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7970 Lightning, worth the premium?

Possible to use the Matrix bios on the lightning? If so you reckon it's any better than the Lightning BE bios?

Nice scores btw but why no updated pics of your rig?
 
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Build is now cancelled ready for new build, which I plan to do a little better with this time around.

It might work flashing the bios, provided all the regulators are the same, though the Matrix has ~5 more VRM's then the Lightning, so this may be an issue. IF it does work, we should at least in theory manage 1.4v via MP bios and GPU Tweak (once its fixed).
 
Yep and while I agree this is how it should be done (harmful in the wrong hands) MSI really should state all of this in the advertising of the card, rather than implying that it comes with "fully unlocked bios for extreme overclocking"

Should at least come with some small print stating to get the unlocked bios to perform in any different way to the stock bios, certain steps must be taken to obtain the required software from MSI aka be an experienced cold clocker, loose warranty, sign NDA etc...

Edit: I actually get the voltage a little higher on the stock bios too, LN2 bios only reads out to 1.35v, stock bios reads out to 1.362v :p
 
Yep, 3820 is staying put until IB-E, at that point I'll be moving over to a nice oct-core :cool:

Lightnings are staying put for now, provided we see waterblocks for them, I'll likely move over to 8970 LTG's when they arrive. I'd love to say I'd consider GTX780 Lightnings but based on how douchy Nvidia are being with voltage I don't think I'll bother.

8 Pack (being the legend that he is :D) has said he will dump the stock vBIOS's from the BE for me to try out on my regular Lightning. 1150mhz stock boost makes them the fastest stock 7970's out :)

No real reason why it shouldn't work, is 99.9% the same card just different bios and a supposed 'better' tahiti chip.
 
I recieved a 7970 lightning today from overclockers love it, but one thing I noticed is on the box it says GHZ Edition on a silver sticker. I only ordered the normal version that is on offer at the mo. the clocks are the same core 1070mhz and 1400mhz memory.

Has anybody else had this? Have I recieved the new Ghz chip on this lightning or what?
 
No, the 'GHZ' version of the Lightning is the BE (Boost Edition) that should load up to 1150mhz, 1070mhz is the stock clock of a standard Lightning.

Probably just a stray sticker on the box :)
 
Hmmm maybe I have managed to clock it to 1125 core and 1500 memory on stock volts and played crysis 2 and temps on the core, memory and vrms never went above 50c is that good guys.

Also checked my ASIC and its 61.1% is that good or bad on air?
 
Those are good temps :)

ASIC = nonsense, My lightning (now deceased) could hit in excess of 1300mhz with an ASIC of 62.4%.
 
Was that on air aswell? Wow that's impressive, don't they say certain % of ASIC depends on better for water cooling and or air?

In heaven 3.0 it creeps to maybe 54c on one run. At those speeds.
 
Nope only got it today that's all I've had time to test so far, what would you say a safe voltage on air is with a lightning, for gaming etc for general use.
 
Yep, you should manage ~1200mhz with 1.23v. With the memory unless you're benching heaps you won't see much change between 1500-1800.
 
Hi guys

Just re-seated my EK full cover on this MSI Lightning 7970 to apply TIM to all the memory/VRMs (as specifically the latter were idling @ 45 and getting toasty on load - ~72)

I'm really pleased with the difference:

clock.jpg


How much can I afford to boost the default core clock without touching the Voltage?

Cheers!
 
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