How to enable additional shaders on Radeon HD 6950

[wmblalock]

Alright, well I thought I had the setup I wanted. I put on the modded 6950 Asus bios so the memory info would be the same and planned on using SmartDoctor to up the voltage and speeds to 6970 speeds. All works fine except for one issue. SmartDoctor doesn't save the GPU voltage after reboot. It saves the overclock, still runs my custom fan settings, but doesn't save the voltage, it just puts it back to stock 1.1v after reboot. Any ideas on how to fix this, or any other program that can adjust the voltage and save it on reboot??
- Mike

 

[ghisisan]

ASUS6950 successfully unlocked to ASUS6970 BIOS

Hi.

Count me in with an unlocked ASUS6950.
Everything was smooth ans simple. After the bios update(I used the original ASUS6970 version), I restarted the system, my card was found without any problems. CPU-Z reports it as unlocked(shaders, CPU & Memory speeds), and the nI went to CCC and set +10% power.

I have run 3DMark11 several times for the last couple hours on extreme settings, no artifacts.

3DMark11 Extreme settings score on Asus6950: 1506
3DMark11 Extreme settings score on Asus6950 unlocked: 1736

Looks good for me I will test it further and let you know if something goes wrong.

P.S. I wanned the Gigabyte version of the card, but I coud no find it on stock so I had to chose between Asus and Saphire.... I really trus Asus more when it comes to quality.

Thanks a lot TechPowerup!

Cheers!

 

[Shrike]

Agreed. I think that using the 6970 bios which runs the memory at different voltages, clocks, and timings, is the source of almost everyone's problems. After flashing to modified 6950, all my problems are gone.

Hey guys,
i got a problem with a crashing Sapphire in Starcraft 2.
I read that its probably a problem with the memory and now i would like to knwo what this modified 6950 bios is and where i can download it(didnt find anything on the mainpage/blind?)?
Do i have the full 1536 shaders, the 880 and 1350 Mhz but the voltages, clocks and timings of 6950?
Did i get that right?

Thanks,
Shrike

 

[wmblalock]

Hey guys,
i got a problem with a crashing Sapphire in Starcraft 2.
I read that its probably a problem with the memory and now i would like to knwo what this modified 6950 bios is and where i can download it(didnt find anything on the mainpage/blind?)?
Do i have the full 1536 shaders, the 880 and 1350 Mhz but the voltages, clocks and timings of 6950?
Did i get that right?

Thanks,
Shrike

Browse through or search through this thread. There is a program script posted to modify your stock bios as well as links to several 6950 modified bioses that have the shaders unlocked with everything else left alone (stock 6950 voltages/memtimings/speeds)

 

[Shrike]

Yo,

i found and installed it.
Went well. Gonna try out Starcraft 2 now...
1 thing left:
MSI Afterburner lets me go up to 840/1325 and thats it?!
Is there a way to go up to 880/1350, because my card didnt have any problems with that when using the 6970 bios...

thanks

 

[wmblalock]

Yo,

i found and installed it.
Went well. Gonna try out Starcraft 2 now...
1 thing left:
MSI Afterburner lets me go up to 840/1325 and thats it?!
Is there a way to go up to 880/1350, because my card didnt have any problems with that when using the 6970 bios...

thanks

Sure is. Download the modded Asus 6950 bios from this thread and flash it, then you can download Asus SmartDoctor that is listed somewhere in this thread. In Asus SmartDoctor you can go into the options and increase the mhz overclock limits. Asus SmartDoctor also allows you to set a manual fan curve in the options (highly recommended) and it allows you to adjust the voltage to the gpu. This is the only program at the moment that allows you to up the cores voltage. You must have the Asus bios to use SmartDoctor. Also, as I just found out, for Asus SmartDoctor to maintain your voltage / overclock after reboot, you must right click on its tray icon, choose settings, then click "use clock settings after reboot". And just FYI, stock 6970 GPU voltage is 1.175, 6950 is 1.100. So I'd start in Asus SmartDoctor with 1.175 (actually it makes you do 1.180).

 

[Qed]

Yo,

i found and installed it.
Went well. Gonna try out Starcraft 2 now...
1 thing left:
MSI Afterburner lets me go up to 840/1325 and thats it?!
Is there a way to go up to 880/1350, because my card didnt have any problems with that when using the 6970 bios...

thanks

Yes, it is normal. Install TriXX from Sapphire, you need version 3.0.2 or later. You might not be able to reach 880 MHz without overvoltage. RBE and TriXX will be updated soon with voltage control.
The ram speed is find at stock speed, it is already too fast for the gpu. Ppl reported 1% increase in 3dmark2011 moving from 1325 MHz to 1400 MHz.

 

[Qed]

And just FYI, stock 6970 GPU voltage is 1.175, 6950 is 1.100. So I'd start in Asus SmartDoctor with 1.175 (actually it makes you do 1.180).

That's why i woudnt use a tool for changing a very sensitive hardware parameter, like voltage, with a non supported tool. Especially when AMD heavily changed the VRM part.

 

[Shrike]

Thanks for those answers, but didnt i just install the modded 6950 to get 1.1 v instead of 1.175 (6970) or am i messing up 2 different things now?!
If i use Trixx (which is for Sapphire) i cant change the voltage right now, if i use SmartDoctor i can do that, but i have to install the modded Asus 6950 bios( i didnt find that one yet, its not listed here: http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/88845/Sapphire.HD6970.2048.101124.html )
Correct?

Edit: Can i use Trixx for the rates and Afterburner for the fan? i got to like that one

 

[wmblalock]

That's why i woudnt use a tool for changing a very sensitive hardware parameter, like voltage, with a non supported tool. Especially when AMD heavily changed the VRM part.

I'd prefer a better solution as well, but currently SmartDoctor is all we have for those of us that want to run a 6950 modded bios at 6970 core speeds. Some can get 6970 speeds at 1.100v, but not most. As far as my experience goes though, SmartDoctor seems to be working pretty well and does everything I need. It does my custom fan curve, custom voltage, and allows me to push my speeds over the 6950 normal limits.

 

[wmblalock]

Thanks for those answers, but didnt i just install the modded 6950 to get 1.1 v instead of 1.175 (6970) or am i messing up 2 different things now?!
If i use Trixx (which is for Sapphire) i cant change the voltage right now, if i use SmartDoctor i can do that, but i have to install the modded Asus 6950 bios( i didnt find that one yet, its not listed here: http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/88845/Sapphire.HD6970.2048.101124.html )
Correct?

The only thing the modded 6950 bioses change is they enable the extra shaders. The voltage still remains at 1.100v (6950). The Asus bios is in this thread somewhere because I got it from here. I've attached it for you.
Also, I'd suggest only running one program to minimize any kind of conflict. SmartDoctor will do everything. I like Afterburner best for the fan curve, but I am just using SmartDoctor to do it all and it seems to be working fine.

 

[Qed]

TriXX can chanve GPU freq, ram freq, fan speed and fan profile (speed depending on temperature). There is the voltage bar but you can't move it, for now.

 

[Shrike]

So,
i tried the modded 6950 bios witch 840, 1325 Mhz and played SC2 for more than 1 hour!!
All my problems solved!!
Thank u all!!

 

[manofthem]

Hello all, I did the flash to my XFX 6950, and I had to do it using the CMD prompt run as Administrator. Finally worked. Here's my GPU-Z:

Shaders are at 1536, but GPU Clock is still at 800, though default clock says 880. Is that right? The other pics I've seen after the flash show 880 as GPU Clock. Thanks in advance.

 

[itsdanny]

Hello all, I did the flash to my XFX 6950, and I had to do it using the CMD prompt run as Administrator. Finally worked. Here's my GPU-Z:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/manofthem/6950_flashed_70.gif
Shaders are at 1536, but GPU Clock is still at 800, though default clock says 880. Is that right? The other pics I've seen after the flash show 880 as GPU Clock. Thanks in advance.

That's fine. It's just at a different clock rate.

 

[f0d]

Hello all, I did the flash to my XFX 6950, and I had to do it using the CMD prompt run as Administrator. Finally worked. Here's my GPU-Z:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/manofthem/6950_flashed_70.gif
Shaders are at 1536, but GPU Clock is still at 800, though default clock says 880. Is that right? The other pics I've seen after the flash show 880 as GPU Clock. Thanks in advance.

do you have any software running that you was using before to overclock as a 6950?

im thinking you have something like afterburner setup @ 800mhz with "apply overclocking at system startup" checked

if you do you will have to change the frequency in the program

 

[yonef]

Hello all, I did the flash to my XFX 6950, and I had to do it using the CMD prompt run as Administrator. Finally worked. Here's my GPU-Z:
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/manofthem/6950_flashed_70.gif
Shaders are at 1536, but GPU Clock is still at 800, though default clock says 880. Is that right? The other pics I've seen after the flash show 880 as GPU Clock. Thanks in advance.

I had the same problem with. It is a driver problem. All I did is completely uninstall catalyst dirvers, use driversweeper, and uninstall any additional overcloking software (e.g. trixxx, msi afterburner...) Reinstall drivers and you'r done! Never had this problem again

 

[DJManiac]

Have also an XFX 6950 @ 6970 sucessfully flashed with orgl. XFX 6970 BIOS with VGPU 1,175

I mad the following realization:
Fan on auto: max 920/1450 - GPUtemp Max ca. 85°C - Fan goes often up and down from 40% to 60% (3DMark11 Demo Loop stable - Also Furkmark stable)
Fan fixed on 60%: max 950/1450 - GPU Temp 65°C (3DMark11 Demo Loop stable , Not tested yet with Furmark but this might be a Problem - because of hight Temps)
Once I installed the Asus mod bios I set it to 1,3 VGPU @ 950/1450 and the card ist also stable on Furnmark with this....

I found out for me that the critical Temp is around 65°C with VGPU 1,175 (Stock 6970) - If the GPUTemp goes higher then there ist not enough VGPU...

For me there is a very Linear dependency between Temp, VGPU and max GPU Clock - Of course thats not new but such a linear behaviour was not expected (for me)....

So I made an MSI Afterburner FAN courve that suits me(an my card) and everthhing is fine for now (with the XFX6970 Bios)
Silent @ 920/1450 max fan around 40% (highter Temps)
Max FPS @ 950/1450 max Fan @ 60% (Temp max 65°C)

Next to Test is Fan on 100% (o my God - there is an Jet starting ) and see how much the CPUClock will go higher!

Cant await the Rel. of RBE 1.27 (hopefully next week as I read in another thread here) I play with VGPU again (Hate this Asus Tool because of stuttering in benches and games)

EDIT

Fan 60%-65%: 950/1450 - GPU Temp 65°-70°C (Also Furmark stable - with all on: max heating,....) - Above Temp 72-73°C Furmark hangs.... So it lookes like that really critical is somewere above 70°C (with stock VGPU 1,175)

That results me 3DMark11 - P5822 - What the heck? This is a really good score for a 250,00 EUR Card, isnt it?


All this was done with a quite good case air Flow - not too noisey but not silent at all - Kepp this in mind....

 

[bobbavet]

Guys, I am having a problem I have not seen before.

Went to do some unigine benches, only to find I was getting results around half of expected benches.

This is happening with xfire and to both of the cards seperately.

My xfire score was around 2100 and is now around 1100.

Seperate the cards were also down by half.

Ive tried everything. Driver uninstall, driver clean, driver reinstall.

Failsafe bios, reflash to original saphire 6950 bios.

I am really at a loss at what could cause this. Naturally I thought it was a dead card in xfire, but both cards are fine but in someway both giving out half the performance.

Help please.

 

[Qed]

Guys, I am having a problem I have not seen before.

Went to do some unigine benches, only to find I was getting results around half of expected benches.

This is happening with xfire and to both of the cards seperately.

My xfire score was around 2100 and is now around 1100.

Seperate the cards were also down by half.

Ive tried everything. Driver uninstall, driver clean, driver reinstall.

Failsafe bios, reflash to original saphire 6950 bios.

I am really at a loss at what could cause this. Naturally I thought it was a dead card in xfire, but both cards are fine but in someway both giving out half the performance.

Help please.

Do you have more than 1 monitor?

 

[bobbavet]

Do you have more than 1 monitor?

No JUst the 1.

 

[whippoorwill]

Wait for the new driver to come out. The current one is really buggy.

 

[Qed]

Wait for the new driver to come out. The current one is really buggy.

There are benchmark of Crossfire 6950/6970. Drivers arent mature for sure, but the CF is working.

 

[whippoorwill]

There are benchmark of Crossfire 6950/6970. Drivers arent mature for sure, but the CF is working.

I know but most users aren't getting most of the card like they should. Thats why I hope that ATI/AMD will solve that issue.

 

[manofthem]

I had the same problem with. It is a driver problem. All I did is completely uninstall catalyst dirvers, use driversweeper, and uninstall any additional overcloking software (e.g. trixxx, msi afterburner...) Reinstall drivers and you'r done! Never had this problem again

Well, since I didn't have any other overclocking software, I uninstalled catalyst drivers, did driversweeper, and reinstalled drivers. I wasn't sure if I could use the same drivers that I got from xfxforce since it was for the 6950, but I did it anyway. After the reinstall, it all works out the way it should. GPU clock now at 880. Thanks a lot yonef