Video card firmware

[photolady]

has any one done this? Updated firmware on a video card.

[Midknyte]

You don't usually have to update the firmware/bios on video cards, unlike motherboards.

Nvidia has NVflash. ATI has ATIflash.

For more info, check out:
http://www.mvktech.net/

[photolady]

Ok. Not anything wrong with this card just wondered why any one would update.

[Midknyte]

If you want to hack the clockspeeds, fan speeds, voltages etc.

[photolady]

I assumed updating firmware would be the same as other firmware updates. To fix a problem or add features.

[Midknyte]

I assumed updating firmware would be the same as other firmware updates. To fix a problem or add features.

Not really. Like I said, it's NOT like a motherboard bios update. Video card firmware is related to the batch of cards. There can be multiple runs of the same model with different firmwares. You may actually cause problems by flashing a newer firmware on an older card.

[SuperSparks]

I agree. Same with hard drive firmware. Only do it if there is a really compelling reason, and then do a lot of finger crossing and praying to the gods of tech beforehand

[photolady]

Ok. I was aware that flashing the firmware can cause instability when done incorrectly, but I've flashed firmware on other things, ie, cd/dvd drives, and my camera without a problem and it actually fixed or updated things (ie, my camera). I guess I just am not getting what I want to know. I know it's not common to do this, I just wanted to know if "anyone" had done it.

I was not planning on doing it to the video card. I just wanted to know if someone had done it. If you two haven't that doesn't mean someone else hasn't either.

[Midknyte]

I HAVE done it or else I wouldn't know this much about it.

I haven't seen Nvidia or ATI post "video card bios" updates on their websites. There may be cases where their support group may send you an update, but that's rare.

Back when SLI first came out (the Nvidia one, not 3DFX), some people would flash their cards so that the bioses matched. That hasn't been an issue for a while.

[photolady]

So why did you flash yours? Did it fix or change anything? I am asking just in case I get some hair brain asking me if they should or could. So I can give them valid reasons why they shouldn't.

[Midknyte]

I flashed my Nvidia 6800 and 7800 cards after modifying the gpu clock, memory clock, voltages, and fan settings. This was AFTER testing at overclocked levels. I extracted the firmware, made the changes with Nibitor (Nvidia bios editor), then reflashed with the modified firmware.

[photolady]

Thanks Midknyte.