MSI NVIDIA GeForceGTX 465 Twin Frozr II Golden Edition GTX 470 Flash Unlock Guide Linus Tech Tips
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Description
This card is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing. Not that there's anything sheepish about the blinged out full copper cooler.
This Linus Tech Tips guide examines an MSI Twin Frozr II Golden Edition GeForce GTX 465 that is effectively a GTX 470 in disguise. The creator starts by noting community claims that these cards could be unlocked to GTX 470, and investigates the card’s RAM configuration, discovering that these Golden Edition models actually have 10 RAM chips, rather than the two-chip shortfall typical of a standard GTX 465. He documents the physical teardown, removing backplate screws to reveal the cooling solution, and explains that the unlocking process will require a nonstandard BIOS flashing method that overwrites firmware parts normally preserved during a typical update. The first major step is erasing the EFI PROM with a forced erase command, with explicit caution not to reboot immediately afterward because the firmware would be erased without replacement. After erasing, the procedure proceeds with NVFlash and custom command sequences to load GTX 470 firmware, override the PCI device ID, and adjust the board ID to establish the GTX 470 identity. The presenter emphasizes that this procedure is risky and that success is not guaranteed, noting that improper flashing could brick the card. Once the flash completes and the system is rebooted, the card is detected as a GTX 470 in Windows, now sporting 1.28 GB of memory and a wider 320-bit bus. Benchmark results are shared, showing a notable performance uplift from the GTX 465 baseline, with a marked score improvement in the Vantage test and an overall sense that the value proposition is strong for users who can safely perform the modification. The video concludes with the expectation of further testing and a call to subscribe for more technology tips and unboxing content, underscoring the unusual yet compelling nature of MSI’s 470-like GTX 465 edition.
Topics · technology · hardware
Questions answered
- How many RAM chips does the MSI Twin Frozr II Golden Edition GTX 465 actually have, and why does that matter for unlocking to GTX 470?
- The card has 10 RAM chips, not the typical two missing chips seen on some GTX 465s. This matters because the 470 requires more memory chips and the unlocking process relies on matching the 470’s RAM configuration to enable full GTX 470 functionality.
- What is the basic sequence of steps Linus uses to flash the GTX 470 firmware onto the GTX 465, and what precautions are highlighted?
- First erase the EEPROM with a forced erase command and do not reboot until the firmware is replaced. Then run NVFlash with the appropriate commands to load the 470 firmware, override the GPU mismatch and the board ID, and proceed to reboot to Windows. The presenter emphasizes the risk of bricking the card and that success is not guaranteed, advising caution and a willingness to accept potential failure.
- What are the observable outcomes after the successful flash in terms of hardware specs and performance?
- The card shows up as GTX 470 with 1.28 GB of memory and a 320-bit bus. Benchmark scores improve significantly, for example in Vantage, reflecting better performance akin to a genuine GTX 470. The video notes the effort yields a significant uplift without additional cost beyond the flashing procedure.