X800Pro mod to X800XT

[p2mm]

http://www.unika.com.cn/article/article.php/1034

 

[p2mm]

Through contrasts two section Radeon the X800Pro graphics chip and two
section Radeon the X800XT graphics chip, we will detect on the chip
seal surface right angle has is similar to the AMD processor surface
three groups of golden bridge, said to Radeon X800Pro, is left the
first group of golden bridge to shut off by the laser, said to Radeon
X800XT, is most left and the most right two groups of golden bridge
completely connects, therefore we have the reason to extrapolate, if
connects most left side group of golden bridges, then Radeon X800Pro
is shielded 4 exaggerate the pipeline to be allowed to open once more,
if about 2 groups of golden bridges completely will shut off, then
Radeon X800XT turned Radeon X800SE, Only some 8 picture elements
exaggerate the pipeline, certainly, the R420 graphics chip has
certainly certainly in the middle of the production process is good
rate, after in other words Radeon X800Pro forces opens 16 to
exaggerate the pipeline, 16 exaggerate the pipeline whether completely
normal work also to have to look at everybody the luck.

 

[digitalwanderer]

http://www.unika.com.cn/article/article.php/1034

I was just gonna ask for a translation, but you got it up before I could even post the question!

Thanks p2mm, you made me frontpage.

 

[p2mm]

http://www.unika.com.cn/article/article.php/1034

I was just gonna ask for a translation, but you got it up before I could even post the question!

Thanks p2mm, you made me frontpage.

you welcome, it's my job to ruin video chip business.

 

[digitalwanderer]

you welcome, it's my job to ruin video chip business.

Hmmm, mebbe I shouldn't have told Rich about it then... :?

I'm gonna go and try and get hold of me new friend Deric from PC Pop to translate it, he's always apologing for his english but I've never had any trouble understanding him and I'd REALLY prefer a bit better translation of this!

 

[CyFactor]

All I can say is, good luck reconnecting those traces on the substrate without destroying the masking.

 

[digitalwanderer]

I saw this thread on it over at that place where I used to hang a lot at and felt it worthy of stealing for our discussion.

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article2.asp?datePublish=2004/05/14&pages=A2&seq=3

Modders will be disappointed to hear that ATI has physically disabled four of the X800 PRO's pipelines, so you won’t be able to enable all sixteen pipelines in the core via software solutions, including flashing to an X800 XT Platinum Edition BIOS. Since the rendering core is split up into independent quad pipes, some pipes can be disabled without affecting the rest of the chip. This will also help reduce manufacturing costs. If a manufacturing defect occurs in one of the 16 pipes, the entire block can be disabled and the card can be sold as a 12-pipe PRO board.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_radeon_x800/page6.asp

Now that means to me that this mod actually has a VERY good chance of working if they disabled the quad on the card and not on the actual die itself.

What's this about a substrate? Please expound a bit? :|

 

[991060]

The question boils down to if the disabled quad can work properly supposing the trick works. I don't think ATi have many 16 pipes chips now and make some of them to 12 pipes used in the X800Pro, otherwise why wouldn't they debut the X800XT as well?

 

[Dave Baumann]

I suspect that memory is still a limiting factor.

 

[CyFactor]

What's this about a substrate? Please expound a bit? :|

It's not on the board. It's on the actual BGA (Ball Grid Array). They used a laser to cut traces on the substrate (the mini printed circuit board, so to speak, that the die sits on that has all of the interconnects between the ASIC and the solder balls). The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

 

[Jabbah]

edit: there ^^^

Its difficult to see from the pictures but I would not imagine it would be that different from unlocking the Athlons by connecting the bridges with silver paint and carefully placed masking tape.

Well heres to hoping

 

[digitalwanderer]

edit: there ^^^

Its difficult to see from the pictures but I would not imagine it would be that different from unlocking the Athlons by connecting the bridges with silver paint and carefully placed masking tape.

Well heres to hoping

I'm with you, I'll remain a cock-eyed optimist until reality proves it otherwise. 8)

 

[Big Bertha EA]

It's not on the board. It's on the actual BGA (Ball Grid Array). They used a laser to cut traces on the substrate (the mini printed circuit board, so to speak, that the die sits on that has all of the interconnects between the ASIC and the solder balls). The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

In other words, fuggedaboudit for the vast majority of users....right?

 

[Guden Oden]

Suppose someone tries to reconnect the traces, f*cks his expensive graphics card in the process for a measily 4 pipes (which likely won't even be in working order I might add), and then finds out that's not even the proper way to do it, that the cut traces are entirely unrelated...

Now, I'm not a terribly malicious person under most circumstances, but I would probably laugh.

If the quad is disabled, it's likely for a good reason, heh heh...

 

[trinibwoy]

Suppose someone tries to reconnect the traces, f*cks his expensive graphics card in the process for a measily 4 pipes (which likely won't even be in working order I might add), and then finds out that's not even the proper way to do it, that the cut traces are entirely unrelated...

Now, I'm not a terribly malicious person under most circumstances, but I would probably laugh.

If the quad is disabled, it's likely for a good reason, heh heh...

LOL. This sounds like pre-emptive crowd control from ATI to discourage people from attempting the mod. I'm not big on pioneering so when a couple hundred people have done it.....then I'll get on board

 

[Mize]

The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

That's what wire bonders are for!

 

[CyFactor]

The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

That's what wire bonders are for!

So are you saying that the mod community has these handy?

 

[AlphaWolf]

The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

That's what wire bonders are for!

So are you saying that the mod community has these handy?

You mean everyone doesn't have one?

 

[CyFactor]

You mean everyone doesn't have one?

Just me, apparently.

 

[Mize]

The traces are extremely tiny, so it would take some very skilled micro surgury and a microscope to reconnect what was severed.

That's what wire bonders are for!

So are you saying that the mod community has these handy?

I think a LOT of modders work for engineering firms that have one...I USED to, but then I went from being an engineer to a manager and so on...but I have friends with access