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I am not so sure if there are differences between GPU card vendors, e.g. is a Powercolor worse than an XFX?

http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a619993.html
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a636250.html

It goes unsaid that I want to unlock the shaders and get the most out of it for OpenCL.  ;D

I can answer this myself: Some are unlockable, some are not. It is all luck.

It's not luck! The reference PCB (the one that says AMD on the board just above the PCIe connector) are all 2GB, and all unlockable! Another easy way of telling, is the BIOS switch! I have heard some rumors about all 6950s were unlockable, though the 1GB, and  the non-ref cards are only done using an original 6950 modded BIOS. The ref cards can be done either way (stock modded BIOS or 6970 BIOS)

No, it isn't all luck.

I'm a 6950 owner (I have 2, actually) unlocked to 6970s and unlocking is possible on reference model 6950s. These were the ones released at launch. They have the dual BIOS switch that allows you to unlock. More recent models have the switch removed. If you look around you can find reference cards from HIS/Sapphire/XFX etc. but they're likely to cost more. I happened to get mine at launch.

I found a Powercolor 1GB 6950 with DualBios Switch. Would it be possible to unluck the shaders then with a modded BIOS?

This topic may clarify my Question with the 1GB version ( http://www.overclock.net/amd-ati/996523-just-unlocked-powercolor-hd-6950-1gb.html ). The 2GB version as you wrote is doing fine.

I can get the 1GB version for $30 less and 5 days earlier.

Edit: I decided to go with another GPU. The 6950 is indeed a bit overkill for mining.

NEVER buy "non-reference" GPU cards.
that's all&good luck.

sorry i am still confused, how do you tell a reference version with unlockable shader vs one that is not?  On newegg i see a dozen 6950, how do i know which ones are unlockable? :(

also are we saying ALL 2GB version of 6950 are guaranteed to unlock?

This is a reference card:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviewimages/xfx-6950-1gb/reference-6950.jpg

Notice that every ref card will be the same, the only  change will be the stikers, also a good thing to look after is the AMD logo at the PCI connection.

thanks frisco, unfortunately i dont see any of the cards on newegg with the same design anymore

Copy paste from my other forum posting.

XFX HD-695X-ZNFC VA.3 Radeon HD 6950 1GB  (http://"http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523")

XFX and others namely 1gb version are being stubborn about letting you flash their bios now. It's a hardware level lock out and whenever you attempt to flash you will be greeted with ERROR 0FL01 unable to write. Even using -unlockrom or -f commands.

Pm25LV010 (http://"http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.jp%2Fscottle556%2Fpdf%2FPm25LV512-010.pdf&ei=UWv5Tfm0Jobk0QGildXQAw&usg=AFQjCNGpfaPiCVT3moO2w8r0zVw7vmqwPQ&sig2=QEhHClvi-pDMlfcEvNBLfA") is the problem.

Solution

http://i53.tinypic.com/wao70h.jpg

Result

http://i53.tinypic.com/210ybu1.jpg

Progress 900mhz stock voltage. Ive made progress up to 400mh/s @ 915mhz with PowerTune tweaks etc. Issue's - Lack luster cooler

http://i51.tinypic.com/jj1v07.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/28quont.jpg

I think the copy and paste made the links broken..

I have just spent about 2 hours trying to unlock the shaders on my xfx 6950's.   they are running at 353 Mhsh now, but I see that I can get them up to over 400.

Please repost the links to the 'other' thread you speak of.

It looks like you have to take the card apart and jump #3-#8 of chip ...somechip.  will it work for an xfx?

Jim


update:  here is the link to the other thread....awsome. http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?p=3902061

it insta-voids warranty.. how many people feel comfortable doing that?

Obviously not you so don;t concern yourself with it then.

Id recommend a solder pen across the bios chip for ease of use.


Make sure to use CCC PowerTune to 20% otherwise your capped at 350Mh/s no matter the clocks.

I have a saphhire NON ref 6950  :-\

Has anyone tried this method with it to unlock shaders only ?  as in .

To flash a modded 6950flash  WITH shaders onto it, and not flashing with a 6970flash?

Im about ready to do this? 

Anyone know how to unlock shaders on the HIS non reference 2GB card.  It won't flash but there is no error, I am guessing they shorted some lines. 

Not that I see much difference between this card and my unlocked MSi TF II, I just don't like the fact that they are hiding the extra shaders in plain sight. :)

Is this the one with two fans? Does it have 1 or 2 gb of ram?

I ask because I was planning on getting two of these to unlock. Please let me know how it goes.

Bought from canada computers
1 fan
2 gig of ram

I'm using two Diamond 6950s, both with flashed bios to 6970 - working great!

What model numbers?

6950PE52G

DIAMOND Radeon HD 6950 2048MB

I have a Powercolor 1Gb 6950.  It has a BIOS switch but refused to be unlocked.  Didn't pursue the matter further.  I also have HIS 1Gb 6950s without BIOS switches so I didn't try on those.

Where is the 'dual bios switch' located?  Is this a 'virtual' switch in SW, or is it something I can see physically?  If it's hardware (not SW) - can I see it with the card plugged in, or do I have to power down and remove the card (like I would need to do to check for AMD logo on pin connector)?

Thanks.

I've got 3 x 6950s (2GB HIS) that are hoping to be unlocked (shaders only - I don't want to risk the 6970 flash).

the switch is real IF you have it, pretty easy to spot beside crossfire connector, if you cant see it/find you dont have one

http://images.anandtech.com/doci/4061/Switch.jpg

@op: i bought a powercolor 6950 2gb in reference design, if you're in germany, buy from VV.

Thanks - I definitely don't have it.   >:(

Am proceeding on my quest to unlock shaders anyway.... Muahahahaha! ;D