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7970 Lightning, worth the premium?

Can't wait! I hope they work perfectly (not just because I want your catleap...:p)

Is it okay to push these cards to 1.4v? I remember you saying in one of your vids that running 1.7v on the mem was fine even though others were saying this would decease life expectancy, but nothing about the clock voltage.

I've been reluctant to bench even at 1.35v ;s

I haven't even touched ln2 mode yet. Was having trouble getting into windows with it on. pgi947 mentioned a way but I've yet to try it.

Good Luck
 
It all depends on how well you keep temps in check. Of course 1.4v will overwhelm the air cooler. Higher volts plus lower temps of the water block versus air cooler is where the nice clocks are going to come from.
 
How are we getting to 1.4v? Both bios's are capped at 1.35v for me, I know the Asus test BIOS will do 1.4v but then we would loose things like auxiliary power surely?
 
Any of you guys know how to remove the shim around the gpu on these cards without damaging anything? My copper shim must be affecting my temps and would like to remove it if possible but can't see anything on Google. Thanks
 
Ya, I've now read previous posts you guys have been over this already. With 2.2.2 and unlocked with the LN2 BIOS selected, the clock sliders are locked out and still limited to 1.35 v.

So does this sum up where we are at:

1. Earlier versions of AB Extreme don't work with the 7970 Lightning
2. MSI will only give out a current version of AB Extreme to known HWBOT type LN2 overclocker's with waiver forms signed and all that jazz
3. There are no "unlocked" Lightning BIOS's that will allow regular 2.2.2 to go above 1.35v

Is that all correct? I guess I can kinda see where MSI is coming from. If some random guy put the slider on core to 1.7v on air cooler it would fry within seconds.

It will be interesting to see what kind of core clocks can be attained at 1.35v with the EK water blocks. I'd be happy with a stable 1350 MHz across all four cards in crossfire.

EDIT: http://hwbot.org/forum/showpost.php?p=176764

MSI is really close-hold on that software it appears. I wonder if MSI would budge for those of us that can run sub-zero liquid but not LN2. ;) Wouldn't even need the fully unlocked Extreme just maybe 1.4-1.45v max.
 
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I've also noticed that with the "unofficial overclocking" enabled, the frequency sliders even on the regular BIOS keep snapping back to zero. They won't save. The only thing that works is the regular mode and 1300 MHz max. Anyone else see this?
 
Yeah, you need to keep ab locked with ln2 BIOS to get clocks to stick, the ln2 BIOS already has unlocked clock speeds higher than what anyone is ever going to reach.

You summed up the voltage limit pretty well, Msi keep it that way so the less experienced don't insta-fry the card with silly volts, will see what it can do under water, maybe a little BIOS mod could see us raise the limit over 1.35v? I'm fairly confident 1.35v under water will give the vast majority 1350 core, I'm happy with stock clocks for gaming, overclocks are only being used for benches for me.
 
Vega said:
Ya, I've now read previous posts you guys have been over this already. With 2.2.2 and unlocked with the LN2 BIOS selected, the clock sliders are locked out and still limited to 1.35 v.

So does this sum up where we are at:

1. Earlier versions of AB Extreme don't work with the 7970 Lightning
2. MSI will only give out a current version of AB Extreme to known HWBOT type LN2 overclocker's with waiver forms signed and all that jazz
3. There are no "unlocked" Lightning BIOS's that will allow regular 2.2.2 to go above 1.35v

Is that all correct? I guess I can kinda see where MSI is coming from. If some random guy put the slider on core to 1.7v on air cooler it would fry within seconds.

It will be interesting to see what kind of core clocks can be attained at 1.35v with the EK water blocks. I'd be happy with a stable 1350 MHz across all four cards in crossfire.

EDIT: http://hwbot.org/forum/showpost.php?p=176764

MSI is really close-hold on that software it appears. I wonder if MSI would budge for those of us that can run sub-zero liquid but not LN2. ;) Wouldn't even need the fully unlocked Extreme just maybe 1.4-1.45v max.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they'd allow you access to ab extreme considering your setup and such. Have you tried getting in contact with them yet?

Vega said:
I've also noticed that with the "unofficial overclocking" enabled, the frequency sliders even on the regular BIOS keep snapping back to zero. They won't save. The only thing that works is the regular mode and 1300 MHz max. Anyone else see this?
Click to expand...

I'm capable of going above 1300mhz on the regular bios. Works for me with either way of unlocking AB

l0Bb8.gif
 
For ab extreme you need to be a recognised overclocker and basically wave any warranty rights, even then its at Msi's discretion. Think we need to see what water + 1.35v brings first.

Ek have just showcased the regular 7970 CSQ blocks, so surely the lightnings are next in line.
 
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I had read about that, it could even its self out as the lightning has superior power delivery. We already know the lightning can do upto 1.8v its just a matter of how...
 
Vega said:
Anyone know anything about this:

http://www.overclock.net/a/getting-started-with-radeon-hd-7970-overclocking

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2661155&postcount=9

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1038867368&postcount=817

According to those sources with a custom BIOS you can get the Asus DCUII up to 1.4v? That actually might be better than the Lightning and the DCUII already has water blocks out for it.
Click to expand...

Martini1991 on here has the same card, I posted a thread yesterday about the ability to unlock the Asus cards http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18417060
 
Vega said:
Anyone know anything about this:

http://www.overclock.net/a/getting-started-with-radeon-hd-7970-overclocking

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2661155&postcount=9

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1038867368&postcount=817

According to those sources with a custom BIOS you can get the Asus DCUII up to 1.4v? That actually might be better than the Lightning and the DCUII already has water blocks out for it.
Click to expand...

From "pyside" in the "MSI Gefore GTX 680 Lightning spotted" thread:

'You guys should realise that Asus DCII cards operate at very very low RPM @ stock fans, so the temps are higher but the card is like dead silent, if you compare both cards at same fan speed, same core, same voltage, same pc same game etc, the DCII would win 100%'

I'm sure the same applies to the 7970 range, but don't know if fan boy or truth.

If it's the truth + you can reach 1.4v on them now due to custom bios then... 4 DUII cards INC :p

http://www.overclock.net/t/1265807/tt-msi-geforce-gtx-680-lightning-spotted/450

EDIT: someone pointed out a flaw in their design further down the page but that won't matter if you're water cooling right?

Overclockers.co.uk dropped the lightning price to £399.99 inc VAT 'This week only offer'!!

I don't think I'l be able to last until the end of the week without buying another....help
 
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Not sure if the .05v would matter much, I'd only be interested in swapping out my four lightnings for DCUII because of the DL-DVI port on the DCUII for my 5th monitor. Pretty stupid IMO for MSi to put two single link ports on the lightning.
 
I thought it was 1 single, 1 double.

My Accell adapter came in today, got it £40 cheaper than it was in the UK from the U.S and no customs charges.
Gutted that you said you can't get 120hz out of it because it's not dl-dvi native even with the overclocked pixel clock but meh I'l cope.

EDIT: Managed to get into LN2 mode by changing to a different mdp slot on the card, nothing special. Whatever I put my core volts at whilst in the normal BIOS it would give me a little extra, at 1.35v in AB it would give me 1.362v. But whilst in LN2 mode it kept the voltage at whatever I had it at in AB.
 
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