XFX 7970 DD Voltage Locked

[carlb79]

As the title suggests, I'm pretty bummed. When I order my new 3XS system this is the card I went with due to it's OC'ing power. Scan advertised the card as the single DL-DVI port card, which is voltage unlocked. Unfortunately in my new system I have the double DL-DVI port card, which is voltage locked. I'm now stuck with a card that wont go over 1Ghz core clock due to me not being able to supply it with enough power... these things are known to hit 1200Mhz without breaking a sweat. To say I'm annoyed is an understatement, this wasn't the card I ordered but what can I do?

[Iain162]

Not much you can do unless the card develops a fault and since its used your right to return it as unwanted is void, you could argue that you were advised incorrectly by a member of staff but if you cant prove it, it never happened..

You may be able to flash the bios to solve the problem, but i think you'll find the regular 7970's being shipped out by AMD are all locked now so that people cant get GHz edition performance at a lower price..

[carlb79]

Unfortunately that was exactly what I was hoping to do (Ghz performance, lower price). It seems I'm stuck with this card, I'll drop scan a query and see what happens but it's a little disappointing. If I'd of known this was going to be the case I'd of gone with a different card entirely, the OC'ing power of the 7970 is just too good to pass up!

[carlb79]

Update; Issue resolved by Scan, new card ordered and the old XFX card is being returned for a full refund. Brilliant service!

[-Nub-]

Sorry i'm a noob but i have a xfx black edition as well. How do you know if its locked or unlocked?

[PowerPie5000]

Update; Issue resolved by Scan, new card ordered and the old XFX card is being returned for a full refund. Brilliant service!

I must say you're quite lucky seeing as you openly admitted to overclocking it (which i'm sure would usually void the warranty)... The guys at Scan must be very understanding .

[Atomfix]

There is a way to unlock the voltages on the XFX 7950/7970 DD cards here, I'm able to overvolt safely up to 1.3V using the BIOS unlock method

http://amdoverclock.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4

[kierant]

Try and talk about this on the scan forum as well. Also my XFX 7970 DD Edition is voltage locked which yes like you I was annoyed but i can easily get the GHz edition's clock speed with giving it a bit more power via the power target option in EVGA Precision and catalyst control centre. Hope I've helped.

Kieran