Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 "Dual Fan Edition"

[Moodle]

Will the Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 "Dual Fan Edition" unlock to a 6970? Some of the reviews says it can but some dont. Thanks.

 

[CinderzFTW]

ATI have stopped the bios unlock on the latest cards, so more or likely, if the card is new then it won't unlock.

UNLOCK AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE... YOU WILL LOSE WARRANTY STRAIGHT AWAY!

 

[uscool]

also was looking to get this card, was thinking all i do was flick the switch to get extra shaders, and then increase clocks to 6970 spec and thats it

 

[Moodle]

Sorry about this rather noobish question. You can just flick a switch to get extra shaders? Or is that the same as unlocking?

 

[JaffAWood]

Isnt the FPS boost only like 5% or something tho. Better to get something non ref an OC the **** out of it!??

 

[uscool]

Sorry about this rather noobish question. You can just flick a switch to get extra shaders? Or is that the same as unlocking?

by reading reviews some people seems its that easy, but now saying cant do that anymore ? confused which card to get now, budget is £220 so seems a 6950 is likely but which one ? and can unlock shaders would be ideal

 

[steve45]

I've had one of these for a while, only recently noticed the bios switch, i tryed flicking the switch, turned on system opened up GPU-Z, no change, oh well...
not that fussed about the shaders, would be nice but i cant be bothered messing with the bios.

 

[tommybhoy]

ATI have stopped the bios unlock on the latest cards, so more or likely, if the card is new then it won't unlock.

UNLOCK AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE... YOU WILL LOSE WARRANTY STRAIGHT AWAY!

Some cards still unlock, mileage varys, most Sapphire Toxics will:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-274-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

Is it worth the premium, your wallet can decide.

This is the only card that comes factory flashed with the unlocked shaders(not guaranteed to work though) when you flick the switch.

There are some others that still can unlock but it's sheer pot luck:

I used this on my non reference 6950 msi twin froz ii and it unlocked.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18332364

Someone here(can't remember who) has 2 HIS IceQ X Turbo's that have unlocked:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-036-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

There are also some frozr II's that can unlock too, but don't purchase any 6950 with the assumption it will unlock!

You will not lose your warranty as long as you back up the bios, if the card becomes faulty, you reflash the original bios and lock it with a command and no one will ever know it was flashed!

 

[jake9891]

I thought the switch is used to switch between two bios profiles, same concept as having dual bios on mobos, if something goes wrong then it switches to the other one. The switch won't magically overclock your graphic card to 6970.... or will it?

 

[tommybhoy]

The switch won't magically overclock your graphic card to 6970.... or will it?

With the toxic, if it works then when you match the clocks, yes it's essentially a 6970 as it has 8+6 pin pcie power connectors.

 

[Surveyor]

The switch won't magically overclock your graphic card to 6970.... or will it?

Only on the Sapphire TOXIC.

The second BIOS on that card is a HD 6970 BIOS so it will unlock the shaders if they can be.

Other cards need to be flashed with a HD 6970 BIOS or a modded HD 6950 BIOS.

 

[Slackjaw190]

I flicked the switch on my dual fan and it unlocked. I did but it ~5 weeks ago though and its far from guaranteed to work.