Radeon 9700 question please

[Chris]

Hi all,

I wanted to buy a Radeon 9700 (non-Pro) today, but the dealer said that
these cards cannot be overclocked, so I first want to make sure. Having had
Geforce cards (all overclockable) for the past couple of years (currently
Ti4400), I find that difficult to believe.

Is it true that the 9700 cannot be overclocked? If so, is there a solution
and if so, what do I need to do please?

Thanks a million
Chris.

 

[Chris]

Hmmm, sure not much going on here - and I always thought the Radeon range
was popular. Guess I should stick to Nvidia after all - though I would've
liked a change. But no o/c... no way!

 

[J.B.]

Is it true that the 9700 cannot be overclocked?
No it can be.
Don't buy at this dealer, he's lying!

 

[Cornelis Zijlstra]

Almost all 9700's are factory locked.
You'll have to flash a new bios to get overclocking to work.
There do seem to be some 9700's that overclock from factory, but mine at
least was not.
I've installed a new bios, and since then it overclocks just fine (though
not very far, only 324/295, any higher and I get artifacts, tho my card does
have 2.8 samsung ram)

regards,
Cornelis