PowerColor Radeon R9 290 unlocked into R9 290X?

Boomstick777 · 15 Nov 2013 at 11:52

Orangey said:
Couldn't this just be GPU-Z seeing the X bios and reporting the corresponding shader count from its database? How does it query these stats?

Plenty of people have already tried this already so I guess not, otherwise we would've heard by now.

No.

The OP ran tests with stock 290 bios VS 290X bios at same clocks, the 290X got better scores, would only be possible if extra shaders had unlocked.

So far it's only the Powercolor 290 OC model that can be bios unlocked to the full 290X.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 15 Nov 2013 at 11:52

It could be that specific number and maybe a specific batch??

Or the person who said who did was trolling people??

Marine-RX179 · 15 Nov 2013 at 12:14

Tute said:
Also the R290 has a dual BIOS switch so this is a bit less risky than normal. Now, who on OcUK is feeling brave?

Feeling brave as in going for non-existing after-sale support and warranty for the sake of possibility of gaining extra 5% performance?

ihatelag · 15 Nov 2013 at 12:30

This is mega news. Has anyone on OcUK got one to confirm this actually works?

OcUK need to stock this card

Also, not to hijack thread, but would 2 x 290 be much better than 2 x 680GTX SLI for gaming purposes at 2560 x 1600?

Martini1991 · 15 Nov 2013 at 12:49

ihatelag said:
This is mega news. Has anyone on OcUK got one to confirm this actually works?

OcUK need to stock this card

Also, not to hijack thread, but would 2 x 290 be much better than 2 x 680GTX SLI for gaming purposes at 2560 x 1600?

Yes.

vUNREALv · 15 Nov 2013 at 13:42

ihatelag said:
This is mega news. Has anyone on OcUK got one to confirm this actually works?

OcUK need to stock this card

Also, not to hijack thread, but would 2 x 290 be much better than 2 x 680GTX SLI for gaming purposes at 2560 x 1600?

Well my 2x7950's were better than my 2x670's at a higher resolution.

2X 290's will be a lot better.

Gibbo · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:07

ihatelag said:
This is mega news. Has anyone on OcUK got one to confirm this actually works?

OcUK need to stock this card

Also, not to hijack thread, but would 2 x 290 be much better than 2 x 680GTX SLI for gaming purposes at 2560 x 1600?

Stock a card on an internet rumour, nope.

We don't see it, these cards are all built by AMD, they are all identical reference designs and flashing them only changes the clock speeds, the shaders can't be unlocked.

varkanoid · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:24

CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
AGP Nvidia 6800LE cards had the potential to unlock from 8 pixel pipelines to 16 pixel pipelines making them nearly as fast as a 6800GT.

Those were the days for the budget hardware owner.

I had one of these but I thought it unlocked to a 6800 Ultra. IIRC it was a BIOS update that did the trick.

It was a massive boost back then for the money paid.

varkanoid · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:25

Gibbo said:
Stock a card on an internet rumour, nope.

We don't see it, these cards are all built by AMD, they are all identical reference designs and flashing them only changes the clock speeds, the shaders can't be unlocked.

never say never....

humbug · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:38

Gibbo said:
Stock a card on an internet rumour, nope.

We don't see it, these cards are all built by AMD, they are all identical reference designs and flashing them only changes the clock speeds, the shaders can't be unlocked.

Any sign of AIB cooled 290's yet?

Gibbo · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:43

humbug said:
Any sign of AIB cooled 290's yet?

Nope.

Shall be December/January now.

Gregster · 15 Nov 2013 at 16:45

Anyone thought that Powercolour released this info without it being true? Genius marketing

LtMatt · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:43

Hot off the press guys. Seems like you can do it with other brands of 290 as well!! :cool:

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/76456-success-xfx-r9-290-flashed-to-asus-r9-290x/

Martini1991 · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:47

XFX and Powercolor cards so far, the brands no one wants

Tute · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:51

I have to admit, I'm really tempted.

Mr. May · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:52

Martini1991 said:
XFX and Powercolor cards so far, the brands no one wants

Wouldn't there warrenty be covered by ocuk ?

LtMatt · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:53

Tute said:
I have to admit, I'm really tempted.

You have a dual bios right? What's wrong with you man, get on with it. Its the whole point of a AMD card.

Flashing has never been so much fun.

Jumper118 · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:56

read on another forum someone has done it with an xfx card and they had screenshots to prove it.

Martini1991 · 15 Nov 2013 at 18:58

Mr. May said:
Wouldn't there warrenty be covered by ocuk ?

OCUK aren't stocking.

Gregster · 15 Nov 2013 at 19:00

Worth a gamble for those wanting a GPU to buy it, flash it and then return it if it doesn't work

For those that work, £300 for a 290X.... Makes Nvidia pricing a joke