Re: Is it possible to mod a Geforce GTX 560 graphics card into a Quadro?

[Gordan Bobic <gordan@bobich.net>]

On 07/31/2013 09:43 PM, Singapore Citizen Mr. Teo En Ming (Zhang Enming) 
wrote:
> On 01/08/2013 03:20, Gordan Bobic wrote:
>> 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
>>
>
> Dear Gordan,
>
> I am disappointed that I cannot modify my Gigabyte Geforce GTX 560 into
> a Quadro.
>
> I have checked the prices of Quadro 2000. It costs at least US$385 on
> Amazon.com and US$570 on cnet.com.
>
> It looks like I may go the ATI way.

I take it you have a good reason why buying a used one on ebay is not an 
option for you. I paid about $160 for mine a few months ago and the 
average sale price for these on ebay has gone down since.

Gordan