Galax GTX 980 HOF overclock

killflaker · 13 Feb 2015 at 14:22

Hi 8pack,

I have a 980 HOF, i pushed it to max on air, but the card maybe locked by firmware, i can bench 1550/2100+ with 1.21v on gpu (controled with dmm), default vgpu 1.25v. I have better stability with lower voltage.

Adding more voltage (over 1.25v) result crash, i do not wan't to push the vgpu over 1.38v, just unlock that limit on power, bios edit change nothing.

Just for benching on air (maybe water, but not now)

Do you have any information for a futur public update? Or simple solution can help me?

Thanks

jimbaw · 15 Feb 2015 at 21:59

I'm interested as well. any voltage or power limit change seems to be bios locked

killflaker · 16 Feb 2015 at 19:26

No help?

Bluntwrapped · 20 Feb 2015 at 14:29

Why not just open up the bios and increase the power target yourself? It's easy enough to do.

killflaker · 21 Feb 2015 at 12:42

It's not bios lock, it's vrm lock, edit bios do not change anything.
I need a firmware update, after that i can edit bios if needed.

8 Pack · 22 Feb 2015 at 21:37

For me you need lower temps. If below stock voltage is your sweet spot u need lower temps. Normal HOF no special firmware only has issues above 2050mhz and you are no where close to this or 1.6v load its not a power target issue etc.

killflaker · 23 Feb 2015 at 01:51

On air full fan 55° on bench (firestrike/extreme/ultra), waterblock can help me?
Maybe the gpu don't pass 50° but it's not a big difference.

I don't understand, asus/evga/gigabyte/msi, many good 980 over 1600 on air and over 1700 on water but no HOF.

What is the difference with the stock bios and 9A bios? Just unlock voltage?

8 Pack · 23 Feb 2015 at 14:32

9A bios?? I have not tested that one at all. Stock is fine on air.

The bio I use are A2 and A2-1 thats it. These are both XOC bios.

Several HOF can do over 1600 on air no issue.

killflaker · 23 Feb 2015 at 18:41

Sorry, 9A is on the name of the bios, 9A = bios A2.
Mine can do 1550 with 1.195v (check with dmm) and some times 1566 but adding voltage cause crash.

Can you share the A2 or A2-1 bios just for check difference?
I checked on many forum and no one bench on air over 1600.

killflaker · 2 Mar 2015 at 11:43

New test today with multiple bios modded by me, and always the same story, need waterblock and XOC bios for more.

And after many search, no one can pass 1600 on air with 980 HOF.
On water, found just one, but the waterblock are very rare.

8 Pack · 3 Mar 2015 at 11:31

A2 and A2 -1 I have yes. No I cant share those bios or XOC tools. They are for guys with Experience of xtreme cooling.

killflaker · 3 Mar 2015 at 12:50

It's the answer which I was sure to have (i'am not noob, over 15 years OC on pc), at least I understood a thing with all this...

jimbaw · 3 Mar 2015 at 20:32

killflaker said:
It's the answer which I was sure to have (i'am not noob, over 15 years OC on pc), at least I understood a thing with all this...

I am in the same situation as yourself :/
with regards to water blocks, bitspower and diamond make some for the HOF

ps: I see that you're French as well

8 Pack · 4 Mar 2015 at 09:50

Cooling better will help for sure. Its not my decision about XOC tools and Bios. I always follow manufacturers rules with regard to sharing these things.

killflaker · 4 Mar 2015 at 10:51

I understand that, i send mail to galax for bios and tool and no response.
On water, maybe i can make better oc but little gain.

XOC tools is just NVVDD with more options?
You cannot share bios, but can you show me on email screenshots of that bios?

Today if i can, i make other test with modified bios.
Another question, on the card, under backplate, i have the 3 little switch, this is for ocp nvp unlock?

faheemrazzaq · 24 Jul 2015 at 06:37

Hi 8pack. I have 2x hof 980's. Both of them can barely go over a 1.5ghz mark. I actually have to undervolt them using HOF_NVVDD to avoid artifacts over 1.5ghz. Both cards are on air at the moment. I am thinking of buying water blocks for these cards. But disappointing overclocks on air leave me a bit confused about that decision. I know you had amazing results working with this card. It will be nice if you can share a few tricks to push the overclock a bit further. Will the waterblock help to get rid off these artifacts due to the improved thermal performance?

Many reference 980's can do 1.5ghz easy. The improved power delivery on these cards is a bit of waste if they can't clock any better. I am even thinking to get rid of hof cards and go down the route of something like evga classified.

faheemrazzaq · 24 Jul 2015 at 06:50

killflaker said:
I understand that, i send mail to galax for bios and tool and no response.
On water, maybe i can make better oc but little gain.

XOC tools is just NVVDD with more options?
You cannot share bios, but can you show me on email screenshots of that bios?

Today if i can, i make other test with modified bios.
Another question, on the card, under backplate, i have the 3 little switch, this is for ocp nvp unlock?

Hi mate. It looks like I am pretty much in the same situation as you were a few months ago with regards to hof 980. Did you manage to put waterblock on and any improvements that you might have noticed?

8 Pack · 24 Jul 2015 at 23:49

I have two on waterblocks in the office and they are both doing well. I was testing for a custom cooled 8Pack card with custom bios.

I cant share XOC tools and Bios thats under NDA though.

faheemrazzaq · 25 Jul 2015 at 01:42

8 Pack said:
I have two on waterblocks in the office and they are both doing well. I was testing for a custom cooled 8Pack card with custom bios.

I cant share XOC tools and Bios thats under NDA though.

That's encouraging. I see OcUK do not stock any water blocks for HOF 980's, which is a bit of disappointment. Diamond Cooling are out of stock while Bitspower ship from Taiwan. I just want my hands on some waterblocks ASAP.

faheemrazzaq · 3 Aug 2015 at 10:06

Diamond cooling accepted order finally. Will be shipping soon