Does 6970M support 10-bit color for photo editing????

Hi guys,

I know this sounds dumb. I purchased my M17x R3 as a gaming laptop but now I quit gaming and only use my R3 as a desktop replacement for photo editing.

I have 2 NEC displays which are wide gamut (~97% Adobe RGB) and in order to be able to see full colors on those monitors, I need to confirm that the ATI Radeon 6970M does support 10-bit color. Does anybody know about this ?

I contacted AMD and they said basically ATI FirePro and Radeon Mobility are the same card, both support 10-bit color however only the Catalyst for FirePro version allows me to enable that option ??? This sounds weird. I check every single option in my CCC but cant find anything that says "10-bit color". AMD also said for further information I have to contact the manufacturer (in this case it is Alienware) and clearly the techs I talked to had NO idea.

Installing FirePro Catalyst version wont work, will it ? I doubt that. If so, is there any way that I can make my 6970M (or other ATI Mobility Radeon products, in general) support 10-bit color on my NEC displays ????

Any help would be really appreciated !!!!!!!

 

You would have to soft mod to the FirePro version, to use FirePro Catalyst. IT may brick your card though.

 

How do I do that ? Will it cause any problems ? By "brick" do you mean permanently disabled ?

 

By brick I mean render the card useless, like a brick or paperweight. There are guides, just search around for "6970 soft mod to FirePro". I don't want to link one because I am not sure 100% of the success.

 

Thanks, I'll try to take a look. Hopefully there is some solution If there is one I believe gaming performance would decrease as a trade off but it doesnt matter to me.

 

Yes, gaming performance will decrease, but it seems for you that it will be worth it.

 

I think svl7, a frequent participant in the M15x forum and occasional visitor here, flashed his 6970M with a FirePro vbios, allowing him to take advantage of FirePro features. He is both knowledgeable and helpful. Send him a PM; I'm sure he'll be happy to share his experiences and expertise.

 

Im following the steps provided by svl7 on techinferno. Wish me luck

 

Worst case is to sell your R3 to get a professional mobile workstation, like an M6600/8760W with an RGBLED IPS screen? Not sure if it is worth bricking your laptop's GPU (possibly voiding your warranty). Plus R3 with 4 year CC should sell for a fair sum of $$$.

 

Here you go.
[Softmod] AMD 6970m -> FirePro M8900

EDIT: I see you already found it. Let us know how it works out.

 

I tend to agree with Tsunade, a M6600 would be a better choice imo.

 

Thanks everyone !!! After serious consideration, I decided not to flash any more, since one user "Kune" in TechInferno forum told me the 10-bit wont work anyway.

I also decided to sell my M17x and get a M6600 or a desktop. My thread is here in case anyone of you are interested A free bump would be really nice as well

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebooks-desktops-sale/630340-fs-alienware-m17x-r3-w-6970m-4-years-complete-care-priced-sell-fast.html#post8137910

 

It should go fast at that price, good luck!!