THANK YOU ALL My ATI9800pro is now a 9800xt

[Gate44]

Hello Everyone,

I used to be happy with my 9500pro with a 3dmark03 of 3775, until I started using this FORUM.

So I decided to buy an ATI 9800pro for £123 ($225--prices are higher in the UK) from http://www.microdirect.co.uk, and a VGA Silencer from ebuyer for £8.50 including delivery($15.60)


The 9800pro has Samsung memory and the r360 core with a 3dmark03 of 5724. After reading alot of post in these forums I decided to go for 9800xt bios.....IT WORKED..... 3dmark03 of 6396 (I need a clean install).

I must thank everyone in this forum for the advice they have given and to let them know I am a very HAPPY man..

(also overclocked my p4 2.4ghz@3.0ghz with the help of the cpu guys)

THANK YOU

[Sentential]

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!
...and the sickness :eek:

Not a problem at all!:beer: Thats what the forums is for... glad ur enjoying your new XT

[PottaCoola]

i wanna go buy a radeon pro now :(

[PCFreek14]

ok i just got a 9800 pro and i have no idea what the core and the memory is. and ive heard that if its not the right core and momory that i can break my card :( is this true??

[Gate44]

Hi PCFreek14

Goto http://atitool.ocfaq.com/ And download atitool 1.9 install and run, it will tell you what your core and memory are..

Run

max core

max mem

For about 20mins each

( I have installed a VGA Silencer on my card so be careful if you have stock as you could burn out your card)

these will give you a good idea how high they will go.

If your core goes over 420 and memory goes over 365 you should be okay.

Good Luck

[PCFreek14]

thx gate! lol i already have that software installed and i didnt even notice that stuff....... PCFreek=NOOB!

also.... i can get my memory to 365 but i cant get my core to 425 (or 412 even) so does that mean i shouldn't flash the bios?????

[PCFreek14]

also is there a thread here that has the cores and the memories listed????

[Sophisticated]

no PCfreek..it is not recommended to flash to XT if you can't achieve XT speeds...Until you have better cooling or you can achieve XT speeds of 412/365 then flashing to XT is not good.

[Gate44]

Hi Pcfreek
If you cant get your core to go beyond 415 I would not use the XT bios as it could burn your card out just overclock it to what ever speed is your max......

What type of cooling have you got, perhaps this is the problem if so an artic vga silencer is a good bet....

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/en/products/vga_silencer/

overclockers stock these http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Other_Coolers_57.html

Or use google you should get one for around £15 including postage (ebuyer are out of stock)....

Good Luck

[Timdog]

I don't know why this XT BIOS is such a big thing. All it is doing is just ocing the card to XT speeds right? Then why do a BIOS flash when you can do that manually and not worry about frying your card? Plus you may get higher than XT speeds anyway.

[Gate44]

When you look for card information on your computer

It Says 9800XT

The difference is

9800xt (128Mb not 256Mb)

Overclocked 9800pro

[PCFreek14]

hey gate what core do u have? i have a r350 and im debating if i should buy a vga silencer.......and i dont want to buy it for no reason.

also- ramsinks what are some good ones???

[DDR-PIII]

glad it worked for you ;)

[glock19owner]

Originally posted by Timdog
I don't know why this XT BIOS is such a big thing. All it is doing is just ocing the card to XT speeds right? Then why do a BIOS flash when you can do that manually and not worry about frying your card? Plus you may get higher than XT speeds anyway.

ATI has started using the R360 core in the newer 9800 Pro 256MB cards...The R360 is the 9800XT core...this is not the same for the 128MB cards...they are still R350's...

If you have a 9800 Pro 256MB card with a R360 core, you can flash it with a XT BIOS to make it a TRUE 9800 XT...unlike flashing a R350 core with the XT BIOS...

[Albuquerque]

Yup, I'm one of those people with the R360 core on my 256mb 9800 Pro card. One BIOS flash later and I have a full-blown 9800XT, complete with thermal sensor readings and everything. The only problem is, the card isn't stable with the stock clockspeed of an XT when using the supplied cooler :p

I slapped on my VGA silencer, and it works ok, but it doesn't make full contact with the core (ie, the shim is too thick). I'm not gonna shave off the shim on this puppy, so I'm back on the stock cooler for now.

Overclocked, this damn thing hits 82c at full load :eek: I'll definatley be buying one of the VGA Silencer XT versions when they finally come out.

[Silent Buddha]

Originally posted by glock19owner
this is not the same for the 128MB cards...they are still R350's...

?
Newer 128MB 9800 Pro's come with the R360 core too. Look around, you'll find quite a few.

[Timdog]

Originally posted by glock19owner


ATI has started using the R360 core in the newer 9800 Pro 256MB cards...The R360 is the 9800XT core...this is not the same for the 128MB cards...they are still R350's...

If you have a 9800 Pro 256MB card with a R360 core, you can flash it with a XT BIOS to make it a TRUE 9800 XT...unlike flashing a R350 core with the XT BIOS...

Ah, thankyou for the explanation.

[PerlAddict]

Originally posted by Albuquerque
Overclocked, this damn thing hits 82c at full load :eek: I'll definatley be buying one of the VGA Silencer XT versions when they finally come out. [/B]

So does the VGA Silencer Rev. 2 not fit on the newer 256MB 9800 Pro's with the R360 core? Because that's what I've got, and I got a VGA Silencer, too ... just haven't installed it yet. :mad:

[Gate44]

Does anyone know what the best ramsinks are for the ATI 9800Pro

[PCFreek14]

these were recommended to me.

http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/cobgarachhe.html

[tekOC]

Originally posted by Gate44
Does anyone know what the best ramsinks are for the ATI 9800Pro

I made my own from two old 40x40mm black heatsinks, black painted passive cooling always works best :D

[Albuquerque]

Originally posted by PerlAddict


So does the VGA Silencer Rev. 2 not fit on the newer 256MB 9800 Pro's with the R360 core? Because that's what I've got, and I got a VGA Silencer, too ... just haven't installed it yet. :mad:

It fits fine, it just so happens that my shim is thick enough to preclude the VGA Silencer from making full contact with the core. How can I tell? Because it hits 85c and corrupts pixels while running at 324mhz :eek: That, and of course the thermal interface material doesn't spread evenly after setting and then removing the silencer.

I'm working on buying a stock 9800XT cooler for really cheap, and then when the XT Vga Silencers come out, I'll swap out.

[Gate44]

I cant find ati overdrive---

9800 pro with r360 core using xt bios

Does anyone know where to find it and is it worth it.

Thanks

[Silent Buddha]

Control Panel --> Display --> Advanced
You should see an Overdrive tab.

[Albuquerque]

You may also have to reinstall the drivers... OR, it may be possible that your 9800 Pro (even with the R360 core) simply doesn't have the proper PCB to utilize the thermal sensor, which means the overdrive will still be unavailable.

The 9800 Pro (R360) with 256mb of Hynix 2.5ns ram seems to be a true 9800XT with just a downgraded BIOS flash.

[Xymurgy]

Overdrive isn't worth it. It simply raises the core speed until it decides it's too hot. It's basically an automatic OC tool for someone that doesn't know how to OC their card.

[IYIENACE]

My card would not run stock XT speeds but I flashed it anyway. It now runs much higher than XT stable. (?)

[PCFreek14]

ok ya i heard of ppl that had a card like that...

Ok IYIENACE what core and memory do u have? do u have 128 or 256 ram?

[Xymurgy]

That's probably because the XT BIOS changes the memory latencies, allowing faster speeds.

[tekOC]

Originally posted by Xymurgy
That's probably because the XT BIOS changes the memory latencies, allowing faster speeds.

I dont think a BIOS flash can change the memory latency - your vid card DDR RAM determines your latency.

:)

[IYIENACE]

http://pc.rc-mod.com/IMG0005%20%2823%29.jpg

Oh yeah forgot, 128MB.

[asw7576]

After successful 9800XT bios flash..... do you get weird artifacts in 3dmark03 in test #2, #3, and jump troll ?? Weird artifacts only happen in 3dmark03 only.

I'm talking about 9800pro 128mb Samsung E memory flashed to 9800XT.

[IYIENACE]

Originally posted by asw7576
After successful 9800XT bios flash..... do you get weird artifacts in 3dmark03 in test #2, #3, and jump troll ?? Weird artifacts only happen in 3dmark03 only.

I'm talking about 9800pro 128mb Samsung E memory flashed to 9800XT.

Yes, and only in '03 so like I said I don't bother using '03. (It doesn't like my Omega drivers anyway sooo...:rolleyes: )
Since the BIOS change my Aquamark went from low 40k to this (http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=210406555) so far.
Not saying it was flash alone of course but being able to crank my card definitely didn't hurt.

[diehrd]

Originally posted by glock19owner


ATI has started using the R360 core in the newer 9800 Pro 256MB cards...The R360 is the 9800XT core...this is not the same for the 128MB cards...they are still R350's...

If you have a 9800 Pro 256MB card with a R360 core, you can flash it with a XT BIOS to make it a TRUE 9800 XT...unlike flashing a R350 core with the XT BIOS...

DEAD WRONG: My 128 Pro has the R-360 core on it.

[two-faced]

Just replaced my stock cooling on my 9800 PRO 128 MB with Arctic-Cooling VGA Silencer. I also got R360 core even though ATI Tool displayed R350. I wish I could find bios that supports 128 MB so I can use temp monitor and overdrive.

[KK_Disco]

how do you know if you have a R360 or a R350? do you check the card or theres software that can tell you that.

[diehrd]

Ya gotta look at the core

[KK_Disco]

so you ganna pop the fan out and check?
well, im going to switch it to arctic cooling rev 2 anyway. can you use arctic silver 5 instead of the thermal coupound they give you?

[IYIENACE]

Originally posted by KK_Disco
how do you know if you have a R360 or a R350? do you check the card or theres software that can tell you that.

Try doing a GOOGLE (www.google.com) search for "ATi BIOS editor 1.1D"

You might be surprised...:-/

[KK_Disco]

how do you use it? i dled it but i have no clue where to start
sorry, im kinda noob on OCing videoclock

[Silent Buddha]

Originally posted by KK_Disco
how do you use it? i dled it but i have no clue where to start
sorry, im kinda noob on OCing videoclock

For oc'ing use ATITool. You can set it to automatically determine your max core and mem clocks because it checks for artifacts. As for knowing which core you have, you have to remove the heatsink and TIM and find out :)

[IYIENACE]

Originally posted by KK_Disco
how do you use it? i dled it but i have no clue where to start
sorry, im kinda noob on OCing videoclock

Ok...before you go yanking your heatsink off you may want to just do this:
Provided you downloaded RadEdit 1.1D, click on the help file and it will guide you through the process. It is very easy.
When finished you should get a display like the one I posted earlier in the thread (by clicking on the RadEdit.exe)

Here are 2 pictures. If yours doesn't look like this then you have the wrong program lol. :o

http://pc.rc-mod.com/BIOS/radedit.JPG


http://pc.rc-mod.com/BIOS/radedithlp.JPG

[KK_Disco]

i got all those right but then i dont see where i can get the bios from. oh and i dont have a floppy. :(

[Dukemurmur]

Can i flash my BBA 9800 pro 128 i think it has the R350. As right now ATI Tool is underclocking my mem it has it at 335.25 and has been there stable 4 35min. Will i gain anything by doing this..... it once had it at 385 and it started to artifact in the middle of Dragothic in 01(the first Dragothic. it was checkerboards and short white lines) and then i quite and re-ran it and it has clocked it to to what was stated above. My core is 441.

[Sir Random]

For a BBA 9800 Pro with R360 core and 128Mb Samsung ram, here's all the files & instructions you need:

http://www.handspun.utvinternet.com/daniel/biosflsh.zip

[Dukemurmur]

what about the R350 core... as i'm not entirly sure what it is. I just oc to 450 core and 378 mem artifact free. everything stock. Do i really need to bios mod to the XT? will i gain anything more then that oc by flashing them? My plains r a stock AMD hs (i already have it modded just need TIM) some mem hs. and a small hs behind the core in the empty spot. Also how can i tell what core i have.....

[aNTiChRisT]

Nope, bios controls the latencies -- just like a mainboard bios.

I hear that bba, sapphire and ATI make the best cards for clocking? And i though hynix was the best ram...

What are the advantages of pro/np when overclocking? pro's have the 360 core or what? Im new to ati wana get a new card soon.

~t0m

[Dukemurmur]

AntiChrist u rn't sitting next to me!?!

[Gate44]

Today I installed 8 BGA Ramsinks using Zalman Thermal Adhesive and Artic Silver 5 on my gpu.

Core: 439
Mem: 738

Idle
Cpu Temp: 42
Northbridge: 36
PSU: 35

Load:
Cpu Temp: 54
Northbridge: 43
PSU: 35

Cpu H/F: Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu
Northbridge Heatsink: Zalman ZM-NB32J
PSU: Enermax 465

I am applying the Artic Silver5 to Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu tomorrow


Old 3D Mark03: 6396
New 3D Mark03: 6652

Only 256 better

Not much of an improvement from my original post but one never the less....

But I do still need a CLEAN INSTALL



- Abit IC7 / 2.4mhzC (3318A157) @ 3.0 (150fsb)
- 2X256mb OCZ PC3500 Dual Memory
- ATI Radeon 9800pro@9800xt with VGA Silencer and BGA Ramsinks
- Zalman CNPS7000-Cu
- Seagate 160gig 8mb buffer barracuda iv
- Seagate 80gig 2mb buffer barracuda iv
- Cheiftec Matrox Case
- Enermax 465Watt PSU