This is what I LOVE about PC GAMING Hardware that Consoles can only dream of....

Not only can we MOD games in PC's but in some rare cases we could MOD hardware to a hardware that costs up to $100 more than the original cost of the hardware. Just like I modded my XFX HD 6950 to a HD 6970!

As you can see from the above screenshot, after the BIOS FLASH my old HD 6950 (on the right) is now a brand new HD 6970 (on the left). My BIOS flashed HD 6950 now has the same specs as a HD 6970. All the shader cores have been unlocked to 1536. Pixel Fillrate is now 28.2 Gpixels/s, Texture Fillrate is now 84.5 GTexel/s, Bandwidth is now that of a HD 6970 at 176 GB/s. The GPU clock is now that of a HD 6970 which is 880 MHz and the Memory clock is also that of a HD 6970 which is 1375 MHz.

So, for the price of a HD 6950 I got a XFX HD 6970. Which means I saved $100! It's easily the best piece of gaming or PC Hardware that I ever brought!

The picture below shows the disabled HD 6950 shaders in red. When unlocked, these deactivated units become active, resulting in a substantial performance increase in games in FULL HD 1080P at 8XEQAA and 16X Anistrophic Filtering.

So, I saved $100 and got a full-fledged XFX HD 6970:

In other words:

I brought a Lamborghini Murcielago:

and turned it into a Lamborghini Reventon:

Could I have MODDED and unlocked new pixel pipelines in the RSX or the Xenos GPU's that are in the PS3 and Xbox 360 so I could get much better performance in gaming? Didin't think so. This what I LOVE about PC GAMING. :D

okay then... when are people going to realize pc and console gamers do the exact same thing? they just sit on their butts and play videogames i don't see the difference..

The amount of hardware customization for PC's is astounding, and a definite advantage over consoles. Still I would never give up my consoles for that extra performance from PC (such as, using the money I would pay for my consoles to upgrade said PC). My 4870/e8400 still chugs along nicely (though desperately needs upgrading :P).

Can't wait 'til my school starts to slow down and I can invest more money into upgrading my rig.

okay then... when are people going to realize pc and console gamers do the exact same thing? they just sit on their butts and play videogames i don't see the difference..

Chris_Williams

LOL.

So true.

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

okay then... when are people going to realize pc and console gamers do the exact same thing? they just sit on their butts and play videogames i don't see the difference..

Wii4Fun

LOL.

So true.

Untrue! I own a Wii and thus I play standing up sometimes ;) (I agree completely with the message of your post though haha)

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

R3FURBISHED

[QUOTE="Wii4Fun"]

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

okay then... when are people going to realize pc and console gamers do the exact same thing? they just sit on their butts and play videogames i don't see the difference..

WreckEm711

LOL.

So true.

Untrue! I own a Wii and thus I play standing up sometimes ;) (I agree completely with the message of your post though haha)

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

okay then... when are people going to realize pc and console gamers do the exact same thing? they just sit on their butts and play videogames i don't see the difference..

Wii4Fun

LOL.

So true.

So so true.

[QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

Blacklight2

But..but...M/KB is superior! Why play with the inferior control?!

PC games are made for the superior control!!

I have a feeling that someone who could buy that first Lamborghini isn't hurting for cash in the first place. Probably could have bought the nicer one just by moving some stuff around.

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"][QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

Wii4Fun

But..but...M/KB is superior! Why play with the inferior control?!

PC games are made for the superior control!!

[QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

Blacklight2

1. I'm not lugging my full tower into my living room and hooking it up to my TV.
2. I cannot "relax" and play a PC game, I have to be sitting up straight in my chair and playing.
3. I may prefer the controller over keyboard/mouse but I cannot play PC games without them -- last time I tried a console controller with PC game was Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2003 and it didn't work. Kinda bizarro there, but it is what it is

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

[QUOTE="WreckEm711"]

[QUOTE="Wii4Fun"]

LOL.

So true.

UC3Drake

Untrue! I own a Wii and thus I play standing up sometimes ;) (I agree completely with the message of your post though haha)

yeah like saxton hale..

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"][QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

R3FURBISHED

1. I'm not lugging my full tower into my living room and hooking it up to my TV.
2. I cannot "relax" and play a PC game, I have to be sitting up straight in my chair and playing.
3. I may prefer the controller over keyboard/mouse but I cannot play PC games without them -- last time I tried a console controller with PC game was Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2003 and it didn't work. Kinda bizarro there, but it is what it is

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus as I said, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

I have a feeling that someone who could buy that first Lamborghini isn't hurting for cash in the first place. Probably could have bought the nicer one just by moving some stuff around.

Pug-Nasty

[QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"] You can't sit on your couch and play your PC with a 360 controller?MFDOOM1983

1. I'm not lugging my full tower into my living room and hooking it up to my TV.
2. I cannot "relax" and play a PC game, I have to be sitting up straight in my chair and playing.
3. I may prefer the controller over keyboard/mouse but I cannot play PC games without them -- last time I tried a console controller with PC game was Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2003 and it didn't work. Kinda bizarro there, but it is what it is

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus as I said, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

Cosa? Experiences?

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Zurrur

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Maroxad

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Zurrur

Can't indie games or expansions be quality games?

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Zurrur

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

I didnt know gs scored indie games.

except you can do the same dam thing to a console. why you would want to though, I have no idea.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

lundy86_4

Can't indie games or expansions be quality games?

Nope, but thats just what i think

Good for you if you enjoy them, cos i don't

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"][QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

R3FURBISHED

1. I'm not lugging my full tower into my living room and hooking it up to my TV.
2. I cannot "relax" and play a PC game, I have to be sitting up straight in my chair and playing.
3. I may prefer the controller over keyboard/mouse but I cannot play PC games without them -- last time I tried a console controller with PC game was Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2003 and it didn't work. Kinda bizarro there, but it is what it is

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

lol!
I played Fall new Vegas last night on my couch on my 50" tv with a 360 controller on my pc.

On PC you can use a controller for 99% of the games, or a keyboard and mouse, or aps2 controller, or a ps3 controller or a xbox360 controller. Your options are unlimited.

How can you NOT relax and play a pc game? Sit in the same couch as your console gaming, use the same controller (xbox360), dont see whats so hard? Its exactly the same thing.

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Zurrur

Can't indie games or expansions be quality games?

Nope, but thats just what i think

Good for you if you enjoy them, cos i don't

Fair enough, I won't try and change your mind. Still, they can be quality regardless, and can often offer more content and play time than many full releases. Leaving them out seems to only benefit your argument, which is no doubt why you want to do it.

I got to say that is a smart thing, nice discount.

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Zurrur

A lot of those expansion packs have more content than most 60$ console games. Also since when arent high scoring indie games quality? Some of my favorite games this gen are indie.

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Zurrur

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

lol!
I played Fall new Vegas last night on my couch on my 50" tv with a 360 controller on my pc.

On PC you can use a controller for 99% of the games, or a keyboard and mouse, or aps2 controller, or a ps3 controller or a xbox360 controller. Your options are unlimited.

How can you NOT relax and play a pc game? Sit in the same couch as your console gaming, use the same controller (xbox360), dont see whats so hard? Its exactly the same thing.

kozzy1234

This may be difficult to grasp - but try anyways. I don't play games like you do! *shocking!*

I am more than aware of controllers being used to play games on the PC but I do not use them for PC games. I play my PC games in a straight backed chair at my desk, thats how it is.

[QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"] You can't sit on your couch and play your PC with a 360 controller?kozzy1234

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

lol!
I played Fall new Vegas last night on my couch on my 50" tv with a 360 controller on my pc.

On PC you can use a controller for 99% of the games, or a keyboard and mouse, or aps2 controller, or a ps3 controller or a xbox360 controller. Your options are unlimited.

How can you NOT relax and play a pc game? Sit in the same couch as your console gaming, use the same controller (xbox360), dont see whats so hard? Its exactly the same thing.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

ebluefie

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

ah... only on system wars.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

ebluefie

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Zurrur

Untrue, but, even if it were, PC plays console exclusives too :D

[QUOTE="ebluefie"][QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

UC3Drake

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Too bad most games are console exclusive :(

Zurrur

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

PC has the most AAA-AA retail games this gen.... :|

It also has double the exclusives than any single console, after taking out "indies and expansions" for your sake.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]

Which is why the most quality games are exclusive to the PC. PC>PS3+360+Wii: 180>40+37+70.

Jankarcop

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

PC has the most AAA-AA retail games this gen.... :|

It also has double the exclusives than any single console, after taking out "indies and expansions" for your sake.

Not a fan of MMORPGS and RTS games either but if you like them good for you

My top 5 games this gen are all console exclusives, there haven't been single good exclusive game on PC this gen IMO

Let us know how that lifetime hardware warranty works out after you've modified the firmware.lowe0

I'm assuming TC isn't worried about the warranty :?

I'm not familiar with this particular case, so I might be wrong, but usually, when a part of a chip is locked or used at lower settings, it's due to problems found during QA. Otherwise it would be sold as the other product. So good luck with your card.

And have fun with all the new games that will now run and previously couldn't. Oh, wait ...

[QUOTE="lowe0"]Let us know how that lifetime hardware warranty works out after you've modified the firmware.lundy86_4

I'm assuming TC isn't worried about the warranty :?

XFX's warranty covers OCing :D

XFX's warranty covers OCing :D

rpgs_shall_rule

TC didn't just overclock. They also flashed the firmware to that of a 6870. I dunno if that is covered under their lifetime warranties, due to it unlocking what manufacturers locked in order to produce a better yield.

[QUOTE="Blacklight2"][QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"]

I've never bought that a reason for PC gaming -- modding and overclocking and whatnot. Did installing Natural Mod 2009 for STALKER make it more enjoyable and much better looking experience? Sure, but just being able to chill on my couch and play my 360 or PS3 makes them the more immediate choice for me.

But thats just me.

R3FURBISHED

1. I'm not lugging my full tower into my living room and hooking it up to my TV.
2. I cannot "relax" and play a PC game, I have to be sitting up straight in my chair and playing.
3. I may prefer the controller over keyboard/mouse but I cannot play PC games without them -- last time I tried a console controller with PC game was Halo: Combat Evolved back in 2003 and it didn't work. Kinda bizarro there, but it is what it is

PC and consoles are too diferent of beasts for me. Plus, my PC is always going to be a computer before a video game player...even if I built mine with gaming in mind.

LOL what? How can you not "relax" and play a PC game? I feel fine when I play a PC game. I have my gaming tower in my living room hooked up to my 50" Plasma. I game in full HD 1080P much better than consoles 720P crap. The game looks beautiful in FULL HD 1080P with 8XEQAA AND 16X Anistrophic Filtering. I sit on my couch and play with my wireless keyboard and mouse. You could always use a Xbox 360 controller on the PC.

I love MMOS so.. PC FTW

Guild Wars 2 24 hour party when i get it

[QUOTE="Jankarcop"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

Good for you if you enjoy indie games and expansion sets, i like quality games

Zurrur

PC has the most AAA-AA retail games this gen.... :|

It also has double the exclusives than any single console, after taking out "indies and expansions" for your sake.

Not a fan of MMORPGS and RTS games either but if you like them good for you

My top 5 games this gen are all console exclusives, there haven't been single good exclusive game on PC this gen IMO

atleast you put IMO this time.

waste of money

PCs are for... IN ORDER

Music/getting music

Interwebs

Facebook

Starcraft 2

School

Internet Games

PC Games

First time I hear of this.