works out ok 4 you.
That's great of Newegg to help you out with an RMA.

I personally still wouldn't go with a 660ti over the 7950 though.

You can at least have some fun in the meantime and post in that "other thread" that your XFX 7950 definitely doesn't stutter now. :biggrin:

 

[hodgenutts]

LoL thanks a lot MTdew, its just a really long dark slutter, since it wasn't neweggs fault I just agreed to a replacement. I'll just keep it in mind down the road when I buy a new GPU if I look at an AMD GPU, to look very closely at the company making the card and the bells and whistles.

 

[MTDEW]

LoL thanks a lot MTdew, its just a really long dark slutter, since it wasn't neweggs fault I just agreed to a replacement. I'll just keep it in mind down the road when I buy a new GPU if I look at an AMD GPU, to look very closely at the company making the card and the bells and whistles.

Yeah, to be honest i probably would have missed that it didn't have a dual bios either since all other 7950's i've ever seen do.
You've gotta look REAL close at the newegg pics to see the switch is missing for dual bios.
The 1 and 2 labels are there making it real easy to miss.
So your experience is gonna make me look very close at purchases in the future also.

I just grabbed a pair of Sapphire 7950 Dual X's last week. (price is just too hard to resist)
And thankfully they have dual bios's.
But i don't see me flashing any time soon since they have the new boost bios's with the higher voltage and i see no need to raise the GPU voltage higher than 1.25v, that is MORE than enough for overclocking a 7950.

 

[hodgenutts]

Index prices are great right now. Let me know how the new cards turn out. On a side note the BIOS I was flashing wasn't the new boost BIOS, but was in fact a bios the card manufacturer released exclusively for this model of card. That's why I was awe struck when I realized no dual BIOS. Once again I'm very appreciative to newegg for working with me.

 

[hodgenutts]

There is no reason why he can't boot using the onboard gpu on the 2500k with the bricked card in the pci-e slot. This thread is gonna go downhill really fast however since there going to be lots of peeps chiming about the fraud you are about to commit. Glwt

As I previously stated the evga motherboard doesn't have a video output to utilize the onboard video of the Intel 2500k.

 

[lavaheadache]

As I previously stated the evga motherboard doesn't have a video output to utilize the onboard video of the Intel 2500k.

wow, thats the first I've heard of a z68 board without video outputs

 

[hodgenutts]

Yea, I didn't put much thought into it when I bought the motherboard because I got a good deal on it and knew I'd use a video card, but it doesn't have any vid ouputs. Guess I shouldn't complain cause I got it for $59 after rebate.

 

[3DVagabond]

Yup, no BIOS switch luckily I got it from newegg and its under 30 days. I initially asked for a replacement, but think I may call and just ask for a refund and get a 660 ti instead just because this whole issue has ticked me off. What really upsets me, is this wasn't even another vendors BIOS. This was a new BIOS xfx put out specefically for this card. Xfx makes you register the card, and based on model and serial number gives you support. This was THEIR BIOS that they released for THIS SPECIFIC card. Then after this happens I read in fine print on their site, that they are not responsible for a bad flash. Like I said newegg went ahead and issued an RMA last night. Wondering if I should contact xfx and give them a chance to fix this, or just rage quit all together, send card back to newegg and make the jump to an evga 660 ti. Even though I'd go down a bit in performance, I hear they have better support. I don't know. I'm just so frustrated.

660ti doesn't have a bios switch either. So, if you had the same thing happen a 660ti would be just as bricked as your 7950. It's not unusual at all for later revisions of cards to be "cut down" somewhat to make them more profitable. Something to check out before you buy.