unlocking the shaders on a 6950

[ViviTheMage]

I have read a lot about the flashing of the 6950 to 6970, and I hear voltages are bumped a bit, which I don't want to do.

So I heard there is a modified 6950 firmware out there that unlocks the shaders, but still keeps the 6950 at the default voltage.

This is what i've been reading, but there is just too much to sift through :
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=137136


Anyone know what the modified 6950 firmware is at all?

 

[Avalon]

If you are looking to use a modified BIOS with 6950 voltage, I'd make sure that your 6950 can run at 6970 speeds at that voltage first, otherwise you might just want to use a BIOS editor and edit it for lower voltage and 6950 clocks yourself.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Not sure where i'd begin with editing the BIOS of a video card...

I purchsed 4 XFX 6950's, I have read there is a 100% change to flash them to 6970, out of a pool of 147 tested.

 

[Mistwalker]

You have two options, either download the modified Sapphire 6950 BIOS linked in the techpowerup thread, or:

Use Atiwinflash to dump your specific card's BIOS, then run the utility posted a bit later in the techpowerup thread which will automatically modify it just to unlock the shaders, then flash that back onto the card. This has the extra step but it takes a few seconds and then you have your card vendor's own BIOS, just with extra shaders.

Either way, you need to delve through that thread, as I don't remember which page these were first posted (the OP hasn't been updated with these options which is a shame). Start at page 20 or so and work forward from there.

 

[ViviTheMage]

okay, i'll spend some time sifting through it ... i've got 4 XFX cards to flash, so i'll save myself some time by doing it once, the right way.

 

[Skurge]

okay, i'll spend some time sifting through it ... i've got 4 XFX cards to flash, so i'll save myself some time by doing it once, the right way.

Are all of them for you?

 

[ViviTheMage]

2 for me, 2 for my BiL

 

[Jules]

About to pick up this card. what did you end up doing if you don't mind?

 

[ViviTheMage]

crossfired 2 6950's and flashed a modified bios to unlock the extra shaders without risking overvolting. So far so good!

 

[RavenSEAL]

you bought how many?

 

[Powermoloch]

he bought just enough to blow our minds !

 

[WelshBloke]

Get some quadfire results before you get rid of the other two!

 

[thilanliyan]

For those thinking of flashing read this:
http://www.overclock.net/ati/909086-6950-shaders-unlocked-vs-full-unlocked.html

The bigger difference comes from the clocks it looks like. It's better to keep the warranty intact and just OC I think, instead of flashing the card.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Bought 4, 2 for me, 2 for my brother in law, haha.