*** Official 7950 Ice-Q Owners Club***

[tommybhoy]

***Official 7950 Ice-Q Owners Club***

OcUk have sold a fair few of these bad boys, so the Lt and myself thought there should be an official thread just for the Ice-Q.

So give yourself a pat on the back as you picked one of the best if not the best 7950's out there, it is simply an awesome oc'er on the core(on the whole that Iv'e seen on my travels in here), and it has probably the best custom AIB cooler out there bar none especially if you are going CrossFire, in that case it's untouchable for cooling outwith slapping water blocks on top.

Although on the whole, it's a cracking card there are a few things you may need to know and this could save you time and effort as the last part drove me up the wall.

First up, the not so bad, although the cores clock very well, the vram isn't as good as it's using Elpida, but core clocking far out ways vram clocking.

Next up, as generally it's the boost version most are using, it runs on a higher 1.25v default, there has been a few workarounds by making profiles in AB to lower stock voltage, the best way is flashing a custom bios-as it comes with a dual bios switch your sorted there.

Iv'e saved the most important for last, there is a flaw with the boost bios, it can cause gpu usage spikes=performance drop off in hard hitting titles(even oc'ed) therefore you may not be getting the full use of your gpu, but fear not, it can be fixed either with a bios flash or by changing the Power Limit in CCC by editing registry values if you feel uncomfortable about bios flashing.

Useful Info:

The first rule of crossfire club is disable ULPS.

If using CrossFire, optimum performance requires you to 'disable ulps', Afterburner is the tool of choice but I found reg entries quicker to use but these ones only work on W7.

W7 Enable/Disable ulps reg entries:

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/5agn1h

The AC Extreme fits while keeping the vrm cooling plate intact.

Spoiler

If you are looking to watercool, EK's full face plate water block part number is -EK-FC7950[EN]

Spoiler

LtMatts Bios Flashing Guide, thanks to Matt.

Spoiler

HIS 7950 Ice-Q Bios Flashing Guide - Remove the Boost Voltage of 1.25v, Stop Usage Spiking/Throttling - Give your card a Permanent +50% Power Line -


Bios Flashing Instructions

You might want to write this down...

You need to create a bootable usb stick.

1. Download and install the USB disk format tool here.

2. Download the Windows98 system files here.

3. Create a folder called Win98boot on your desktop, extract the files from step 2 into the folder.

4. Plug in your usb stick. Launch the USB disk format tool. Copy these settings, then click format. You need to select quick format, tick dos startup and select the Win98 folder, like ive done below.



5. Click start, then ok and it should do it.

6. Download atiflash. Extract it onto the usb stick.

7. Download my bios. Extract it and cut and paste it into the usb stick.

8. If you've done everything correctly your usb stick folder contents should look like this. (except the bios should say Matt.rom instead of HIS7950.rom) Do not worry if you have more or less files than what appears in the screenshot. As long as you have the bios file and atiflash thats all that matters. Windows 8 users might have extra files like in my screenshot.



If you look to have a file or two missing it could be because you don't have show hidden files ticked in control panel, folders.

9. Make sure all gpu's in your pc are switched onto bios 1.



10. Uninstall gpu drivers and any overclocking apps. Do not keep settings delete everything.

11. Restart your pc. Before you hear the beep keep tapping F8. Boot from the usb stick.

12. You should be at dos prompt. Type atiflash -i to get the adapter number for both your gpu's. Typically it will be 0 and 1, unless you have a gpu in a third pci-e slot. You need the adapter number to tell it which gpu to flash.

13. To flash gpu 1 type atiflash -p -f 0 Matt.rom and hit enter.

Wait for it to finish. It will prompt you to restart but before we do that we need to flash the second gpu as well.

Now do the second gpu (if you have one)

Type atiflash -p -f 1 Matt.rom

Once that has completed and you get a notification saying you can restart press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart your pc.

All going well you should get a display and boot back into windows. Now you can reinstall fresh new drivers etc. Boost voltage and boost clock is disabled, your card thinks its a non boost card from now on in and you have the option to select 50% power setting as standard with every driver install.

If something goes wrong and you get no display from the cards after flashing the bios. Turn the pc off and flick both cards bios switch to position 2 to use the stock backup bios. Turn the pc back on and all will be ok.

Good luck.

^
***A few are having problems with the tool for creating a bootable usb, you can try this alternative app to format your keydrive into a USB boot disc if the one in matts guide is causing problems***

Alternative_Bootable_USB_Drive_Creator_Tool


***Run the app and point the tool to 'USB Drive Boot Files' then 'MS-DOS', create your boot disc then add ATIflash and the bios .rom of your choice.***



HIS 7950 Ice-Q custom bios Collection.

***Please check your other Bios is intact and working first***
***Dont forget to make a backup of your original BIOS(use GPU-Z)***
***Please only attempt if you know the risk of what you're doing, and if you can recover from a bad BIOS flash if something goes wrong...***


New bios for testing:

925/1250MHz Non Boost 1.175v -INCREASED TDP FROM 130W TO 173W-CrossFire users-ulps can now remain enabled with no performance loss!!!

This is a new bios that Matt and myself have been testing, further feedback welcome-especially if you are running CrossFire.

Matt's found you can overclock further before you need the power limit.

My own testing has achieved slightly lower voltage for my 24/7 clocks:

Before-1100/[email protected] +30% Power Limit

Using this bios-1100/[email protected] no Power Limit adjustment required.

Download Link

http://www.sendspace.com/file/risbea



1. 925MHz/1250MHz Non Boost 1.175v(0.950mv idle voltage version):

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/5mv49f


925MHz/1250MHz Non Boost 1.175v(0.850mv idle voltage version):

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/g8e0fl


925MHz/1250MHz Non Boost 1.175v(0.800mv idle voltage version):

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/560v3m

I have left the choice of three different idle voltage for those that want the lowest temps/system wattage possible, if you have problems, try the next one up as the low idle bios might not be suitable for certain cards.

Features of the Bios:

Spoiler

*Boost clocks removed
*Boost voltage removed
*Stock clocks so should work with all HIS 7950 Ice-Q Cards
*925/1250 clocks with 1.175v voltage. Should be good for large overclocks while keeping cool.
*0.075v reduction in voltage from stock boost bios.
*Custom Fan profile specific to the bios
30c=30% fan speed
60c=60% fan speed
90c=100% fan speed
*50% power tune for life

Bios created by Kaboom. His thread can be found here. All credits to him.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1395490/ati-hd-7950-7970-bios-mod-thread

New version VBE7.0.0.7 is up on my thread now. It now recalculates the checksum so it would work on any motherboard and have no issues, also has a better fan profile adjuster and custom modifiable power limits. Check here. Scroll down to the bottom of the tool section for a download

2. 1000MHz/1400MHz Non Boost 1.18v:

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/qmiyyi

Features of the Bios:

Spoiler

*Boost clocks removed
*Boost voltage removed
*0.07v reduction in voltage from stock boost bios.
*1000/1400 clocks with 1.18v voltage. Every Ice-Q should manage these clocks, any problems give your vram voltage a slight nudge.

Thanks to LtMatt/Kaboom


3. tommy's 925MHz/[email protected]/Aggressive Fan Profile:

Download Link
http://www.sendspace.com/file/15aa58

Features of the Bios:

Spoiler

*Copied Kabooms settings adding an aggresive fan profile for max air cooling
*Boost clocks removed
*Boost voltage removed
*Stock clocks so should work with all HIS 7950 Ice-Q Cards
*925/1250 clocks with 1.175v voltage. Should be good for testing large overclocks on max air cooling.
*0.075v reduction in voltage from stock boost bios.
*Custom Fan profile specific to the bios
30c=30% fan speed
70c=95% fan speed
97c=100% fan speed
*50% power tune for life

4. Stock Ice-Q Boost Bios:

Download Link

http://www.sendspace.com/file/y49731


Bios screens grabbed via VBE7 vbios editor



Useful Links:

His iTurbo 1.4.4(OC tool)




AMD - How to Change The Power Control/Limit from +20% to +50%(Software GPU Spike Fix)

****7950 (disabled) BOOST BIOS thread****(Includes Power Control/Limit from +20% to +50%) thanks to IC3



AMD: A fix for users with high "Boost" voltages(Lower Voltage via Software) thanks to Chrisoldinho


AMD - How To Overclock The Official Way Using Afterburner + Step By Step Overclocking Guide + Complete Driver Sweep thanks to LtMatt


**THE AMD DRIVERS THREAD** thanks to:

How To Make Sure Crossfire Is Working? thanks to LtMatt





EK Water Blocks EK-FC7950[EN] Full Cover GPU Water Block Review




Any other info will get thrown in here if it's worthy.

Happy gaming folks.

***Please remember when posting-this is the Official 7950 Ice-Q Owners Club-If You Haven't Got One, You Can't Get In!***

 

[LtMatt]

Good work Tommy. Lets make sure Huddy gets this one in the sticky thread.

HIS 7950 Ice-Q Bios Flashing Guide - Remove the Boost Voltage of 1.25v, Stop Usage Spiking/Throttling - Give your card a Permanent +50% Power Line -


Here is a step by step guide to flash a bios to your HIS 7950 Ice-Q card which removes the boost part of the bios. So no more high stock voltage of 1.25. It also adds a permanent +50% power line to your graphics card so you dont need to do the power line tweak each time you install a new driver.

Just remember this bios uses stock clocks of 925/1250.


Solutions

You're suffering from the boost bios throttling problem. There are three different solutions.

1. Dial back your overclock and voltage significantly. Not ideal i know. Ensure you have the power limit at +20% all the time.

2. Use tommys power hack to increase the power limit to +50%. With boost cards +30% is enough usually to remove all throttling from the card at large overclocks like you're running.

3. Use a custom bios created by someone over at oc.net. It will remove the boost part of your bios and remove the throttling. It will also give you a power limity of 50% by default. The problem is the person who is creating this bios is afk atm, so he's not making them currently. The thread on oc.net is located here.

4. If you want you can try my custom bios. Uses clocks of 1000/1400 by default. Flash this bios to your card. Ensure your card is on bios switch one before flashing. Bios switch two is your backup in case anything goes wrong. I've uploaded my custom bios which Kaboom made me. It removes the boost part of the bios and adds 50% power limit to the cards bios via default so you don't need to do the power limit hack from 2.


Bios Flashing Instructions

You might want to write this down...

You need to create a bootable usb stick.

1. Download and install the USB disk format tool here.

2. Download the Windows98 system files here.

3. Create a folder called Win98boot on your desktop, extract the files from step 2 into the folder.

4. Plug in your usb stick. Launch the USB disk format tool. Copy these settings, then click format. You need to select quick format, tick dos startup and select the Win98 folder, like ive done below.



5. Click start, then ok and it should do it.

6. Download atiflash. Extract it onto the usb stick.

7. Download my [URL="http://www.sendspace.com/file/54zes0[/URL]. Extract it and cut and paste it into the usb stick.

8. If you've done everything correctly your usb stick folder contents should look like this. (except the bios should say Matt.rom instead of HIS7950.rom) Do not worry if you have more or less files than what appears in the screenshot. As long as you have the bios file and atiflash thats all that matters. Windows 8 users might have extra files like in my screenshot.



9. Make sure all gpu's in your pc are switched onto bios 1.



10. Uninstall gpu drivers and any overclocking apps. Do not keep settings delete everything.

11. Restart your pc. Before you hear the beep keep tapping F8. Boot from the usb stick.

12. You should be at dos prompt. Type atiflash -i to get the adapter number for both your gpu's. Typically it will be 0 and 1, unless you have a gpu in a third pci-e slot. You need the adapter number to tell it which gpu to flash.

13. To flash gpu 1 type atiflash -p -f 0 Matt.rom and hit enter.

Wait for it to finish. It will prompt you to restart but before we do that we need to flash the second gpu as well.

Now do the second gpu (if you have one)

Type atiflash -p -f 1 Matt.rom

Once that has completed and you get a notification saying you can restart press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart your pc.

All going well you should get a display and boot back into windows. Now you can reinstall fresh new drivers etc. Boost voltage and boost clock is disabled, your card thinks its a non boost card from now on in and you have the option to select 50% power setting as standard with every driver install.

If something goes wrong and you get no display from the cards after flashing the bios. Turn the pc off and flick both cards bios switch to position 2 to use the stock backup bios. Turn the pc back on and all will be ok.

Good luck.

 

[Gibbo]

Good read, best not to sticky right now otherwise it will go un noticed

 

[SouthEastBlue]

Nice to see this thread, gonna be having a tweak with mine this evening, nice to see a dedicated thread with helpful info/links!

 

[LtMatt]

Moved guide up to post2.

 

[krooton]

I was tempted to get one, but on further investigation, the heatpipe layout isn't optimal for anyone with a 90º mounted case, so I'm limited to MSI TF 7950s in my Raven2.

Just something to keep in mind, as blower coolers also aren't really as needed in 90º mounted cases due to natural rising of hot air out of the case.

 

[MG42Maniac]

I've picked up two of these to run along side a 4770K. I'm looking to just OC it so it's slightly faster than a 7970 Ghz, at the moment I'm not interested in trying to top it out. I'm thinking that's around 1150 core and 1450 on the memory? Is it worth just leaving the voltage alone and moving the sliders in the HIS iTurbo app and seeing what happens?

 

[LtMatt]

I've picked up two of these to run along side a 4770K. I'm looking to just OC it so it's slightly faster than a 7970 Ghz, at the moment I'm not interested in trying to top it out. I'm thinking that's around 1150 core and 1450 on the memory? Is it worth just leaving the voltage alone and moving the sliders in the HIS iTurbo app and seeing what happens?

1100/1500 should get you roughly to 7970ghz edition speed. Maybe 1125/1500 will put it slightly ahead of 7970 ghz. Stock voltage is already very high on the 7950 ice-q so id leave it as it is or try and decrease it yourself. Have a good read of the OP to see what your options are regarding the boost voltage.

 

[MG42Maniac]

1100/1500 should get you roughly to 7970ghz edition speed. Maybe 1125/1500 will put it slightly ahead of 7970 ghz. Stock voltage is already very high on the 7950 ice-q so id leave it as it is or try and decrease it yourself. Have a good read of the OP to see what your options are regarding the boost voltage.

Yeah I read the sticky and thought the default voltage was quite high. I'll have a little play this weekend and report back!

 

[xTommy92]

Thankyou Matt and Tommy for all your help in my previous thread!
I don't mind running both my Ice-Q and Twin Frozr at 1.250v as I am only getting upto around mid 70's at 100% usage on the top card (Twin Frozr) and the Ice-Q at the bottom is only hitting a max of 60's!!
Got them overclocked at 1150/1250 at the moment, like you said about the VRAM, my Twin Frozr can go quite high on the Memory but my Ice-Q hates it.

Absolutely brilliant card, wish I had got one of these before instead of the Twin Frozr as the cooling is amazing!

Tom

 

[Richeh]

Will post this here as posted it in the AMD OC thread last night but now this one pops up:


Thought id post in here as received my HIS 7950 Boost on tuesday and have tried my hand at overclocking but could do with a few tips.I did initially try to run it at 1200Mhz core, def memory and 1.25 but this produced artifacts in Heaven so I reduced the clock to 1150MHz as it was already 70-75c and I kept the fan around 80% max, it ran Heaven fine so I ended up lowering the volts to 1.175 and it ran it fine again.

Cut to today and playing BF3 it crashed fairly quickly with the above and reset the driver so after a reboot I upped the voltage to 1.225 which lasted longer but again crashed and reset the driver after about 15 minutes. I decided to lower the clock to 1100MHz and leave the voltage but have yet to test fully. Couple of questions:Are there any automated benchmarks similar to Heaven or Heaven itself that are as accurate at testing stability as me being here playing a game myself. I ask as i'd like to leave a test running most of the night etc to test stability without actually being at the computer.

My Asic quality is 59.5% so this means I would generally require on average a higher voltage. I am keen to hit that 1200MHz core but is it worth risking it by going up to the 1.3v limit? Also as it was artifacting but not crashing in Heaven at 1200MHz 1.25v is it likely that the core simply can't run at that speed regardless of temp?

Cheers.

Edit:And to add an additional question. I have a*Coolermaster*Silent Pro 600w this one*http://www.coolermaster.com/service/...S-600-AMBA-D3/*- in the future would it be possible to run crossfire using this bearing in mind I have my SSD + 4x SATA Drives.

 

[tommybhoy]

@ matt,

even better guide than your first one I used in op, fancy moving it up to post number 2 and you can put all your juicy bits of info in there like oc gains and such?

@Richeh,

1.3v for 1200MHz is fine providing you keep it cool enough with 100% fan and don't keep it there for 24/7 use or sustained Kamikaze runs if you just want to hit 1200MHz.

Iirc, the old Crysis bm's have a loop function or you can dial in the amount of runs to sustain, personally I imagine an hour or two would suffice for stability though.

I would say the absolute sweet spot for stability/temps/vrms on these for general gaming is 1100MHz on the core.

@Moh2,

You could try backing up your working bios and use it to reflash the bricked one, or try matts bios file in his post above, but DON'T tinker with your working bios-read lots of gutted storys over time with users being silly and mucking up both bios.

 

[krooton]

Edit:And to add an additional question. I have a*Coolermaster*Silent Pro 600w this one*http://www.coolermaster.com/service/...S-600-AMBA-D3/*- in the future would it be possible to run crossfire using this bearing in mind I have my SSD + 4x SATA Drives.

Might be pushing it a bit, TDP on these is 200w-ish, so that wouldn't leave much for the rest of the system.

I'm rocking 750w just to be sure as I plan to do the same.

 

[LtMatt]

@ matt,

even better guide than your first one I used in op, fancy moving it up to post number 2 and you can put all your juicy bits of info in there like oc gains and such?

Have done Tommy. Feel free to put it in the OP and ill edit my second post again to remove it.

I sent Kaboom a PM to ask for a non boost HIS 7950 Ice-Q Bios at 925/1250. That way everyone will be able to use it, even with crap clocking memory. For now the lowest i could find was 1000/1400.

 

[555BUK]

My advice is to under-volt these cards. Mine is sitting happy at 1100/1500 on 1.125v. Max clocks on my 63% ASIC card are 1200/1800 at 1.275v, anything higher and artifacts become visible and benchmark scores falter. At 1100/1500 benchmarks beat 7970 GHz Ed's, and I do not need more than that at 1920x1200.

 

[Doco]

Might pop my head in here - running 2 IceQ's in my rig myself and am well impressed with them, great guide for the bios flashing guide - might give it ago sometime (not up for messing anything up atm )

 

[HEADRAT]

Currently running 1 x IceQ, really tempted to get another for Crossfire.

 

[Orch]

Damn it, where's the 7850 Ice Q owners club?

 

[LtMatt]

Damn it, where's the 7850 Ice Q owners club?

All Ice-Q members welcome.