7800GT modded into a GTX !

[gamermaimer]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I would like to announce that I have successfully softmodded my XFX 7800gt into a 7800gtx. Using Rivatuner, I unlocked a Quad of Pixel Pipes and a Vertex Shader. Also, overclocked to 490/1140
Now I get 7-10fps more on games like Half-Life 2:EP 1. I get another 5fps on F.E.A.R.<!-- <br />
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[QSDT]

Good going feels great to get a good overclock hey.

[Seperah]

OMG!! I just modded my pinto into a Ferrari!!!! WTFPWN3D!! ( I hope he catches onto where I'm going with this one...)

[Pitch]

Uhm.. I though nVidia laser locked the chips to prevent this? It should be impossible to unlock them via software.

[Seperah]

It is...I tried....over and over and over...then MM told me 7800GT's arent bitmasked there laser cut. Unless Nvidia is taking 7800GTX cores and masking the quad/vertex units (kinda like the 6800GS) I dont see this happening. --I didnt think the demand for 7800Gt's was high enough to force them to this level.

[gamermaimer]

Well, I guess I am lucky to own one of those experimental pieces that can be unlocked.

[Pitch]

Only 5FPS in Fear? I think Rivatuner is telling lies mate. You are more likely seeing slightly more FPS from the overclock.

[Seperah]

Links? Rivatuner shots would be nice? maybe even a guide would be even better? How about some 3dmark scores and validation? I'm not saying it can't happen in this world....I just didnt see it coming.

[MONKEYMAN]

They are not unlocked, Rivatuner WILL show they are unlocked though, if you look in the far column you will see that the units are not hardware masked but unavailable.

[gamermaimer]

See its like this, both the GTX & GT have the same core. So, nVidia first
tries to make a GTX, but, out of a batch GTX's, some pieces have some defects in them. nVidia markets these as GT's. Which have most probably would have gone through the laser treatment to render them unlockable.Those defects don't necessarily have to be defects in the pixel pipes .But, in my case I most probably got an engineering version. I'm feeling lucky .

[gamermaimer]

Here the link, it's in chinese but understandable

http://www.hkepc.com/hwdb/7800gt-5.htm

[MONKEYMAN]

Now look at the right hand column in rivatuner...none of then say H/W masked even though they are software disabled.......the pipes would say "yes" under hardware masked if they could be put back with rivatuner, anyone with a 7800gt can tell rivatuner to unlock those pipes and it will look like it is, however it is not.

[gamermaimer]

But how come I'm getting a few more fps in games even though I had overclocked the card before this unlock procedure ? Also I haven't changed my system before or after. Also the card, before the procedure was running at 54*C at idle and now runs at 58*C.

[Samuknow]

It is from your OC...If you had unlocked the pipes you would have had a much greater increase in performance...

If I only gained 5 FPS by unlocking my 6800, I would not even bother. Not worth the time...


BTW Welcom to the Forums...

[gamermaimer]

But I'm still puzzled. I overclocked way before even thinking of unlocking the card. And I took note to especially the HL 2:EP 1 performance before attempting the unlock. After the unlock procedure, I got about 7fps more.
How can that be explained ? Anyways, thanks for the welcome.