6800GS unlocked pipes?

doublehelix

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Jun 2, 2005
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I understand this is probobly a repost, but for my sake I need some clarity. From what I understand is that the 6800GS is almost identical to the 6800GT with exception to the number of pipelines. 16 vs the 12 on the GS. Now, my question is: can I purchase the GS (difference of almost $100 to the GT) and unlock an extra 4 pipelines ot increase performace? The core clock is identical @ ~370Mhz, but the memory is slightly faster on the GS @ 1050Mhz w/ the GT @ 1000Mhz.

Is it just a roll of the dice as to if I can or cannot unlock the pipelines? or is a really good steal and easily unlockable?

I'm looking at the BFG models, btw
 

Bigbootie

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Jan 18, 2006
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Yes it is just a roll of the dice. Might work....might not. Worked for me np. I have BFG 6800GS AGP and locked:

3dMark03 10570
3dMark05 4270

Which was freakin great

Unlocked:

3dMark03 11700
3dMark05 5151

Which is greater still. As you can see it is a gamble but the card rocks either way.

Pentium 4 3.06
2gb Corsair pc3200
 

brendanpc

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I actually just bought one of these from www.chiefvalue.com for 197.99 with free 3 day shipping.

It should get here Monday, the UPS (sucks, I know) tracking says its only a state away, because it started in NJ. I was expecting it today, but UPS disappoints yet again by not being able to deliver despite being an hour or so away at 7:40am... (Laurel MD to Alexandria VA)

Anyway, on Monday I'll install it and test it out and see if I get any artifacts after unlocking the pipes and the vertex shader with Rivatuner (guru3d.com).

If the unlocking doesn't work all the way, it is still a good card beating the 6800GT in a few tests and matching it in the rest. Can't beat the price either!

-BPC
 

haik

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hi i have EVGA 6800 GS PCI-E card do you know how can i unlock the other 4 pipes on the card ? thank you
 

brendanpc

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It is easy, just do a google search for "unlock 6800 GS" and you'll find about 10 tutorials.

I had artifacts on mine so i had to turn them off. Good luck with yours. (it still is a very good card though)
 

jj_mclure

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i was able to unlock the 4 pipes and 1 shader. but i got artifacts. so , the only option i have is to overclock the card.

p4 3.06
1 gig ram
evga 6800 gs
 

NeonDeon

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Jan 16, 2006
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As far as I understand it, the 6800GS PCI is locked in the hardware. Software unlocking will just give you crap.

Just be happy that you have a card that performs very good as is. If you have the money just buy another one and run them in SLI mode. That way your system would still be kicking ass!
 

ak47is1337

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For the gs, i would highly doubt it, as 6800's started to cut down on openable pipes. however the original 6800 agp can be unlocked to a full 16.
 

MTLink

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Dunno if you guys know, but the AGP 6800GS is based on the NV40 core (same as 6800GT/Ultra), while the PCI-E 6800GS is based on the newer NV42 core. That's the reason why the AGP version can be unlocked but not the PCI-E version, and also maybe why the PCI-E version overclocks much better.
 

ak47is1337

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Dunno if you guys know, but the AGP 6800GS is based on the NV40 core (same as 6800GT/Ultra), while the PCI-E 6800GS is based on the newer NV42 core. That's the reason why the AGP version can be unlocked but not the PCI-E version, and also maybe why the PCI-E version overclocks much better.

Yes, this is very much possible as the 6800 AGP's could be unlocked while the 6800 PCI-E's could not be. However, I would think nvidia learned and just lasered the pipelines right out in the updated 6800gs...
 

bob5568

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I just did this last night, using RivaTuner. Was very easy to do.

The card is now running with 16 pipes, so for now I'm happy. Played several hours last night, quake4, doom3, farcry....so far, no artifacts. fingers crossed!

Bob

AMD 64x2 3800+
2x512 corsair
EVGA 6800gs
 

ak47is1337

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I just did this last night, using RivaTuner. Was very easy to do.

The card is now running with 16 pipes, so for now I'm happy. Played several hours last night, quake4, doom3, farcry....so far, no artifacts. fingers crossed!

Bob

AMD 64x2 3800+
2x512 corsair
EVGA 6800gs

AGP or PCIE?
 

Dekkard

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Jan 19, 2006
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OK - to clarify!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6800GS AGP is built on the same core as the AGP 6800GT and Ultra. At stock this card has 12 active pipes and 5 vertex shaders. Using Riva Tuner you can easily unlock 4 extra pipes and 1 shader to provide the 16x6 you see on the GT and Ultra. Clock speeds can be pushed higher on the GS but this all relates to the quality of the stock cooler or aftermarket cooler you add on.
Although unlocking is easy, there is no standard for success on the unlock - by this I mean its a 50:50 of whether you can unlock without artifacting. From personal experience I saw artifacting in Lost Coast with my 6800GS OC (BFG) unlocked (with just vertex shader opened I saw no artifacting). I have to wonder how many people really see NO artifacting after unlocking.

The PCI-E 6800GS is based on different architecture and the extra pipes CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. You can still do some substantive overclocking if you know your stuff.