MSI R9 280X BIOS update to fix overheating and VRM temperatures
This is a short tutorial on updating the BIOS for MSI R9 280X graphics card to fix issues on overheating and VRM temperatures.
How to Update BIOS for MSI R9 280X GPU
Warning: There are always risks involved when flashing the BIOS, so this tutorial is for advanced users who know what they are doing. I am taking no responsibility for any damage you might have by following these instructions.
Step 1 : Download files
Password : rumorscity
Extract both files. We will need to use it later.
Step 2 : Create DOS bootable USB drive
Create a DOS bootable USB disk. There’s a tutorial here : How to create a DOS bootable USB drive.
Step 3 : Copy files to USB drive
Copy both the BIOS and ATIFlash files that you have extracted in Step 1 to the USB drive with bootable DOS.
Step 4 : Reboot computer into MS-DOS
With the USB drive plugged in the computer, reboot it into MS-DOS. If it does not automatically boot from the USB drive, you may need to change your boot order or use a boot menu to select the device you want to boot from.
Step 5 : BIOS switch on GPU
Each of your GPUs should have a tiny switch somewhere on it. This is the BIOS selector switch—most Radeon cards should have one. Locate this switch, and then flip it (this can be done while your rig is powered on) so that it is now in the other position. This is extremely important and acts as your safety net if anything should go wrong! If you’re unable to boot up after completing the BIOS flash, simply flip the switch back to restore your original BIOS. If you can’t locate the switch, or your video card doesn’t have one, I’d strongly urge you to abort the rest of the process.
Step 6 : Flash new BIOS
Check the version of your current BIOS with this command :
atiflash -ai
atiflash -f -p 0 xxxxx.rom
where xxxxx is the file name of the rom, which you have downloaded in step 1.
Check the BIOS version on the card again. Type this command :
atiflash -ai 0
VBIOS Information
Filename
- MSI.R9280X.3072.131009.rom
Version
- 015.040.000.000.003435
Build date
- 2013-10-09
MD5 Hash
- 80ee883ffbbf787343852d0be39fd435
BIOS Internals
GPU Device Id
- 0x1002 0x6798 113-C3865000-X77 113-MSITV277MS.314 TAHITI B0 XTL C38650 GDDR5 3GB (C) 1988-2010, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ATOMBIOSBK-AMD VER015.040.000.000.003435 V277media.sb
PowerTune Limit
- 200 to 275
CCC Overdrive Limits
- GPU Clock: 1500.00 MHz
- Memory Clock: 2000.00 MHz
Clock State 0
- Core Clk: 1050.00 MHz
- Memory Clk: 1500.00 MHz
- Flags: Boot
Clock State 1
- Core Clk: 1050.00 MHz
- Memory Clk: 1500.00 MHz
- Flags: Optimal Perf
Clock State 2
- Core Clk: 1000.00 MHz
- Memory Clk: 1500.00 MHz
- Flags: UVD
Memory Support
- 3072 MB, GDDR5, Autodetect
- 3072 MB, GDDR5, Hynix H5GQ2H24AFR
- 3072 MB, GDDR5, Elpida EDW2032BBBG
I have a
MSI Radeon R9 280X Gaming Edition OC 3072MB which I am pretty sure from your picture is the same as mine. However, when I attempt to flash I get the following error:
OLD SSID: 2775
NEW SSID: 2777
SSID mismatch
I could probably use the -f switch to force it but, I am concerned that I am getting this and you did not….
Same like yours, my original Subsystem ID is 2775 and new ID is 2777. You can try with the -f switch.
atiflash -f -p 0 xxx.rom
Just make sure that you switched the BIOS switch, so that you can always fall back if something weird happens. I will include the -f switch in to the tutorial. Thanks.
Late, very late, but anyway. You flip the switch, so you don’t overwrite the current, known “good” BIOS. In reallity you “should” be able to just flash, and boot to the factory default second BIOS, if anything goes wrong. But if you never tested that one… How do you know it’s a “good” one? It might be just as dead as the flash-broken one. So it’s just good practice not to flash your latest “known good”, not something you have to do.