i should have mentioned that i have tried both a 50k and 20k vr on pin#2 of that LM358.
i did mention that i varied every output i could find though.
it supposedly varies the output on pin#1 according to the datasheet.
anyway i twisted the vr's both to 0kohm resistance eventually but saw no change on the output of pin#1 or for that matter the +- 1.74v reading found in a couple of places.
maybe that output is not being used :confused:
anyway maybe you have another way?
also i loaded a 7900gt bios i found with nibitor and discovered timingset7 actually looser on the 512mb cards.
(not sure if 7 is the one used by 256mb card. someone please confirm)
also testing the tighter timings now.
http://flytek.sa3doc.co.za/screens/7900gt/smdss.jpg