Re: [Xen-users] Is it possible to mod a Geforce GTX 560 graphics card into a Quadro?

[Gordan Bobic <gordan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On 07/31/2013 06:56 PM, Singapore Citizen Mr. Teo En Ming (Zhang Enming) 
wrote:
> Dear Gordan,
>
> I have a Gigabyte Geforce GTX 560. Is it possible to mod it into a Quadro?
It isn't. There is no equivalent Quadro model to modify it into.

> If it is possible, please give me the link with the list of steps to mod
> it into a Quadro. Is it a simple process?
Cards that can be modified using a BIOS modification only:

1)      From:   GTS450 (only 192-shader 1GB GDDR5 model!)
        To:     Quadro 2000

2)      From:   GTX470 (448 shaders, 1.25GB)
        To:     Quadro 5000

3)      From:   GTX480 (480 shaders, 1.5GB)
        To:     Quadro 6000

4)      From:   GTX580 (512 shaders, 1.5GB, 3GB)
        To:     Quadro 7000
        Note:   Quadro 7000 isn't supported for "MultiOS" and VGA
                passthrough will not work with it (tested, Quadro
                [256]000 work fine, but a GTX580 modified to Quadro
                7000 does not work with Xen VGA passthrough. So don't
                get this one.

The 6xx series requires hardware modification (soldering 0402 type 
surface mount resistors - not for the faint of heart, but doable, I have 
successfully modified a GTX680 last weekend)
5)      From:   GTX680, GTX690, also reported to work with GTX670
        To:     Grid K2

Untested, but should work similarly to the other 6xx series mods with 
resistors:
6)      From:   GTX650Ti/GTX650Ti Boost
        To:     Grid K1

If you only want a low end card for virtualization testing, the price 
gap between a real Quadro 2000 on eBay and a GTS450 has shrunk to the 
point where it's probably not worth the hassle modifying the BIOS unless 
your time really is worthless, so my advice would be to just get a 
Quadro 2000.
If you are interested in higher performance (e.g. for gaming), GTX480 to 
Quadro 6000 mod works very well (~$120 on eBay for a GTX480 vs. ~$900 
for a real Quadro 6000, spending an hour doctoring the BIOS is certainly 
worth the difference).
It depends on how much effort you want to put in, and what you plan to 
do with the card (a real Quadro has some extra uncrippled GL 
functionality in the silicon which makes it faster than a modified 
GeForce in some CAD apps, but it makes no difference in gaming and 
general purpose number crunching). See here for some benchmarks between 
GTS450 and a Quadro 2000:
http://www.altechnative.net/2013/06/23/nvidia-cards-geforce-quadro-and-geforce-modified-into-a-quadro-for-virtualized-gaming/

If you want something cheap enough that requires no extra effort, a real 
Quadro 2000 is probably your best option.
Gordan

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