X1800 XL 512mb Edition @ X1800 XT $199.99 at Zipzoomfly.com

[Jawadali]

Originally posted by: nealh
deal unfortunately appears dead....

Yeah.

I wonder if they will raise the price if/when it comes back in stock (I hope they don't, but I have a feeling they will).

 

[ICantAffordIt]

So Lord Gestle,
What is the mem voltage? I'm trying to overclock mine to make sure it's stable at XT speeds. I can get the core up to 600 no problem, but the mem caps out at 650. My voltage on the mem shows as almost 2.1 stock so I'm not sure how much higher is safe. Your opinion?

Edit:
I wanted to say that my mem voltage reported at 2.097 according to ATItool. One of the articles linked in this thread stated that it was more accurate than Overclocker tool (which reports my mem voltage at 1.8). So if you could, or anyone running XT or better speeds, could you report your mem voltage from ATItool and Overclocker? Thanks.

Another Edit:
Everything appears stable at 600 core / 700 mem when I set the mem voltage to 2.15. Going to try the flash soon.

 

[ICantAffordIt]

Ok, got it flashed... just waiting for some time tests to ensure stability. But here are my results:

x800se - 744 3dmarks (in case anyone is considering an upgrade)
x1800xl stock - 3229 3dmarks
x1800xl at 600 1.25v / 650 2.097v - 3654 3dmarks
x1800xl at 600 1.35v / 700 2.15v - 3598 3dmarks
x1800xt stock (600 1.275 / 700 2.097- 3694 3dmarks

One odd thing about my tests is that I ran the x1800xl at 600/650 and scored 3654 3dmarks. I'm guessing this is because of the ram timings, but that is really the same score I achieved after the flash to x1800xt. That was running the core at 1.25v and the mem at stock voltage of 2.097. Note this score is actually higher than when I ran the x1800xl at 600/700 (the difference being the core was at 1.35 and the mem at 2.15). I think the heat of the extra voltage may have slowed it down.

So if you're gonna do this mod, check your card at 600/650, then after the flash to see how they compare... I'm interested to see if it's just my card.

 

[jhbball]

So, I place an ordered on Monday, and my order is still "processing" . Anyone else getting this?

 

[Peter E]

nope, I ordered on Monday as well and it should be here today.

 

[Zauber]

Mine came today. Same as the OP's unit, 6 voltage regulators with the MSI sticker over the old one. Won't have a new mainboard for it til monday tho.

 

[Starbuccaneers]

I got the card yesterday and the memory is Samsung 1.2ns.

I was wondering what fan speed did those who has success is using? Is it at 100%? I can easily clock core speed to 600MHz by increase core voltage to around 1.275V, but as for memory it seems to stop around 660MHz. Also, my memory voltage is already default at 2.097V (read by atitool). The fan doesn't seem to be able to keep the temperature down fast enough if memory voltage is getting higher.

I tried 600/650 by OCing XL and the 3Dmark06 was 100pts higher than 600/650 flashed to XT. I might just keep it at 600/650, what is the best way to modify the bios so I can set default core and memory clock + voltage? I don't want to keep changing the settings everytime I update a driver.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Peter E]

I am running at 600/700 with fan at 100%. During 3dmark and games temps hit around 56C or so. Voltage is 1.25 on core and 2.097 on memory. Later on today or tomorrow I am gonna try flashing to an XT

 

[LordGestle]

Originally posted by: Starbuccaneers
I got the card yesterday and the memory is Samsung 1.2ns.

I was wondering what fan speed did those who has success is using? Is it at 100%? I can easily clock core speed to 600MHz by increase core voltage to around 1.275V, but as for memory it seems to stop around 660MHz. Also, my memory voltage is already default at 2.097V (read by atitool). The fan doesn't seem to be able to keep the temperature down fast enough if memory voltage is getting higher.

I tried 600/650 by OCing XL and the 3Dmark06 was 100pts higher than 600/650 flashed to XT. I might just keep it at 600/650, what is the best way to modify the bios so I can set default core and memory clock + voltage? I don't want to keep changing the settings everytime I update a driver.

Thanks in advance.

To modify the default bios use RABIT. Within this utility you can also specify the fan speed at certain temps. Keep in mind that the X1800XL only has one speed so what you modify the speed within RABIT is what you get. Once you save it you will need to follow the procedure above to flash the bios again (500/500gpu is the key but since you are using the XL bios you should be good to go straight to the bootdisk flash). On the XT bios there is a 2d and 3d and you cannot modify the 3d speed with RABTI 2.0.

Coincidently a new version of RABIT came out today. You can download it here
RABIT 2.1 from www.techpowerup.com

2.1 Fixes:

• Support for OverDrive 2D/3D profiles for Radeon X1K cards
  Experimental Support for Windows 64-bit
  Fixed wrong timings decoding on Radeon X1800/X1900
  Several bug fixes

 

[Peter E]

So Lord Gestle, is it best to modify the original bios or flash to an XT? If you can OC to stock XT speeds what are the advantages of flashing it?

 

[zata]

I suggest you flash it to xt instead of modding the bios. My mem also clock like carp out of the box. But after flashed it to xt, its stable at 750.

As for cooling, just keep the load temp below 75C and you?re good. I keep my fan at 65% at load.

I got my card up to 711 at core and 750mem, vcore at 1.4v and mem at stock voltage.
Fan speed at 65%, load temp 68C after 1 hour gaming.
Use DHCzeropoint 6.3 driver, no aa and no af, IQ at high quality. 3dmark05 at default setting and score 10065.

My ex- evga 7900gt oc at 565/850 3d mark05 score 10069.

 

[LordGestle]

Originally posted by: Peter E
So Lord Gestle, is it best to modify the original bios or flash to an XT? If you can OC to stock XT speeds what are the advantages of flashing it?

As people already noted the performance is questionable since the XL memory has tighter timings vs XT higher mhz. I performed the flash to XT mainly due to the seperate 2d/3d settings. I thought I read somewhere with the XT bios the 2d voltage differs from the 3d voltage. If that's the case running your XL bios at 600+@1.3v/700 24*7 could shorten the life compared to a Stock XT bios due to heat. In reality we are probably debating the life between a difference of <10% over 5+++ years. Example I had a celeron 300a@450mhz running for years before I gave it away and from what I here it's still running 8+ years later.
I did find having a modified XL bios was ideal for an overclocking scenario, if you relaxed the timings, due to the simplicity of having one speed for 2d/3d without the use of any 3rd party utility. Example with the XT bios you cannot modify a permanent 3d mhz via RABIT. You can only modify the 2d.
-john

 

[Peter E]

Ok thanks for the help. Since the performance is close between an overclocked XL and stock XT I'm probably just going to use ati tool to overclock it when i am gaming then back it down when i'm not.

 

[Conundrum]

Ok, I got the overclocking program no problem. But when I try to go to:
http://www.k-hardware.de/news.php?s=&news_id=4716

That German website doesn't seem to have a working link to download the new BIOS. Am I missing something here? Someone tell me what I'm doing wrong! Argh! I already bought the card and want to change that bios!

 

[Starbuccaneers]

Originally posted by: Conundrum
Ok, I got the overclocking program no problem. But when I try to go to:
http://www.k-hardware.de/news.php?s=&news_id=4716

That German website doesn't seem to have a working link to download the new BIOS. Am I missing something here? Someone tell me what I'm doing wrong! Argh! I already bought the card and want to change that bios!

You can only see the link with Internet Explorer. Page 7 of this thread also has the links by LordGestle.

 

[Ricochet]

Since this card is out of stock at ZZF, does anybody know where else I can get it at a similar price?

 

[Greenman]

And since it is out of stock, why not say DEAD in the topic name?

 

[Esquire]

Originally posted by: LordGestle
Last piece of the puzzel!!!
You need the MSI X1800XT Bios! On my card no other bios would allow past 700mhz on the memory. I'm happy to report I received the MSI X1800XT Bios from BIGD and I flashed my card to a true MSI X1800XT. No Pending Issues now and my memory is clocked to 620/750 via the default OverDrive.

My CYA: As always flashing, overclocking, and/or modding your card is a risk. If you cannot afford the loss do not proceed above. Someone looking for a guaranteed XT should buy an XT since overclocking is not guaranteed.

Before Proceeding I would make sure your current MSI X1800XL card works at the advertised speed (500\500) with a few loops of aquamark, futuremark, glexcess, and/or combination with ATI Tool artifact tester. You can download ATI Tool here: ATI Tool 0.25 Beta 14 from www.techpowerup.com

This way before flashing you don't add complication if your card is faulty out of the box, can process an RMA if needed since you have not voided the waranty, and/or could troubleshoot driver/system related issues before the flash.

I will also leave it up to others if testing your card at 600/700 with GPU set to 1.3v via ATI Tool is necessary before the flash. I would lean towards this approach since it's very difficult to flash back if you cannot get into windows with those clocks and follow the procedure below for a reflash. The reason being is you cannot set it back to 500\500 via overclocker which makes the flashing process possible (or less difficult). I did not experience an issue getting back to windows but I don't feel comfortable saying everyone will have the same success


So here are the complete steps to flash from a MSI X1800XL 512MB card to a MSI X1800XT:
1) Download ATIFLASH. ATI Flash from www.TechPowerup.com
2) Make a bootable disk via DRDFlash: DRDFLash from www.bootdisk.com
3) Copy the extracted (unzipped) ATIFLASH and MSIX1800XT bios from my website to the disk you created in step 2. So you should have ATIFLASH.exe and MSIX18XT.bin (rename if necessary) in the root of your A drive:
MSI X1800XT Bios from Torchedpc.com
4) Reboot your computer
5) When your system boots to the floppy type in this command to save your current bios: atiflash -s 0 oldbios.bin
6) Type in this command to flash the new bios: atiflash -newbios -f -p 0 msix18xt.bin
7) Reboot your computer if successfull
8) Load into windows, install the ATI drivers if not done so previously, launch ATI Catalyst Control Center, Select Advanced View, Select Overdrive and select unlock if you want it to run at 620/750 in 3d mode.

Thanks again to BigD from techpowerup for the bios.

If you have already flashed your bios to an XT Bios and you want to revert back to your saved original bios, or to another XT bios, perform the following:
1) Use oveclocker tool to set 2d GPU/Mem to 500MHZ within Windows. Overclocker from www.techpowerup.com
2) Use winflash to flash back to the original XL bios of 500/500. If you didn't back it up here you go: MSIX1800XL Stock Bios from Torchedpc.com
3) Reboot when prompted and use the ATIflash method above again with the default ( atiflash -newbios -f -p 0 msix18xt.bin or oldbios.bin) or a new XT bios ( atiflash -newbios -f -p 0 newbios.bin.
Not following this order will cause a screen corruption and flash failure. The flash failure locks up your machine but does not bork your card at least in my experience.

ok installed my card last night, ran ati tool scaned 4 artifacts, temp got up to i believe 80c
no errors

gonna run more tests

 

[Esquire]

how do i raise the core voltage?

i'm in ati tool, could some on give a steb by on what to do to test running at xt speed, with ati tool

thanks

 

[cify1964]

Newbie Here, first I want to thank everyone for there excellent advice and input especially ChooChoo and LordGestle!!!!!

I received my X1800 XL, last Wednesday. It took me two day to figure out how to flash my card and change the voltage to 1.30 (XT) and 1.45 (XTPE). It was KoncreteAngel post that tipped me off about the difference in the voltage between XT and XTPE, thanks KoncreteAngel

I am now happy to report that my card is running very stable at smoothly almost XTPE speeds at 682/782. My 3dmark05 score is 9,350 right now. I think my MB, Sempron chip, and PSW are holding me back from scoring above 10,000 in 3dmark05. I know I would automatically pick up about 200 point if I was using a true A64 chip.

Anyway, here are some tips I learn through my experience. When I first flashed with the XT bios when I rebooted I had to reinstall the XL drivers again. It's funny because they didn't care that I was using the XT bios. Next I used the OverClocker software in LordGestle post to view the 2d and 3d settings and voltage. Once I verified the XT flashed work, tested everything running 3dmark05. Next I flashed the XTPE bios and recheck using the OC software again. Also when i first flashed the XtPE bios my screen looked like it was corrupted so I thought it didn't work but after rebooting everything started up normally. At that point my 3d setting was changed to 692/795 but my 2d was still at 595/692. At this point I was still scoring about 300(8800) points higher then XT(8500) scores. Then I tried changed 2d voltage & settings 1.45 & 682/782 and that's what enabled me to get my final score of 9350.

I am so thrilled to be running at 1900xt speeds for only $200.00 I can hardly beleive it. Wow, what a HOT DEAL. Thanks everyone this forum ROCKS!!!!!!!

PS - If your using the ATITool you have to select the setting button and then pick OVERCLOCK VOLTAGE from the drop down menu in order to change the setting and voltage. also when you first start the ATITool after you flashed it will ask you if you want to oc just the 2d settings, pick No for this.

 

[Esquire]

ok i bumped the voltage to 1.3v for gpu, the mem is a 2v all ready

the gpu up to 00 and mem up to 700

hit set clock and my screen goes bonko, any ideas

using ati utility

 

[ICantAffordIt]

Esquire, I wasn't able to hit 700 mem until I flashed to XT. Try setting gpu to 1.3v and 600 and mem to 2.097 (stock, I believe) and 650. Mine ran fine that way. I was also able to run stable at 700 mem when I upped voltage to 2.15v.
Mine runs the same as an XL at 600/650 as it does as an XT at 600/700. But it's easier to just flash it, I think.
Edit:
I just ran the automated clock configuration utility through the Catalyst Controlpanel and it determined the GPU speed to be 689 and the mem speed to be 747 at stock voltage. I'll run another 3dmark at this speed to see how it changes things.

Edit: Edit:
Ok I ran 3dmark and my score is now 3811 at the recommended ati overclock speed, where it was 3694 stock XT and 3229 stock XL. The highest I could get as an XL even with overclocking was 3654. I'd recommend the XT bios upgrade over the XL overclock.

 

[Esquire]

thanks "I can't afford it", ok i upped it to 600 core and 650 mem a v1.3 on core in artifacts test i get errors, any ideas the test screen had yellow dots

 

[Starbuccaneers]

Originally posted by: Esquire
thanks "I can't afford it", ok i upped it to 600 core and 650 mem a v1.3 on core in artifacts test i get errors, any ideas the test screen had yellow dots

Don't use ATI tool to test artifacts, I read on this thread that test doesn't work with X1x00 cards. I thought my card is a bust, but after reading that I just use 3dmark to test. I was able to able to run at 600/700 with voltage core at 1.35V and stock mem voltage. So, use 3dmark 01 and 05 -> "nature" test instead to test artifacts.

 

[Esquire]

i got my core to 585 at 1.3 and mem to 650 stable

good to go, what bench markers do people use