Hi all, most already know this, and it might have been mentioned before, but I am seeing a lot of people who do not have MSI or Asus versions of this card talking about a need to flash the card's bios in order to exceed the limits set in the catalyst control centre.

You do not have to. Download MSI afterburner. Install. Go to
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner

Using notepad open MSIAfterburner (file type CFG- there are two files with this name so make sure you open the right one).

Change EnableUnofficialOverclocking = 0
to EnableUnofficialOverclocking = 1

Save file and start afterburner.

You should then be able to adjust clocks to all but the most extreme speeds. (1090 on the core, 1300 on the memory- the top limits of what people are able to make stable.)

I can't adjust voltage, you need to use the ATI tool for that.

I used to be able to but I think new drivers for my card and new versions of MSI afterburner (have done a fresh os install since originally doing this) mean compatibility has been affected.

Sorry if this is going over old ground, but just wanted to give a heads up- if cards break with another manufacturers bios on them, you will not get your warranty- overclocking like this will be less noticeable and is less risky to your warranty.

Oh, and I don't know for sure, but I assume this applies to the 5870 too.

You will loose powerplay without flashing GPUs BIOS, but it does work. I tested it on my XFX 5850 XXX.

When i try to save the file i get access denied Afterburner 1.50.

Windows 7 UAC? Try signing in as admin or lowering the security settings?

ATI Tray tools also works well

Also it doesn't seem to break my powerplay- running clocked to 5870 speeds (850 1100)- and it throttles back just as if it was at stock when not in use.

Sapphire 5850.

I think Afterburner 1.5 supports powerplay clocks ?

Kicks back for me too.

I can tell you now your clocks will no clock down if you use afterburners unofficial overclocking method, that's from it's developer. Yeah running at stock clocks will trigger powerplay, overclock 1mhz above and powerplay will be disabled.

RavenXXX2 said:

I can tell you now your clocks will no clock down if you use afterburners unofficial overclocking method, that's from it's developer. Yeah running at stock clocks will trigger powerplay, overclock 1mhz above and powerplay will be disabled.

Click to expand...

OK, I have flashed BIOS, O/C'ing with Afterburner and it will kick back down.

Is that because the BIOS is flashed then ?

If you enable unofficial overclocking in MSIAB and then OC past stock clocks then no powerplay won't work, since you have flashed your card there is no need to use the CFG edit, powerplay will work with any clocks you set.

RavenXXX2 said:

If you enable unofficial overclocking in MSIAB and then OC past stock clocks then no powerplay won't work, since you have flashed your card there is no need to use the CFG edit, powerplay will work with any clocks you set.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I just use Afterburner for monitoring purposes and voltage tweaks.

Also it doesn't seem to break my powerplay- running clocked to 5870 speeds (850 1100)- and it throttles back just as if it was at stock when not in use.

Sapphire 5850.

Click to expand...

Yea I was wrong there...