Ultra Low Power & Noise GTX 480 BIOS (Really)

[Gabrial MacLeod]

THREAD NECRO ENGAAAAAGE!

Yes, I'm resurrecting a 10 year old thread. My dude this is awesome, I've recently constructed a retro gaming PC for the 2010 era, which includes a 3 way SLI of reference EVGA GTX 480's. Is there ANY chance you still have access to your bios rom file, or can recreate it?

I'd love to be able to squeeze all 3 GPUs onto my 1000w 80+ gold PSU since 1200+ watt PSU's are currently going for about $900 Canadian due to crypto mining demand. Right now I've janked together the 1000w PSU + a 500w PSU with a bridge but I'd love to be able to fully close up my case haha.

I have been playing with Nibitor BIOS editing software for some time, to see how much more efficient I could make my reference ASUS GTX 480. The reason I have modded the BIOS is because tools such as Afterburner do not allow the lowering of 2d clocks and voltages sufficiently. I have achieved the following results.

System Specs
Sugo SGO8 ITX Case with 600W PSU
Intel 2500K @ Stock Settings
ASUS P8H61-I ITX Motherboard
2x4GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz @ Stock
Intel X25-M 80GB SSD
Samsung F3 2TB HDD
WD 500GB Blue 2.5" HDD
Sony DVD-RW

BIOS Modifications
Minimun Fan Spped reduced from 40% to 30%
2D low clocks reduced from 51MHz/135MHz to 33MHz/135MHz
2D Low volts reduced from 0.963v to 0.7v
2D High clocks reduced from 405MHz/324MHz to 200MHz/324MHz
2D High volts reduced from 0.963v to 0.7v
Blu-Ray clocks reduced from 405MHz/1848MHz to 200MHz/1600MHz
Blu-Ray volts reduced from 1.050v to 0.875v
3D clocks remain unchanged
3D volts reduced from 1.050V to 0.95v

System draw at idle without graphics card installed (using 2500K graphics) = 53W

GTX 480 on reference BIOS/Settings Results (Entire system draw)
IDLE wattage - 81W (yes only 81W for the full system on stock GTX 480 BIOS).
IDLE temp - 44deg @ 40% fan
1080P H'264 Playback wattage - 91W
1080P H'264 Playback temp - 46deg @ 40% fan
Furmark wattage - 293W
Furmark temp after 10mins - 85deg @ 70% fan

GTX 480 Ultra Cool & Quiet BIOS, using custom Afterburner fan profile
IDLE wattage - 74W
IDLE temp - 42deg @ 30% fan
1080P H'264 Playback wattage - 83W
1080P H'264 Playback temp - 46deg @ 30% fan
Furmark wattage - 250W
Furmark temp after 10mins - 74 degrees @ 55% fan

Results
*Given that system draw without discrete graphics = 53W
My stock GTX 480 pulls 28W when idle vs just 21W for the modded BIOS (saving 25%)
During 1080P video playback the difference is 38w versus 30W (saving (saving 22%)
During intense 3D wattage reduces from 240W to just 197W (saving 18%)
System temperature and noise are much lower

Summary
For me, the modded BIOS reduces the idle and load power requirements to a level equivelent to the GTX 560TI and HD 6950, whilst providing superior performance. It also allows me to use my card within a very compact case, whilst keeping it cool and quiet.

I attach a linky to my modded BIOS here.

I strongly suggest that you do not attempt flashing unless you own a reference GTX 480 and know exactly what you are doing. I also suggest you check the BIOS setting with Nibitor to confirm that you are happy with them before flashing.

Perhaps some of the senior modders on this forum can comment before anyone attempts flashing.

edit: Added Nibitor BIOS Settings

Stock vs Modded Clocks

Stock vs Modded Volts

Afterburner Fan Profile (notice fan speed can be set as low as 30% vs minimun 40% on stock BIOS)

..and here is a picky of my system and idle running temps. You can see that the 480 just about fits into the ITX case, but temps are nice cool.

 

[varkanoid]

WOW resurrection. Bet you dont need heating on in your house with those 3 running.

 

[Gabrial MacLeod]

WOW resurrection. Bet you dont need heating on in your house with those 3 running.

Haha, well not now but when our house is finished and we move in the machine will be kept in my office in the basement. So the main floor and upstairs will still need heat

 

[555BUK]

THREAD NECRO ENGAAAAAGE!

Yes, I'm resurrecting a 10 year old thread. My dude this is awesome, I've recently constructed a retro gaming PC for the 2010 era, which includes a 3 way SLI of reference EVGA GTX 480's. Is there ANY chance you still have access to your bios rom file, or can recreate it?

I'd love to be able to squeeze all 3 GPUs onto my 1000w 80+ gold PSU since 1200+ watt PSU's are currently going for about $900 Canadian due to crypto mining demand. Right now I've janked together the 1000w PSU + a 500w PSU with a bridge but I'd love to be able to fully close up my case haha.

Sorry, I no longer have the BIOS. You can still find Nibitor and nvflash online if you really want to create a low-power BIOS from your stock ROM.