Speedbrakes

oh dear, stuck in max 450 mhz with artifacts again, and gpu-z indicates now 0 mb of memory instead of 4096 mb. I didn't change anything from the software side, only transported the laptop to the living room... I tried a second harddrive format and windows re-install again, but no results this time. I'm running out of clues for now. until I find a stable solution, I highly recommend to stay away from the 8970m MSI 2 gb version, unless it's plug n play for you! (same MSI or motherboard). It seems that this card doesn't work properly with any other vbios then it's own 2 gb version.

It's finally working!!! Another succesfull experience of upgrading Alienware M17x R3 with 8970m 2gb MSI version to share in this thread. For readers who also bought the MSI 2 gb version, this is what I went through and solved: 1. It came with the original MSI 176K vbios (version 015.033.000.000.044392) which wasn't working at all in my system: Black screen and motherboard beeps. Starting from internal graphics, gpu-z only saw some very basic information like active clocks 0 mhz, default clocks 950 and 1250 mhz, and 2 Gb of vram, with almost all other boxes empty. 2. I tried flashing vbios version 015.032.000.004.044450 downloaded from an old post of svl7, coming from a Clevo P570WM according atiflash information. Starting from the 8970m, screen stays black and motherboard beeps, even after many tries, not a chance! Booting from internal graphics, gpu-z shows all boxes filled out with information, with the 8970m pretending to be a 4 gb version instead of the 2 gb in reality. 3. I continued searching the forum, and found an old post with a Dell Alienware branded vbios version 015.041.000.000.044964. Starting with this Dell vbios, the screen stays black and motherboard beeps again, again, and again... The card also still pretends to have 4 gb of vram when I check with gpu-z, booting from the internal graphics. 4. After hours of unsuccesfull searching for a vbios with 2 gb, I noticed a 4 gb vbios which had the same brand of vram (Samsung) as my MSI 2gb version. I found this vbios on the top of the list on Techpowerup Video Bios Collection, coming from a Clevo P370SM with version 015.036.000.005.044618. My system booted from the 8970m! (internal graphics disabled) 5. I got into windows and succesfully installed the latest normal AMD Catalyst drivers 14.9. Checking gpu-z, i saw the card was still reporting 4 gb, and was stuck in idle clocks 300 mhz core and 150 mhz memory. On high loads, I could only get the card to 450 mhz core, but doing so resulted in artifacts (black lines quickly coming and disappearing) and system crashes. I tried overclocking the card to its normal clocks of 900 and 1250 using MSI afterburner, but it only changed the high-power-state, which I wasn't able to get in, because I was stuck in the idle-state... Also disabling the ULPS (Ultra Low Power State) using afterburner didn't help. 6. Desperately hoping it was a software problem, I re-installed windows and tried another fresh install of AMD Catalyst 14.9, which was succesfull. The card still idles at 300 mhz, but now easily jumps to 900/1250 mhz as soon as I run any benchmark or game. There are no artifacts anymore, and Skyrim runs smoother then I've ever seen on Ultra High. The temperatures are 54 degrees celsius in idle, and max 77 under full load. The fanspeeds are automatic and adjust perfectly between silent and 4000 RPM. 7. Windows starts with the low brightness bug, unable to adjust it to its full brightness. I use the Hardware Info tool (version hw64_396) to get around the bug. Just starting the sensor monitoring part is enough to instantly restore full brightness to your screen. You can let it start automatically with windows in the configure section. Everything seems to be as it should be now, except for the videocard still thinking it's a 4gb version. But I'm not going to say him loud he has only 2 gb... don't want to disturb his new ego now things are working so well

Hi rsgametech, did you manage to get rid of the artifacts and slow clocks using the 44450 bios? And are you having any problems with the 4gb vbios version on a 2gb model? I have the same card as you, and am still looking for solutions.

I think shooters will allways belong on pc, and I think that's where FPS developers can make the most money out of it. I highly doubt they will ever become realistic on consoles. Can you imagine a soldier in real life, straving sidewards to get the enemy in his aim, because he has trouble moving his arms accurate?

Has someone here maybe tried to upgrade his m17x r3 with a 2gb 8970m from MSI? I would be happy with any experiences on this one

It's interesting what you say about the different memory timings. Did it cause you a lot of problems? And could you easily undo it by flashing another vbios?

I am not necessarely looking for a vbios modification, but is there anybody who can supply me with a 8970m vbios from dell? It's a pitty they're not available at the dell support website.

I'm trying to upgrade my m17x R3 with a 8970m from MSI. I'm coming from the older 6990m, so the heatsink, pads, and bracket fit perfectly. I bought the 8970m MSI version with 2048 mb memory, and it has the MSI vbios version 015.033.000.000.044392. The system only works on internal graphics, so now I will need to flash the vbios. Unfortunately, there seems to be no vbios from other brands available with 2048 mb memory. Will it be safe to flash this 2gb card with a 4gb card vbios?