Flash graphics card BIOS? Modified version of the AMDVB flash tool for RDNA 3 and RDNA 4 finally available!

The experienced user “Benik3” from the Overclock.net forum has published a modified version of the well-known AMDVBFlash tool. The modified version is AMDVBFlash 5.0.879.0 from AMD, which Acer recently released as part of a BIOS update for its RDNA 4 cards. The software is the in-house tool from AMD and its on-board partners to equip the manufacturer’s graphics cards with the appropriate VBIOS.

End of a long dry spell

While it was common practice in the past for the corresponding tools from Nvidia and AMD to be freely accessible, both manufacturers have been trying for some time to prevent their software for installing the VBIOS from being published in the best possible way. The original version of the AMDVBFlash was also rolled out by Acer as a “W32-Cabinet Self-Extractor”, which automatically carries out the flash process on the appropriate cards without the user having direct access to the flasher itself. The process is very similar to the unofficial release of Nvidia’s NVFlash 5.867 for Blackwell, which also reached the community via a BIOS update from Asus. The long-awaited software makes it possible to install a BIOS from another RDNA 4 generation card on your own model. The modified version has already been tested by the user “RedF” from the “Red BIOS Rebellion Team”, who are responsible for the MorePowerTool (MPT) and the MoreClockTool (MCT) for AMD graphics cards, among other things. The tool modified by “Benik3” bypasses the so-called SSID query of the software, which checks whether it matches the device ID of the graphics card to be flashed before the BIOS is installed. Usually, the comparison prevents the BIOS of a third-party card from being installed. The AMDVBFlash_879_Moded_V1 provided by “Benik3” bypasses the query and thus enables an alternative BIOS to be installed. Previously, this was only possible via a hardware programmer, such as a CH-341A.

Power limit à la carte

The change to the VBIOS makes it possible to install the BIOS of cards with increased clock rates and power limit. In addition, a so-called crossflash is also possible, i.e. a cross-model BIOS can be installed. With RDNA 4, for example, you can turn an RX 9070 into an RX 9070 XT and thus save money. Unfortunately, without unlocking the missing shaders. However, tests show that the performance of a flash is almost on a par with the larger model. The fact that this crossflash now also works via software has already been confirmed by me (“Gurdi”), who carried out a successful flash process on an RX 9070.

However, there were also unexpected difficulties. Problems with the BIOS index can occur if not used correctly, and problems with partition B ultimately becoming unresponsive have also been documented.

Download and warning

The software can be downloaded from this link and is available in a variant for RDNA3 & RDNA4. The user “Benik3” also provides a quick guide with some tips on the most important points. The software is basically an untested, executable file – from an unknown source. In addition, the use of the tool is associated with considerable risks and should only be used by experienced users. It is advisable to have a backup solution to hand, such as a second BIOS on the card to be flashed, or an EEPROM such as the CH-341A.

The customized AMDVBFlash is available for download in two versions and works for both RDNA 3 (RX 7000) and RDNA 4(RX 9000)

Disclaimer

This software is a project developed by an independent community and has not been authorized, tested or released by AMD. It is expressly not an official product of AMD or its partners.

Use of this software is entirely at your own risk. Any liability or responsibility on our part for direct or indirect damage, loss of data, system instability or consequential damage that may result from the use of this software is expressly excluded. There is no guarantee for functionality, compatibility or security.

Please note that some anti-virus programs may incorrectly classify this software as malware. This is usually due to the way the tool interacts with system functions or due to the compression and encryption methods used, which are mistakenly classified as suspicious by heuristic detection algorithms. These are so-called false positives and not actual virus findings.

By downloading, installing or using this software, you confirm that you have read and understood these instructions and that you are using it on your own responsibility for purely experimental purposes.

Flashing instructions

You will find brief instructions from R.B.R.T, who have already tested the tool, below:

1. Copy the BIOS to be flashed together with the AMDVBFlash into a folder. The name of the tool or the executable file can be edited to make it easier to write in the command line. Alternatively, the commands described here can also be simply copied and pasted into the command line.

2. Run AMDVBFlash as administrator. Starting via the Windows command line – as is usual with earlier versions – is not necessary with this version. It starts directly in an executable window in the corresponding interface.

3. It is essential to create a backup of the existing BIOS with AMDVBFlash. To do this, use the following command: “amdvbflash_879_Moded_v1 -s”. It is recommended to repeat this process at least twice. Better three times.

4. Flash with the following command: “amdvbflash_879_Moded_v1 -p 0 “filename”.rom -fv -fp -fa” , the flash must be repeated at least twice in succession. It is recommended that the flash is first carried out without the additional commands ” -fv -fp -fa” if possible.

5. Switch off the PC completely after the BIOS flash! A restart is not sufficient. Ideally, the device should be disconnected from the power supply for at least one minute.

6. Repeat the flash process as described above, again twice in succession! Switch the device off again completely.

7. Since RDNA 3, the BIOS is executed twice in the card. The BIOS is mirrored in the ROM chip. One partition is always active and the second is inactive. Unlike a hardware programmer, the flash tool only ever overwrites the active partition, which changes after a reboot. It is therefore essential to carry out the process at least twice, as described above. The command “amdvbflash_879_Moded_v1 -ai –active” and “amdvbflash_879_Moded_v1 -ai –inactive” can be used to check whether both partitions in the ROM are identical.

Still to be used with caution

The new modification of the tool is a considerable relief for tinkering tuners and makes the use of a hardware programmer unnecessary. However, the tool still has some uncertainties and should be used with the utmost caution and care. Nevertheless, the publisher should be thanked by the community, as this modified version provides a functional tool for flashing via software for the first time in years.