BFG 5700 Ultra Vmod, with pics

[Voodoo Rufus]

Instructions here by walldow: http://overclockers.com/tips1151/

I used wire-wrap wire instead of speaker wire. A microscope and fine-tip iron helped greatly as well, as this was my first surface mount soldering attempt.

I first used a hot glue gun to fix the pots to the board, but it warmed so much they melted back off, so they're now attached with Arctic Alumina epoxy. The heatsink is also fixed with the epoxy, which is surprisingly strong for this use. I can't safely get it off to use H2O cooling, so I'm limited to bigger fans now.

I found grounds off the caps on the board instead of elsewhere, as it serves the same purpose.

http://www.oc-rev.com/imagehost/files/2/VoodooRufus/5700Cooling.jpg

http://www.oc-rev.com/imagehost/files/2/VoodooRufus/Vmod.jpg

Results:

Stock (475/906):

3dmark03: 3846
Halo: 37.37fps

Max stock OC (560/1.02):

3d03: 4351
Halo: 43.86

Max Vmod: (640/1.07)

3d03: 4730
Halo: 48.86

2.75V gave me a stable 1.07GHz on the ram, and 2.8-2.9V did not give any more, so the ram is maxed out unfortunately. The sinks are warm to the touch.

Core speeds:

1.58V 600Mhz
1.60V 605Mhz
1.65V 620Mhz
1.70V 630Mhz
1.75V 640Mhz

At 1.75V the core was reaching to nearly 70C, so I stopped there. With lower temps I'm sure I could get better returns. Testing was done using ATItool, and stability was continuous running with no errors. Then I benchmarked the system. Halo may take a slightly higher OC on the ram before artifacting, but I'm more concerned with getting a higher core speed right now.

[Nathan0490]

better cooling maybe? heat is what seems to be holding u back, no?

[Voodoo Rufus]

Yup. Planning on replacing that 50mm with a 60mm. Can't do much more than that. I risk breaking the core if I try to remove the heatsink, so no H2O lovin' for me. :-/

[SolidxSnake]

You could always send me the card to attempt to get off the heatsink. I've done it a few times. Just freeze it an hour or two, and loosen it, if it doesn't give after a few minutes of gentle twisting, keep freezing...

Just don't expect me to send the card back if i get it working :D

That's a really clean job on the VMod though. The wires look as if they're just kinda magically sitting there haha. wouldn't ever expect that to be a first SMD job.

[four4875]

very fantastic job indeed! i need to get some better cooling on my 5500 and then vmod it. or just replace it with something better. lol.

i think i would try to freeze the thing thengive a lil twistin see fi it pops off, then maybe see if i could poke a razor blade between the core and HS, but im not always the brightest and sometimes break things lol.

[Voodoo Rufus]

Well, this card is RIP now. I used a heat gun to loosen the epoxy, and it worked wonders. But it appears I used too much heat, most likely melting the solder pads underneath the BGA. The card now only spews random crap over the POST screen. So much for H2O. :cry: