[NW] Upgrade the C90S to a 9600m GT 512mb DDR3

I'd laugh my ***** off if the new bios fixed the problem. Who knows, maybe asus actually intends to release new cards and this bios is getting out to the masses first.

 

No new cards, but they could of done something to make it more compatible with newer cards.

 

Nightwalker, can you send me the original bios in PM?

 

bump for awesomeness

 

lets do this

 

Don't worry, I'm still trying to get it to work. I'm ALMOST positive it's a voltage issue at this point. I have tried every voltage that Nibitor lets me select and the highest stable clock I can get is 279/356. The whole thing is just REALLY... REALLY weird!

Bios 1002 does nothing, just like Asus' other wonderfully useless updates.

Ayle,

You have a PM.

 

Good luck, and extra points for stubborn persistence!

 

Heh, thanks.

 

Graphics subsystem diagnostic report from RivaTuner. Maybe someone will notice something I missed....

$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff Northbridge information
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$0400000000 Description : Intel Lakeport
$0400000001 Vendor ID : 8086 (Intel)
$0400000002 Device ID : 2770
$0400000003 AGP bus : not supported
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff Display adapter information
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$0000000000 Description : NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT [Custom Forceware 180.43]
$0000000001 Vendor ID : 10de (NVIDIA)
$0000000002 Device ID : 0649
$0000000003 Location : bus 1, device 0, function 0
$0000000004 Bus type : PCIE
$000000000f PCIE link width : 16x supported, 16x selected
$0000000009 Base address 0 : f6000000 (memory range)
$000000000a Base address 1 : c0000000 (memory range)
$000000000b Base address 2 : none
$000000000c Base address 3 : f4000000 (memory range)
$000000000d Base address 4 : none
$000000000e Base address 5 : 0000bc00 (I/O range)
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff Display adapter PCI configuration space
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff +00+01+02+03+04+05+06+07+08+09+0a+0b+0c+0d+0e+0f
$0300000000 +00 de 10 49 06 07 00 10 00 a1 00 00 03 04 00 00 00
$0300000001 +10 00 00 00 f6 0c 00 00 c0 00 00 00 00 04 00 00 f4
$0300000002 +20 00 00 00 00 01 bc 00 00 00 00 00 00 46 1a 05 14
$0300000003 +30 00 00 00 00 60 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 10 01 00 00
$0300000004 +40 46 1a 05 14 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$0300000005 +50 01 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 ce d6 23 00 00 00 00 00
$0300000006 +60 01 68 03 00 08 00 00 00 05 78 80 00 00 00 00 00
$0300000007 +70 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 10 b4 02 00 a0 84 00 00
$0300000008 +80 10 29 00 00 02 2d 00 00 49 00 01 11 00 00 00 00
$0300000009 +90 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 10 00 00 00
$030000000a +a0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$030000000b +b0 00 00 00 00 09 00 14 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$030000000c +c0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$030000000d +d0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$030000000e +e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$030000000f +f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff NVIDIA specific display adapter information
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$0100000000 Graphics core : G96 revision A1 (32sp)
$0100000001 Hardwired ID : 0649 (ROM strapped to 0649)
$0100000002 Memory bus : 128-bit
$0100000003 Memory type : DDR3 (RAM configuration 00)
$0100000004 Memory amount : 524288KB
$0100000100 Core clock domain 0 : 275.000MHz
$0100000101 Core clock domain 1 : 550.000MHz
$0100000006 Memory clock : 300.856MHz (601.712MHz effective)
$0100000007 Reference clock : 25.000MHz/27.000MHz
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff NVIDIA VGA BIOS information
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$1100000000 Title : G96 P616 NB9P-GS VGA BIOS
$1100000002 Version : 62.94.19.00.33
$1100000100 BIT version : 1.00
$1100000210 Core clock domain 0 : 275MHz
$1100000211 Core clock domain 1 : 550MHz
$1100000201 Memory clock : 300MHz
$1100010000 Performance level 0 : 169MHz/338MHz/100MHz
$1100010001 Performance level 1 : 275MHz/550MHz/300MHz
$1100010002 Performance level 2 : 400MHz/800MHz/300MHz
$1100010003 Performance level 3 : 500MHz/1250MHz/800MHz
$1100020000 VID bitmask : 00000011b
$1100020100 Voltage level 0 : 0.89V, VID 00000000b
$1100020101 Voltage level 1 : 1.00V, VID 00000001b
$1100020102 Voltage level 2 : 1.05V, VID 00000010b
$1100020103 Voltage level 3 : 1.16V, VID 00000011b
$1100030001 Core thermal compensation : 0°C
$1100030002 Core thermal threshold : 105°C
$1100030006 Thermal diode inaccuracy : 0000b
$1100040000 PLL descriptor 0 : 27.000MHz
$1100040001 PLL descriptor 1 : 004008/108.000MHz
$1100040002 PLL descriptor 2 : 004030/100.000MHz
$1100040003 PLL descriptor 3 : 004028/100.000MHz
$1100040004 PLL descriptor 4 : 614100/27.000MHz
$1100040005 PLL descriptor 5 : 614900/27.000MHz
$1100040006 PLL descriptor 6 : 004020/100.000MHz
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$ffffffffff NVIDIA graphics processor registers
$ffffffffff ----------------------------------------------------------------
$020100003c CR3C : 00000000
$0200000000 NV_PMC_BOOT_0 : 096480a1
$0200001080 NV_PBUS_DEBUG_0 : 00000000
$0200001084 NV_PBUS_DEBUG_1 : 00041469
$0200001088 NV_PBUS_DEBUG_2 : 00000000
$020000108c NV_PBUS_DEBUG_3 : 000000d1
$02000010f0 NV_10F0 : 00000000
$0200001100 NV_1100 : 00000000
$0200001218 NV_1218 : 00000000
$0200001540 NV_1540 : f3030003
$0200001544 NV_1544 : 00000000
$02000015a0 NV_15A0 : 00000000
$02000015a4 NV_15A4 : 00000000
$02000015a8 NV_15A8 : 00000000
$02000015ac NV_15AC : 00000000
$02000015b0 NV_15B0 : 00000000
$02000015b4 NV_15B4 : 00000000
$02000015b8 NV_15B8 : 00000000
$02000015bc NV_15BC : 00000000
$02000015f0 NV_15F0 : 00000000
$02000015f4 NV_15F4 : 00000000
$02000015f8 NV_15F8 : 00000000
$02000015fc NV_15FC : 00000000
$0200001560 NV_1600 : 00000000
$0200004000 NV_4000 : 00000000
$0200004004 NV_4004 : 00000000
$0200004008 NV_4008 : 90592400
$020000400c NV_400C : 00002707
$0200004010 NV_4010 : 00000000
$0200004014 NV_4014 : 00000000
$0200004018 NV_4018 : 00000000
$020000401c NV_401C : 00000000
$0200004020 NV_4020 : 00000000
$0200004024 NV_4024 : 00000c01
$0200004028 NV_4028 : 80090000
$020000402c NV_402C : 00001604
$0200004030 NV_4030 : 20090000
$0200004034 NV_4034 : 00001b04
$0200004038 NV_4038 : 00000000
$020000403c NV_403C : 00000000
$0200004040 NV_4040 : 00010000
$0200004044 NV_4044 : 00010000
$0200004048 NV_4048 : 00000000
$020000404c NV_404C : 00000000
$0200004050 NV_4050 : 00010000
$0200004054 NV_4054 : 00000000
$0200004058 NV_4058 : 00000000
$020000405c NV_405C : 00000000
$020000c000 NV_C000 : 00000000
$020000c010 NV_C010 : 00000000
$020000c014 NV_C014 : 00000000
$020000c018 NV_C018 : 00000000
$020000c01c NV_C01C : 00000000
$020000c020 NV_C020 : 00000000
$020000c024 NV_C024 : 00000000
$020000c028 NV_C028 : 00000000
$020000c02c NV_C02C : 00000000
$020000c040 NV_C040 : 2a80dea3
$020000c04c NV_C04C : 00000010
$020000e100 NV_E100 : 001c1100
$020000e114 NV_E114 : 00000001
$020000e118 NV_E118 : 00000000
$020000e11c NV_E11C : 00000001
$020000e120 NV_E120 : 00000000
$0200020008 NV_20008 : c00838a3
$0200020014 NV_20014 : fe4f038d
$0200020400 NV_20400 : 0000004b
$0200100200 NV_PFB_CFG : 00000800
$020010020c NV_PFB_CSTATUS : 20000000
$0200100214 NV_100214 : 00000022
$0200100220 NV_PFB_TIMING0 : 050a110e
$0200100224 NV_PFB_TIMING1 : 0b010907
$0200100228 NV_PFB_TIMING2 : 02030305
$020010022c NV_10022C : 1b160606
$0200100230 NV_100230 : 2c080707
$0200100234 NV_100234 : 11050905
$0200100238 NV_100238 : 002f0132
$020010023c NV_10023C : 04060203
$0200100240 NV_100240 : 110f0305
$02001002c0 NV_PFB_MRS : 00000672
$02001002c4 NV_PFB_EMRS : 00100080
$0200100474 NV_100474 : 00000000
$0200100714 NV_100714 : 00033102
$0200100914 NV_100914 : 00000000
$0200101000 NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_0 : 8f44a41e
$0200101004 NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_0_AND : 70ffffff
$0200101008 NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_0_OR : 0f000000
$020010100c NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_1 : 8001b030
$0200101010 NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_1_AND : 7ffeffff
$0200101014 NV_PEXTDEV_BOOT_1_OR : 00010000
$0200600818 NV_600818 : 00000000
$020060081c NV_PCRTC_GPIO_EXT : 00000000
$0200600850 NV_600850 : 00000000
$0200680500 NV_PRAMDAC_NVPLL_COEFF : 00000000
$0200680570 NV_PRAMDAC_NVPLL_COEFF_1 : 00000000
$0200680504 NV_PRAMDAC_MPLL_COEFF : 00000000
$0200680574 NV_PRAMDAC_MPLL_COEFF_1 : 00000000
$020068050c NV_PRAMDAC_PLL_COEFF_SELECT : 00000000

 

eh all that tells me is the the memory location and bios info


how do you run this feature anyways?

 

Rivatuner-Target Adapter-Graphic Subsystem Diagnostic Retport.

 

UPDATE:

Okay I managed to get the following clocks to be stabe:

279/1250/356

Notice that the shader clock is now running at FULL speed. In fact, I had it as high as 1600mhz at one point. Now I just have to find out how to get the other clocks going and we'll have some real results here.

EDIT:

325/1250/300: Successful
350/1250/300: Successful
375/1250/300: Successful
425/1250/300 Successful

:evil laugh: 425 core speed! only 75mhz away from FULL SPEED on both the core AND shader. I'm getting closer guys

 

word up


keep it going

 

475/1250/300 Successful

EDIT:

Drum roll please.....

500/1250/300

That's two out of three clocks running FULL SPEED! Soooooo... this tells me a few things. Mostly that I'm starting to think possibly the memory chips are getting too hot and that's what's causing them to not run at full speed. I'll see how high I can push them!

EDIT:

Now for the third clock...

500/1250/325 Successful
500/1250/375 Successful
500/1250/425 Successful
500/1250/450 Successful
500/1250/475 FAILED

Okay so, all these tests were performed at .89v on ALL profiles. I will attempt to try 1.05V and see if I can get the last clock (memory) to full speed. Side note, the current clocks of 500/1250/450 I'm running on this very second are VERY fast. Framerates are flying in COD4 and my 3Dmark06 score, while not too impressive, is already higher then my 8600M GT 512mb DDR2 card.

 

this is awesome man more rep... honestly regular video card voltage is around 1.2 dont be affraid. if it over heats then it will shut down.

 

Overheat.. hehe this thing is cool as ice! How's 65* under full load sound? I'm sure it will get hotter when I can get the memory going at 800mhz like it should, but still very very impressive results with the clocks.

 

just keep bumping up the memory.

youre putting my c90s to shame.

 

Well I've run into a voltage barrier at this point. I can't raise the memory clock any higher until I find the exact voltage necessary (there's really only four to choose from in Nibitor) to keep going. The problem is also the fact that I have to find the correct clocks to first "boot" with then the correct clocks to run with. I'm tired so I realize that doesn't make sense but the bottom line is....

I am figuring this thing out.. slowly and surely my hard work is paying off, and I must say... It feels real good : ) I was almost thinking this project was going to be hopeless. But as E.B.E. said, I'm just too stubborn I'll keep trying new voltage/settings for awhile longer. Keep your eyes peeled guys.

 

+ rep for the incredible work you've done so far.

 

I registered to support your project, continue the good work!

also, when you succeed in making everything work, will you write another guide to adjust the clocks properly with what to use and such?

 

1600mhz!!! for the shader clock how hot did the card run?

 

My question is this. Should ASUS pay/credit you for possibly doing a job they should have done already? The answer is YES!

Keep up the good work stubborn one.

 

LOL, I've got a better chance at the winning the lotto without even buying a ticket I believe, but thanks!

No additional news on the memory clocks yet. I purchased some better thermal pads for them and have been able to boot with the higher voltages I wanted to try. Unfortunately, every time I try to increase the speed of the memory it won't boot. It's a matter of finding the right combination of voltages and boot speeds I think at this point.

I've got tomorrow off so I'll be doing more tweaking then.

 

if that dosent work you can always try to pencil mod it to get higher voltages

 

you can do it! we believe in you! and if you do succeed, I'd be wiling to spend good money to have one of you here help me out with the physical aspect of this mod...

 

repped for not giving up! This will definitely be a big upgrade to my C90s

 

Hmm.... I might be onto something that will fix the memory clock speed, we shall see.

By the way, finding half way decent thermal pads that will fill the necessary gap between the heat spreader and memory chips is a real pain in the butt. Ordered a different set ($30!!) yesterday and I might half to wait until they come in before I can get the card at full memory speed.

Also, COD4 runs extremely well with just 500/1250/375 clocks. Kicks the 8600s butt.

 

whats the 3dmark06 score at that speed?

 

Heh, dying for some numbers huh? Well let me start off by saying this test was done with the following settings...

500/1250/375

The voltage was upped to 1.05, which in turn upped the temps a little bit. I maxed out at 74* at one point. Keep in mind though the stupid C90S fans were barely spinning. Here's the results with the crippled memory clock:



Impressive huh? That's how high the 8600M GT DDR2 performs with an overclock. Some get it to as high as 4000 but usually this is the max they can achieve. I still have an extra 425mhz to add to the memory clock just to be at STOCK speeds.

This card has a great deal of performance waiting in it!

 

keep over clocking just the shader and see the your score go up to 5000 mines at 6000

try it trust me

 

its all done via overlocking your shader

 

With an 8600M? DDR3 I take it? I'll start overclocking when I can first get this memory clock issue resolved. I fully expect to hit 7000... At least that's my goal.

 

yeah...

so how are you increasing memory anyways? via bios or riva tuner?

 

Bios, every single program I have tried refuses to move the clocks at all.

 

hit me up on aim klok99ahaa

maybe we can talk about it more then keep posting.

 

Okay small update:

I believe the problem with the memory clock not being able to run at full speed is due to a heat issue. The stock voltages for the 9600M GT are supposed to looks like this:

Extra: 1.05
3D: 0.89
Thrtl: 0.89
2D: 0.89

Right now I have my voltages reading as follows:

Extra: 1.05
3D: 1.05
Thrtl: 1.05
2D: 0.89

The available voltages Nibitor allows you to select are 0.89, 1, 1.05, and 1.16. I have tried them all and cannot boot with the memory clock higher than 450. Also, the card will crash and is unstable above 375 right now.

The card is rock solid running at 500/1250/375, and in fact I can increase the core and shader clocks MUCH higher than that stably as well. So, this leads me to only one conclusion that makes sense at this point... The memory chips are either getting too hot or not receiving enough voltage.

I believe voltage isn't the issue at this point because I have the card running at the voltage it was meant to use and the other clocks are completely stable at this voltage as well. I believe the extremely crappy thermal pads I'm currently using might be causing my problems. We shall see if that's the issue or not when I receive the new ones I ordered.

If that's not the issue, I'm a little confused. The memory clock/chips are the only problem left at this point. I suppose I could attempt to mess with the memory timings, but that's moving into a very dangerous territory, one I shouldn't have to be in to begin with.

Well anyway, that's the news so far guys. This card is pretty awesome and my games are running much better even with the memory clock at 375. I might run a 3Dmark06 test with the core and shader overclocked just for laughs.

 

i would just do 1.8v to try it

 

Unfortunately, I can only select one of these four voltages:

0.89
1
1.05
1.16

There are no other voltages available to select from and I have tried them all. I'm actually thinking the memory timing might be more plausible than the chips being too hot. It could be a combination of both as well. Either way, I shall figure it out.

 

Sigh... I can't believe I didn't think of this berfore... I think I've figured the memory issue out. Now I just need to figure out how to actually "change" a certain setting and we should be good to go.

Oh btw,

I'm currently running completely stabe at 625/1650/375.

EDIT:

Oh yeah.. This last "tweak" I'm making has a decent chance of bricking my card if I mess up the values I'm changing.. Wish me luck

 

yes you can up the voltage...

in nibitor

under tools there should be like a voltage table and so on... pick a higher voltage at least 1.3.v...

 

and then clear the voltages
and the go back to them
and you can select 1.3

 

I think c90 owners are going to buy lots of 9600 's...

Good luck mate, well done

 

Well, on a side note, I can't find the card on ebay or on froogle anywhere. Where o where are those cards at.

 

Small update, I still don't have the memory clock running at full speed and I might not be able to get it there until my new thermal pads arrive next week at some point. However, I'm still trying and researching. I'll get it up there at some point. Anyway, here are my current clocks:

My current stable clocks are 650/1700/400. In case anyone thinks that's a typo I'll say it again.. 650 core, 1700 shader, and 400 memory. This card is a beast.

EDIT:

Wow.. Apparently I bought my thermal pads from the fastest shipper on Earth, just got them. I'm going to give them a shot now, I don't really expect them to fix the memory issue, but these things are MUCH better then the crap thermal pads I'm currently using.

 

UPDATE: FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN BUYING THIS CARD.

THE EBAY SELLER IS CURRENTLY OUT OF THE 9600M GT CARDS, BUT HE MESSAGED ME THAT HE WAS GETTING SOME MORE IN 2 WEEKS.

THAT IS ALL.

Carry on Nightwalker. Im-un-a buy you a cookie

 

Well the thermal pads didn't fix the memory clock issue, although I can't say I'm really surprised, they were a long shot after all. At least they dropped my load temps down about 5 degrees.

I believe I know what the issue is, I'm just trying to research a way to change the memory timings to all be the same under "extra", "3D", "2D", and "thrtl" modes in Nibitor. I need to find out what the memory timings for "extra" mode are, and then find a way to change all the other modes to be exactly the same. This should fix the memory clock issue. Any ideas will help.

 

NightWalker, from where you bay yours thermal pads?pleace link

 

Here you go: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=380073829192&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=025 These things are top notch by the way and when you cut them in half they fill the gap between the heatspreader and memory chips perfectly.

On a different note, I tweaked a few more settings and flashed my card for what must be the 100th time by now and guess what... Shockingly, I managed to boot up with the clocks at 650/1700/ 480. That's the highest the memory clock has ever booted with and so far I am not experiencing any crashing!

Man I hope I figured this out but I'm sure I'll have to keep tweaking to get it all the way up... Let's test it out shall we

 

I.....I fixed it.....I honestly can't believe it... But I have now completely fixed this card. It is running at FULL speed on ALL clocks!!! I told you guys I'd figure it out!! omg... I'm so excited right now! I have been trying to get this card at full speed for 22 days now and I finally figured it out! This is awesome. Time to test this suckers FULL power!

 

What a great job you made .
I've followed this thread since almost the begining.
I'm very happy for you. Really happy for you.