ASUS EAH6970 Review
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Published: 21st December 2010 | Source: ASUS | Price: £306.10 |
Introduction
The HD6970 series from AMD is a pretty good performer. It's rendered the HD6870 obsolete and, as we showed the other day, in Crossfire it rocks so hard it's unbelievable.
Today we're back looking at another single reference card, although this time from ASUS. We all know what that means, Voltage Tweak BIOS.
We're very hopeful that this will enable us to finally see what the top end of these cards is in terms of clock speed and hope much performance is available.
So without further ado, especially as you should all be familiar with these by now, let's crack on.
Technical Specifications
| Graphics Engine | AMD Radeon HD 6970 |
| Bus Standard | PCI Express 2.1 |
| Video Memory | GDDR5 2GB |
| Engine Clock | 890 MHz |
| Memory Clock | 5500 MHz ( 1375 MHz GDDR5 ) |
| RAMDAC | 400 MHz |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Interface | DVI Output : Yes x 1 (DVI-I),Yes x 1 (DVI-D) HDMI Output : Yes x 1 Display Port : Yes x 2 (Mini DP) HDCP Support : Yes |
| Accessories | 1 x CrossFire cable 1 x Power cable |
| Software | ASUS Utilities & Driver |
| Dimensions | 11 " x 5 " Inch |
As you can see the only difference is the extra 10MHz clockspeed on the GPU which should help the stock results, but otherwise it's the same as all the other reference cards.
Most Recent Comments
Something still doesn't seem right. A colleague is still scratching his head here.
But looking at it from my pov, I've seen that issue with using an overclocking tool before. You ramp the slider as high as it'll go and you feel you could take it further - and it just won't allow it. It happened
to me recently using afterburner on a 8400 (which is besides the point), but you feel the 'tool' is being told the up/low limits. Perhaps the bios is the key.
If it were mine (I mean donate to me to play with), I'd delve into the bios fiddling menu like atitool/afterburner has and try and massage the limits. From memory tho, if the tool doesn't know the card's bios, it will limit what you can do. I'd still fiddle with it tho.
This is besides the point tho. Off the shelf, something still aint right to me.
Voltage tweak and a oc limit ? Nah, definitely not.
I hate to harp on about it, but those bios versions from the ref card and this would be interesting. I'm going to see if there's any revisions coming out in the future too.Quote
But looking at it from my pov, I've seen that issue with using an overclocking tool before. You ramp the slider as high as it'll go and you feel you could take it further - and it just won't allow it. It happened
to me recently using afterburner on a 8400 (which is besides the point), but you feel the 'tool' is being told the up/low limits. Perhaps the bios is the key.
If it were mine (I mean donate to me to play with), I'd delve into the bios fiddling menu like atitool/afterburner has and try and massage the limits. From memory tho, if the tool doesn't know the card's bios, it will limit what you can do. I'd still fiddle with it tho.
This is besides the point tho. Off the shelf, something still aint right to me.
Voltage tweak and a oc limit ? Nah, definitely not.
I hate to harp on about it, but those bios versions from the ref card and this would be interesting. I'm going to see if there's any revisions coming out in the future too.Quote
Nice review Tom 
Quote
QuoteQuote:
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Originally Posted by lawson
Nice review Tom |
It does say at the top of each review who the author is.Quotei'd like that voltage tweak bios 
any chance of a dump please Bryan?
[edit] did you try the "EnableUnofficialOverclocking" feature of Afterburner to get past the limitations of Catalyst Control Center?Quote
any chance of a dump please Bryan?
[edit] did you try the "EnableUnofficialOverclocking" feature of Afterburner to get past the limitations of Catalyst Control Center?Quote
finally the ASUS!
man, i need some more info!
1- what is a the max voltage in smart doctor?
2- why didn't you use MSI's AfterBurner for OC;ing? ppl are getting higher clocks with that, max i saw @ stock voltages was 980mhz Core, so maybe up the voltage using Smartdoctor and get to 1Ghz (World FIRST!!) using Afterburner??
3-What are the temps? this one has aluminum cover, wanna see how much this one is cooler! before and after OC please!
i know am asking alot, but am barely holding back waiting for those to be in stock (USA), if no diff than other ones (plastic cover) my wait is over! thanx in advance!
EDIT:damn 19 sec diff pyro!
Quote
man, i need some more info!
1- what is a the max voltage in smart doctor?
2- why didn't you use MSI's AfterBurner for OC;ing? ppl are getting higher clocks with that, max i saw @ stock voltages was 980mhz Core, so maybe up the voltage using Smartdoctor and get to 1Ghz (World FIRST!!) using Afterburner??
3-What are the temps? this one has aluminum cover, wanna see how much this one is cooler! before and after OC please!
i know am asking alot, but am barely holding back waiting for those to be in stock (USA), if no diff than other ones (plastic cover) my wait is over! thanx in advance!
EDIT:damn 19 sec diff pyro!
QuoteQuote:
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Originally Posted by Pyr0
i'd like that voltage tweak bios any chance of a dump please Bryan? [edit] did you try the "EnableUnofficialOverclocking" feature of Afterburner to get past the limitations of Catalyst Control Center? |
I liked Afterburner for a while, but it appears to be selective on cards it likes. I've subsequently reverted to ATITool v0.26 (for the card I was messing with) and it allows changing of limits.Quote
Really nice review here guys But I would love to see just this versus a 570. Just the two, nothing else, in a big head to head.
For me currently thinking about upgrading, these are the two best performers for the money, is it possible to set up such a test?Quote
But I would love to see just this versus a 570. Just the two, nothing else, in a big head to head.For me currently thinking about upgrading, these are the two best performers for the money, is it possible to set up such a test?Quote
I don.t suppose you've managed to try RBE on these cards yet.
I know they added prelim support for the 6850/70 series.
Edit
Great effort as always.Quote
I know they added prelim support for the 6850/70 series.
Edit
Great effort as always.Quote
not sure i'd try using RBE just yet
after dumping the bios with GPU-Z, there's a couple of things RBE doesn't read correctly
could be due to a bad dump or just being mis read
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4s2/l_rbe1.png
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4s2/l_rbe2.pngQuote
after dumping the bios with GPU-Z, there's a couple of things RBE doesn't read correctly
could be due to a bad dump or just being mis read
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4s2/l_rbe1.png
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4s2/l_rbe2.pngQuote
something wrong with that voltage tweak slide i guess it will be fixed soon , also as i pointed out on youtube .
QuoteThe Radeon HD 6900 Series are the first graphics cards to use the Volterra VT1556. It offers extensive voltage control and monitoring via I2C. At this time no software supports this controller yet, but I am sure this will change in the weeks to come.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by SiLo
Really nice review here guys But I would love to see just this versus a 570. Just the two, nothing else, in a big head to head.For me currently thinking about upgrading, these are the two best performers for the money, is it possible to set up such a test? |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
The latest variant of the HD6970 comes to us via ASUS. Does their voltage tweak BIOS enable extra performance? Continue Reading |
Quick question. The scores reported from Vantage. Are they the total score or just the 3D score?
Thanks for the review as always Bryan, pleasure to read mateQuote
Thanks for the review as always Bryan, pleasure to read mate
QuoteNot says that these cards are bad just feeling bit underwhelmed compared to the gtx580/570 though still like to see gtx 570 sli to compare the 6970 crossfireQuote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by murphy7801
Not says that these cards are bad just feeling bit underwhelmed compared to the gtx580/570 though still like to see gtx 570 sli to compare the 6970 crossfire |
I've been benchmarking my 470 OC @ 710mhz (I've heard they can go 800+ pish) and tbh? the 6970 is barely any better in any of the benchmarks I have ran on a non OC cpu. And, the 6970 is maxed out. I would lay a guess I could actually beat the 6970 in pretty much everything if I pushed harder.
Vantage
http://i54.tinypic.com/30acfiq.jpg
Heaven
http://i56.tinypic.com/2ziwldj.jpg
Putting the 6970 against a 570 would be rather pointless. The 570 would rip it limb from limb considering that the 570 is basically a 480 in a cool quiet package. The 570 actually overclocks too.
Important Edit. Why is the PCIE lane on the test rig running at 8x?Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
I wouldn't. It simply wouldn't be fair. I've been benchmarking my 470 OC @ 710mhz (I've heard they can go 800+ pish) and tbh? the 6970 is barely any better in any of the benchmarks I have ran on a non OC cpu. And, the 6970 is maxed out. I would lay a guess I could actually beat the 6970 in pretty much everything if I pushed harder. Vantage http://i54.tinypic.com/30acfiq.jpg Heaven http://i56.tinypic.com/2ziwldj.jpg Putting the 6970 against a 570 would be rather pointless. The 570 would rip it limb from limb considering that the 570 is basically a 480 in a cool quiet package. The 570 actually overclocks too. Important Edit. Why is the PCIE lane on the test rig running at 8x? |
I still think that even though Crossfire scales better (I've no problem in accepting that because it does ) that the 570s in SLI would still win. Thing is let's face it the two aren't even in the same price bracket. I mean, SLI 570 works out to about £520 whilst a pair of 6970 are going to touch on £600.
I'm still very concerned as to why the PCIE lanes in the test on this card here are running @ 8x. Whether there was a problem with the driver or something? don't know. But, the 6970 in this review just doesn't seem to perform as it should. I know for a fact that ATI were gunning for the 470 and 480 with the release of the 6950 and 6970 and progressively the 6950 was designed to edge out the 470 and the 6970 to edge out the 480. Obviously where they came unstuck was the 5 series GPUs. They just weren't planning on that and it was too late to go back to the drawing board and start again.
Very similar to the 5850 and 5870 story really. Early samples of the 470 and 480 were bloody awful. Then all of a sudden ATI release the 5850 and 5870 and then there's a huge delay before Fermi finally releases and they are actually faster (though hot and loud and use loads of power).
TBH I would still rather have a single 580 than 6970CF or 570SLI. Mind you, that is just my personal preferenceQuote
) that the 570s in SLI would still win. Thing is let's face it the two aren't even in the same price bracket. I mean, SLI 570 works out to about £520 whilst a pair of 6970 are going to touch on £600.I'm still very concerned as to why the PCIE lanes in the test on this card here are running @ 8x. Whether there was a problem with the driver or something? don't know. But, the 6970 in this review just doesn't seem to perform as it should. I know for a fact that ATI were gunning for the 470 and 480 with the release of the 6950 and 6970 and progressively the 6950 was designed to edge out the 470 and the 6970 to edge out the 480. Obviously where they came unstuck was the 5 series GPUs. They just weren't planning on that and it was too late to go back to the drawing board and start again.
Very similar to the 5850 and 5870 story really. Early samples of the 470 and 480 were bloody awful. Then all of a sudden ATI release the 5850 and 5870 and then there's a huge delay before Fermi finally releases and they are actually faster (though hot and loud and use loads of power).
TBH I would still rather have a single 580 than 6970CF or 570SLI. Mind you, that is just my personal preference
QuoteSee alot talk no real hard evidence I like to see some test so can draw my own conclusions thats why I want see sli gtx 570 so can actually know whats best for me and my Christmas bonusQuote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by murphy7801
See alot talk no real hard evidence |
If you still can't work it out? well, not much more to say really. Just trying to help you out is all. Mind you, if you're absolutely dead set then I'm surely wasting my breath so I guess just go with what you want to go with.
As I said just think about it logically. Some times you don't need reviews or your hand held you can find the answers you need with a good old fashioned bit of investigation.Quote
Easy tiger, each to their own methods.
It's a weird one for me tho, since I just spent some google time, why there aren't a good handful of 570 sli reviews.
I don't expect much more than the 480 sli reviews, but even so. Lack of benching, lack of results, lack of reviews. I don't think it's too early.Quote
It's a weird one for me tho, since I just spent some google time, why there aren't a good handful of 570 sli reviews.
I don't expect much more than the 480 sli reviews, but even so. Lack of benching, lack of results, lack of reviews. I don't think it's too early.Quote
the only reason your vantage score is higher or "utterly obliterates" is because of the use of physx
because of physx, the cpu score is hugely inflatedQuote
because of physx, the cpu score is hugely inflatedQuote
Im sorry but if compare them on identical pc's with not just synthetic benchmarks also but some actual real life test in there that would be little more scientific also alot info out there is corporate sponsor pumped up statsQuote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Pyr0
the only reason your vantage score is higher or "utterly obliterates" is because of the use of physx |
I'd not insist the extra special additions to a Intel P4 HT be "disabled" when benched against a P3 to make fast calculations.Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rastalovich
Easy tiger, each to their own methods. It's a weird one for me tho, since I just spent some google time, why there aren't a good handful of 570 sli reviews. I don't expect much more than the 480 sli reviews, but even so. Lack of benching, lack of results, lack of reviews. I don't think it's too early. |
For example, these are just a few I have worked out from reading reviews.
Crossfire scales better (we all know that) and thus in reviews the 6970 will likely come out on top in 'scored' results.
SLI has a few advantages. Firstly you get CUDA and Physx thrown into the mix which again, will improve a good selection of games. Enabling Physx on say, Mafia 2 will bring the Radeons to a crawl. Running Just Cause 2 (which uses Havok for the physics engine and CUDA to increase performance) will bring out the best in a Geforce. Radeons are crap at Metro, ETC, ETC. Radeons are better at Stalker Pripyat, ETC ETC.
The 570 is cooler and quieter. It just goes on. For every disadvantage of one there is a disadvantage for the other. The sorts of questions he is asking, IE "Which is better?" is absolutely and utterly impossible to answer without being a mind reader. Only he knows what he wants and what he is looking for, and that could be a boat load of things.
Firstly if he wants to run Vantage a lot and do a bit of posing? the 6970CF will probably be the better option for boasting with (given the results against 580 CF).
If he's into folding? no brainer.
If he likes Just Cause 2 and loves a bit of Physx goodness? no brainer.
It just seems to me from what I can gather that he is asking OC3D to give him all of the answers. Which TBH is impossible to do. OC3D can only really go so far before he has to make his own decision. His decision would likely be based on what he wants, mine would be based on what I want. Over the past six months I, personally, have come to the following conclusions.
I can't be without Physx as four of my top ten games all use it and I know how Radeons are crap for it.
I wouldn't ever use CF or SLI again *unless* one of the cards *alone* could be muscular enough to belt out max settings on its own as Crossfire and SLI simply aren't reliable enough. OC3D uses a set of the same games to show performance. However, they don't use brand new games and then say "hmm, simply doesn't work". This is a side of Crossfire and SLI that people just don't get to see and I don't blame OC3D for that. Expecting an entire review that takes days just to answer the questions I have would be taking the wee a little bit.
I've tried to point out the pros and cons of both SLI and Crossfire to people using my own real life experiences with both. I ran SLI 8600GTS and Crossfire 5770. SLI had tearing issues among other problems and Crossfire refused to work all of the time and needed fettling and fiddling. This is what brought me to my conclusion that I would never use either again unless one card was man enough to do the job without me having to rely on something that is driver based. Heck, we all know how crap drivers can be.
So that's about it really. Apologies if I sounded a bit crappy, that's not what was intended. However, it seems to me that Murph is relying on OC3D to make the decision for him. Sometimes you just need to take the plunge and if you make a mistake learn from it. I do empathise that the kind of cash we are talking about here is a big decision, but TBH if I was in any doubt whatsoever I would avoid both and go for a single powerful card solution.
But again, that's me. That's what I would do based on me and my experiences.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by murphy7801
Im sorry but if compare them on identical pc's with not just synthetic benchmarks also but some actual real life test in there that would be little more scientific also alot info out there is corporate sponsor pumped up stats |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
Indeed. TBH this is what I am trying to get across. No review or benchmark is really going to give you the answer. The very fact that reviews are usually done once and give you a pile of pics and figures doesn't usually equate to exacting performance in your computer, in your house in your bedroom. Each of the setups will have its positives and its drawbacks. For example, these are just a few I have worked out from reading reviews. Crossfire scales better (we all know that) and thus in reviews the 6970 will likely come out on top in 'scored' results. SLI has a few advantages. Firstly you get CUDA and Physx thrown into the mix which again, will improve a good selection of games. Enabling Physx on say, Mafia 2 will bring the Radeons to a crawl. Running Just Cause 2 (which uses Havok for the physics engine and CUDA to increase performance) will bring out the best in a Geforce. Radeons are crap at Metro, ETC, ETC. Radeons are better at Stalker Pripyat, ETC ETC. The 570 is cooler and quieter. It just goes on. For every disadvantage of one there is a disadvantage for the other. The sorts of questions he is asking, IE "Which is better?" is absolutely and utterly impossible to answer without being a mind reader. Only he knows what he wants and what he is looking for, and that could be a boat load of things. Firstly if he wants to run Vantage a lot and do a bit of posing? the 6970CF will probably be the better option for boasting with (given the results against 580 CF). If he's into folding? no brainer. If he likes Just Cause 2 and loves a bit of Physx goodness? no brainer. It just seems to me from what I can gather that he is asking OC3D to give him all of the answers. Which TBH is impossible to do. OC3D can only really go so far before he has to make his own decision. His decision would likely be based on what he wants, mine would be based on what I want. Over the past six months I, personally, have come to the following conclusions. I can't be without Physx as four of my top ten games all use it and I know how Radeons are crap for it. I wouldn't ever use CF or SLI again *unless* one of the cards *alone* could be muscular enough to belt out max settings on its own as Crossfire and SLI simply aren't reliable enough. OC3D uses a set of the same games to show performance. However, they don't use brand new games and then say "hmm, simply doesn't work". This is a side of Crossfire and SLI that people just don't get to see and I don't blame OC3D for that. Expecting an entire review that takes days just to answer the questions I have would be taking the wee a little bit. I've tried to point out the pros and cons of both SLI and Crossfire to people using my own real life experiences with both. I ran SLI 8600GTS and Crossfire 5770. SLI had tearing issues among other problems and Crossfire refused to work all of the time and needed fettling and fiddling. This is what brought me to my conclusion that I would never use either again unless one card was man enough to do the job without me having to rely on something that is driver based. Heck, we all know how crap drivers can be. So that's about it really. Apologies if I sounded a bit crappy, that's not what was intended. However, it seems to me that Murph is relying on OC3D to make the decision for him. Sometimes you just need to take the plunge and if you make a mistake learn from it. I do empathise that the kind of cash we are talking about here is a big decision, but TBH if I was in any doubt whatsoever I would avoid both and go for a single powerful card solution. But again, that's me. That's what I would do based on me and my experiences. My post should have answered that but if not? You're not going to find any one to cater to all of your needs dude. Sometimes you just need to 'suck it and see'. If life hands you lemons? well, all you can really do is suck on them. |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by murphy7801
Ok fair enf but you made me want quote something dont take this the wrong way "if god hands you lemons get a new god" |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
One should therefore go through life blaming himself for his choices and actions and not some one else. |
So for me it's really which one is cheaper? Considering they perform similarly in the games I play (Last 4 CoD's, CoH, MoW, DiRT 1&2, f1 2010 etc) I do Have metro but I can run it on very high settings with my 5870 and I don't get any lag (which I'm thankful for).
So cheapness then, because I'm never going to do any benchamrking with Vantage and what not.Quote
So cheapness then, because I'm never going to do any benchamrking with Vantage and what not.Quote
Yeah deffo second 5870 FTW dude. IMO the 5870 doesn't fall that short of the 6970 (will probably start WWIV saying that) but hey, 5870 are awesome cards nuff said. And with deals like this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-136-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502
And this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-147-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502
It would be pretty crazy to consider anything else IMO.
Ed. If you went for the XFX you could black edition bios flash itQuote
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-136-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502
And this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-147-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502
It would be pretty crazy to consider anything else IMO.
Ed. If you went for the XFX you could black edition bios flash it
QuoteHmmm very tempting, but you say that even crossfire doesn't always work well with games and that it may not always scale well. I only have a UD-2 at the moment too, So the second lane would run at 8 or 4x (cant remember). Hoping to grab a Maximus 3 Gene though soon.Quote
the 5870 does fall behind the 6970 in FPS Alien. I deffo wouldnt stick a 6970 in a x8 and deffo not in a x4 lane tbh.
Depends on the games you play but the new cards ravage the games that the 5870 struggled with.Quote
Depends on the games you play but the new cards ravage the games that the 5870 struggled with.Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
the 5870 does fall behind the 6970 in FPS Alien. I deffo wouldnt stick a 6970 in a x8 and deffo not in a x4 lane tbh. Depends on the games you play but the new cards ravage the games that the 5870 struggled with. |
It really is hard making a choice based on reviews tbh. I mean sure, the information is all there but sometimes it doesn't give you that actual sort of answer..
Quote:
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Originally Posted by SiLo
Hmmm very tempting, but you say that even crossfire doesn't always work well with games and that it may not always scale well. I only have a UD-2 at the moment too, So the second lane would run at 8 or 4x (cant remember). Hoping to grab a Maximus 3 Gene though soon. |
I wouldn't worry too much about it dude. Grab a card. You're in the comfy position to have one super fast card to back you up when Crossfire doesn't behave, and it shouldn't break the bank picking up one of those cheapies.Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
the 5870 does fall behind the 6970 in FPS Alien. I deffo wouldnt stick a 6970 in a x8 and deffo not in a x4 lane tbh.Depends on the games you play but the new cards ravage the games that the 5870 struggled with. |
Heard they are pretty good
If not I will try and get a 2 Gene on the cheap somewhere.QuoteI think they missed the check box in SmartDoctor in the review. There is a setting that enables enhanced range for the OC sliders.
I have two of these graphics cards in CrossfireX, clicked the checkbox on settings in SmartDoctor, and walla!, new range in the sliders was immediately available.
Nice xmas present, 2x EAH6970, for my 2 year old Rampage ExtremeQuote
I have two of these graphics cards in CrossfireX, clicked the checkbox on settings in SmartDoctor, and walla!, new range in the sliders was immediately available.
Nice xmas present, 2x EAH6970, for my 2 year old Rampage Extreme
Quoteany chance of dumping the bios and sharing please Undermoose?
just try the GPU-Z where W1zzard added support for the 6970/6950:
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=136218Quote
just try the GPU-Z where W1zzard added support for the 6970/6950:
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=136218Quote
Done. Uploaded via GPU-Z to Techpowerup.com.
PM me your email and I'll send you a copy of the 128kb Cayman.bin.Quote
PM me your email and I'll send you a copy of the 128kb Cayman.bin.Quote
oops, only just noticed your post. pm on the way Quote
QuoteI got a copy of the Asus ROM from ZoLKoRn and flashed it to my HIS card
before: http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6...oregpuz.th.gif after: http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2...tergpuz.th.gif
In case anybody else is interested or would like to try it, I've uploaded the version of ATIFlash I used, along with the ROM to Mediafire:
http://www.mediafire.com/?cgl0st3ng21i1
I put the ROM and ATIFlash onto a bootable USB drive and booted from it.
First I backed up my cards original BIOS with the command:
atiflash -s 0 backup.rom
Next it needed unlocking so it could be flashed:
atiflash -unlockrom 0
and finally flashed with:
atiflash -p -f 0 asus6970.bin
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4663/1003322n.th.jpg
[edit]
Not sure the Voltage control in asus Smart Doctor is actually working, but at least it extends the range of clockspeeds available doesn't it Bryan
Think you need to spend some time looking at what you review m8
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4xB/l_clocks.png
[edit2]
You can also flash the 6970 ROM to the 6950 cards Quote
before: http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6...oregpuz.th.gif after: http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2...tergpuz.th.gif
In case anybody else is interested or would like to try it, I've uploaded the version of ATIFlash I used, along with the ROM to Mediafire:
http://www.mediafire.com/?cgl0st3ng21i1
I put the ROM and ATIFlash onto a bootable USB drive and booted from it.
First I backed up my cards original BIOS with the command:
atiflash -s 0 backup.rom
Next it needed unlocking so it could be flashed:
atiflash -unlockrom 0
and finally flashed with:
atiflash -p -f 0 asus6970.bin
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4663/1003322n.th.jpg
[edit]
Not sure the Voltage control in asus Smart Doctor is actually working, but at least it extends the range of clockspeeds available doesn't it Bryan
Think you need to spend some time looking at what you review m8
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4xB/l_clocks.png
[edit2]
You can also flash the 6970 ROM to the 6950 cards
Quoteok, smartdoc def works for voltage adjustment
previously i've only been able to bench at 950 core, 960 would only pass sometimes
i set smartdoc to 1.25V and was able to get a couple of runs at 992 core
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4KI/l_3dm11_p6020.png
not a great score, but i'm kinda happy to have passed 6000, lolQuote
previously i've only been able to bench at 950 core, 960 would only pass sometimes
i set smartdoc to 1.25V and was able to get a couple of runs at 992 core
http://i2.sqi.sh/s_1/4KI/l_3dm11_p6020.png
not a great score, but i'm kinda happy to have passed 6000, lolQuote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
Yeah deffo second 5870 FTW dude. IMO the 5870 doesn't fall that short of the 6970 (will probably start WWIV saying that) but hey, 5870 are awesome cards nuff said. And with deals like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-136-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502 And this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-147-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1502 It would be pretty crazy to consider anything else IMO. Ed. If you went for the XFX you could black edition bios flash it |
Yes 5870 was/is great card now really cheap http://www.videocardshop.co.uk/searc...+HD5000+SeriesQuote
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Originally Posted by Captain Caveman
I am extremely let down with the new 68-6950/70's. To me it seems that ATI is purposely confusing and misleading people with the number branding. To me they're just new versions of the 5750 cards and not worth replacing my 5970 with |
That is just me. The 57##, 58## and 59## cards were awesome and I wouldn't find it a justified investment to get a 6### card to replace them.
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