Radeon 9500 to Radeon 9700 Mod [Archive]

View Full Version : Radeon 9500 to Radeon 9700 Mod

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

This is not "current" news, but apparently it's possible to convert a Radeon 9500 to 9700! Damn, I should give this a <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1041719082">shot</a>! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey Colin, I am going to be buying a 9500 Pro soon and I will try the mod! Do you want me to let you know what happened...I'll just tell you anyways!!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

<< Hey Colin, I am going to be buying a 9500 Pro soon and I will try the mod! Do you want me to let you know what happened...I'll just tell you anyways!! >> YES! Please let me know how it goes, I am very interested!!! I hope you have a steady hand and good luck! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Avid6eek

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Good Luck!!!!!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

JUAN!!! WAIT DON'T DO THE MOD YET!!! Apparently it is possible to change the Radeon 9500 to 9700 through <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.guru3d.com/comments.php?category=1&id=1072">software</a>!

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Well that's just great!! That is cool but I think I will be brave and try the hardware mod...well I think I will try the script editor so too call it and see how it works.

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Haha! Juan, you're a brave one! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> The software is suppose to be done shortly. Why don't you try that first?

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I think I get my bravery from working on Mac's all day!!!LOL No matter what I try though I will let you know!!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

<< LOL No matter what I try though I will let you know!! >> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> COOL! << I think I get my bravery from working on Mac's all day!!! >> Damn... That would piss me off! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I thought you might like this Colin! You can modify the Radeon 9500 the hardware way but without soldering. Here's the link <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1042058170">Modify without Soldering</a>

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Thanks Juan! That is definitely much easier then soldering! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> There are a few Sapphire Radeon 9500's at my local computer store, maybe I'll pick one up for a wknd project. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Something I thought of trying when I get mine is using the Window Defrost repair kit since I have used it for unlocking Athlon XP processors

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

<< Something I thought of trying when I get mine is using the Window Defrost repair kit since I have used it for unlocking Athlon XP processors >> I wonder what the resistance of that is. I also use rear window defogger repair kit to unlock AthlonXP's as well.

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

It's great stuff, not that expensive, and alot easier to find than conductive grease!!!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey Juan, you'll probably want to remove the shim on the Radeon 9500 so the HSF can make good contact.

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hello again peps!! I haven't used peps in years but anyways if you try to go to the link to get the bios it's not there but with me being a good person I thought I would find it for ya. Here is the link <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.3dchipset.com/bios/ati/warp11/index.php">Hercules 9700 Non-Pro bios file</a> and make sure you use the Hercules & Powercolor bios from what I can tell because all links I have found have only mentioned this one!! Hope you like this Colin!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Awesome Juan! Thanks for the link! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> I'm very tempted to pick up a Radeon 9500 to try the mod myself. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Do I get a cookie!!!JKing!!! I am going to get one as soon as I get money from this bastard that has owed me for months now but I will get one and try it with you!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

<< am going to get one as soon as I get money from this bastard that has owed me for months >> I hate that myself... It's so frustrating. I know myself I lose track too. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> Well I didn't get the Radeon 9500, I got some stuff for my dad instead. Perhaps next wknd...

Juan

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Well I am not going to get a 9500 because I have heard of some people having problems with the card running weird after the hardware mod and the software mod doesn't allow 256-bit. Anyways I want to see if the 9900 comes out around my birthday 4-20.

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

One of my friends just got his Sapphire 9500 yesterday... He's going to mod his card, when I get some new info, I'll let ya know.

recycle

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

You guys are a bit behind the news : ) http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1042421241 Upgrade it threw just drivers!

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

recycle, Juan is right the software mod unlocks the other 4 rendering pipelines however it does not unlock the 256bit memory bus... One of my friends got his Sapphire 9500 yesterday and it's only a 9500 Pro now. He's going to do the hardware mod later tonight I think... I'll keep ya guys informed. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

recycle

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

On all 9500 cards using 9700 PCBs the memory bus is already 256 bits. http://www.maxdownloads.com/~ian/wizzard/ Read about it... Even soldering doesn't change the memory bus. RADEON 9500 128MB << All graphics cards based on RADEON 9500, which we have seen, follow the RADEON 9700 design. 128MB versions of RADEON 9500 based solutions feature 256bit memory bus, since they have all 8 memory chips installed just the same way as by RADEON 9700. However, the RADEON 9500 chip is cut down, as it has only 4 pipelines working. Our modifications allow enabling all 8 pipelines, which makes the chip a fully-fledged RADEON 9700. The modification doesn’t touch the memory bus, as it is a 256bit one anyway. However, just resoldering a few things is not enough to make your RADEON 9500 a fully-functional RADEON 9700, since the BIOS of your card is set to work with only 4 pipelines, and even if all 8 pipelines are physically enabled, it doesn’t involve all of them. But the RADEON 9700 BIOS does use them all to the full extent, if you reflash it into the modified graphics card. And if you want your modified card to overclock as well, you’d better reflash the hacked BIOS from warp11. The modified RADEON N9500 128MB allow very good chip overclocking: up to 350-390MHz. The memory used on these cards is a bit cheaper, so it overclocks not very impressively: up to 560-600MHz. >>

FTO

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

From what I have read, once you do the soft mod or the hardware mod, the memory becomes 256 bit with 8 pipes enabled as well...it becomes about a 9700...then you clock it to speeds of a pro but from what I have heard, only about 50% of the attempts for these mods work, the rest get the checkerboard effect I am also considering this mod when i get a new system soon...but am scared to get the checkerboards =( then i'd be stuck with a 9500 with 4 pipes only...when i could of bought a 9700(for about 100 bucks more) or 9500(for about 30 bucks more) pro

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I don't have the card and have not done the mod, but one of my friends recently bought a Sapphire Raeon 9500 and he got the checker board after the mod... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> FTO, I hear the success rate is even lower hten that. I guess the R300's being used with the Radeon 9500's are really bottom of the barrel. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

tyler811

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I think this is a modded card or so I have been told, here is the story short and sweet. I have posted this at various forums and most replys tell me it is modded. Tell me what you think. I bought this damn thing at newegg as oem. Most people think that some dumba** tried to mod it, screwed it up and sent it back to newegg. I didnot send it back because of the 15% restocking fee and the damn extra money for shipping. I will keep it and put in my server pc. Going to buy another card but have not decided yet which one Hi All, Ok I have problem, I just built a computer on a Biostar M7VIK Maxtor 60 gig 7200 rpm, 300 watt ps, Sound Blaster Live 5.1 gamer, AM XP 1800, Windows XP Pro and the video card below.New bios, video driver, sound card driver, 4 in 1 hyperion drivers and Direct x 9.0. Here is the story. I put this together and every went together great. I ran Mad Onion ( The lastest one ) and it rebooted the computer. Tried to play BF 1942 and it was horrible. This was 2 weeks ago. I have since uninstalled and reinstalled in this order video driver then sound driver then both then video and tried older sound driver. old video new sound driver, old 4 in 1 driver & new video and sound, new old 4 in 1 & old video and sound. Then .............. well you get the idea I have tried every conceivable option there is. . Then I looked at the driver cd and it says "DRIVER FOR ATI 9700 PRO ONLY" Now I never tried tried to put the cd driver on because I got the lastest ones off ati website.So I uninstalled the drivers I had on the machineand tried to put in the drivers off the cd. I got a "CANNOT INSTALL DRIVERS CANNOT FING INF FILE". So I did the install again off the cd but this time pointed directly to the drivers and got the same message. So I reinstalled the new video drivers from ati website and still had the same thing. Now I am completelt baffled so I did a complete format and reinstall of everything including windows xp pro. Now I can complete MADONION but when playing MAX PAYNE or BF 1942, I get kicked back to my desktop. Sometimes I can for for a few minutes or up to a 2 hours but I always get kicked back to my desktop. I thought i had the wrong drivers so i went back to ATI and did a product check with bios string thru ATI's bios string check. It came back I had a ATI RADEON 9700 and not the ATI RADEON 9500 as listed below from newegg. Then an uncle of mine sent me a test called AIDA 32 and the results are below that. Now when you look at the AIDA 32 results keep in mind that the 9500 has only 2 vertex shaders and 4 pixel pipelines, 128 bit memory. Mine according to the AIDA 32 has 4 vertex shaders, 8 pipelines and 256 bit memory plus the faster clock speed and memory speed but mine only has 64 ddr memory and I cant find a 9700 that comes with 64 ddr only 128 ddr. Right at this very minute I am using 9500 video drivers, the Hyperion 4 in 1 4.45 drivers, and the lastest sound blaster drivers plus all the updrades for XP. I can complete the MADONION with a score 9456 and BF 1942 looks and runs excellent but right before Ithe game loads into whatever server I am on I get 8-10 multi colored blocks at the bottom then it connects no problem. It runs fast but I always get kicked back to my desktop. This is a fast system for me and I love it. But can someone please help me out here PLEASE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- this is what I thought I was buying from New Egg. The first is a description from Newegg and below that is the description from the link at Saphire who made the card. ATI OEM RADEON 9500 64MB DDR 8X AGP BULK Specifications: Chipset: ATI RADEON 9500 Memory:64MB 128-bit DDR memory Supports the new AGP 8X standard (2.0 GB/sec) Unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals ATI's latest FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications OEM Box (see pics) "Powered by ATI" Manufactured By Sapphire "Powered by ATI" Manufactured By Sapphire Model#: RADEON 9500 64M (S) -OEM 64MB or 128MB DDR memory accelerates the latest 3D games 128-bit DDR memory interface provides end users with fast graphics performance 4-pixel pipeline architecture cuts rendering time in half when compared to any competing product Supports the new AGP 8X standard, providing a high-speed link between the graphics board and the rest of the PC (2.0 GB/sec) Provides full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and the latest OpenGL® functionality SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0 technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and pinging out fine texture detail, without compromising performance 128-bit floating-point color precision allows for a greater range of colors and brightness ATI's latest FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality Unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is what ADIA 32 says I have. Graphics Processor Properties: Video Adapter ATI R300 GPU Code Name R300 PCI Device 1002 / 4144 Transistors 110 million Process Technology 0.15u Bus Type AGP Memory Size 64 MB GPU Clock 277 MHz RAMDAC Clock 400 MHz Pixel Pipelines 8 TMU Per Pipeline 1 Vertex Shaders 4 (v2.0) Pixel Shaders 1 (v2.0) Pixel Fillrate 2216 MPixel/s Texel Fillrate 2216 MTexel/s Memory Bus Properties: Bus Type DDR Bus Width 256-bit Real Clock 270 MHz (DDR) Effective Clock 540 MHz Bandwidth 17280 MB/s

tyler811

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hi All, Ok I have problem, I just built a computer on a Biostar M7VIK Maxtor 60 gig 7200 rpm, 300 watt ps, Sound Blaster Live 5.1 gamer, AM XP 1800, Windows XP Pro and the video card below.New bios, video driver, sound card driver, 4 in 1 hyperion drivers and Direct x 8.1. Here is the story. I put this together and every went together great. I ran Mad Onion ( The lastest one ) and it rebooted the computer. Tried to play BF 1942 and it was horrible. This was 2 weeks ago. I have since uninstalled and reinstalled in this order video driver then sound driver then both then video and tried older sound driver. old video new sound driver, old 4 in 1 driver & new video and sound, new old 4 in 1 & old video and sound. Then .............. well you get the idea I have tried every conceivable option there is. . Then I looked at the driver cd and it says "DRIVER FOR ATI 9700 PRO ONLY" Now I never tried tried to put the cd driver on because I got the lastest ones off ati website.So I uninstalled the drivers I had on the machineand tried to put in the drivers off the cd. I got a "CANNOT INSTALL DRIVERS CANNOT FING INF FILE". So I did the install again off the cd but this time pointed directly to the drivers and got the same message. So I reinstalled the new video drivers from ati website and still had the same thing. Now I am completelt baffled so I did a complete format and reinstall of everything including windows xp pro. Now I can complete MADONION but when playing MAX PAYNE or BF 1942, I get kicked back to my desktop. Sometimes I can for for a few minutes or up to a 2 hours but I always get kicked back to my desktop. I thought i had the wrong drivers so i went back to ATI and did a product check with bios string thru ATI's bios string check. It came back I had a ATI RADEON 9700 and not the ATI RADEON 9500 as listed below from newegg. Then a favorite uncle of mine sent me a test called AIDA 32 and the results are below that. Now when you look at the AIDA 32 results keep in mind that the 9500 has only 2 vertex shaders and 4 pixel pipelines, 128 bit memory. Mine according to the AIDA 32 has 4 vertex shaders, 8 pipelines and 256 bit memory plus the faster clock speed and memory speed but mine only has 64 ddr memory and I cant find a 9700 that comes with 64 ddr only 128 ddr. Right at this very minute I am using 9500 video drivers, the Hyperion 4 in 1 4.45 drivers, and the lastest sound blaster drivers plus all the updrades for XP. I can complete the MADONION with a score 9456 and BF 1942 looks and runs excellent but right before Ithe game loads into whatever server I am on I get 8-10 multi colored blocks at the bottom then it connects no problem. It runs fast but I always get kicked back to my desktop. This is a fast system for me and I love it. But can someone please help me out here PLEASE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- this is what I thought I was buying from New Egg. The first is a description from Newegg and below that is the description from the link at Saphire who made the card. ATI OEM RADEON 9500 64MB DDR 8X AGP BULK Specifications: Chipset: ATI RADEON 9500 Memory:64MB 128-bit DDR memory Supports the new AGP 8X standard (2.0 GB/sec) Unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals ATI's latest FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications OEM Box (see pics) "Powered by ATI" Manufactured By Sapphire "Powered by ATI" Manufactured By Sapphire Model#: RADEON 9500 64M (S) -OEM 64MB or 128MB DDR memory accelerates the latest 3D games 128-bit DDR memory interface provides end users with fast graphics performance 4-pixel pipeline architecture cuts rendering time in half when compared to any competing product Supports the new AGP 8X standard, providing a high-speed link between the graphics board and the rest of the PC (2.0 GB/sec) Provides full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and the latest OpenGL® functionality SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0 technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and pinging out fine texture detail, without compromising performance 128-bit floating-point color precision allows for a greater range of colors and brightness ATI's latest FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality Unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is what ADIA 32 says I have. Graphics Processor Properties: Video Adapter ATI R300 GPU Code Name R300 PCI Device 1002 / 4144 Transistors 110 million Process Technology 0.15u Bus Type AGP Memory Size 64 MB GPU Clock 277 MHz RAMDAC Clock 400 MHz Pixel Pipelines 8 TMU Per Pipeline 1 Vertex Shaders 4 (v2.0) Pixel Shaders 1 (v2.0) Pixel Fillrate 2216 MPixel/s Texel Fillrate 2216 MTexel/s Memory Bus Properties: Bus Type DDR Bus Width 256-bit Real Clock 270 MHz (DDR) Effective Clock 540 MHz Bandwidth 17280 MB/s

tyler811

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

sorry for the double post

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey tyler811! Hmm, that's a really weird problem you're having. Just wondering are you overclocking yoru system? Usually when a 3D application drops back to desktop, that's more system memory rated then a problem with the videocard. Also, is your 9500 a retail ATi card or OEM? As for AIDA 32 reading yoru card wrong, that isn't a big deal the Radeon 9700 and 9500 series of cards all use the same chip ID and that's why they cannot be differentiated. The only way to tell the difference between the cards is to run a benchmark and read yoru fill rates.

lazyrunner50

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey. Sorry I am a little new to this. I am going to try the hardware mod without soldering. Alright, so all I need to reattach the heat sink to the vpu is some basic heat sink compound right? I have some from Radio Shack but it is silicone based. I was reading somewhere that silver based is better...or am I just imagining things? Also, which brand would y'all suggest? Also, I haven't really looked yet, but where can you get good conductive glue?

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

lazyrunner50 don't worry about it man! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Yes, silver paste is better but I would definitely not use it on the R300 core! There are resistors on the FCBGA packaging and the silver paste can short out the core! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0"> The silicon based paste is just fine! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

tyler811

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Colin thank you for your reply, ok I went out today bought a Geforce 4 Ti 4400 and guess what, I played BF 1942 and it knocked me back to my desktop after about 25 minutes. Sometimes it takes 3 minutes and sometimes it takes as much 45 minutes. You think it is a memory problem ? I am running 2 256 megs of 2700 crucial in bank 0 and bank 1 on a Biostar M7VIK which is not overclock nor is the video card. I have my virtual memory set at 1024 on another drive actually my hard drive is partioned C and D and the virtual memory is set on drive d. What would you recommend I do? Since with another video card the same thing happened.

tyler811

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Should I take one out and try with one or I have some pc 2100 I can put in .

lazyrunner50

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey all. I tried the software mod before I was going to attempt the hardware one and got it to work, only problem was that my screen looked like crap! I got the checkerboard pattern all over the place. I resolved the problem by rolling back the driver. So, for all of those out there who are going to try the hardware mod I highly suggest trying the software method first . Just for reference, I also have the Sapphire Radeon Colin was talking about.

Colin

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

tyler811 what memory timings are you running with your system? Are they set to SPD in the BIOS or are you running something a bit more aggressive? Just wondering do you happen to know what voltage your memory is running at? Some other trouble shooting things you can try is running with one stick of memory. Take one stick out and see if you still crash back to desktop. After you come up with a conclusion with first stick of memory try this again with your 2nd stick. If they both pass by themselves, it's most likely a problem with the motherboard! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> Damn lazyrunner50 I hear the mod from 9500 -> 9700 does not work very well... My friend who got a Sapphire Radeon 9500 also had the same problem! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

mE_sTiR

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

well, im getting a Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro... and im gonna try the software mod first... and if that doesnt go as well as i hope, i'll try the hardware mod... useing the non-soldering mod BTW, is that undoable? like, can i just clean off the glue stuff? and maybe, hopefully, re-flash the bios back to the factory bios. i'd hate to ruin a perfectly good board. but if i can turn a 9500 to a 9700, i'd almost be worth the risk... just lemmie know if its possible to undo the mod. thanks.

ScubaSteve

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

The mod only works on Radeon 9500 NON-PRO, it will NOT work on the pro version. And it has to be on a red pcb with the memory in an L shape.

mE_sTiR

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

CRAP!