A04 stops throttling of CPU or GPU

I've flashed my BIOS with the modded A08, but have read that you should flash A04 to stop throttling. Is that for the cpu or gpu?

On another note. I've read the thread on unbricking the computer after flashing A04, but it just makes no sense to me. I download a file that contains the A04 and A08 moddified Bios's.. Do I run the program to flash to the A04 Bios which on reboot will brick the computer. In the file for the modified A08 I see a file called PAR00MEC.fd. Do I put that on the formatted USB stick by itself. Does the USB stick have to be formated for booting to DOS or not. Thanks for the info.

 

It only bricks the 3D M17x systems.

It only effects the GPU throttle, it only removes the 63c throttle which you can remove much easier with a vBios flash. The 77c throttle is currently impossible to remove but Dell is looking into fixing the issue.

Quite honestly I would not bother, that method is out-dated and doesn't do anything more than just flashing the vBios. If you want modded A08 just use the normal Windows flasher that comes with it.

 

Thanks, I'll stay away. I've already done the Vbios and flashed the A08 mod BIOS. Thought maybe the BIOS was throttling back the CPU.

 

Flashing with A04 BIOS removes the low throttle (about 63C) by the 580M. Either the stock or unlocked version of A04 has the same effect, but the unlocked version obviously provides access to many more options in the BIOS. Neither stock nor unlocked version of A04 will brick your computer if you use the correct file. Unless you have 3D, that's all that is needed. If you have 3D, you have to do the two-step process. First, flash to A04 (either version will serve, but stock is recommended, particularly if you intend to blind flash the unlocked version of A08). Second, do a blind flash with the A08 BIOS (again, stock or unlocked, as you prefer, but unlocked is useful). To perform the blind flash, change the name of file PAR00MEC.fd to PAR00X64.fd, copy to a USB stick, remove the battery, unplug, insert the USB stick in a eSATA/USB port (right side of R3), press and hold the END key (the top-right corner of keyboard, not the one on the Numpad numeral 1) and plug it in, continuing to hold down on the END key through the beeping. Just keep holding until it reboots itself. The USB stick does not need to be bootable, but does need to be formatted if not previously done.

Again, if you don't have 3D, there is no need to go through all this blind flashing business. Just flash A04 and be done with it.

 

^^^ Exactly. +Rep. For those who have never actually applied and used the various methods of addressing the low throttle, the difference it this. The A04 BIOS method completely eliminates the throttle point. The modified vbios method leaves the throttle point in effect but masks or mitigates the effect by making the P1 state clocks the same as the P0 (primary 3d) clocks. The clocks therefore remain constant after throttling occurs, but the changing of P states causes a quick stutter or hitch every time the switch occurs, interrupting the flow or smoothness of the graphics. It's certainly better than actual throttling, with the kick-down to lower clocks, but it's crude compared to the BIOS fixes, whether A04 alone or the A04 with blind flash to A08.

 

Does anyone know if that 63c throttle applies to the 460m as well?

I think I have a copy on the installation CDs that came with my laptop. I can revert back from A08 if this is the case.

 

So for non 3d versions is it better to just flash A04 or to do A04 and then nodded A08?

 

No just stick with A04. That will be fine.

 

Don't think we suffer from the voltage throttle, but I know for a fact we have the thermal throttle at 78C. Have never gotten my card that hot though unless I block the fan.