Introduction

As most of you know, a voltage boost is always useful in improving a processor's overclockability. Increasing the processor's voltage allows it to run faster than it normally can, albeit at the expense of a higher thermal output. The best part is increasing the processor's voltage is usually a simple matter of going into the BIOS and adjusting its voltage setting. You can also do the same to your system memory!

However, it is not so simple when it comes to boosting the voltage of your graphics card's GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and memory chips. There is no BIOS setup menu for you to adjust its voltage. So, if we want to boost the voltages of the GPU and/or memory chips, we have no choice but to physically mod the graphics card. Such modifications to boost voltage are naturally called volt mods or voltage mods.

If you have already read our Complete ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Voltage Modding Guide, you should already know the basics of voltage modding for graphics cards as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods. The concept is similar for the Radeon 9600 Pro/XT card but the actual methods differ.

Today, I will go through four voltage modding methods for the cards based on the reference ATI Radeon 9600 Pro/XT card. There will be two different voltage modding methods for the GPU and two for the memory chips. These methods have been used by many modders so they shouldn't pose any problems to you. Just make sure you read through the entire guide and follow our steps carefully.

What Is This Guide About?

As the title suggests, we are going to go through the Radeon 9600 Pro/XT voltage modding methods. Again, this guide is intended for the new modders. So, I will explain the methods step-by-step to make it easier to understand. Therefore, you should have no problem volt modding your Radeon 9600 Pro/XT card.

Please note that this guide is only meant for Radeon 9600 Pro/XT cards that use ATI's reference PCB board layout. If your Radeon 9600 Pro/XT is not using a PCB based on the ATI reference design, the voltage regulators on your card may be different. This guide will not work for your card.

For Radeon 9600 Pro/XT cards not based the reference design, I have to come up with individualized mod guides. For example, I'm now working on a special mod guide for the GeCube Radeon 9600XT's unique PCB. That guide will work for the GeCube Radeon 9600XT as well as other cards based on its non-reference PCB.

But if your card uses a PCB design that is different from both the reference design as well as the GeCube Radeon 9600XT, please send me some detailed pictures of your card so that I can research and write up a guide for your card.

Please remember though that any modification of your card automatically voids its warranty. There is also the risk of damaging your card. We will not be held responsible for any damage to your card if you follow the mods in this guide.

Okay with that? Then let's get on to the modding sections!