Without the LM63, we still able to overclock using PowerStrip, or Rage3d overclocker.
This means ATI should write the driver in such a way to ignore this stupid temperature sensor.

In my opinion this thearoy isn't right. The guys over at www.computerbase.de posted an interesting article that deals with the same topic. Here is the url: http://www.computerbase.de/news/hardware/grafikkarten/ati 2004/februar/overdrive_overdrive/

They showed that a Radeon 9600 XT Fireblade from Sapphire lacks the LM63-chip but is still able to run with OVERDRIVE. The PCB is similar to the one of a PowerColor Radeon 9600 XT Bravo without LM63 and without OVERDRIVE.

Found out that more than 85% of all ATI AIB built ATI9600XT video controllers do not have the capability of the “OVERDRIVE” function due to a “missing” National Semiconductor Corporation LM63 SOIC NARROW integrated circuit on the PCB to permit ATI’s “OVERDRIVE” feature, as the “coupling chip”; some ATI AIB’s such as C.P.Technology Co., Ltd. abandoned the suggested ATI REFERENCE DESIGN completely, and used older ATI9600PRO PCB’s that were in “stock” to rush product out for the holidays. There have been many web reports of Power Color R96A-C3T owners pealing off the stickers on the PCB to find a “PRO” sticker underneath!

C.P.Technology Co., Ltd. and Power Color USA Corp. sent out extensive incorrect marketing material regarding the Power Color R96A-C3T indicating the “OVERDRIVE” feature was “available” on the Power Color R96A-C3T, this was also reflected on both C.P.Technology Co., Ltd. and Power Color USA Corp. web sites, and only in the last week or so did Power Color USA Corp. correct their description of the Power Color R96A-C3T product description on their web site to reflect the fact that the “OVERDRIVE” is not available on the Power Color R96A-C3T.

The disturbing fact here is that C.P.Technology Co., Ltd. sold and marketed the Power Color R96A-C3T as being “OVERDRIVE” enabled, and provided many hardware review web site with Power Color R96A-C3T’s that did have “OVERDRIVE” enabled (probably engineering samples et al.), and then proceeded to manufacturer the Power Color R96A-C3T’s in a “rush” with out the “OVERDRIVE” feature (possibly due to a delay in receiving the LM63’s from ATI per one story) while continuing the marketing campaign that did state that the Power Color R96A-C3T did have the “OVERDRIVE” feature! This is fraud and deception, and a form of corporate criminal behavior.

I have since learned that Power Color USA Corp. has never received any “production” Power Color R96A-C3T’s that did have the “OVERDRIVE” feature enabled.

powercolor 9600xt 256mb have a overdrive?