Unlock my crossfire 6950s before getting a gtx970?

[kinger8938]

Hi there! I am currently in the process of getting a few pc upgrades togeather

I have ordered my ssd and next, probably just after xmas, i am replacing my crossfire set up with a gtx970

I wad just wondering, for now, would i see an increase in performance if i do the 6950 to 6970 unlock thingy

http://www.thebuzzmedia.com/how-to-unlock-an-amd-radeon-hd-6950-to-an-6970-easily/

I remember loads of people did this when the cards launched but i never tried it (bit of an overclocking n00b, only just bumped my 2500k up to 4ghz)

Surely its worth a shot, the link makes it sound easy

 

[tamzzy]

if you can afford to brick the cards and lose the £50 of resale value, then go ahead and do it
(i would)

 

[kinger8938]

if you can afford to brick the cards and lose the £50 of resale value, then go ahead and do it
(i would)

Dont know if sarcasm

is it quite risky then? Im new to this sort of stuff so maybe i shouldnt as resell would be a help. I imagine its not much of an increase anyway?

 

[tamzzy]

no sarcasm intended lol.

you'll see about a 10% gain (those numbers are for solo cards, it may/may not be cumulative in xfire) by unlocking the 6950 to 6970

of course every bios flash has a risk of bricking a card, especially if you aren't confident of doing it. but that being said, it's simple enough
that's why i said, if you can afford losing the £50 in resale value if you brick the card, then you should do it

 

[Davedree]

if the card has a bios switch situated via the cf slot, then he has no problem what so ever in bricking the card as it will have a dual bios.

Depending on the manufacturer the unlocked bios may even be loaded onto the other bios, by simply selecting the number 1 position.

 

[tamzzy]

true, iirc though, not all cards in the 6xxx series had dual bios though

 

[Davedree]

true, iirc though, not all cards in the 6xxx series had dual bios though

agreed yeah,

 

[kinger8938]

Oh wasnt aware of the switch i will open the case up and see which 2 cards i have

I see what your saying Tamzzy, resell is a good point and is a risk! If its worth doing ill have a go

 

[Bonjour]

If you have two cards there is next to no risk. If you brick one, just boot off the other and flash the bricks done back.

 

[r7slayer]

back when i had a couple 6950s they had bios switches on them. If i remember properly you could only unlock these 6950 with the bios switches on them.
If it doesn't have these bios switches i really would no recommend flashing your 6950 as if it goes wrong that could pretty much mean a bricked card!

With the switch you can flick to the other bios if something wrong happens and reflash it back to its old bios. I did have to do this as well!

Then again like post above me said if something goes wrong just boot off the working card and flash the bricked one back. Just be very careful doing this as if you have a brain fart moment it could equal disaster.