BIOS modding for GPU OC fun and profit!!

Hey Seeker_moc, can I request an 810/1100 for my studio xps 1645 with i720qm and 5730?

 

Hi,

I just want to ask to be sure:

- is there any advantage of using OC software over flashing bios do have oc GPU?

- I have 5730 and newest bios from DELL website. Which oc bios would be right to use? (and do I understand this correctly - it will only OC during load and changes wont affect its tempreatures in IDLE?)

Thanks

 

I have found two Embedded controller location.

the firs 60_00 (column_row) is able to block the fan (the defaul value is 40, if is set at 0 if the fan is on the fan itself stay on, if is off the fan stay off (warning!!!!)

if the fa is on (value is set at 40), I'm able to change the fan speed settin the location 50_0A for some second (very short time)

if I set a value lower than 30 the fan stop

< 30 -> 0 rpm
30 ---> 2800 rpm
40 ---> 3300 rpm
50 ---> 4400 rpm
> 60 -> 5000 rpm

if the fan is on, I'm able to change the speed and if I change the valute from 40 to 0 i set the fan speed....

I Hope this information are usefull!!!

the problem in to switch on the fan!

 

1645_A13.5W_5730_810_1100.zip

Also, 1st post updated

 

For me this part doesn't work.

I can turn off / on the fan using 0x40 value but this '50_0A' is a temp value which matches the TZ01 very closely, similar to the 0x56 value. ie: <30 is 47 degrees or less at which point the fan turns off automatically (until it climbs to 37 [55 degrees]). If I change either value manually, it re-writes it to the current temp by itself.

 

it's very strange....it is true, also my value change, but if I edti i'm able to change the fan speed.....try to do this:
when the fan is on
very very quickly.....
try to set 50_0A at 0x50 for example and the set 60_00 from 0x40 to 0x00....

I have a xps1645 820QM, ATI4670 and bios A09

 

I made some other tests and my result are:

1) loaction 50_0A contain the temperature, but if the value is modified, is able to control the fan speed
2) location 60_00 if is set to 0x40 the fan is controlled, if is set to another value the fan stat is frozen (if the fan is on the fan stay on, if it is off, stay off). also if I put the value 0x01 the fan start at maximum speed.
3) the location 60_03 contain a number that indicate the fan speed related o the following table:
0x00 = 0 rpm
0x01 = 2800 rpm
0x02 = 3500 rpm
0x03 = 4000 rpm
0x04 = 4500 rpm
0x05 = 5000 rpm
>0x05 = 5000 rpm

i think if there are one way to write the memory location, i will write a piece of software, writed in c, to try to control the fan.... the only problem for me is to read and write the EC memory location.

Try the value more than one time.... some time is not working.....but I don't know why!

 

Seeker, I see that your clocks are slightly different that what you have posted for the 1647...I have the same card, same memory, just a different processor. Is there any way I could get my hands on something to tune the BIOs myself? Or can you post the one you used?

 

Also...apparently there has been a new BIOs released by Dell could that be used to mod or doesn't it really matter?

 

yeah A11 has been out since April I see that the ones you have posted are A10.

 

I haven't had too many requests for the 1647, so I haven't made any with A11 yet, though I can. Just tell me exactly what clocks you want and I can make it. The instructions on how to mod your own can be found here if you're interested: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7405451-post719.html

 

I just bricked my laptop lol. Is there anyway to recover or am I screwed? I can't even get to the BIOs, just beeps a couple times and nothing.

 

Ya, look to the links and information at the bottom of the first post in this thread. Nothing guaranteed, but there is hope.

 

Yeah I fixed it, I'm on it now. Thank god for that BIOS blind flash recovery...phewy! Saved $2,000~

 

If there was a way to make it 900/1100 even (or close to it) I would appreciate. After my failed attempted at doing it myself, I think I will leave it to the pros....

 

900/1100 is certainly possible, but it is on the very high end of what the 5730 can do, almost 'extreme'. Have you tried those clocks with a software overclocking tool and done some testing for stability, artifacts, and temps?

 

I haven't...if I could do that I would not be doing it on the BIOs level. I've used things like Riva-Tuner, ATi Tray Tools, MSi afterburner, etc. Every single time I try adjusting the clocks it freezes the computer and reboots instantaneously.

 

And on another note, I have been using your latest release (813/1055) and have NOT modified my laptop in any way. The dust shield is still there and I still have the stock thermal grease. No problems as of yet. Doesn't really get that hot either when playing SC2 or MW2 on highest settings. Maybe its because my resolution is only 1600X900.

 

Use this to overclock: Download AMD GPU Clock Tool v0.9.26.0 For HD 5870 | techPowerUp

There is a huge difference between 813 and 900. Use OCCT Download - OCCT Website english to test temps and artifacts, and several games to test stability.

 

The Memory clock shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure 850mhz for the core would be just as stable as 813.

 

So if your computer instantly freezes and reboots, then you know those clocks aren't "safe". Having those clocks implemented via the bios won't make them more stable. My guess is you are hitting the limit of the clock speeds your graphics card can handle.

 

I just used the utility and the same thing occurred. It froze the computer and restarted it.

 

No, before I even overclocked on the BIOs level I tried those tools. The stock clock was 725x825 (Or something close to that). Adjusting the clock even 1mhz would cause the computer to freeze and reboot. The same thing just happened now.

 

I use rivatuner to OC

 

Im on your old 1645 bios A11 overclocked to 700/1000. I want to upgrade but not sure how. Just use winplash with the new A13w2 800/1050? or do i need to flash a13 first?

 

Just flash the A13W2 if those clocks work for you, it is based on A13, so there is no need to flash the 'regular' A13 first.

 

Flashed no problem. Changed high trip point to 63c so my temps drop a bit. My mx4 paste has been degrading already

 

Sorry for the simple question but does it matter which bios I have right now to flash it with a new version?

And which version would you recommend for XPs 1645 wit Ati 5730?

 

it doesn't matter (any more) what BIOS version you are currently using. the method of flashing the BIOS that seeker_moc provided (in the first post) doesn't do a version check - just flash and you're done.

In your case, you're in the same boat as Brendanmurphy and myself - you can flash with the A13.5W/L BIOS that's up on the front page.

 

Thanks.

You mean this for example: 1645 A13.5W 5730 810 1100 ?

 

yup

i'm planning to flash my BIOS with that one ^^^ tonight. i'm currently on A11.

 

Here's 900/1100 if you really want to push it. I'd highly suggest testing after flashing at the very least.

1647_A11_5730_900_1100.zip

 

Thank you very much, I will post my findings after it is flashed.

This is probably making a huge difference, but I have the 9-cell battery that raises my laptop about an inch off the ground in the rear...I'm sure its probably common sense that that is helping the cooling aspect of all this, no?

 

a cooling pad, or even a desk fan if you could, would help even more.

 

Yes, that is help a lot on the cooling aspect. It gives better airflow.

 

Tried out the new BIOs and it gave me about 10more FPS in Starcraft 2 with extreme settings. But after awhile the driver stopped working and there were black verticle scan lines after awhile. The temps are fine, but I'm guessing I need to lower the Memory clock. Maybe 900/900 would be better? or 900/1050

 

If you got the 'Windows has recovered from a video driver crash' or something like that, it's because it's unstable, because the core clocks are too high, not the memory. Temps aren't the only thing you need to worry about with the clock speed, you can be unstable even if your temps are good.

The scan lines may be due to too high mem, if you run OCCT and get a bunch of errors, then the mem clocks are too high as well. This is why I recommend testing with software before flashing your BIOS. Maybe 850/1050 would be a good place to start, and then turn it up/down slowly from there using the AMD GPU clock tool I linked to earlier.

Start with the mem clocks, turn them up/down slightly until you can run OCCT for at least 15 min without errors. After that, turn core clocks up/down until it's stable playing a demanding game or benchmark like 3DMark for at least 30 min without crashing. Monitor temps during both tests, GPU temps shouldn't exceed 80C (throttling will kick in at 84C). Then take about ~50MHz off both sets of clocks for a safety margin (unless you're going for some sort of benchmark record, this is a good idea for any permanent overclock), and tell me what you end up with. I'll then make you your custom BIOS.

 

I know you linked that tool, but like I said, there is something blocking my ability to adjust the clocks at any "stock" setting. For instance, even at the stock speeds before using your custom BIOs, moving the slider even 1mhz in any direction would cause my computer to freeze, looping whatever .0001 of a second of sound was playing then restart. So I believe it is a limitation implemented by Dell to stop users from adjusting the hardware settings on the software level. The only way to overclock that has worked has been the BIOs method this far.

 

It's not Dell, because me and several users on this thread have successfully used the tool I linked to for software OC. If it doesn't work for you at all for whatever reason, then testing for your max OC will prove very difficult. I'll make you an 825/1050 later today, and we'll go from there.

 

Thanks.

I will try it too. I just want to test my system in 3dMark first, to compare results later.

 

Okay sounds good, thank you.

 

1647_A11_5730_825_1050.zip

 

Works great, but I don't think I need to go much higher now. Thanks for the help!

 

I did try it and it works pretty well

I had 7282 points in 3dMark 2006 with original BIOS (v 13) and after flashing it with bios 800 1050 (I tried this one because I was a little afraid about stability) it's 8850. Pretty good change

Also I haven't noticed noticable change in temperatures under load or any problems with stability. It seems to be working fine.


Thank you seeker_moc for preparing that bios and posting it here

 

No problem, glad it works so well for you.

 

Also when I was working on notebook this morning fan would only go to first speed and very rarely to second (and faster). During last few days (when temperatures outside and in the room went higher) it was changing speed from higher to lower much more often. Of course it may be just this day (it was a little colder, but not too much difference) but it looks promising

@ seeker - maybe you should be working for DELL to show them how to program bios

 

Hey seeker, thanks for your help lately. For some reason, the 1645 A13.5 5730 800/1050 IS stable (max temps of 81 but usually 76). But when I play starcraft, it turns the screen all different colors for like 30 seconds. I'm not too sure what's going on, as it's not completely bricking.

Can you send me a 780/980

 

I've been out a few days, sorry I haven't gotten to this yet, I'll do it tonight.

 

Thanks a lot- no rush. It's not important. But I'm wondering, why do you think it does that? I realized that my GPU never reaches 100% load, but when it does, it turns my screen like yellow or pink, and I have to wait a while. This only happens when I play starcraft and my bios is set to the 800/1050. Any ideas? Temps don't reach above 80 C

 

I'm not sure, I've never seen anything like that. Try downloading OCCT and do the GPU test with error check enabled. If you start getting errors within 10 min, your vRAM clocks are too high, though I think they'd have to be way too high to cause what you're describing.

Edit: also, this could be caused by a bug in the game or drivers. Can you confirm that this error never happened with a stock BIOS?