SPCR

Hi Lawrence,

Zotac may call it an update, but based on your firmware update screenshot it looks like a downgrade.

The firmware update screenshot wrote: Current - Version:84.04.36.00.11

Replace with - Version:84.04.36.00.00

Is the replacement officially from Zotac or is it older rev (84.04.36.00.00) modded by some 3rd-party?

Here's Zotac's response when I showed them your post, Jay:

ZOTAC works on several revisions at a time to have ready during testing. Since all GPU BIOS needs to go under the knife for approval each time, ZOTAC tends to keep approved BIOS revisions unchanged and only submit the newer updated BIOS which get an updated revision #. The one released does show an older revision, this is true, however, the change only applies towards the minimum fan speed setting.

MikeC wrote:Here's Zotac's response when I showed them your post, Jay:

Thanks, Mike. At least they confirm it's official firmware. But that quote... It took a few reads, but I think the rep is saying is that there are multiple approved bios revisio ... Nope, I don't understand it! Doesn't really matter since I can't use this GPU. I just thought the Rev numbers were funky.

Extraordinary stuff!

I just wish this kind of thing were possible in smaller spaced enclosures, as my days of building even MiniITX systems for myself are over now. My main computer these days has a virtual keyboard and my laptop does all the heavy CPU/GPU lifting in a very quiet and unobtrusive way.

But, I can recommend these items for those who want a very powerful setup that don't want to have to hear them constantly in the background while crunching data or pushing 4K pixels

Great job everyone at SPCR!!!

I wonder if they have a similar update for their 960 card?

For me, this is the money shot:

By default, the fans try to maintain a GPU temperature of 63~64°C which is a fairly aggressive goal in my opinion. Overriding the fan, I found that the minimum speed (which is a bit higher than at idle) is more than acceptable, even with this most taxing test. The GPU heats up to 71°C while the noise level returns to 14 dBA@1m, a superb result.

So what would you rather own - a quieter overall card w/fans spinning all the time (the Zotac) or an Asus or MSI that turns its fans off under certain conditions?

Jay_S wrote:So what would you rather own - a quieter overall card w/fans spinning all the time (the Zotac) or an Asus or MSI that turns its fans off under certain conditions?

Glass half empty/glass half full....I would have said the fans are off for most tasks and only turn on during 3D use (like gaming). That's appealing to me, where the only thing I hear in my gaming PC during idle conditions is the 1000 rpm fans on my '760.

Glad to see doing this stuff is more popular/mainstream now.

I remember just hoping/praying/ searching for reviews online that my GTX260 would support a modded bios for fan speeds, and it did. Palit had set it to a ridiculous 40% minimum. 70% was Leaf-blower tier. IIRC I changed it to 0%, which was still like 600rpm for some reason

HI
can I flash this graphics cards bios to the "ZOTAC GTX 970 AMP! Omega Core Edition" or can you guys give me link for "ZOTAC GTX 970 AMP! Omega Core Edition" new bios. the GTX 970 AMP! Omega Core Edition have same problem with fan speed.

Page 1 in the picture with the new BIOS fan setting it looks like it is possible to define your own.

Couldn't you just set the fan to 0 when under 60 degrees? (kind of like the MSI Gaming or Strix)

It looks like it is more effective cooler than both the MSI Gaming and the Strix - I think I will choose AMP! Omega Core Edition for my next pc

How well does this compare to the gtx970 strix from asus noise wise? I'm curious as this seems to be more of a fan always on vs asus which is off till certain temp then it turns on. Thanks

Also just curious will this fit into a sff case such as the core v1? I've heard from some that it seems to eat up more than 2 pci slots in height which may cause issues, is that true? Thanks