9700 pro memory question

[painterh]

I have a 9700 card which I bought represented as a 9700pro. I later found it was a 9700tx (ati card made for Dell). I was able to successfully flash the cards bios to a 9700pro. It is now recognized as such, however, this card uses infineon memory chips (rated at 263 megahertz). My question is ; If I were to flash it again to another bios (say a 9700pro bios w/samsung 3.3ns chips) would would it work, and also would it allow me to raise memory clock higher than 270, which is as high as I can go now without getting artifacts. Any input would appreciated.

[Unreal89]

I highly doubt it, you may want to look into a volt mod instead. Flashing probably wont help, cause it will still be the same ram. But a volt mod would help cause it give the ram more juice.

[painterh]

Can you give me any links to volt modding a video card (specifically a 9700pro)?

[consumer9000]

Here you go buddy: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon9700pro-overclocking.html
Back when my 9700PRO was still in the land of the living I followed this volt mod (pretty easy if you have a local Radioshack and can solder). The results are outstanding, but the amount of heat dissipated increases accordingly. I'd recommend using at least a VGA Silencer and good Ramsinks before venturing to do this mod. Just remember, it takes it toll on the life of your card. Mine died shortly after modding (<4 months) but that gave me an excuse to go out and buy my 6600GT AGP, and I haven't looked back! :clap:

[painterh]

Thanks for the link. I think I will have to ponder this for a while, I don't have budget for another card in the near future. I read in another forum, a suggestion to flash video card bios with a new one for 9700 pro w/samsung 3.3ns memory (the infineon chips on this card are also 3.3ns) , but the bios for the samsung memory is for 310 memory clock. Just wondered if anyone knew if this would really work.

[painterh]

How much difference (if any) would I see in max mem speed on this card if I added more ram sinks for cooling? Or would it make no difference?

[consumer9000]

The ram on my 9700PRO got very hot, over 170F surface temp. Adding OCZ copper BGA ramsinks helped alot, and allowed me an extra 60mhz on the ram when combined with the voltmod. Attach them with Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy and you'll be set. Also, consider additional cooling for the voltage regulation circuitry (under that aluminum plate). Their should be pics of my old setup somewhere in the cooling forum...I'll see if I can dig them up for you.

[painterh]

Thanks for the info. I will try a cooling solution first, both for ram and for gpu(don't know how effective stock gpu cooler is). I might give the bios flash a try also. I am going to wait a while before I consider volt modding, I am not really set up for small soldering and those kinds of mods. Also I am not that much of a techie. thanks for the usefull info. best regards.....