flashing a 6950 with 1GB using the 6970 with 2GB BIOS

[ehmdjii]

hello, i would like to flash my 6950 to a 9670 using the BIOS as many have done already.

the only thing is that i have a 1GB version and on this page only BIOSes for 2GB cards can be found:
http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/index.php?page=1&architecture=&manufacturer=&model=HD+6970&interface=&memSize=0

is it safe to also use this BIOS for the 1GB model?

thanks!

[vampire]

Do not flash 2gb bios, use RBE to read your card bios then unlock the shaders.

[ehmdjii]

ok thanks a lot!
anything else i should do while i use RBE?

[vampire]

Load the bios into RBE, unlock shaders and write back the bios.

Most of the newer cards are actually locked (either flash is protected, or they're fused). So good luck.

[chungenhung]

flash it and u r guaranteed to brick your card.

[ehmdjii]

flash it and u r guaranteed to brick your card.

why is that, several people have done it successfully.

[BrianH]

If you want modding/overclocking options, ask on an overclocking forum (i.e. EOCF).

A 2GB card likely will have different memory timings, memory, size, etc. programmed into the bios that all could bork your card. Your 1GB card is not capable of running these settings at default.

[Waltibaba]

Don't do eet! You'll brick your card! They are incompatible!
I suggest going to some hardware forum and asking first or finding some info before you do anything. check this post http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037084150&postcount=16.
You don't have a bios switch right?
Once you're confident enough that you know what you're doing, dump your bios, make about 15 backup copies, modify it with RBE, and pray that you can flash it back. Or, even better, see if you can find an already modded, working bios for YOUR SPECIFIC CARD on a forum.
good luck

[ehmdjii]

no i cant find a BIOS switch on it.
so this is the card:

[ovoskeuiks]

Hmm you will need to do some soldering to unlock that card
I have created an image with the info but can't upload a photo PM me and I'll send you it if you like

[HanSolo]

Hmm you will need to do some soldering to unlock that card
I have created an image with the info but can't upload a photo PM me and I'll send you it if you like

Hmm, I have a no-switch XFX 6950 1GB that can't be reflashed with a shaders-unlocked BIOS.. d you think a soldered connection can make it flashable? Very interested in pointer if possible.

[shivansps]

No, what you need to do is to save to file you vga bios using gpu-z, then load it with RBE, go to the addicional tab and select 6970 shader count.

Save bios and flash the card, keep a backup and have another card on hand in case the card dont boot up and you need another one to re-flash it.

But you have a non-reference Sapphire one, i think those dont unlock at all. I have 2 XFX 6950 1GB ZNFC and those does unlock, and have bios switch.

[ehmdjii]

No, what you need to do is to save to file you vga bios using gpu-z, then load it with RBE, go to the addicional tab and select 6970 shader count.

Save bios and flash the card, keep a backup and have another card on hand in case the card dont boot up and you need another one to re-flash it.

But you have a non-reference Sapphire one, i think those dont unlock at all. I have 2 XFX 6950 1GB ZNFC and those does unlock, and have bios switch.

thanks for the info! how can you tell it is a non-reference one?

[shivansps]

well, the fa is in the midle, here no AMD logo on the pci-e  and you said there is no bios switch either.

The card dont have to be reference to unlock, but i think that Sapphires non-reference does not unlock.

[ehmdjii]

well, the fa is in the midle, here no AMD logo on the pci-e  and you said there is no bios switch either.

The card dont have to be reference to unlock, but i think that Sapphires non-reference does not unlock.

ok thanks for the info!

let's say i would try it nonetheless. will my card get broken?
or will i always be able to reflash to the original bios?

[Waltibaba]

If you're unlucky, you will permanently brick it (thats where the bios switch saves the day). But since it won't work, there's no point trying. Most of the time though, you will be able to reflash it.

[shivansps]

In case it does not work you going to need to put another VGA card or a onboard video as primary in order to boot up and re-flash it.

The odds are against you in this one, i dont think it can unlock at all, you tryied to seach the product serial in google to see if someone has sucessfully able to unlock it?

[asher2]

Theres a lot of nonsense being spoken about in the thread (not all of it is, of course)

I have 5 of these Sapphire 1GB 6950s

The first two I got flashed to the modded bios fine first time.

The next three I got were actually OLDER than the first two (by serial numbers) and they would not flash. I did a hard mod (no soldering required) and was able to successfully flash them.

Try just flashing first and see what happens.

I'll probably do a pictorial guide of the hard mod later.

GL.

[Sideways]

The next three I got were actually OLDER than the first two (by serial numbers) and they would not flash. I did a hard mod (no soldering required) and was able to successfully flash them.

Can I ask what that was? I have a couple of these cards and was resigned to the fact that they would not be able to be flashed.

[asher2]

The next three I got were actually OLDER than the first two (by serial numbers) and they would not flash. I did a hard mod (no soldering required) and was able to successfully flash them.

Can I ask what that was? I have a couple of these cards and was resigned to the fact that they would not be able to be flashed.

I'm going to write up a guide soon.