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Leaked BIOS easily turns Radeon HD 7970 into GHz Edition

Leaked BIOS easily turns Radeon HD 7970 into GHz Edition

7970 bios flash to Ghz edition makes you go fastRecently AMD announced that they reclaimed the speed crown for the world’s fastest single-GPU graphics card with the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition. The announcement bred a certain suspicion, which we have today confirmed: a leaked BIOS file will change your standard, “old” AMD Radeon HD 7970 almost completely into a Gigahertz Edition GPU.

We say “almost completely” because there are indeed certain hardware differences between the original and Gigahertz editions. The newer cards have improved sensors for more accurate PowerTune adjustments—but that’s the only physical difference. In all other respects, the upgrade should provide the Gigahertz Edition benefits to the older standard 7970 GPU:

  • A higher GPU clockspeed of 1000MHz, up from the 7970’s 925MHz.
  • A higher memory clockspeed of 1500MHz, up from the 7970’s 1375MHz.
  • And PowerTune’s new “Boost” feature, which allows the graphics to dynamically overclock itself up to 1050MHz if the GPU has thermal headroom.

Of course, there’s always a question about the chances of success. That is, most regular HD 7970s will be able to handle the new speeds, but some 7970s in the market won’t be up to the job for DRAM or ASIC reasons.

For those ready and willing to try the BIOS flash, the BIOS file is here—just run it in Windows as an administrator, then reboot. Naturally, the normal disclaimer applies:  You are doing this at your own risk. Icrontic cannot be held responsible for this modification and you may very well void your warranty and/or ruin your GPU.

Enjoy going fast(er)!

Comments

  1. Thrax
    Thrax I know what I'm doing tonight.
  2. Bandrik
    Bandrik Gotta go fast!
  3. Gambit2K I just get a "adapter 0 rom not erased" messaged. Running as administrator, maybe I have to change the bios switch on the card to other position first?
  4. mertesn
    mertesn I believe so. Sounds like the same issue I had when flashing my HD6950s a while back. Flipping the BIOS switch solved it for me.
  5. Lord_Tito I received this error:

    Adapter 0
    Invalid PC BIOS Imgage
  6. Wagner Plz. Save your card. Dont do that. Ive a Card without switch and now I dont know what to do. It instaled with successfuly, but now all games have white likes blinking randomly on the screen. Its also happens with some video formats and with browsers while the page is loading and i use mouse It did the overclock, but I fucked all up.
  7. Thrax
    Thrax
    Plz. Save your card. Dont do that. Ive a Card without switch and now I dont know what to do. It instaled with successfuly, but now all games have white likes blinking randomly on the screen. Its also happens with some video formats and with browsers while the page is loading and i use mouse It did the overclock, but I fucked all up.
    So flash the old BIOS back.
  8. Gambit2K Worked fine with my reference Gigabyte card. Running furmark all day and have tested som light gaming to.
  9. Wagner Thrax:
    I dont have, and XFX wont give and is saying I shouldnt have flashed anything. If you know any site that has, for the love of all gods, please send a link! =/
  10. virus974 be careful with the asus 7970 the clock speed is ok but the voltage is hight....
  11. chris Does not work, says bios file missing, anyone got the actual bios image so I can manually do this my self?
  12. Thrax
    Thrax
    Does not work, says bios file missing, anyone got the actual bios image so I can manually do this my self?
    Works just fine. You ran it as administrator, right?

  13. Kelev7ra @Wagner: Get the bios there http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/

    and flash it with atiflash
  14. sadface Flashing the bios doesn`t work at all. And the updater doesn`t work for XFX cards for some reason. If anyone have a workaround plz tell us
  15. Kelev7ra The first bios is writeprotected,
    you have to boot from the second. this one can be flasehd.
  16. Kelev7ra there is a switch on the board.
  17. Kelev7ra if you don´t know the basics, don´t try to flash this highly experimental bios.
    Get msi afterburner or evga precision and overclock your card without flashing your bios. this is much safer and your card could run even faster than any 7970 ghz edition.
  18. Thrax
    Thrax
    if you don´t know the basics, don´t try to flash this highly experimental bios.
    Get msi afterburner or evga precision and overclock your card without flashing your bios. this is much safer and your card could run even faster than any 7970 ghz edition.
    It's not highly experimental.

  19. Kelev7ra my 7970 runs at 1100mhz chip and 1750 mem on standart vcc.
    ghz 7970 runs at 1000-1050mhz chip and 1500mhz mem.
  20. Kelev7ra it is highly experimental, as the chips on the 7970 ghz edition has higher asic quality and memory chips are guaranteed to run at 1500mhz.
  21. Kelev7ra ...have higher asic quality...
  22. Thrax
    Thrax
    it is highly experimental, as the chips on the 7970 ghz edition has higher asic quality and memory chips are guaranteed to run at 1500mhz.
    Saying that a BIOS is "experimental" suggests that it's a beta, or somehow unqualified for public consumption. Experimental drugs haven't been tested. Experimental vehicles haven't been certified by the NHSTA. These experimental things carry risk of failure, damage, or worse.

    We know for a fact that this BIOS is the official 7970 GHz Edition BIOS, and it carries no inherent risks. Flashing the vBIOS cannot and will not brick your board. The worst thing that can happen is that your board isn't up to the task, which you can fix by flipping the BIOS switch back to the stock and write-protected backup BIOS.



  23. Kelev7ra the official bios from a 7970ghz doesn´t work on a standart 7970, as some people already tried to read an 7970ghz bios out and flash it on a non-ghz 7970.
    it didn´t work, because windows couldn´t recognize the card enymore.

    The Bios you have here is a leak from amd. It is not official and was not meant to go public.

    So it is experimental. and as not approved from amd it is highly experimental.
  24. Thrax
    Thrax If you say so. ;)
  25. mertesn
    mertesn
    So it is experimental. and as not approved from amd it is highly experimental.
    Where is your proof?
  26. Kelev7ra always want to have the last word? :)
  27. mertesn
    mertesn So no proof this is an experimental BIOS? Didn't think so.
  28. primesuspect
    primesuspect Oh if you only knew.
  29. Kelev7ra @ mertesn: show me the link to the amd-page where you can download this bios and where you can get the support for flashing it.

    Bios flashes are only approved from the manufactor, if your card doesn´t work right and you ask support for help. then they could offer you a bios as a bugfix.
  30. Kelev7ra this is not my first card, this is not my first oc, this is not my first biosflash, and this is not my first time losing my guarantie after a voltmode.
  31. mertesn
    mertesn
    @ mertesn: show me the link to the amd-page where you can download this bios and where you can get the support for flashing it.

    Bios flashes are only approved from the manufactor, if your card doesn´t work right and you ask support for help. then they could offer you a bios as a bugfix.
    Show me on the AMD web site where ANY GPU BIOS can be downloaded

    You can't. AMD doesn't host GPU BIOS files.


    So let's see here...you're using unverified facts to argue unsubstantiated claims that something official is actually experimental. Looks like you win...
  32. Kelev7ra Well, you got a bios which cannot be downloaded enywhere else. Amd didn´t anounce a bios which can make any 7970 into a high priced 7970ghz edition.

    and now you say that i´m using unverified facts?

    you must be realy trustworthy...
  33. mertesn
    mertesn
    Well, you got a bios which cannot be downloaded enywhere else. Amd didn´t anounce a bios which can make any 7970 into a high priced 7970ghz edition.

    and now you say that i´m using unverified facts?

    you must be realy trustworthy...
    The file is an official BIOS. That fact cannot be refuted. It didn't come from AMD's web site because they don't host any GPU BIOS files.

    Of course AMD won't say "hey guys, this BIOS can be put on your $429 card and turn it into a $499 card for free". That would be stupid from a business standpoint.

    I'm still waiting for your proof that this is an experimental BIOS as well as the location of any GPU BIOS file on the AMD web site.
  34. Kelev7ra there are no biosfiles on the amd site because amd doesn´t approve biosflashing as it is risky. therefore amd would not make any bios public. and a bios that makes a 7970 to a ghz edition still less.

    Therefore it only can be a leak. and so it is not official. and as it is not official it is experimental.
    also as it is experimental, it won´t work properly on some 7970.
    This is logic.

    And why have i to proof sth, after you can´t proof that this bios is official.

    Where did you get it from? Who did you get it from?
    I have only your word, and well, sry, but this means nothing to me.
  35. Kelev7ra for example:
    you can download an amd catalyst which is whql certified, which is tested and approved and is official,

    but you also can get other catalystversions. some of them you can´t download from the amdhomepage. They are unofficial, even if they are made by amd.
  36. Kelev7ra and so is this bios. it is off course built by amd, but it is not official.
  37. mertesn
    mertesn
    there are no biosfiles on the amd site because amd doesn´t approve biosflashing as it is risky. therefore amd would not make any bios public. and a bios that makes a 7970 to a ghz edition still less.
    You're partially correct. It's purely a business decision. AMD prefers to leave BIOS releases to manufacturers.
    Therefore it only can be a leak. and so it is not official. and as it is not official it is experimental.
    also as it is experimental, it won´t work properly on some 7970.
    This is logic.
    No, this is flawed logic. The GPU manufacturers (XFX, Gigabyte, ECS, etc) produce updated BIOS files all the time. Just because AMD doesn't host those files doesn't mean it isn't official or experimental.
    And why have i to proof sth, after you can´t proof that this bios is official.
    Because you're the one making the accusations. You are the one asserting this is an unofficial and experimental BIOS, yet you have not produced a single bit of hard evidence to back your statement. I have a BIOS image which, when installed to the non-write only BIOS selection on a Radeon HD 7970 will enable the same features found on a Radeon HD 7970 GHz edition.
    Where did you get it from? Who did you get it from?
    I have only your word, and well, sry, but this means nothing to me.
    All I can say is that I have a reliable, trustworthy, and proven source. I cannot reveal the source's identity, and no amount of calling my integrity into question will change that.
  38. Kelev7ra as the unofficial driver are experimental, so is this bios.
  39. mertesn
    mertesn
    as the unofficial driver are experimental, so is this bios.
    Again, faulty logic.
  40. Kelev7ra ok, does this bios work on any 7970 without problems?
  41. Thrax
    Thrax
    ok, does this bios work on any 7970 without problems?
    It should, but some HD 7970s will not have a chip capable of running the clockspeeds of the GHz Edition. So make sure your board has a BIOS switch, or you make a backup before flashing.
  42. Kelev7ra no? so you have to make an experiment? you have to flash it and look if it works? no? so is it experimental or not?

    Also gpu manufactors produce updated bios all the time, thats right. but you can´t download a bios even from a manufactors page. And if you get your bios elsenwhere and flash it, your guarantie will be voided. Only if you contact the support and get the bios from there it will be fully approved.

    this bios you won´t get, even if you contact support.
  43. primesuspect
    primesuspect As with all autistic arguments, this has now degenerated into semantics. If it makes you happy to call it "experimental" then by all means, call it experimental. For fucks' sake, let it go.
  44. mertesn
  45. Kelev7ra hey, come on, it was just an discussion. didn´t mean anything bad.
    so thanks for the conversation.
    :)
  46. MAGIC
    MAGIC
    experimental
    :hrm: Not sure if you actually know what this word means...
  47. AlexDeGruven
  48. Tushon
    Tushon
    experimental
    :hrm: Not sure if you actually know what this word means...
  49. boasist
    boasist With the price drop, this gets even better. Not sure if I should download and flash....or buy Nvidia...
  50. Tushon
    Tushon
    With the price drop, this gets even better. Not sure if I should download and flash....or buy Nvidia...
    Nvidia, solely because you love science and want to do awesome science with F@H. Or are you a pinko-commie bastard?

    /s
  51. Thrax
    Thrax AMD, because you want the world's fastest GPU for $429 and a 10-second BIOS flash. Also because you should buy my shit.
  52. Fataltragedy ive been running it without any problems for a day, i have the reference msi and runs anything smooth as silk. I didnt run it as administrator, simply double clicked it, had 2 promted reboots and that was it.
  53. boasist
    boasist OK, now I need to find a home for the ol' gtx 285 here.
  54. Fataltragedy the only concern is that im getting a VDDC of 1.236v
  55. virus974 it's the same problem with all of my 3 asus card...
    1.236v vdcc too hight to use 24/24 ...
  56. steveo don't know why you just don't use afterburner instead !! overclocked limits are really high (1800/2560)voltage control , temp,vram usage,fps + more monitoring options built in , my water cooled xfx black editions do 1325/1700
  57. manyee So for those who successfully flashed the bios to this GHz edition's bios, do you push the switch to no.1 or 2 before doing the flashing.
    If I'm not mistaken, no 1 is for OC and no 2 is for the standard bios. So I'm assuming I should push the switch to no 1 and then do the flashing. Am I doing it right? Thanks in advance
  58. mertesn
    mertesn Only one of the two will work. The other is write only. Worst case: you try one, it doesn't work. Turn the system off and flip the switch. The other should work.
  59. EasterEEL So is this a hacked bios if the official 7970GHz bios won't install on an standard 7970 card?
  60. mertesn
    mertesn Nope. It's an actual BIOS for an HD7970 GHz edition.
  61. Falkentyne It's a flasher written by AMD to allow crossflashing the HD 7970 with the ghz edition Bios. I'm not sure why the actual bin dump of the ghz edition Bios won't flash succesfully (so the drivers can detect the card) when used with the MS DOS atiflash, though. Probably some sort of part/ID protection that isn't changed (similar to how certain Bios mods on the 6900 series cards would stop the drivers from working).
  62. Falkentyne BTW this crossflash ALSO seems to resolve the 2d voltage/GSOD/black screen in 2D issues that started with the 12.6 and 12.7 drivers with the original 7970's, as the 2d voltage is once again 0.85v instead of 0.804v. This IS a driver bug with the older cards though, and NEEDS to be addressed by AMD asap.
  63. FlOYD I have a Sapphire HD 7970 reference edition! I have the switch, do I need to backup my bios, before I do the flashing? In case of anything happens, the switch alone should do the work right, if I am not mistaken?

    And anyone owning a Sapphire HD 7970, can you confirm the flashing part?
  64. mertesn
    mertesn It's always a good idea to back up your BIOS before proceeding. The nice thing with the AMD GPUs here is the 0/1 BIOS switch - one of those is read-only so if you get a bad flash there's something to fall back on.
  65. Fataltragedy The card has a switch with two positions: 1 and 2. The number 2 is a read only bios, so in any case something goes wrong, the card is not going to get bricked as you can always start with the swich in that position (back up). Number 1 switch is the one allowed to be written, and therefore the position used when running the bios file above. That was my experience. In any case anyone is not shure about what hes doing, better not to do so. Better to have a slighty slow card than nothing.
  66. Big D Well I flashed my VisionTek with this "highly experimental" haha sorry..

    And it works flawless. Now I didnt touch the switch. It shows 1050/1500. So unless I hit it by mistake putting it in who knows.. I don't care. It works I did benchmarks, games LOVE IT. Thanks Guys.

    You know side note.. I would not have any clue how to do anything if I didn't just dive in some times.
  67. Zoom I have done it and backed up my bios but I want to go back now to my old bios, and I'm using ATIwinflash and when I import .rom file it said
    Wrong ID. any idea? guys I need help to go back to my older bios. I have (Sapphire 7970 OC 950mhz)

    Best regards
  68. Fataltragedy Just move the switch to the other position (PC turned OFF)
  69. John Roamer Hey mates.
    I might have just found a solution here as I broke my 7970 trying to do this, but gigabyte has a jumper/switch for dual bios? what do i do to flash the old bios back? either directly through the switch or with my old bios saved.

    It seems I've given a bit of a rush last night when I just received my Gigabyte Ati Radeon HD 7970 OC (1ghz stock) , and tried flashing to make it into GHZ Edition (for boosted memory from 1375 to 1500)

    Now, it won't boot or anything, I've tried all possible programs to flash, it also ruined both Windows 7 and Windows 8 for me, I'm trying to reinstall W7 ultimate x64 now, if there's any possibility of flashing a card that isn't recognized thoroughly (not in gpuz) not in the 2 gigabyte software - easy tune something and gigabite bios, and it won't recognize it (the bios tab grays out) , so does on the other program. in W8 ati flash ati winflash and other software apparently aren't compatible, and I don't know exactly how to make dos work on the UEFI bios motherboard Asrock Extreme4 z77. Also running a SSD raid (2x180GB Intel s-ata 3)

    Can you guys please advise? I will install W7 now and need a windows or dos solution afterwards, as thorough as possible, I've just spent my 2 salaries on that videocard, so I can't take no, it's broken and also lost its waranty for an answer. I have saved the original bios (stupid me, at least that).

    Thing is I've done several bios flashes so far and other 'risky' things, but all turned out just fine, so didn't know that if it wasn't a reference card would turn this way....

    Please advise, I'd be a thousand times grateful.

    John.

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