Unlocking the Sapphire Toxic Radeon HD 6950 (100312TXSR)
If you're lucky enough to own one of these Toxic 6950 cards by Sapphire Tech that Newegg occasionally has in stock...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-102-951&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo
There's actually an incredibly easy method to unlock the additional shaders on this card to effectively make it a 6970. Not every one of these cards can be unlocked using this method, but it worked great for mine. The Newegg commenter LA_Kings_Fan (go Calgary Flames, by the way) maps out a number of simple steps to unlock this card.
- Install card, turn on computer, windows likely installs drivers before you install included CD software.
- Make sure Drivers installed, either off CD software, or from WIN 7 auto load.
- While running, install GPU-Z /or TriXX software ... Open Program, review Factory Defaults of card, Note shaders & core clocks, etc.
- In GPU-Z /or TriXX SAVE your factory BIOS Position #1. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. You might need it in case something goes wrong & need to reinstall factory BIOS, better SAFE & SAVED than sorry!
- Shut Down Windows, turn off Computer.
- Flip Dual BIOS switch near Back Plate/SLI Bridge area to position #2.
- Turn on Computer & reboot up.
- Re-open TriXX /or GPU-Z, check Shaders ... if 1536, CONGRAT’S card UNLOCKED & No BIOS FLASH required ... if still 1408, Bummer No Factory Un-Lock, you could still try FLASHING, but it’s Risky, Voids Warranty & can BRICK card, remember NOT 100%
Thanks again to LA_Kings_Fan for this. The 100312TXSR is a simply amazing video card for the price (around $260 after MIR when I got it), so I'd recommend that you keep watch of Newegg's inventory for this card to come back in stock.
Filed Under Hardware
Tags: 6950, 6970, ati, bios, radeon, sapphire, shaders, toxic, trixx, unlock, video card
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