VBE7 - vBIOS Editor for Radeon HD 7000 series cards

[sinnedone]

Anyone know if the OP plans to work any further on this?

Only reason I ask is because I was hoping of seeing support for my voltage locked cards but haven't seen darkhmz post in a while.

 

[marjamar]

I have been hearing the only way to circumvent voltage locked cards is hotwire. Unless your motherboard supports it, it would be problematic at best.

 

[Ruski]

I have been hearing the only way to circumvent voltage locked cards is hotwire. Unless your motherboard supports it, it would be problematic at best.

By hotwire you mean soldering a few points together? Sort of how on our cards there are actual solder points for this?

I am still testing but now have flashed two Asus HD 7970's to R9 280x Matrix Platinum and both are flawless well above stock Matrix clocks (Core: 1170 / Memory: 1700 @ 1.58V) this is already a 26% overlock on Core & 24% on Memory (925 / 1375).

I was able to raise the memory voltage a bit and achieve 1700MHz on memory very easily. Haven't tried to go higher yet as i am not sure what a safe voltage is for this memory here. Rated at 1.5V I believe and running at 1.58V right now.

Anyone know how far i can safely push the RAM without risking permanent damage in terms of voltage? Currently, don't seem to have a temp sensor to tell me the operating temp on the memory...

 

[The Mac]

i believe the reference cards use elpedia memory, check the stats sheets.

I doubt you have to worry too much about mem temp, they run cool compared the the vrms.

 

[Kasmeri]

I doubt you have to worry too much about mem temp, they run cool compared the the vrms.

I always thought so too, but Guru3D purchased recently a thermal imaging camera (which cost an arm and a leg!) and has found the exact opposite with all the cards he has tested since then:


1) R9-290X: VRM: 79,8, GDDR5: 85,9

2) R9-290: VRM: 62,8, GDDR5: 79,4

3) GTX 780 Ti: VRM: 71,0, GDDR5: 74,7

4) R9-270: VRM: 69,1, GDDR5: 71,0


Someone who is more familiar with the 7970's reference PCB than me can tell us whose model the layout is most similar. In general though it seems that some of the memory ICs run from hotter to a lot hotter than the VRMs.

 

[marjamar]

Yes, that is what I mean concerning hotwire. My CHIVE motherboard has the solder connects on it I believe, but I don't have them on the CHVFZ motherboard I am using the DCUII on. So, I don't think I'll be using hotwire.

By hotwire you mean soldering a few points together? Sort of how on our cards there are actual solder points for this?

I am still testing but now have flashed two Asus HD 7970's to R9 280x Matrix Platinum and both are flawless well above stock Matrix clocks (Core: 1170 / Memory: 1700 @ 1.58V) this is already a 26% overlock on Core & 24% on Memory (925 / 1375).

I was able to raise the memory voltage a bit and achieve 1700MHz on memory very easily. Haven't tried to go higher yet as i am not sure what a safe voltage is for this memory here. Rated at 1.5V I believe and running at 1.58V right now.

Anyone know how far i can safely push the RAM without risking permanent damage in terms of voltage? Currently, don't seem to have a temp sensor to tell me the operating temp on the memory...

 

[vidlak]

@vbe7 author:

any chance of adding R2xx support in the future? I'm interested in buying one, but without the chance of vbios editing like in HD 7xxx case with your great app, I'm not so sure..

ps anyone managed how to mod the vbios on HD 7850 to change idle/2D voltage from 0.825V to 0.800? Which offset should be hex-edited etc? I've already posted my vbios for inspection 1 or 2 pages back.

TIA!

 

[Random Murderer]

Guys, I need to make this clear, so I apologize in advance if it seems I'm yelling.

Darkhmz, the author of this tool, has not signed onto TPU in over a month. Take VBE7 as it is and be happy.
Stop requesting new features or special support from the developer. Chances are he/she will not be back any time soon.


That being said, I'm sure there are some of us here who can help out a little bit, but short of another coder/hex-editor joining the conversation, don't expect miracles.

And finally, a huge thanks to Darkhmz for this tool!

 

[vidlak]

yeah, anyone knows what happened to Darkhmz? He/she indeed has not logged in here for a month now. Hope VBE7 development is not dead :/. Adding R2xx support at least would be awesome !

 

[Ruski]

yeah, anyone knows what happened to Darkhmz? He/she indeed has not logged in here for a month now. Hope VBE7 development is not dead :/. Adding R2xx support at least would be awesome !

R2xx is supported in the current version!

I have used it to edit R9 280X Matrix Platinum BIOS several times and have flashed two 7970's with that bios.

Works like a charm.

On another note...anyone know how to determine a safe boundary for voltage overclocking the memory on the 7970's / R9 280x's ? Stock is 1.5V...i have it at 1.58V, but wouldn't mind trying 1.6V-1.65V to push the memory clock higher...

 

[Stag]

R2xx is supported in the current version!

I have used it to edit R9 280X Matrix Platinum BIOS several times and have flashed two 7970's with that bios.

Works like a charm.

On another note...anyone know how to determine a safe boundary for voltage overclocking the memory on the 7970's / R9 280x's ? Stock is 1.5V...i have it at 1.58V, but wouldn't mind trying 1.6V-1.65V to push the memory clock higher...

Enjoyed following your journey of bios flash.

Did asus tweak 2.2.1.4 allow for full control?It did for me.Volts and all.No bios flash required.Up load bios to tpu yesterday.Its factory.

Check what type of ram you have.

Hynix H5GQ2H24AFR ram 1.65v does 1800+ easy for me.Others have benched 1.7v.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1436497/official-amd-r9-290x-290-owners-club/4170#post_21159513

 

[Ruski]

Enjoyed following your journey of bios flash.

Did asus tweak 2.2.1.4 allow for full control?It did for me.Volts and all.No bios flash required.Up load bios to tpu yesterday.Its factory.

Check what type of ram you have.

Hynix AFR ram 1.65v does 1800+ easy for me.Others have benched 1.7v.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1436497/official-amd-r9-290x-290-owners-club/4170#post_21159513

Yup, that's the same memory. I knew about the 2.2.1.4 GPU Tweak route but thought it would be fun to try and flash the card to R9 280x. I am speculating but i would assume that AMD will continue to tweak the Catalyst drivers to work better and better with the R9 280x moving forward (which may not be the same for the older 7970's).

I figured can't hurt to run the 280x Matrix BIOS.

Everything is unlocked in terms of GPU Voltage / Memory Voltage / VDDCI voltage (which i think is PLL) / TDP control is also available! Editing the R9 280x bios is also an option if you want to do extreme overclocking on LN2 or similar.

 

[Stag]

Yup, that's the same memory. I knew about the 2.2.1.4 GPU Tweak route but thought it would be fun to try and flash the card to R9 280x. I am speculating but i would assume that AMD will continue to tweak the Catalyst drivers to work better and better with the R9 280x moving forward (which may not be the same for the older 7970's).

I figured can't hurt to run the 280x Matrix BIOS.

Everything is unlocked in terms of GPU Voltage / Memory Voltage / VDDCI voltage (which i think is PLL) / TDP control is also available! Editing the R9 280x bios is also an option if you want to do extreme overclocking on LN2 or similar.

That hynix ram is the best.Good luck.

My original card is HD7970-DC2-3GD5.Have a R9 280X DirectCU II TOP V2 Video Card that will arrive tomorrow.May have to try the matrix flash.

 

[Ruski]

That hynix ram is the best.Good luck.

My original card is HD7970-DC2-3GD5.Have a R9 280X DirectCU II TOP V2 Video Card that will arrive tomorrow.May have to try the matrix flash.

Awesome, that's the same card as me HD7970-DC2-3GD5. I actually have two of them, one for my little brother.

Will test how far the memory can go at the voltages you referenced! You should have ZERO issues flashing the R9 280X DCU TOP to Matrix

 

[Pill Monster]

Rated at 1.5V I believe and running at 1.58V right now.

Anyone know how far i can safely push the RAM without risking permanent damage in terms of voltage? Currently, don't seem to have a temp sensor to tell me the operating temp on the memory...

From memory;

Hynix=1.57v
Elpida=1.64v

 

[Stag]

Flashed Asus HD7970-DC2-3GD5 with Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum BIOS located on tpu bios page.Time to play with VBE7 now.

This is with a 3d program running in back ground to see vdrop.Gpu tweak set at 1.3v for core.Software reports 1.251v.

[/URL][/IMG]

Actual voltage drop of core.Applied voltage 1.3.Software report of 1.251v(above picture).Meter reading of 1.272v.

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[ntrader]

Hi. I have 4x7970 (2xHIS IceQ X2 + 2xReference) and I use this cards in mining of litecoin. I flashed cards F72 bios from Gigabyte and got good hashrate with low clocks. I want to make my cards more cooler but voltage in this bios is locked. Tried to change voltage to 950 - nothing.
When I open bios, VBE7 announce that I have UEFI bios.
How can I edit voltage? I must to edit hex table only? Somebody could help me to do it?

Thank's

 

[Ruski]

Flashed Asus HD7970-DC2-3GD5 with Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum BIOS located on tpu bios page.Time to play with VBE7 now.

This is with a 3d program running in back ground to see vdrop.Gpu tweak set at 1.3v for core.Software reports 1.251v.


Actual voltage drop of core.Applied voltage 1.3.Software report of 1.251v(above picture).Meter reading of 1.272v.

Very cool, i haven't bothered with a voltmeter but my avg vdroop on load is almost exactly same as yours.

Have you been able to find any PLL control? The R9 280X Matrix Platinum has it but flashing this BIOS onto our 7970's doesn't seem to enable that feature. Although we can play with the VDDCI voltage which is apparently related to PLL.

Hi. I have 4x7970 (2xHIS IceQ X2 + 2xReference) and I use this cards in mining of litecoin. I flashed cards F72 bios from Gigabyte and got good hashrate with low clocks. I want to make my cards more colder but voltage in this bios is locked. Tried to change voltage to 950 - nothing.
When I open bios, VBE7 announce that I have UEFI bios.
How can I edit voltage? I must to edit hex table only? Somebody could help me to do it?

Thank's

you should be able to make the EDITs in VBE7. If you want to permanently drop the voltage on these cards to 950mv or less, then you need to edit "state 0 & 6" in VBE7. Not too familiar with bitcoin mining, so unsure how the videocard act under load, but what you are asking for should be possible just by simple VBE7 edits.

 

[ntrader]

Ruski
Here is a screen of opened F72 bios in VBE7.
State #6 is absent. Changing #0 does not give any result in changing of voltage.
Here is this bios. Maybe you can to make it better than me.
[url]http://i.piccy.info/i9/f3e4c571e93eb06a89bf74ec89a9b63c/1384809763/23243/583477/1_500.jpg[/URL][url]http://i.piccy.info/a3/2013-11-18-21-22/i9-5457674/389x428-r/i.gif[/URL][url]http://i.piccy.info/i9/cec3bae436d15e1ebbba237d34c27197/1384809812/23904/583477/1_500.jpg[/URL][url]http://i.piccy.info/a3/2013-11-18-21-23/i9-5457680/389x428-r/i.gif[/URL]

 

[Ruski]

Ruski
Here is a screen of opened F72 bios in VBE7.
State #6 is absent. Changing #0 does not give any result in changing of voltage.
Here is this bios. Maybe you can to make it better than me.
http://i.piccy.info/i9/f3e4c571e93eb06a89bf74ec89a9b63c/1384809763/23243/583477/1_500.jpghttp://i.piccy.info/a3/2013-11-18-21-22/i9-5457674/389x428-r/i.gifhttp://i.piccy.info/i9/cec3bae436d15e1ebbba237d34c27197/1384809812/23904/583477/1_500.jpghttp://i.piccy.info/a3/2013-11-18-21-23/i9-5457680/389x428-r/i.gif

I took a quick look at your BIOS.

Your "State 1 - Performance" & "State 2 - UVD" has #0 defining the highest possible VDDC = 1170.

Have you tried changing that down to 950 VDDC? I am not sure the card can run core clock @ 1000 with such a low VDDC.

Try Core Clock @ 501 & VDDC @ 950 for #0 and see what the card boots up at....if it works then you know its something tied to the Core Clock and you can experiment from there how high you can run the Core with a VDDC at 950.

You can also disable any type of OverDrive by limiting the Max. Core Clock and Max. Memory Clock to what you plan to run the card at. I would match those values with whatever you settle on and ensure you are not using GPUTweak or any other tuning up for TDP.

 

[ntrader]

Ruski

Hi. I done everything you say but nothing.
I changed clocks and voltage - nothing.
At idle GPU-Z show VDDC 1.0V. Under load we have a little bit down volt - VDDS always bounces in range 0.94-0.99.
Interesting moment: when I set lower voltage in VBE7, for example 0.95, 0.90 or 0,85V - GPU-Z always show bounce 0.94-0.99.
Look at next screen. I set a lowest voltage 850. After I run AIDA64 and look what AIDA show
GPU-Z show that VDDC is 0.95-0.99, but AIDA say 0.85!=))

So, in fact in current bios VBE7 change GPU VID, but not voltage =((

 

[leeb2013]

0.85 is usually the 2D/idle voltage. 0.95v should be your 1v 3D voltage minus droop.

 

[atila25]

Hi.I just bought an GB R9 280X Windforce.I tried to flash my bios,because TriXX only give me to rise the voltage to 1.200v.When i opened my bios ,it says,that my VRM is "unknown" and i can not rise the values over 1.200v .What is the meaning of this?Is my card with locked voltage?Or the software just do not support my VRM chip?What can i do?Sorry for my bad english.

 

[Coldblackice]

Two issues:

1.) Why does my card's states only go up to #4, when others' go up to #6? (I'm using a Sapphire 7950 Dual-X)

2.) Under OverDrive/PowerTune settings -- when might you do a "manual" adjustment? Like, why might someone manually adjust the Power Limit instead of just changing the TDP setting? Do most people do one over the other?

 

[Ruski]

Ruski

Hi. I done everything you say but nothing.
I changed clocks and voltage - nothing.
At idle GPU-Z show VDDC 1.0V. Under load we have a little bit down volt - VDDS always bounces in range 0.94-0.99.
Interesting moment: when I set lower voltage in VBE7, for example 0.95, 0.90 or 0,85V - GPU-Z always show bounce 0.94-0.99.
Look at next screen. I set a lowest voltage 850. After I run AIDA64 and look what AIDA show
GPU-Z show that VDDC is 0.95-0.99, but AIDA say 0.85!=))

So, in fact in current bios VBE7 change GPU VID, but not voltage =((

wish i could help you further...my guess is the card has a floor limit at 1V or similar. Probably can't run in 3D mode bellow that. Perhaps someone with a bit more technical background in this architecture can chime in for certain, as i personally have tried to increase the GPU Core and VRM