Unlock your ATI 6950 to a 6970 Thread

ElliottJames · 22 Dec 2011 at 18:15

I believe the 20G versions come with the bios switch and the 50g versions majority come with the bios switch.

It has two positions, one and two. Two already has pre-unlocked shaders @ 6970 levels. Here's a guide for you to check if you have the switch and what to do.

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=350307

cobrax · 22 Dec 2011 at 18:34

Did as he sayed but no luck, its got the switch on the card, but it didnt have a unlocked bios on it unfortunetly.
The tick box for the 6970 shaders on the RBE was already ticked as well. I also did it the same way am the video link from the above page as well.

ElliottJames · 22 Dec 2011 at 18:43

Not sure then mate, I just flicked my switch and It was done, a 5second job.

Surveyor · 22 Dec 2011 at 19:01

ElliottJames said:
Not sure then mate, I just flicked my switch and It was done, a 5second job.

As was mentioned several times in your threads just having a BIOS switch doesn't mean it will unlock.

In your case you were lucky it did.

For most cards the second BIOS has to be flashed to unlock the extra shaders and even that's far from guaranteed with current versions of the HD 6950.

And even those cards where the second BIOS is already set to unlock the shaders it doesn't always do it. The GPU may have been laser cut or possibly it has some faults so has been "downgraded" to a HD 6950.

ElliottJames · 22 Dec 2011 at 19:04

As I posted I said "If you have the switch" I know I'm a lucky one, I did say if meaning he might not

Surveyor · 22 Dec 2011 at 19:07

ElliottJames said:
As I posted I said "If you have the switch" I know I'm a lucky one, I did say if meaning he might not

That wasn't my point.

The card having a dual BIOS switch doesn't automatically mean it will unlock either by flicking the switch or by flashing the second BIOS.

It's not as simple as that.

ElliottJames · 22 Dec 2011 at 19:20

He never asked if it will unlock by a second switch.

Is there a workaround or another BIOS that can be used?

I simply said they come with a bios switch, which some can be unlocked.

mranderson · 28 Dec 2011 at 14:56

For some reason the power consumption has increased disproportionate after unlocking the shaders ONLY. Can't think of any reason unless the second BIOS has different power profiles. I will probably measure the voltages directly on the card to see if there is a difference.

muggs · 28 Dec 2011 at 22:47

nathanscott1981 said:
Hi Guys,

Has anyone tried this on the VTX3D 2gb 6950? (i know im cheap)

both my vtx's are unlocked

muggs · 28 Dec 2011 at 22:56

hedgey said:
the toxic will unlock but its not worth it. 6950 locked oc higher than unlocked so you end up with the same anyway.

is this true? even with a unlocked shader bios only with default 6950 memory timings?

Razzi · 30 Dec 2011 at 15:41

I heard a rumour that 6950's being shipped now may have the hardware fuses blown so the extra shaders can no longer be unlocked by flashing the BIOS, so may be best to buy one asap to try and get one that will work ...

JGibson · 30 Dec 2011 at 23:12

Just tried the switch on my sapphire (just purchased) "Dual Fan", turned off, flicked switch, turned on, shaders = 1536.

Now how do i up the speed, my copy of CCC (version 11.12) only lets me increase to 840MHz & 1250HMz.

Thanks.

NinetyOne · 30 Dec 2011 at 23:15

JGibson said:
Just tried the switch on my sapphire (just purchased) "Dual Fan", turned off, flicked switch, turned on, shaders = 1536.

Now how do i up the speed, my copy of CCC (version 11.12) only lets me increase to 840MHz & 1250HMz.

Thanks.

MSI Afterburner.

mranderson · 31 Dec 2011 at 09:10

Sapphire Trixxx

Skidder · 1 Jan 2012 at 08:00

Late to the party here. I unlocked the shaders on my sapphire dual fan 6950 yesterday. Dual bios switch worked no problem. I'm clocked at 925 and 1380 and played a couple of hours of BF3 at that.

Haven't really played with clocks and voltages much (did up the volts slightly but can't recall what). Is there a sweet spot I should be trying to get to on the clocks?

mranderson · 1 Jan 2012 at 09:54

1000 at core without extra voltage would be a good sign

Joox · 9 Jan 2012 at 14:09

muggs said:
both my vtx's are unlocked

Thanks, are those cards you bought recently? The reason I ask is because I bought a 2GB VTX 6950 from here the other day when it was on daily deal and I'm a little apprehensive to try unlocking it.

platypus · 9 Jan 2012 at 21:09

Edit: It did work, but only after two reboots for some reason

.

cainer · 9 Jan 2012 at 21:18

i hope soon we need an "Unlock your ATI 7950 to a 7970" Thread

BurntOutMutha · 9 Jan 2012 at 21:19

Brand new VTX3D 6950 ordered Dec/11. Shaders unlocked fine, now benching at 950Core/1400Mem 6200 3D11 P Score.

Defo not any new hardware changes because the same card which I ordered 10 months ago would not unlock no matter what.

Carl