[XC] hipno650
06-14-2011, 10:59 PM
So being bit with the bitcoin bug I decided to go down to the local shop and pick-up a 6950 card with the intentions of unlocking it to a 6970 and getting some decent gaming and Mining form it. I grabbed the cheapest one they had and proceeded to install it in my system. the first issue I had was right after I took it our of the box. It was a non reference card despite having the same model number and being advertised as the reference version. meaning it was not flashable with the 6970 bios. I proceeded to attempt to unlock the shadders as can be done on some other non reference cards but with no luck. I then attempted to OC the thing in an attempt to "get my moneys worth" I was greeted by a hard limit of 840mhz via CCC. not much to be had there. now comes the fun part. I fire up GUIminer and let her burn for a bit. temps were pretty good actually with it staying below 75 on the stock cooling and fan profile. however I was browsing the web to see if i could find some different ways to unlock her and BOOM. I have never heard a pop so loud come from electronics... it almost threw me off my chair haha. the entire PC powered off and I was greeted with the lovely smell of burnt electronics. Upon examining the card it seems that the VRM area exploded. needless to say i will be returning it and most likely getting a full blow 6970 reference design. something that can take a little bit of load haha.
anyway I just thought I would let you know that the Sapphire non reference 6950 1GB or 2GB are not the cards your looking for *jedi hand wave*
anyway I just thought I would let you know that the Sapphire non reference 6950 1GB or 2GB are not the cards your looking for *jedi hand wave*