YMMV - ATI Atlantis Radeon 9500 128MB Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI by SapphireTech -- 162.99 @ GoogleGear

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: kevman
tempted but I know I'll get screwed and get a non-L shaped memory one....

Somehow that's how I feel as well.

 

[przero]

Well, I called and was assured it was a red PCB, but the CSR was unsure of memory config. So I ordered it. Now where do I find the software hack?

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: Parasitic

Originally posted by: kevman
tempted but I know I'll get screwed and get a non-L shaped memory one....

Somehow that's how I feel as well.

Since they specifically said it was the L shaped memory, if it is not, then it goes back. If they try to charge the 15% restocking fee, well, that will get challenged. Discover is a great credit card, they'll work with you on things like this. I am still out shipping, but that is not a big deal.

OTOH, if it is an L shaped and the soft mod doesn't work -- then it goes to a friend at a nice discount whose looking for a card for about $120. Maybe even the mod to 9500pro will work, I haven't investigated that yet.

Quick question though, are these sapphire cards OEM? Something that worries me is the last batch of these cards were made a LONG time ago. If they are OEM, then a less reputable company (or even a more reputable one depending on exactly how sapphire handles returns) can just take the cards people returned because the soft mod doesn't work, and resell them to people who think the soft mod will work. Repeat, reaping the 15% restocking fee on each iteration. This is my real concern.

And for those who are stupid enough to try the hard mod before the soft mod, well, 0 sympathy there.

-Charles

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: przero
Well, I called and was assured it was a red PCB, but the CSR was unsure of memory config. So I ordered it. Now where do I find the software hack?

The following has been shamelessly stolen from Black_Paladin over at X-bit labs. If you want to see the entire thread, the link is here.


For those of you still having problems performing this hack, I found out that the guaranteed way to get the hack to work is to follow these steps:

1-Uninstall ATI control panel from Windows Add/Remove programs. Do NOT reboot.

2-Uninstall ATI Display driver from Windows Add/Remove programs. Do NOT reboot.

3-Put the setup files for the driver of your choice to install into a temporary directory on your hard disk. To do this, run the executable file to install the driver, when the installer asks you where you want to put the setup files on your hard disk, point to a temporary folder like I mentioned above and when the ACTUAL installation screen pops up after this, just cancel. DO NOT install the drivers yet. All we did so far is to extract the setup files from the single installation file you download from ATI's website or whereever to a temporary folder on your hard disk.

4-Make a search for the ati2mtag.sys file on your entire hard disk (all partitions) . A copy should be found under Windows\System32\Drivers. Right click on this file from the search window and choose copy. Now make a search for the ati2mtag,sy_ file. This file should be located in a subfolder under the temporary folder where you copied the setup files earlier. Go to this folder. Right click any empty area in this folder and choose paste. We have now copied the ati2mtag.sys file from Windows\System32 folder to the folder where you have the ati2mtag.sy_ file so they are both in the same place. Now make another search for the ati2mtag.sys file on your har disk. DELETE ALL copies of this file except the one you just copied to your temporary folder. So now the ati2mtag.sys file is ONLY located in your temporary folder and nowhere else.

5-Run the RivaTuner script to do the conversion hack. When the script asks you for the ati2mtag.sys file, point to the subfolder under your temporary folder where your setup files are. Patch the file that is in this folder. We have now patched the file we had copied from the Windows\System32 folder. Run the Riva Tuner script again. This time, for the file type, choose the ati2mtag.sy_ file and again point to the same folder that you just did. Now, patch the ati2mtag.sy_ file.

6-OK, now reboot.

7-When you reboot, Windows will ask you for the installation files for your graphics card. DON'T let windows install drivers automatically for you. Choose the "Install from a list of specific location" option and then point to the temporary folder where you put your installation files. Here, you might need to point to a subfolder in your temporary folder for Windows to find the .inf files which identifies your adapter. When this is done, windows will start installing the drivers and tell you that the driver you are installing is not certified. This is GOOD! Choose "continue anyway". When the drivers completes installing, you should be prompted to to do the same thing again, this time for the "secondary display". This is fine too, just do the exact same thing you did a moment ago and point to your temporary folder where the installation setup files are. When the "secondary display" is also installed you should be good to go. If you are prompted to restart, do so but in my case I don't believe I had to.

To find out if this worked, go to your display properties, go to the settings tab and the click the advanced button here. From there, click on the adapter tab and you should see Radeon 9700 for the cchip type and NOT Radeon 9500.

If this didn't work for you, I don't know what to say! I don't think the instructions I wrote could be more detailed. If you follow them to the letter, the conversion hack should work.

 

[merlink]

SoftMod info can be found at SoftMod 9500 ==> 9700 info

Sorry in advance if this is a violation of forum policy.

I'm going to take the plunge and order one of these cards

-Merlin

 

[kevman]

so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

 

[saltedeggman]

i ordered one....
i will see how it goes

 

[azoomee]

Is the 9500 equivalent to a Ti4600?

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: kevman
so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

I think you don't understand exactly what the soft mod involves. 9500->9700 involves two things:

1. 128->256bit memory interface.
2. 4piplelines->8pipelines

#1 is gaurenteed to work on the L shaped saphire boards. This gets you the equavalent of a 9500pro.

#2 is not. The reason is not because of some weird software problems, but because on some 9500's -- those 4 pipelines are disabled because they are bad. You will activate the 4 pipelines, but since there are problems with them, you get artifacts, most noticeably, the checkerboard effect.

-Chu

 

[Kirsten]

The graphic shown on googlegear is that of an ATI fan. I assume it is the sapphire fan though that is quieter. Can anyone confirm that?
Thanks,
Kirsten

 

[kevman]

Originally posted by: Chu

Originally posted by: kevman
so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

I think you don't understand exactly what the soft mod involves. 9500->9700 involves two things:

1. 128->256bit memory interface.
2. 4piplelines->8pipelines

#1 is gaurenteed to work on the L shaped saphire boards. This gets you the equavalent of a 9500pro.

#2 is not. The reason is not because of some weird software problems, but because on some 9500's -- those 4 pipelines are disabled because they are bad. You will activate the 4 pipelines, but since there are problems with them, you get artifacts, most noticeably, the checkerboard effect.

-Chu

ok,

That makes sense now, so a 9500 could potentially be be a 9700 with bad memory chips or good memory chips. it's a crapshoot at that point. Did you get an L-shaped one?

Kevin

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: Kirsten
The graphic shown on googlegear is that of an ATI fan. I assume it is the sapphire fan though that is quieter. Can anyone confirm that?
Thanks,
Kirsten

They're all pretty freeging loud. My first upgrade if the soft mod is sucessful is the $30 passive cooling kit.

-Chu

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: Chu

Originally posted by: kevman so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

I think you don't understand exactly what the soft mod involves. 9500->9700 involves two things: 1. 128->256bit memory interface. 2. 4piplelines->8pipelines #1 is gaurenteed to work on the L shaped saphire boards. This gets you the equavalent of a 9500pro. #2 is not. The reason is not because of some weird software problems, but because on some 9500's -- those 4 pipelines are disabled because they are bad. You will activate the 4 pipelines, but since there are problems with them, you get artifacts, most noticeably, the checkerboard effect. -Chu

Actually, I believe this is slightly inaccurate. The 9500pro has a 128-bit memory interface, but 8 pixel pipelines. The only cards with the 256-bit memory interface are the 9700 series of cards.

I believe you are right when you say #1 is guaranteed to work on an L-shaped board, but if you don't get all 8 pipelines working then it doesn't become a 9500pro it just becomes a defective 9700.

If you have a 9500 with inline memory arrangement then you cannot have 256-bit memory bus, but you may be able to get the 8-pixel pipeline working and that would give you a 9500pro.

In either case the risk factor is pretty high because it is all or nothing. This is how I understand it. I hope someone who is sure can either confirm this or correct this.




BTW, I got stuck with an inline 9500 128MB, and I haven't even bothered testing it. I'm just going to sell it on Ebay.

 

[kevman]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: Chu

Originally posted by: kevman so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

I think you don't understand exactly what the soft mod involves. 9500->9700 involves two things: 1. 128->256bit memory interface. 2. 4piplelines->8pipelines #1 is gaurenteed to work on the L shaped saphire boards. This gets you the equavalent of a 9500pro. #2 is not. The reason is not because of some weird software problems, but because on some 9500's -- those 4 pipelines are disabled because they are bad. You will activate the 4 pipelines, but since there are problems with them, you get artifacts, most noticeably, the checkerboard effect. -Chu

Actually, I believe this is slightly inaccurate. The 9500pro has a 128-bit memory interface, but 8 pixel pipelines. The only cards with the 256-bit memory interface are the 9700 series of cards.

I believe you are right when you say #1 is guaranteed to work on an L-shaped board, but if you don't get all 8 pipelines working then it doesn't become a 9500pro it just becomes a defective 9700.

If you have a 9500 with inline memory arrangement then you cannot have 256-bit memory bus, but you <EM>may</EM> be able to get the 8-pixel pipeline working and that would give you a 9500pro.

In either case the risk factor is pretty high because it is all or nothing. This is how I understand it. I hope someone who is sure can either confirm this or correct this.




BTW, I got stuck with an inline 9500 128MB, and I haven't even bothered testing it. I'm just going to sell it on Ebay.

the one you got stuck with, did you order it from googlegrear?

K

 

[ninethirty]

Just a heads up: I just got recieved a card from www.memorymedia.com (this link should work)...it's the red PCB as well, with the L-shaped memory. It's $159. Shipping wasn't terrible; I got 2-day air ( I was anxious ) for around $12.

Memorymedia.com's resellerratings aren't great, but I had no problems with them. A lady called the same day to confirm my shipping address because it was different than my credit card billing address. Very friendly.

I haven't tried modding yet; i just got it in the mail. I'll let you know how it goes. Modding chances should be the same for cards from any vendor, though, provided they're the old (red) PCB.

Given the choice, I might go with the reputation of GoogleGear. But if they sell out, MemoryMedia is an option.

 

[Allen7]

That makes sense now, so a 9500 could potentially be be a 9700 with bad memory chips or good memory chips. it's a crapshoot at that point. Did you get an L-shaped one?

A 9500 has the same R300 core as the 9700, except it didn't pass ATI's tests for 8-pipelines. It's possible to get one that will work with soft/hardware mod, but many won't work becasue the pipelines are indeed bad (checkering effects). In addtional a real 9700 board has faster memory modules.

I have tried the mod on 4 different Sapphire 9500 cards and only one turn out to be good, I even o/c it to 9700 pro w/o problem (Core and memory speed).

 

[DogbertFuz]

Could you please post details as to where you got the video cards? Also, what were the artifacts? Only during 3d games? All over the desktop? Thanks!

nick

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: kevman

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: Chu

Originally posted by: kevman so even if it's an L-shaped memory there is no guarentee that it can be soft-modded? that sux. I think I'm staying away from this...

I think you don't understand exactly what the soft mod involves. 9500->9700 involves two things: 1. 128->256bit memory interface. 2. 4piplelines->8pipelines #1 is gaurenteed to work on the L shaped saphire boards. This gets you the equavalent of a 9500pro. #2 is not. The reason is not because of some weird software problems, but because on some 9500's -- those 4 pipelines are disabled because they are bad. You will activate the 4 pipelines, but since there are problems with them, you get artifacts, most noticeably, the checkerboard effect. -Chu

Actually, I believe this is slightly inaccurate. The 9500pro has a 128-bit memory interface, but 8 pixel pipelines. The only cards with the 256-bit memory interface are the 9700 series of cards. I believe you are right when you say #1 is guaranteed to work on an L-shaped board, but if you don't get all 8 pipelines working then it doesn't become a 9500pro it just becomes a defective 9700. If you have a 9500 with inline memory arrangement then you cannot have 256-bit memory bus, but you may be able to get the 8-pixel pipeline working and that would give you a 9500pro. In either case the risk factor is pretty high because it is all or nothing. This is how I understand it. I hope someone who is sure can either confirm this or correct this. BTW, I got stuck with an inline 9500 128MB, and I haven't even bothered testing it. I'm just going to sell it on Ebay.

the one you got stuck with, did you order it from googlegrear? K

I'm sorry I should have mentioned where I got it: www.Mwave.com

 

[Finalnight]

just praying its the hackable one....

 

[DogbertFuz]

same here. My card shipped. Let me know if anyone else gets success. I'll get my card on the 7th.

nick

 

[Allen7]

Originally posted by: DogbertFuz
Could you please post details as to where you got the video cards? Also, what were the artifacts? Only during 3d games? All over the desktop? Thanks!

nick

I got my 9500's from a friend who owns a PC parts store, $150 each, that's was like 2 months ago when the Russian site first discovered the hardware hack.

The artifacts varies from card to card, one only display checkering effect in 3D, while another is totally unacceptable in 2D.

Dont buy this card and expect to get a 9700 out of it, buy it because it cost $70 less then the 9700.

 

[elanarchist]

Anyone receive theirs yet and care to report?

 

[V-ism]

Mine, wouldn't even boot. After the Windows logo it will stay a black screen and reboot itself. And I can't get back in until I use the Last Known Good Configuration. Maybe I got a really bad one. I would have felt better if I could see the checkering or artifacts.

 

[AdamDuritz99]

well, i just recieved my card from googlegear. It IS indeed a red pcb with "L" shaped memory. I haven't installed it, but i'll get to it this weekend. I'll let you all know.

peace
sean

 

[Finalnight]

Mine hasnt even shipped yet, GRRRR. I hope it is a red pcb L shaped as well.