Scott_W

Scarlet-Tech
...this is a USER based forum, so you are going to get the answers that users have gathered from EVGA.

Your implication that I don't understand the forum is insulting. When did this place become so toxic?

The question was, and still is:
"Is there any official documentation regarding differences between the Master and Slave bios on the 1080FTW?"

I asked the USERS here, hoping another USER already had a link to some EVGA documentation, or could link to a previous forum post by EVGA (who does participate in this "USER" forum which EVGA hosts). Apparently nobody here knows of any such documentation, and that's OK! No need to get defensive, or tell me I don't need it, or tell me I can use other utilities to investigate, or imply that I do not know what a USER forum is. I will ask EVGA support and wait for them to answer.

Scarlet-Tech
As for Pascal Bios Tweaker, use Google.. It is very easy to use. You save the bios using GPU-Z to save the current bios, and the bios tweaker to look st the bios. You can not make changes, because Nvidia doesn't allow unapproved bios' to be loaded to the gpu, so you can only view what the bios has.

Whoa... Wait a second... "You cannot make changes, because Nvidia doesn't allow unapproved bios' to be loaded to the gpu." Really? Isn't that the published purpose of EVGA's dual bios feature?

The "Features" section of the EVGA 1080FTW product listing states: "A secondary BIOS allows you to experiment with custom BIOSes without risk of breaking the card, and allows easy BIOS recovery with just the flip of a switch." So, can 1080FTW owners "experiment with custom BIOSes" as stated in the 1080FTW Features List? If that cannot be done, as you stated above, then what does EVGA mean by "allows you to experiment with custom BIOSes"?

The dual bios has always been for experimenting. Previously, Nvidia locked users out but the users and promodders found ways around the limitations. I am sure someone has found a way around the limitations at this point. The thing is, Pascal bios tweaker is only used for editing, not loading bios. Nvflash is for loading the bios, and that was what Nvidia locked out. With Maxwell, there was a Joe dirt unlocked Nvflash that was used to load third party bios. The last I had heard, they were working to unlock the Joe dirt version for Pascal.

If you want to see the official numbers, save the two bios with gpuz, and view them with bios tweaker. You can't get more official than the numbers that come directly from evga. The documentation that evga provides has been posted. Unfortunately, I am on a cell phone and can not browse the FAQ section to find the answer you are looking for until I get home.

As for how the forum works, many users do not understand. It wasn't meant to insinuate that you don't understand how this forum works. With thousands of entries happening every day, many people come in demanding "official responses only" which are not possible every day.

ipkha
There is an EVGA Faq that covers the basics of Master and Slave BIOS settings.

Cool, thanks. I'll search some more for the FAQ, but went through the product pages and couldn't find it. Do you happen to have a link?

Scott_W

DSP1
It means you are not able to make alterations to the bios but you can flash different bios's to the card.
Some people have used the T4 bios from Asus on their cards, flashing it to the one bios while retaining the factory one on the other.

Ah, ok. Thanks for the answer. I will do some additional searching and try to understand what other bios versions are being loaded, and why.

I was hoping the Feature List statement meant that "individuals" (i.e., card owners, with appropriate skill) could create an experimental bios. For example, one that had a custom fan curve (rather than relying on software control). What keeps someone from doing that? Do all the files require a digital signature from Nvidia or something?

Those using the T4 bios were trying to get more than the locked voltage to their cards to increase clock speeds. It is risky as it disables the built in safeguards for over voltage.
Not used it myself and am not familiar with the protocol that enables it to function on other manufacturers cards. I know some EVGA users and other manufacturers versions cards wouldn't work with it. 

For FAQ section, use the support tab at the top of the web page, then EVGA FAQ in the options.

Here is a dual bios explanation for the 970 ftw (while I have enough signal to post and I am on break at work) : http://www.evga.com/support/faq/?f=59531

This is all they provide. I have not seen any protection switches on the 1070/1080 ftw, so disregard that part.

DSP1
Those using the T4 bios were trying to get more than the locked voltage to their cards to increase clock speeds. It is risky as it disables the built in safeguards for over voltage.
Not used it myself and am not familiar with the protocol that enables it to function on other manufacturers cards. I know some EVGA users and other manufacturers versions cards wouldn't work with it. 

Agree, using a bios from a different manufacturer / different card sounds risky at best. Not something I'd want to try.

I would like to try setting a custom fan curve... I hate relying on software for that -- as I have had cases where the software (Precision or AB) was accidentally closed or crashed, leaving the card with the default bios curve, which I find too conservative.

Scarlet-Tech
Previously, Nvidia locked users out but the users and promodders found ways around the limitations. I am sure someone has found a way around the limitations at this point. The thing is, Pascal bios tweaker is only used for editing, not loading bios. Nvflash is for loading the bios, and that was what Nvidia locked out. With Maxwell, there was a Joe dirt unlocked Nvflash that was used to load third party bios. The last I had heard, they were working to unlock the Joe dirt version for Pascal.

Thanks for the explanation. So Nvidia tries to disallow it, but EVGA facilitates it (via dual bios switch), and users circumvent Nvidia's lockout via hacked NvFlash? I'm surprised (but happy) that EVGA provides the feature, even when there is no "official" way to experiment. As long as owners accept the risk (including the risk of burning up their card and voiding their warranty), they should be able to do whatever they want with hardware for which they paid. :-)

Scarlet-Tech
It wasn't meant to insinuate that you don't understand how this forum works. With thousands of entries happening every day, many people come in demanding "official responses only" which are not possible every day.

No problem. I wasn't expecting a forum reply from EVGA, just asking if anyone knew of a previous reply, statement, or documentation. I'll keep looking for the FAQ mentioned by @ipkha, and if that doesn't have my answers I will send a query to EVGA directly.

I believe Scarlet-Tech already posted it.

ipkha
I believe Scarlet-Tech already posted it.

I see that now, but that was for the 970 so wasn't sure if it applied to the 1080FTW. Not much info there, unfortunately.

The only difference from 970 to now is the protection switches. Not sure why they put them on the 970, but that is really the only difference overall.

Dual bios is nice, because if you brick one of the switches, you can boot on the good switch, switch over in the operating system, and refresh the bad switch sometimes. It is so helpful.

Take a glance on Google, and see if you can find a Pascal NVFLASH. If there is a Joe dirt version, it will work wonders. I use it on my 980ti's still.

Nvidia is trying to protect their name, so they lock out NVFLASH so that someone without a clue what things do what doesn't go in and set the PCI draw to 100w and then melt their motherboard. I am not comfortable with bios tweaker after years of trying to figure out what all of the settings do. I do know that changing the fan is very easy in there, and just goes off of rpm's and percentage assigned to each rpm.

Someone in this post is pretentious. lol Good Read!