Closer inspection or me pointing it out?
It was very much smaller than anticipated, I was quite shocked, wasn't even sure if it was a switch at first. I'll be starting to OC the card either later tonight or tomorrow 
New Build, need advice please.
- Thread starter Veradun
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It was very much smaller than anticipated, I was quite shocked, wasn't even sure if it was a switch at first. I'll be starting to OC the card either later tonight or tomorrow 
Soldato
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[ATIADLHAL]
UnofficialOverclockingEULA = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it
UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1
AccessibilityCheckingPeriod = 0
Find that heading in the msiafterburner.cfg file then change it to what i have put above. What's your feeble excuse this time for not finding what you are looking for?
[ATIADLHAL]
UnofficialOverclockingEULA = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it
UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1
AccessibilityCheckingPeriod = 0
Find that heading in the msiafterburner.cfg file then change it to what i have put above. What's your feeble excuse this time for not finding what you are looking for?
That's better, time to start testing these clocks!
Only using Basic 3dmark as I see no point in spending £20 on the software, here is the results (will update post as I go):
Test 1: 800MHz Core (Stock) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 23.68
Test 2: 850MHz Core (+50) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 24.68 (+1)
Test 3: 875MHz Core (+25) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 25.14 (+0.46)
Test 4: 900MHz Core (+25) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 25.64 (+0.50)
I can't get the core clock over 900MHz (MSI will go to 1200MHz) without the test stopping itself due to unknown error. Now I'm moving onto the memory:
Test 5: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1300MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 25.75 (+0.11)
Test 6: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1350MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 26.04 (+0.29)
Test 7: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1400MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 25.94 (-0.10) >.<
Test 1: 800MHz Core (Stock) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 23.68
Test 2: 850MHz Core (+50) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 24.68 (+1)
Test 3: 875MHz Core (+25) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 25.14 (+0.46)
Test 4: 900MHz Core (+25) - 1250MHz Memory (Stock) Overall FPS = 25.64 (+0.50)
I can't get the core clock over 900MHz (MSI will go to 1200MHz) without the test stopping itself due to unknown error. Now I'm moving onto the memory:
Test 5: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1300MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 25.75 (+0.11)
Test 6: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1350MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 26.04 (+0.29)
Test 7: 900MHz Core (+0) - 1400MHz Memory (+50) Overall FPS = 25.94 (-0.10) >.<
Last edited:
Soldato
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Did you enable the voltage control?
Soldato
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That's why you can't get the GPU stable at higher clocks then bud. Google is your friend see what other people have managed and at what voltage. It's wise to set a user fan speed to help keep the temps in check. Yes it will make more noise but during a gaming session the noise will be drowned out by the speakers.
Ive not used the software personally with an AMD card. I know on my nvidia cards if i move the voltage slider all the way to the right that is the MAX safe voltage for the card (doesnt mean you should just whack it to that though).
Depending how bothered/bored you are you could throw the switch back and get a benchmark at stock then see what OC you can manage without the unlocked shaders and bench that to compare to the results you have already.
Afterburner has a built in on screen display you can enable in the settings. This can display the core and mem speeds, temp & fan speeds,along with the FPS in the top corner whilst you are in game. You can then tweak the in game graphics options and clearly see how much of a knock to FPS it's made by upping them.
Speaking of the 6950 unlock. I only moved the switch and unlocked the shaders, but most websites say's I have to move the switch and then flash the card as well. From the videos I watch, after they flash the BIOS, the default clocks also increase to 880MHz, mine is still on 800MHz by default...
I'm guessing this is the best tutorial for it:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159
Will flashing the clocks make the overclocking the card easier or do no help at all?
As for safe voltage limits, it's a mess out there lol, different versions of the card plus watercooled vs air cooled. A pattern I saw was 1.2v on air. I just don't want to fry a £200+ card
I'm guessing this is the best tutorial for it:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159
Will flashing the clocks make the overclocking the card easier or do no help at all?
As for safe voltage limits, it's a mess out there lol, different versions of the card plus watercooled vs air cooled. A pattern I saw was 1.2v on air. I just don't want to fry a £200+ card
Soldato
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Might be best to start a thread in the GPU section of the forum and see what practical experience people have had with your card.
I don't own that GPU but i was under the impression that the 6950 uses different VRAM to the 6970. Flashing a 6950 to a 6970 bios would make the VRAM voltage increase and would slowly damage the card.
Times may have changed and there could be a modified BIOS available for all i know. If you have managed to unlock the shaders and OC the core speed to 900mhz you do essentially have 6970 performance for less cash.
I don't own that GPU but i was under the impression that the 6950 uses different VRAM to the 6970. Flashing a 6950 to a 6970 bios would make the VRAM voltage increase and would slowly damage the card.
Times may have changed and there could be a modified BIOS available for all i know. If you have managed to unlock the shaders and OC the core speed to 900mhz you do essentially have 6970 performance for less cash.
Soldato
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I hope you get your answers there fella. If nothing else maybe people can tell you what they have theirs clocked to and state the voltage they use. I'm sure i mentioned the "silicon lottery" before, what others achieve you may not get but it's a guide to work towards.
Something i forgot to mention is that the benchmarking software often stresses the GPU much harder than a game would. So say you got it to 1000mhz and it failed in benchmarking doesnt mean it wouldn't run games ok at those speeds, you'd still need to check for artifacts though (graphical "glitches").
Much like OC'ing the CPU and stress testing with prime95, if there are no errors you know that is a rock solid OC so there is no harm basing your OC on the GPU from the benchmarking software.
It does sound like you are a winner on the silicon lottery as you have unlocked the shaders and have reached 900mhz stable under stress testing. So like i said you do have technically 6970 performance for less cash.
Pushing the OC further as you can see isn't really getting you massive gains in FPS. Now you have the card OC'd stable at 6970 levels you need to look at the in game graphics options. Like i said afterburner can show in game your temps and FPS so you can tinker happily and see what difference the settings are actually making to your gameplay
Something i forgot to mention is that the benchmarking software often stresses the GPU much harder than a game would. So say you got it to 1000mhz and it failed in benchmarking doesnt mean it wouldn't run games ok at those speeds, you'd still need to check for artifacts though (graphical "glitches").
Much like OC'ing the CPU and stress testing with prime95, if there are no errors you know that is a rock solid OC so there is no harm basing your OC on the GPU from the benchmarking software.
It does sound like you are a winner on the silicon lottery as you have unlocked the shaders and have reached 900mhz stable under stress testing. So like i said you do have technically 6970 performance for less cash.
Pushing the OC further as you can see isn't really getting you massive gains in FPS. Now you have the card OC'd stable at 6970 levels you need to look at the in game graphics options. Like i said afterburner can show in game your temps and FPS so you can tinker happily and see what difference the settings are actually making to your gameplay
Thinking about adding another 2GB 6950 crossfire in a couple of months time since they've dropped in price a bit. I'll be adding in extra fans at the same time to exhaust the hot air. Although I'm a bit concerned over power. I currently have this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF
650w would be too weak no? Even from a good name. I was thinking I'd need around 750w? I have the i5 on a stable 4.3GHz and only OC my card when needs be. It's still a great gaming system as it plays Max Payne 3 on these settings quite well:
I'd just like the extra 2GB video memory as backup
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF
650w would be too weak no? Even from a good name. I was thinking I'd need around 750w? I have the i5 on a stable 4.3GHz and only OC my card when needs be. It's still a great gaming system as it plays Max Payne 3 on these settings quite well:
I'd just like the extra 2GB video memory as backup