AMD Radeon RX 9070 BIOS Modification Boosts Performance: Outpaces RX 9070 XT Reference GPU with Increased Clocks and TGP

An intriguing development in the world of graphics cards has emerged as a user from PCGamesHardware successfully modded the BIOS of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 Non-XT GPU, resulting in performance enhancements that surpass its XT counterpart.

Transforming Performance Through BIOS Modding

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards share the underlying Navi 48 architecture but differ significantly in their core configurations. While the XT variant boasts a higher core count, many users find the idea of unlocking additional cores on the RX 9070 Non-XT variant more complex than it was in earlier models. However, the benefits of flashing a graphics card’s BIOS with a different model can yield substantial performance gains.

In a recent experiment documented by forum member Gurdi, an ASUS PRIME variant of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 was flashed with the BIOS from the ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9070 XT. The results were noteworthy:

Stock RX 9070 Non-XT Performance: 2140-2610 MHz @ 220W
Modified RX 9070 Non-XT Performance: 2480-3030 MHz @ 317W

Originally, the RX 9070 Non-XT operated at a maximum clock speed of 2.6 GHz, capped at a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 220W. After the BIOS modification, the GPU’s clock speed surged to 3.1 GHz with an increased TGP of 317W, reflecting a significant boost in operational efficiency. It’s crucial to note that the core count remains unchanged, as the additional cores are disabled on the chip itself.

Performance tests conducted by Gurdi indicate that the vBIOS-modded RX 9070 exceeds the performance of the reference RX 9070 XT, an unexpected outcome considering the latter’s greater core count. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the ASUS PRIME RX 9070 XT utilizes three 8-pin connectors for power, while the RX 9070 Non-XT operates with just two, which still adequately supports its increased TGP.

Gurdi also commented on the gaming performance of his modified RX 9070 GPU, stating it outperforms the Radeon RX 9070 XT in various titles. While these developments are compelling, potential risks associated with BIOS flashing should not be overlooked. Users with experience in vBIOS modifications are encouraged to proceed with caution. Those interested can find the necessary BIOS file on TechpowerUp.

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