Updating Firmware

[Chris230291]

Hello. I want to ask a couple of questions regarding flashing my GPU firmware.

1. Can it improve performance?
2. How do I know I have the right firmware?
3. Is there custom firmwares that will get me more from my hardware?

I have a Sapphire 6870, this one...

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1037&pid=1312&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#

I was looking at the firmwares here...

http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/...del=HD+6870&interface=PCI-E&memType=&memSize=

But non of the pictures match. Can someone explain how I know I'm installing the correct firmware?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[looz]

I wouldn't bother unless you're having problems with your card. If you have to ask these questions chances are nothing good will come out of it.

6870 doesn't even have significantly better options for BIOS.

 

[Chris230291]

Why wouldn't you bother?
I'm not really having problems, but my overclock has to be much lower now to stay stable. More than anything I just like to tinker. I've never done this before so of course I have to ask these questions. I've flashed firmwares on a verity of hardware in the past, is this really any different? I just want to learn and decide for myself.

It unlocks extra options?

 

[WYP]

different bios's on a gpu can change things like voltage limits, clocks limits stock clocks etc.

i would not recommend this given the risks involved. Unless you have a dual bios card i wouldn't attempt this as its a good way to potentially brick your card.

what is your 6870 clocked at atm?

 

[Chris230291]

Arh OK.
980 / 1100 in Afterburner.

 

[WYP]

Arh OK.
980 / 1100 in Afterburner.

hm that seems a reasonable overclock for a 6870, given you said your previous overclock degraded.

what do you plan on achieving by changing the gpu bios/firmware?

it doesn't increase performance unless you use it to increase voltage and clock speed.

 

[Chris230291]

I just want to get more out of it if possible. I read about people flashing their cards and essentially turning it into the model above.
I want to learn as much as I can on this card so I don't mess up my new one when I get it.

 

[WYP]

I just want to get more out of it if possible. I read about people flashing their cards and essentially turning it into the model above.
I want to learn as much as I can on this card so I don't mess up my new one when I get it.

only card that did that recently as the hd 6950 flashing to become a hd 6970, those cards also has a bios switch which removed the risk of bricking your card.

sadly there is nothing like that for your hd 6870.

 

[looz]

6850 can be flashed to 6870, though it still doesn't perform as well due to fewer shaders.

But you have the real thing already.

 

[Chris230291]

So theres nothing to learn by flashing it?
Is my card not stable past 984 because of a degraded voltage thingy. Would knocking the voltage up a tad get me to 1000? Thats where i was at one stage.

Arh was it only that card? Never mind then.

NOTE: I just checked Afterburner and I'm actually at 980 / 1200.