Massman Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 (edited) Heyo all, Thanks to the boys at ASUS Benelux, Rogier and Milan, I was able to pick up a Matrix GTX580 from the ASUS office the day before I left for Assembly. Upon SF3D's request, I brought the card with me to test under liquid nitrogen. Oh, before I continue I would also like to thank the boys from Jimm's for making the event possible as well as Marcus from ASUS Nordic for providing plenty of hardwares allowing us to do our thing! After a first session, I must say that I've got mixed feelings about this card. For sure, this card has great potential and some of the features of the card are very, very handy and should be adopted by other vendors, but the lack of software support can make it quite difficult for people who are not connected to get the card running at high speeds. After seeing Stummerwinter's 1625MHz result, I found new hope that it will be able to match the Lightning (although there are much more higher clocking Lightnings). SF3D tried to convince me over MSN that the Matrix card is one of the easiest cards to bench under LN2. Of course, I'm so stubborn that I didn't want to believe him. But, after my first session I was quite amazed that he was indeed correct! You just need the right tools and software to get it to run so easily. So, here's what you do: 1. Solder on the back of the PCB to disable OCP and enable higher PWM frequency The picture is pretty much self-explanatory. You can do the soldering without removing the backplate of the card! 2. Flash the card to the 580 coldslow BIOS Next, you have to flash the card with the coldslow bios for the GTX580 Matrix, which can be found in the coldslow/coldbug bios thread here at hwbot Link: Coldslow and Coldbug VGA BIOS collection - HWBOT forum 3. Prepare the card for extreme overclocking This is quite important. Before you flash the firmware of the card, you must prepare the card for extreme overclocking and make sure you have LN2 available. The firmware updates so it will give you 1.5V Vgpu and for sure you don't want that to be pushed through your air cooled card. If you update the firmware on your air-cooled card, you are just stupid and absolutely don't deserve to get any replacement card. So, if it happens to you, I hope you get a refusal and head-smack when applying for RMA ... if you catch my drift. As for insulation, this card is again quite well designed. You can use the backplate as pressure tool to push the insulation to the back of the PCB. At Assembly, I just used 3 double layers of paper towel in between PCB and backplate. It worked perfectly. Just remember to remove the paper towel when you're done, as the condensation water will enter the paper after you're done. 4. Update the firmware of the card to 1.5V/1.3V/1.8V Vgpu/Vpex_vdd/Vmem This fourth step is what I perhaps hate the most about this card. To have a really easy bench session, you need to update the firmware to one that has elevated/unlocked voltage, but the firmware seems to be distributed only to those-who-know where to get it. It took me a long time to find the right file (and someone who was okay for this to be updated), but in the spirit of Hipro5-open-sharing, here it is. As I mentioned in the previous section (but doing it again because it's so important): "If you update the firmware on your air-cooled card, you are just stupid and absolutely don't deserve to get any replacement card. So, if it happens to you, I hope you get a refusal and head-smack when applying for RMA." https://hwbotdownloads.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/tools/matrix_xoc.rar - run soft.bat to update your gputweakit software to allow higher voltage - run stock.bat to return the firmware to original setting - run fwup1.bat to update firmware to higher voltage settings Once you run the fwup1.bat, on the next reboot the voltages will be fixed to: - vgpu = 1.5V - pex_vdd = 1.3V - vmem = 1.8V There are other firmware files floating around, but those come with higher Vmem (1.9V or 2.0V). Unfortunately, I only had the 2.0V for the event and it gave me quite a lot of problems to push the memory beyond 1250 MHz. I was told the 1.8V version would allow for better clocks ... I'll try later this week. With this firmware update, though, overclocking the Matrix is pretty much reduced to temperature and frequency control. Easy benching for sure ! 5. Use Nvidia Inspector to finetune voltage and frequency. The last step is start to overclock. ASUS have their own GPUTweakIT software to push this vga, but I would recommend to use Nvidia Inspector. First of all, because it's a lot less Taiwan-ish (colors, colors, colors!), secondly because I'm used to Inspector and I'm a conservative overclocker so I like to use what I know. Thirdly, because I don't understand 5200MHz memory (you will understand when opening the software) and fourthly because it's a lot easier (imho) to finetune the Vgpu in Inspector. Basically, I update the firmware and then set the voltage in Inspector to 0.963V. This way, I still had finetuning possibilities to 1.15V if necessary, which would yield me 1.6V+ on the core. For me it worked quite well, but I can believe others would prefer other software. 6. Break records (or die trying) like a pro My result: Massman`s 3DMark11 - Performance score: 11049 marks with a GeForce GTX 580 Stummerwinter's result: stummerwinter`s 3DMark11 - Performance score: 12488 marks with a GeForce GTX 580 Clearly I have some work to do. I will order some new pro-skills online; hopefuly I have enough funds so I can update my pro-level to something like Stummer's level. I think it will be difficult More coming soon! //edit: in conclusion: Loving the ... - soldering pads which are accessible without having to remove anything - pwm heatsink is not connected to any other heatsink -> usable for ln2 - firmware = super-relaxed overlocking - backplate is perfect to use for insulation pressure Hating the ... - firmware not public? are they scared people would show good results ??? - gputweakit memory shows ddr speeds x4. I don't know what 4800MHz memory is. I do know what 1200 MHz memory is ... - so far, it doesn't seem to match lightning speeds (which is hitting 1600+ even on retail cards) Edited July 10, 2017 by Massman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K404 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Massmans European tour of 3DMark11 continues Nice thread, some good info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 3D11 is so addictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaPaKaH Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 where are the sauna pics ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crew Leeghoofd Posted August 8, 2011 Crew Share Posted August 8, 2011 You can remove the mods to send it back later on You used Rogiers new soft tool ? On air it does nothing special... maybe it needed the new firmware... I think the issue is the girlie tissue paper, it's holding you back... Tri sli soon ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diezel Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 nice card I have mine next week.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 You can remove the mods to send it back later on You used Rogiers new soft tool ? On air it does nothing special... maybe it needed the new firmware... I think the issue is the girlie tissue paper, it's holding you back... Tri sli soon ? That tool is the GPUTweakIt and I'm not using it. I prefer the simplicity of Inspector over the colorblast of Tweakit. 3-Way ... maybe. Need moar LN2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbuass Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Hi Massman. Good job... I just tryed matrix, and "to me", trimpots GPU and RAM (main RAM) worked better then firmwares (SF3D shows in his thread). button helps a lot too... Nice start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crew stummerwinter Posted August 9, 2011 Crew Share Posted August 9, 2011 (edited) Great to read... Just to add: I tested right now 5 cards under LN2 in preparation for GC in Cologne... 1 x 1675/1400 3D03 1 x 1575/1300 3D11 1 x 1625/1350 3D11 1 x issues below -160°C 1 x not shure, tested different thermal grease These cards I got from Christian (via Michael) from ASUS Germany, thanx btw, just retail, nothing selected... Serial numbers: B5CVCM068782 ~ B5CVCM068788 (not all are present for me) and 68843 Found out, thermal grease in combination with container ist a issue, my big container is simly to wide, causes condensation at PWM! big one: slim version: The slim version works much better, but has lack of "cold power", but anyway, 1625/1350 where doable... Agree with MM, fw-voltage tweak ist not a really nice thing, but works somehow. I didn't use tweakit, simply pushed buttons and EVGA-tool to oc... I think, we should work on you insulation... BTW, JP: I failed also while ocing, the card which did the 1625/1350 in 3D11 was not modded OCP/PWM... Edited August 9, 2011 by stummerwinter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondacity Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 that pot looks so nice, can i have one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 BTW, JP: I failed also while ocing, the card which did the 1625/1350 in 3D11 was not modded OCP/PWM... SOF! Ehr, I mean, FAIL! Did you test the different FW versions? Any change between 1.8V Vmem and higher? That 1400 card seems quite solid ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splmann Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Yesterday i tested my Matrix . I flashed the coldslow bios and tested the tree diffrent firmware . Irs verry strange i can not go below -70 degree . If i do this the frames in 01 are verry slow . So i did exact what mass describes in his first post . Any sugestions ? Thanks , Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 That's coldslow. Are you sure you flashed the right bios? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splmann Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Can i check the Version on the card ? What is the correct comman to flash the bios ? Many thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Ney Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 hahaha, I will flash your card myself at gamescom mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 nvflash -4 -5 -6 bios.rom Coldslow bios in here: http://hwbot.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26163 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splmann Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 after flash can i check for example with gpu-z if the correct bios is loaded ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massman Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 I think BIOS versions are different, but I'm not entirely sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbuass Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Massman This happened with me, and with coorect BIOS. Cars is too freeze.... You have to hot the card, about -100 C and run benchmark for a lit bit, then return to 135 ~145 and set again. Mine matrix can t work well less that -155 It can cause lots of issues...includes Coldslow (with correct bios too) Sorry the horrible english Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF3D Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Well, to be honest the firmware thing is a bit silly. Whoever got idea about it, should have thought twice. Card would definitely need a switch with normal firmware and oc firmware. *Hint* Then it would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crew stummerwinter Posted August 9, 2011 Crew Share Posted August 9, 2011 (edited) that pot looks so nice, can i have one? Sry, not possible, because to expensive to produce... SOF! Ehr, I mean, FAIL! Did you test the different FW versions? Any change between 1.8V Vmem and higher? That 1400 card seems quite solid ... Some cards like or need 2,0 V (I don't have the 1,9 V hack), to run at lower temps... Well, to be honest the firmware thing is a bit silly. Whoever got idea about it, should have thought twice. Card would definitely need a switch with normal firmware and oc firmware. *Hint* Then it would be perfect. God hint! [X] *sign* I woulnd't use the metal backplate, causes to much condensation... That's the way I do it... plastic backplate covered with armaflex and an adhesive rubber foam (~ 3 mm thick) on the front, a litte rubber at PWM: slim container: and some more armaflex: most important tweak... Edited August 10, 2011 by stummerwinter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF3D Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) Tested 4 Matrix cards during this weekend. All these new cards are doing 1550+ core and 1350MHz memory, so these will be suitable for 4-way attempts. I am not sure what went that badly wrong week a go, when elmor and I tried these cards in assembly summer 2011 event. Great cards for sure. Now I just need to get correct platform for single GPU runs. Testbed was x58 based and scores are not good. Best score was 11699. I did some ln2 pictures: Pictures in fullsize, if you like to see them closer: http://sf3d.pp.fi/images/SF3D%20OC%20pots/Ln2%20pics/typpi.png http://sf3d.pp.fi/images/SF3D%20OC%20pots/Ln2%20pics/typpi%202.png http://sf3d.pp.fi/images/SF3D%20OC%20pots/Ln2%20pics/typpi%205.png Look at the small flying bubbles I will try SLI action during next week and next weekend I will propably try 4-way, if everything goes like planned. Edited August 14, 2011 by SF3D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gappo Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Nice pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondacity Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diezel Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 what's the best terminal grease for on the vga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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