So how come PC 4870's can be flashed, but not PC 3870's???

[DualShock]

Ever since the 3870 came out last year, I've been waiting to see if anyone was able to dump the ROM from the Mac version and flash a PC version with it. But it seems no one was able to do it.

How come suddenly everyone and their brother is now able to flash the PC 4870? Anyone know what the differences between the two are, that would prevent the 3870 from being flashed successfully?

 

[MacVidCards]

Ever since the 3870 came out last year, I've been waiting to see if anyone was able to dump the ROM from the Mac version and flash a PC version with it. But it seems no one was able to do it.

How come suddenly everyone and their brother is now able to flash the PC 4870? Anyone know what the differences between the two are, that would prevent the 3870 from being flashed successfully?

The HUGE difference is that EVERY 3870 for PC comes with a 64K ROM chip and EVERY 4870 for PC comes with a 128K chip.

The Mac ROM/EFI file for either is 128K......will fit on ALL of the 4870 cards, and NONE of the 3870s.

So right there, you go from 100% of the potential people being able to do it to only the people:

1. Have a PC 3870 at hand
2. Are capable of changing the ROM chip on a PCB (and I mean desolder and resolder)
3. Have motivation

And as things would attest....this is a very small group indeed.

Add the fact that the 4870 can MOP THE FLOOR with a 3870 and now it is more a question of "Why bother?"

 

[DualShock]

The HUGE difference is that EVERY 3870 for PC comes with a 64K ROM chip and EVERY 4870 for PC comes with a 128K chip.

The Mac ROM/EFI file for either is 128K......will fit on ALL of the 4870 cards, and NONE of the 3870s.

Ahh, that would be a problem wouldn't it.

So no 3870 had a 128 KB ROM chip?

And yes, the 4870 totally blows away the 3870, so at this point it's pointless to try to flash a 3870. Would have been nice 9 months ago though.

Well at least I only had to pay $25 for my 3870 card from ATI (long story), so I don't feel all that bad.

 

[icyderguru]

The soldering isnt that hard but it seems that isnt the only problem because i did it but still a no go.