Flashing a 7800GTX 256 to a GT

[K404]

Hey! Before you all think i`m insane theres a reason for it :) I got a 7800GT as my mainstay but have a GTX coming in that was a price I really couldnt refuse. I`d like to have a wee play with SLI, but need to know if changing the GTX to a GT is possible. Locking the pixel pipes and the shader wont be a bother, I`ll need to change the device IDs, and double-check the RAM timings, but is there anything else I need to consider?

I dont see this as cheating as the GT will still limit the clocks. Any scores I submit will as GT SLI, and the core and RAM speeds will be appropriate due to the GT in the rig, the way I see it.

Thanks!

Kenny

[igor0203]

Hm...is think that only thing you can do is to disable PP and shaders in rivatuner. I'm not an expert but it sounds logical to me.

Maybe someone with more experiences will tell you more.

[craig588]

Nah, you'd need to change the device ID.

Here's something to try: Dump your GTX bios and change the device ID, manufacturer string and name to match the GT, but don't touch anything else. Alternatively you could change the GT to match the GTX.

[Mr. Tinker]

can't you just change devID in rivatuner?

[CHaynes112]

keep this thread updated :D

[Rayman]

signin 2 this thread

[manomanx2]

If it doesn't work, what I'd do is keep the GTX and sell the GT. I'd feel weird cramping down that GTX's style. You could pocket some money to invest somewhere else in your computer, or use it on rent.

Edit: Oh, wait. If that SLI thing works out for you, most def. keep the GTX and use the SLI.

[K404]

Still waiting on the GTX to land- missed the delivery like a fool.

Will keep the thread updated, dont worry. Thanks for the interest :)

From the thinking i`ve done, locking the extra pipes on the GTX and telling it its a GT *should* be enough, but we`ll find out :)

When it comes to selling them, i`d rather sell the GTX as I need the money. :) The RAM on the back of the card makes upgrading the cooling that bit harder as well

Kenny

[K404]

Update: Got the rest of the week to myself so I`m getting this done.

So far: disabled the extra pipes and shader on the GTX and checked that it was applied- took about 500 points hit in `05 from just locking the extras. Been through the BIOS and changed the device ID and clock speeds, so once I flash this BIOS, it *should* be just the same as a GT, and be seen as one.

Worry: the way the RAM is addressed on the GTX is obviously different from the GT. I think this might be the major spanner in the works. Time will tell :D

Kenny

Will update again once I`ve flashed the BIOS and ran a couple checks

[K404]

First setback- have to change the board ID as well. Saved that, will try again.

2nd update: that didnt work either. Are there checks that are made between the BIOS on the card and the BIOS thats being flashed to it to make sure they`re suitable?

[Cooper]

There isn`t any checks when you flashing BIOS via Floppy boot menu. But it can be checked by Nibitor

[K404]

Hmmm ok. Any ideas why the changed BIOS would be seen as not suitable by the card? I guess there have to be checks somewhere.

Cheers!

Kenny

[Cooper]

Hmmm ok. Any ideas why the changed BIOS would be seen as not suitable by the card? I guess there have to be checks somewhere.

Cheers!

Kenny

I`m not that smart with BIOS mods. But you may use NIBItor software to check BIOS before flashing it.

[cMw]

maybe im an idiot but wouldnt it be better to flash the GT to a GTX ??

[Mowgli]

apparently u can't flash a GT to GTX, coz the GT pipes cant be unlocked to 24, but i think u can lockdopwn a GTX from 24 to 20 instead..

[K404]

Mowgli: spot on. The cores are totally different. :)

Kinda given up on this idea. Nice while it lasted though.

[IvanAndreevich]

The cores are totally different.
They are the same :p:

Just sell the GT and buy a second GTX. Or trade the GTX for GT + cash so you have 7800GT SLI

[ReD.SkY]

They are the same :p:

Just sell the GT and buy a second GTX. Or trade the GTX for GT + cash so you have 7800GT SLI

good idea