Flashing a graphics card

[No.1]

Really what i want to know is can an ATI 9600SE be flashed to XP/Pro spec.

I have no idea what flashing involves, so please explain to me what it is. :)
Also.. does it require any special tools etc...

The reason is i am looking to upgrade my Geforce2 32MB :roll: and don't have a shit load of money to spend.

If there are any good sites you can point me in the direction of that would be appreciated, as will the software to actually upgrade the card 8)

Thanks again guys... i didn't want to go onto a proper tech forum as a n00b :oops:

[Chaos in 1983!]

try asking in www.overclockersclub.com and in www.techimo.com both are very good forums for that kinda stuff...

[crazidude]

I believe you can't flash them. You might be able to if you're lucky, but I seriously doubt it.

[Onix]

Really what i want to know is can an ATI 9600SE be flashed to XP/Pro spec.

take a look here and you'll see which radeon models can be 'upgraded'
http://www.techpowerup.com/softmod/faq.php

I have a aiw9800se which I'v been running as a pro for about a year now using the softmod drivers, and it works just fine :D

if you do get one that is moddable, the best way is to test it just by using those drivers and possibly an overclocking tool if necessary, if it works perfectly then consider flashing the cards bios to make it a permanent change ;)

[crazidude]

Hrm that site is weird. I swore the 9500p could be soft or hard modded to a 9700p.

And on a side note, I strongly suggest you not flash your card unless you have a PCI or a friend a PCI video card so you can reflash your old card with its previous bios if something went wrong.

[PATo355]

get a gigabyte 9550 from newegg ... flash it to 9600 pro , the cheapest solution

[itsthepham]

yay, I have a 9600 pro.

[No.1]

Really what i want to know is can an ATI 9600SE be flashed to XP/Pro spec.

take a look here and you'll see which radeon models can be 'upgraded'
http://www.techpowerup.com/softmod/faq.php

I have a aiw9800se which I'v been running as a pro for about a year now using the softmod drivers, and it works just fine :D

if you do get one that is moddable, the best way is to test it just by using those drivers and possibly an overclocking tool if necessary, if it works perfectly then consider flashing the cards bios to make it a permanent change ;)

Thanks a lot Dan.. i think i'm gonna go for the 9800SE and then mod it :D

(What does aiw stand for though?).. oh and are Sapphire cards good?

A word of warning, i'm going to be building up a new system over the coming 4-6 weeks so please guys, be ready for a flood of queries and problems :P :wink:

[Patricio]

aiw = all in wonder.. basically it has tv in/out and a remote control that works with the ati mutlimedia center thing for playing dvd's etc

I just wanted the tv in feature for capturing videos :D

[No.1]

^^^

Cool, but i can't stretch to the extra £75 at the moment :( ... i'll just get a regular SE.

BTW - when are prices lowest in the components market.... do places like oveclockers.co.uk scan.co.uk have an Xmas sale or Ney years sale? I would really hate not to wait, and then find out i could have save a bundle of cash :|

[neothealien]

hmm not really no, or at least i dont remeber them doing that before

BTW overclockers are not often the cheapest store, but I generally buy from either them or

komplett.co.uk
scan.co.uk
dabs.com
ebuyer.com

depending who has the best price/has what i want

avoid
overclock.co.uk - 12 weeks to get an RMA on a dead mobo
microlandtechnology.com - take fucking ages to send out orders

[saadie]

fer overcloaking all ya need is Riva Tuner ... :wink:

[No.1]

hmm not really no, or at least i dont remeber them doing that before

BTW overclockers are not often the cheapest store, but I generally buy from either them or

komplett.co.uk
scan.co.uk
dabs.com
ebuyer.com

depending who has the best price/has what i want

avoid
overclock.co.uk - 12 weeks to get an RMA on a dead mobo
microlandtechnology.com - take fucking ages to send out orders

Those were the companies i was thinking of, thanks :D

oh.. and thanks for telling me about the shit companies too :P