Firmware updates for GTX 1070 due to memory Issue

Manufacturers roll out firmware updates for GeForce GTX 1070 due to memory Issue
https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/m...for-geforce-gtx-1070-due-to-memory-issue.html

I wonder if this problem shows up on mobile?

"If you own a GeForce GTX 1070, you might want to pay attention to this news-item as you could be effected. There have been some problems reported with certain GeForce GTX 1070 cards. After further investigation it became apparant that the issues like flickering and poor memory overclocking results on the memory sub-system are graphics memory related."
...
"I've been doing some rounds at the manufacturers with the following info (we'll update as feedback gets in). A number of manufacturers is or have been working on VBIOS updates:

• EVGA: updates download here
• Gainward: updates download here (select card -> BIOS download)
• Palit: updates download here (select card -> download)
• ASUS: not yet available
• Gigabyte: No Micron memory was used but is double checking with R&D.
• Inno3D: not yet available
• KFA2/Galaxy: not yet available
• MSI: not yet available
• PNY: not yet available
• Zotac: not yet available"

Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/58ilgw/manufacturers_roll_out_firmware_updates_for/

 

I heard they switched GTX 1070s on desktop side to non-Samsung memory. OC results hit the ****ter when that happened.

 

i think this issue is mainly effected by GPU units that were equipped with Micron-branded memory.

 

And is there a way one can find out before buying the affected 1070 though? Otherwise one should get a refund and get one that is fixed right?

 

970 2.0

 

i kind of forgot because i did quickly skim through some of the EVGA threads that were talking about this issue, so don't quote me on it. IIRC the GPU's with Micron memory were after a certain build date. there's also supposed to be a fix coming out for them soon so we'll just have to wait and see how that goes.

 

Guru3d Forum Thread on New Topic:

Manufacturers roll out firmware updates for GeForce GTX 1070 due to memory Issue
http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=410494

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 BIOS updates to fix memory issues
http://hexus.net/tech/news/graphics/98335-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1070-bios-updates-fix-memory-issues/

"Tech Site Guru3d has looked into the issue and says that the problems stem from the Micron memory's "speed of the voltage adjustment from the low power idle P-States" under load. Apparently the Micron memory issues will never show up if you "keep the idle voltage above 0.800V before you apply the overclock". Knowing the problem goes a long way to fixing it and several manufacturers have indeed pulled their fingers out and have BIOS updates ready for users."

"The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 comes with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. However, due to demand, industry supply chains, and other manufacturing considerations, many AIC partners have dual sourced memory chips from both Samsung and Micron. Unfortunately there is a difference which may have been proving both puzzling and irksome to owners of this recent Pascal GPU based graphics card. According to reports, owners of GTX 1070 cards with Micron VRAM may experience "flickering and poor memory overclocking results"."

"Gold stars go to EVGA, Gainward and Palit for having updates ready and available to download already. A silver star goes to MSI for 'working on it', with updates available soon. Gigabyte has also just confirmed it is working on updates, targetting BIOS update releases next week. So far there is no word from manufacturers such as Asus, Inno3D, Galax, PNY or Zotac regarding fixes for reported issues.

If you own a GeForce GTX 1070 and are wondering if you are affected the quick and easy way to check your VRAM manufacturer is via TechPowerUp's useful little GPU-Z utility. The manufacturer of the GDDR5 will be listed in the 'Memory Type' field."

 

Well at least it can be fixed with firmware unlike the 970 debacle with top 512MB being so much slower.

 

Even fixable, it seems odd to me that another problem only affects the -70 cards. Is it confirmed it's limited to these or is there a possibility 1060 and 1080 cards may be affected?

 

Seems to be limited to the -70 cards, as most NVIDIA problems these days seem to be.

 

That's good at least, got a 1080 in my future and was started to get worried.

 

Well other than EVGA GTX 1080 FTW's burning up

 

That's been overstated a bit: https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/com...ging_of_evga_gtx_1070_ftw_under_load/d96jcxn/

 

@i_pk_pjers_i - you linked a reddit thread of the 1070 heat profile, not the 1080.

 

Saw that, have been eyeing MSI though, so no problems there I think.

 

True, but all Pascal EVGA ACX 3.0 cards are affected, and the card that in theory should produce the least heat actually ends up having the worst VRM temperatures of all EVGA Pascal GPUs so the 1070 would be more relevant than you would think at first: http://www.tomshardware.de/nvidia-g...ikkarten-roundup,testberichte-242152-2.html#3

 

Yup, the follow up information over the last couple of weeks suggests that all the ACX 3.0 boards are affected, 1060, 1070, 1080, so it's a real mess for EVGA right now.

It sounds like they are making build and firmware changes to fix the situation, owners just have to wait out that process to work itself out successfully, then RMA cards for repair, or DIY kits + Firmware.

I would assume a recall of unsold stock would be in order at some point to retro-fit those affected GPU models.

Although this discussion broke out here in the 1070 "firmware" thread, we have a thread to discuss the EVGA ACX 3.0 GPU's here:

GTX 1080/1070 EVGA Cards Reportedly Catching Fire Due To VRMs Overheating
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...catching-fire-due-to-vrms-overheating.797645/

 

http://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.php?p=5355139&postcount=204

11-05-2016, 18:28 | posts: 3

I have updated to the latest Gigabyte G1 Gaming 1070 Micron bios. It is performing GREAT!!!

(Using the Gigabyte Xtreme Gaming overclock app from Gigabyte) NOT AFTERBURNER

+110 GPU clock
+850 Memory
100% GPU voltage
+11% power limit
+9 Temp limit

4040 in Valley Extreme benchmark for 3 consecutive runs

I would recommend updating bios for sure...I was sub-4000 range prior to flashing. I almost doubled my memory speeds!

Oculus Rift running so smooth!!!! Assetto Corsa with super-sampling all day son!!! I need a driving wheel asap
Last edited by slowmaz; 11-05-2016 at 18:31."

 

I know that this is the desktop forum, but it case someone has an alienware laptop with a 1070GTX with Micron memory, it's suffering from the exact same problem More details here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...bal-issues-gpu-firmware-update-needed.800219/

I'm really not sure whether AW/Dell will do anything about it though, because I have never seen a GPU firmware ever being released from their laptops.

 

@Robbo99999 has a detailed post applying the Zotac 1070 Micron vBIOS:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ack-friday-deals.798132/page-12#post-10455066

 

Ah, thanks for linking that in - I didn't know there was a thread dedicated to GTX 1070 Micron issue. I want to make clear that this vBIOS is unnofficial. It's supposedly from Zotac, but was sent to 'a guy' unnofficially via email who then posted it in forums. A number have people have tried the vBIOS and have had success with increased VRAM overclocks & no issues seen so far (as far as I've read). I decided to take the risk & flash the unnofficial vBIOS, and it's worked really well, an extra 100Mhz on my VRAM overclock. Yes, have a read of my post that hmscott linked above for more details & links to the Zotac GTX 1070 vBIOS along with a link to a thread where people have tried those new vBIOS (although to be fair I couldn't find a lot of people who posted in that thread that tried the vBIOS's, but there are 'some'). (vBIOS files for all the different types of Zotac 1070's are listed, not just the Amp Edition that I have)

I don't know why Zotac haven't officially released an updated vBIOS - perhaps they don't think it's really affecting their users, and perhaps they're concerned about people bricking their cards during the update process, or maybe they just don't want to draw attention.

 

http://www.overclock.net/t/1601546/official-nvidia-gtx-1070-owners-club/6300#post_25685869

"Lo and behold, Zotac has pulled through! I'm passing on the email that was sent to me to you all so that you can also reap the benefits of the updated Zotac 1070 series bios to address the Micron memory issue.

I flashed it already and honestly it's like I have a new card!

As this is straight from Zotac, I take no responsibility for any damage done, so please follow their instructions, ensure you flash the proper BIOS meant for your card, and get ready for the 1070 you've always wanted

Hi,

Here are the temporary links to our FTP, for the respective GTX1070 Cards affected by the "Micron RAM " issue.

Please select the correct BIOS for your card based on SKU. The ZIP filenames are self-explaining and in EXE format so this will execute when you double click. This bios only supports windows operating system.

SKU : ZT-P10700E-10S
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...8-1N435-200Z8-201Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU : ZT-P10700F-10P
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...0P__288-1N424-200Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU : ZT-P10700I-10P
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...0P__299-1N424-300Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU : ZT-P10700C-10P
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...8-1N435-100Z8-101Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU :ZT-P10700B-10P
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...8-1N435-000Z8-001Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU :ZT-P10700A-10P
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...0P__288-1N424-000Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU : ZT-P10700G-10M
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...0M__288-1N445-030Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

SKU : ZT-P10700K-10M
http://support.pcpartner.com/suppor...0M__288-1N445-130Z8)_Micron_RAM_(2016_11).zip

+++++++++++++++
Important Remark :
+++++++++++++++
- The VBIOS files are made into .EXE files, for 32bit and 64bit Windows respectively. Run the .EXE file in the suitable Windows type.
- Check to make sure the card is really built from "Micron RAM" before starting to do the VBIOS change !!!
- These VBIOS changes are "One-Way" only, no return path to go back.

Yours,

Fred
ZOTAC Technical Support"

 

(Yep, the one I flashed is in that list - I still want to reiterate that these aren't official releases though).