by Kirill "ALT-F13" Balalin
05/05/2004 | 04:29 PM
Graphics cards based on the GeForce FX 5900 XT GPU have become a perfect buy in their class, but the choice of the specific card and overclocking issues have proved to be sophisticated matters leading to hot arguments on Internet forums. This in turn brought about myths, legends and just confusion about the product. On the other hand, such a mass discussion makes it difficult to find out really useful information.
<%BANNER[article]%>This FAQ has been devised as a kind of help to actual and potential owners of 5900 XT-based graphics cards. I tried to use this question-answer form to lay out in a certain order everything I know about graphics cards of that family, focusing on the problem of choosing an overclockable specimen and on overclocking methods (including extreme overclocking). Relying on my own experience and on sources that I trust, I tried to avoid publishing unconfirmed or dubious information (for example, there’s much more such info than trustworthy facts on the questions of the section “Exploitation and Overclocking”).
Of course, I wouldn’t get along without direct or indirect help from members of the following forums: xtremesystems.org/forums, forums.overclockers.ru, forum.modlabs.net and forum.ixbt.com.
I wish to express my particular thanks (in no particular order) to Macci, Big_Sam, CoshVSR, Andrey Worobiew, Unwinder, OK, QNX, Ronaldo, maxx23, Urlopan, DenisSDV.
I would appreciate your sending me additional information about 5900 XT-based graphics cards (you can e-mail me at alt@modlabs.net).
Title: “FAQ on NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 XT”
Current version: 1.01
Last update: 05.02.2004.
Compiler: ALT-F13 (alt@modlabs.net).
The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 XT (hereafter referred to as “5900XT”) is a modification of the NV35 graphics core. Particularly, it is the cheapest, “value”, version.
From the point of view of NVIDIA’s reference specifications, the card’s belonging to the 5900XT series is defined by several parameters (some manufacturers may deviate from the specs):
In all probability, NVIDIA is thus getting rid of its stores of NV35 chips before the launch of the GeForce 6xxx series. The price of the GeForce 5900XT was set very low from the start. Today, the price has reduced to being just a dumping one – this fact confirms the theory about the need to throw away the excess of unnecessary chips.
The chip doesn’t differ at all, save for its marking (the letters “XT” are written in the top right corner of the protective cover/heatsink). Its recommended operational frequency is 10MHz lower compared to the non-Ultra 5900 chip, 390MHz instead of 400MHz (for notice: the GeForce 5900 Ultra works at 450MHz and the 5950 Ultra works at 475MHz). The 5900XT however clocks the memory at a much lower rate (700MHz against 850MHz of 5900/5900 Ultra and against 950MHz of the 5950 Ultra). This limitation is due to the fact that they use cheap memory chips with a cycle time of 2.8ns (i.e. rated for 714MHz). Besides that, a simpler and cheaper PCB design was specifically developed for the 5900XT – it’s not the NV35/38 reference design. I suppose that these things were made for the graphics card manufacturers to separate sharply 5900XT and 5900-based products.
You won’t find a single word about any of these three products at NVIDIA’s corporate website, although they are often mentioned in forums. That’s because chips with such names do not exist! Such products are a private initiative of the individual manufacturer. All three types of graphics cards are identified by the driver as “GeForce 5900”, but their memory works at a smaller clock rate.
Leadtek supplies graphics cards marked as having a “5900LX” GPU. They carry a GeForce FX 5900 GPU, use the reference PCB design, wear the original “box” cooling system called Twin-Turbo II and have 128MB of graphics memory onboard (from Hynix, 2.8ns cycle time). The regular frequencies are 400/700MHz (core/memory). This product appeared a few months before the announcement of the 5900XT and has now practically left the market. Its model name is Leadtek WinFast A350 TDH LX. Don’t confuse it with the Leadtek WinFast A350 XT TDH, which is a true 5900XT-based graphics card!
The 5900LE comes into the market as the produce of Prolink. This graphics card has a heart made of the true GeForce FX 5900 (the nominal frequency of the GPU is 400MHz), but uses the PCB from the 5900XT and carries 128MB of 2.8ns memory (there are samples with 2.5ns memory chips). By default, the frequencies of the GPU and memory are 400/700MHz, respectively. Curiously, Prolink is producing both 5900LE (400/700) and 5900XT (390/700) products.
5900SE graphics cards come from ASUS and eVGA: they have a GeForce FX 5900 chip and follow the 5900XT reference design (i.e. they are fully analogous to the Prolink 5900LE). The ASUS card is distinguishable for not having different frequencies for 2D and 3D. It doesn’t have the “auto-brake”, either. eVGA also has a 5900XT (390/700) in its assortment, while ASUS limited itself with one model only.
There can’t be two opinions: even a non-overclocked 5900XT leaves no chance to the 5700 Ultra. Moreover, 5900XT-based cards generate less heat and often cost less than the 5700 Ultra.
Here’s your fly in the ointment! Alas, the 5900XT will soon vanish from the product lists of graphics card makers. Such cards were necessary to throw away the remains of NV35 chips and NVIDIA even sacrificed the sales of the GeForce FX 5700 Ultra for a while to get rid of its top-end chips. Now that the 5900XT leaves computer shops, its place will be taken over by the less fast (!) 5700 Ultra and the new GeForce 6800/6800 Ultra GPUs will occupy the hi-end sector. Thus, it’s going to be difficult soon to find a 5900XT graphics card. If you’re still undecided – be quick in making up your mind!
Here’s a list of manufacturers who offer 5900XT-based graphics cards (and also 5900SE, 5900LE and 5900LX): ASUS 5900SE, Albatron, AOpen, BFG Technologies, Canyon, Chaintech, Club-3D, Inno3D, InsideTNC, Gainward (three models) and one more, Galaxy, Gigabyte, ELSA, eVGA 5900SE and 5900XT, Leadtek 5900LX and 5900XT, Manli, MSI, Palit (XpertVision), PNY, Point of View, Prolink 5900LE and 5900XT, Sparkle, Soltek, Xelo, XFX.
2.2.1. Do all 5900XT-based graphics cards use the reference PCB design?
They do, with two exceptions. Palit adjusted the reference design for their 5900XT card, especially the power supply circuitry. The 1300 series cards from Gainward come on a PCB from the true GeForce FX 5900 Ultra, but with a 5900XT chip and 256MB of 2.8ns or 2.5ns memory.
2.2.2. Do all the cards have the same operational frequencies?
No. An overwhelming majority of them uses the recommended 390/700MHz clock rates, but there are exceptions. For example, Sparkle cards (Point of View, Canyon) of the first revision work at 390/680MHz by default; 5900XT cards from Gainward work at 400/700MHz. Besides that, Gainward, InsideTNC and BFG Technologies are shipping overclocker versions of the 5900XT with higher nominal frequencies (see Item 2.8 for details).
2.2.3. What are the differences between cooling systems of different brands?
In fact, it is only the cooler and the color of the textolite that visually betray the brand. There are three approaches to creating the cooling system for a 5900XT-based card: a single massive cooler that covers the GPU as well as memory chips (Gigabyte, Sparkle); a cooler on the GPU and individual heatsinks on memory chips (Albatron, Gainward, Prolink, ELSA, Club-3D); a cooler on the GPU and naked memory chips (AOpen, MSI, Leadtek). From the point of view of choosing the best card, the last variant seems preferable since you see what memory chips are installed there. In the first case, you can also remove the cooler and examine the memory. You can’t do that with individual heatsinks because they are dead-glued to the chips (without any fastening holes like in the 5700 Ultra card). Well, memory doesn’t need much cooling on a 5900XT card, so some manufacturers don’t use heatsinks at all, without any problems for the end-user.
2.2.4. Do 5900XT cards have thermal monitoring capabilities?
Not all of them. The graphics card manufacturer decides whether to implement thermal monitoring on the particular card. For example, cards from Club-3D, Albatron and AOpen have hardware monitoring functions, while Gigabyte and Sparkle don’t offer it.
2.2.5. What about accessories?
Different brands don’t greatly differ in the set of accessories they include with the card. Of course, the design of the package differs among the manufacturers (XFX is beyond competition here), but all retail versions of 5900XT cards have a similar accessories set that typically consists of a user manual, a couple of CDs (drivers, software, games), a DVI adapter and cables for TV-Out/VIVO. If you’re looking for the criterion of the best 5900XT graphics card, accessories won’t make one.
2.2.6. Are there any 5900XT-based cards with 256MB of memory?
Yes, two models from Gainward (Gainward FX Ultra/1300XT TV-DVI and Gainward FX Ultra/1300XT TV-DVI Golden Sample) are based on the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra reference design and carry 256MB of memory onboard (16 chips, 8 chips on each side).
2.3.1. Memory chips on some cards overclock to 900-1000MHz, while on others – only to 750MHz or something. Why?
Such graphics cards are equipped with memory of several different types. The most popular chips are Hynix AF-28 (2.8ns cycle time) and Samsung GC-2A (2.86ns – according to Samsung’s specifications). It’s all right with the Samsung memory – it works exactly to its specs, overclocking to about 800MHz on some especially lucky specimens. The Hynix memory is a curious thing. To my personal opinion, Hynix has a higher yield of 2.5ns and even 2.2ns chips than of 2.8ns ones. So they just re-mark some chips as 2.8ns. As a result, the worst chips overclock to the predictable 800MHz, while the best ones notch 1GHz and higher!
Statistics suggests that there are more graphics cards with Hynix’s memory chips than with Samsung’s.
2.3.2. What memory is better – from Hynix or Samsung?
If you can choose between two cards with Hynix and Samsung memory chips, you should prefer Hynix. You won’t be worse off for such decision and you’ll have a chance of enjoying great overclocking if you’re lucky.
2.3.3. Are there any cards with 2.5/2.2ns memory?
Yes. There are 5900XT-based graphics cards with Hynix AF-25 (2.5ns) and overclocking is usually appropriate, to 850-900MHz. This memory is installed onto most of MSI 5900XT cards; sometimes you may come across a lucky sample from other brands (particularly, AOpen, Gainward and Prolink). Graphics cards from Galaxy were spotted in the market with Hynix AF-22 memory (i.e. 2.2ns), but I have no info about their overclockability. Also 2.2 ns chips can be found on all InsideTNC FX 5900XT Tuning cards.
It’s simpler with the GPU, although with some reservations. The 5900XT is manufactured from all NV35 chips – 5900 as well as 5900 Ultra ones. Thus, the overclocking potential varies in a wide range. I personally saw frequencies from 430MHz to 520MHz (with the regular cooling, without modding), 460-470MHz being the average mark. Alas, you can only know the overclockability of the core after installing the card into your computer.
Of course, everything depends on the ratio of the two frequencies and on what exactly you mean by “good overclocking”. However, 5900XT cards respond better to GPU overclocking. That’s why the owners of graphics cards with the Samsung memory shouldn’t grief too much: a good core may well compensate for “weak” memory.
You may just browse through cards, testing as many of them as you can, preferably of different brands and from different manufacturing batches. This ideal method never fails. It is not easily realizable, though, so here’s a piece of more practical advice:
No! Any brand can ship its cards with either Hynix or Samsung memory. The device marking has no indication whatsoever about that – you can only determine the memory type by looking at the chips. Moreover, the rare devices with 2.5ns chips don’t have any specific marking, either.
2.8.1. Gigabyte
The cooling system is a mighty solid heatsink covering the GPU and memory. The problem is it doesn’t always fit tight to the core – pay attention to that! Be careful when removing the cooler – it has a “hook” from the back side with which you can scratch the PCB or damage something. This card has no thermal monitoring.
2.8.2. Sparkle (Canyon, Point of View)
This is one of the most popular cards on the GeForce FX 5900 XT chip. Numerous color schemes are its distinguishing feature: there are cards with red, brown, violet or black textolite (most of them come with red, though), with black or silver cooler. So don’t be surprised to see the actual graphics card differ from the snapshot at the manufacturer’s website. It has been noted that the Samsung memory is much more often found on red-textolite cards than the Hynix memory. The second important feature: there are two revisions of the card. The first revision has the memory clocked below the recommended frequency, 680MHz instead of 700MHz like in a majority of cards from other manufacturers. The second revision has 700MHz memory clock rate. By the way, the reduced nominal frequency doesn’t affect overclocking. The graphics core works at 390MHz like in other cards. You can read the revision number from the writing on the PCB. Irrespective of the revision, the graphics card has no thermal monitoring. The third point of interest is Sparkle’s equipping its cards with a “stiffening rib”, fastened with screws at the top butt of the device. This rib really makes the card more robust, giving you peace of mind during the installation of a massive and heavy cooling system instead of the standard cooler. Besides Sparkle’s own brand, these graphics cards are selling under the brands of Canyon and Point of View.
2.8.3. MSI
GeForce FX 5900XT-based graphics cards from MSI are quite often equipped with Hynix AF-25 memory (2.5ns cycle time). That’s why MSI is the best choice if you’re buying the card “blindly”, without having an opportunity to examine the memory chips visually before the purchase. The cooling system has no heatsinks on the memory chips, and the shape of the cooler (a copper Orb-like heat-spreader) will make it difficult to install memory heatsinks manually – the cooler hangs over the memory chips.
2.8.4. Palit (XpertVision)
This is the only 5900XT-based graphics card to use an original PCB design that deviates from NVIDIA’s etalon. The power supply circuitry was redesigned most of all and the standard volt-modding recipe doesn’t work here. Notwithstanding the adjusted PCB design, the characteristics of the card (also its overclockability) don’t differ from the norm. They come into shops as Palit Daytona and XpertVision (the second trademark of Palit). If you’re willing to reflash the BIOS – the only BIOS that keeps the TV-Out operational is from the BFG GeForce FX 5950 Ultra VGA (BIOS Version 4.35.20.35.33).
2.8.5. Gainward
The company offers four 5900XT-based models.
The Gainward FX Ultra/1100XT TV-DVI is the simplest version on the 5900XT reference design, but with 400/700MHz frequencies (i.e. the chip corresponds to the full-fledged 5900 GPU, but it is in fact a 5900XT).
The Gainward FX Ultra/1100XT TV-DVI Golden Sample is an similar product, but with increased nominal frequencies (450/780MHz), like in all Golden Sample series cards.
The Gainward FX Ultra/1300XT TV-DVI carries a 5900XT chip, but uses the PCB and cooling system from the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra. The graphics memory amount is 256MB (this is the only 5900XT-based card to have a memory amount another than 128MB). The core/memory frequencies are 400/700MHz.
The Gainward FX Ultra/1300XT TV-DVI Golden Sample is an similar card, but with the Golden Sample mode (450/780MHz frequencies).
2.8.6. BFG Technologies
The product from this American brand comes under the name of FX 5900XT OC. “OC” stands for overclocking – the regular frequencies of the card are higher than usual, 435/730MHz. The overclockability is the same as with other brands, though. BFG Technologies is selling its produce in North America only, so the users from other parts of the world may examine the results of this card just for curiosity.
2.8.7. InsideTNC
Manufacturer form Korea is not so well-known brand for average user, but they definitely have the most interesting 5900XT card in their product range. It is called FX 5900 XT Tuning and has three interesting features: memory chips with 2.2 ns cycle time, impressive default clocks – 425/850 MHz and legendary BIOS (see Unit 3.5.7).
GeForce FX 5900XT-based cards don’t usually create any troubles to their owners when working at their regular frequencies. All “peculiarities” arise at overclocking, which sometimes transforms into pure shamanic rites.
Drivers earlier than 5x.xx don’t identify the 5900XT at all. Those below 53.03 identify it as “NV35”. By my personal tests, the best performance results are with the version 53.03 drivers, the first for this graphics processor. Versions 56.xx and 60.xx are less fast than 53.03.
You can make a 5900XT card work with Detonators version 4x.xx after making certain changes in the driver. The fastest of them is version 44.03, due to its application-specific optimizations.
There’s no difference which utility you use. The latest RivaTuner (RC14.3NY) usually handles this job right (earlier versions don’t allow overclocking a 5900XT-based card). If the results of RivaTuner seem too low or there are any problems, try PowerStrip. Don’t forget about the division of the frequencies into 2D and 3D – you should only increase the 3D clock rates. Usually, you don’t run into any problems at overclocking. It is only not recommended to use NVIDIA’s driver for overclocking (CoolBits) – it doesn’t work correctly, often reducing the possible results. This especially refers to the AutoDetect function that you’d better leave along altogether.
3.3.1. RivaTuner doesn’t change the GPU frequency at overclocking. What to do?
General advice: check out the version of the program. RC14NY works excellently with the 5900XT, while earlier versions do not. Sometimes the reported problem happens with the latest RivaTuner: the program still shows 300MHz GPU frequency after you have confirmed the frequency change. In fact, the frequency did change (in accordance to your settings) and you can notice it in any test, but RivaTuner itself sometimes fails to detect the change. But it’s all right, don’t worry! J
3.4.1. What is “auto-brake”?
NVIDIA implements special security measures in its driver. They show themselves in the card’s reducing the GPU frequency to 376MHz with the ensuing performance hit. This often happens during a test, thus resulting in a low score (even lower than at the regular frequencies). This “auto-brake” is the main obstacle to overclocking a 5900XT graphics card. It may show differently (personally, I saw this effect only twice – the card either works at the high frequencies with the maximum speed or hangs up) and doesn’t greatly depend on the testing conditions (temperature, voltages). Interesting fact – on Detonator 44.03 auto-brake works much more severe, than on 53.03 and other 5x.xx series drivers, which leads to massive (up to 50MHz) maximum core overclocking drop.
3.4.2. Why are the frequencies dropped down?
Says Unwinder, the author of RivaTuner, “The driver protects against over-overclocking. If the internal stress test fails or if some critical temperature threshold is reached, the card switches back to 2D and you cannot return it into 3D without rebooting. If you have any doubts about the test results – check out the real frequencies with the monitoring module of RivaTuner”.
3.4.3. What’s wrong with thermal monitoring?
It has been observed that graphics cards with enabled thermal monitoring use the auto-brake more actively.
3.4.4. How do you deal with the auto-brake?
You have three options, depending on what your needs are:
3.4.5. How do you roll the frequencies back after the auto-brake without reboot?
Unwinder was wrong – you can roll the card back into 3D frequencies without rebooting the system. And you need his program for that! The method follows:
3.5.1. Why would you want to reflash the BIOS?
A rumor is roaming the Web about reflashing BIOSes of 5900XT cards: overclockability of the card changes dramatically depending on the BIOS. There’s no accurate info about the subject at all, only numerous guesses. I can only say that there is no universally best BIOS – you choose the best BIOS for your particular card. Some people do find their card to show better overclockability… Just be experimenting!
3.5.2. Where do you get a BIOS for the 5900XT?
You find a whole collection of BIOSes by the following link: http://www.mvktech.net/download.php.
3.5.3. How do you reflash?
Use the nvflash utility or Leadtek’s wfflash.
You create a bootable DOS floppy, maybe from Windows 98/Me/XP. It is recommended to clear up the contents of AUTOEXEC.BAT on the floppy created in Windows XP and leave it empty or type in the lines that follow, paying attention to the paths. These are initialization strings with additional keys. They allow flashing a BIOS with “wrong” data – from another manufacturer of from another card model.
Nvflash is NVIDIA’s reflash utility. You need two files: CWSDPMI.EXE and nvflash.exe.
The key for Version 4.41: “nvflash -f bios.rom -p -u” (where bios.rom is the name of the BIOS file).
For Version 4.46: “nvflash -f bios.rom -4 -5 -6”.
Wfflash is a reflash utility from Leadtek. You need two files: DOS4GW.EXE and WFFLASH.EXE.
The key for Version 5.1: “wfflash -nm bios.rom”.
3.5.4. TV-Out is non-operational after BIOS reflashing. What’s wrong?
This is an often-reported problem. If you flash a BIOS from another manufacturer, TV-Out will probably refuse to work. There’s no solution yet, but sometimes you can find BIOSes compatible in their TV-outs (see Item 2.8.4 for example).
3.5.5. What’s so special about the BIOS from the ASUS V9950SE?
I guess the BIOS from the ASUS V9950SE is the most well-described BIOS of all. This card has no division into 2D and 3D frequencies. The notorious AutoDetect function on the Overclocking tab of the NVIDIA driver doesn’t work at all on this card! And the auto-brake vanishes with it! This BIOS helps to solve all overclocking problems to many people. On the other hand, there’s information that this BIOS reduces memory overclocking on cards with the Hynix memory. So you may want to check it out first.
3.5.6. Can I flash a BIOS from 5900/5900 Ultra/5950 Ultra?
Yes, in a majority of cases it is possible to flash a BIOS from one of the top-end cards. You only need to ensure stable work at the appropriate frequencies (400/850, 450/850 and 475/940MHz). There’s nothing miraculous about that, only the card is identified according to the BIOS information. Some users report a change in the card’s overclockability, usually a favorable one. The real performance may degenerate (especially if you use the BIOS from the 5950 Ultra) due to changes in the memory timings. That’s not very accurate information so you may want to check it out. I’d acknowledge your sharing with me your experience on the matter, feel free to e-mail me (alt@modlabs.net). From specific BIOSes, you may want to consider the BFG GeForce FX 5950 Ultra VGA BIOS Version: 4.35.20.35.33. Users speak well about it.
3.5.7. InsideTNC FX5900XT Tuning – what is it?
This is a BIOS in the mvktech.net collection from InsideTNC videocard (See Unit 2.8.7). It seems to be a modification of the BIOS from a top-end card because the card itself has 2.2 ns chips. It often dramatically improves overclockability of the Hynix memory (up to a gain of +100MHz!), but probably through setting higher timings, because the performance increases not proportionally to the frequency gain. This BIOS is not recommended for the Samsung memory. You can download it here.
There’s no info yet about overclocking experiments on the 5900XT with extreme cooling, which would show “the limit of the card’s abilities”. By my personal estimates, such frequencies would be somewhere near 700/1050MHz.
The record for now is 650MHz GPU (Vgpu=2.0V) and about 1050MHz memory (Vmem=3.43V) without BIOS re-flashing. Actually this is my own result, as I held a world record for 5900XT performance in 3DMark 2001 SE (27229 points).
Without volt-modding, you can expect a maximum of about 530/975MHz (and up to 1050MHz by flashing BIOSes from other cards with relaxed timings).
It’s desirable that you install additional fan(s) to blow at the card – this is the bare minimum for good overclocking. In fact, this helps the 5900XT card more than a replacement of the regular cooling system with a more efficient one (but without setting up the blowers).
Individual heatsinks are better as the core and memory have different temperature conditions.
Yes. BGA-packaged DDR SDRAM is tolerant to temperature. If there’s no great overheat (you can touch the chip without burning your finger) – there’s no need to install heatsinks. I found memory heatsinks useful only after memory voltage mod – with some big volts on it chips became much hotter and its overheating was limiting factor in overclocking: only 980MHz with naked chips and 1040-1050MHz with copper heatsinks.
I carried out an experiment under ultimate conditions: the 600MHz core frequency, Vgpu = 1.9v. There was just a 10MHz difference between the regular cooler from Sparkle + additional blowers and Koolance EXOS water cooling (of course, watercooling won that test but clock gain isn’t too impressive).
Although the graphics processor is cooled down more efficiently, you don’t usually get any overclocking advantages by removing the lid. At best, this gain will be something like 10-15MHz (in my personal experiment, it was 13MHz, from 615 to 627MHz). I don’t think you should do that with the standard cooler. In other cases, do it at your own risk. You won’t be worse off, but you lose your warranty (and unlike with the RADEON 9x00 you won’t have a chance to glue the lid back without losing the warranty-compliant looks of the product).