Tech reviewer JayzTwoCents successfully flashed an ASUS ROG Strix Astral XOC BIOS onto a Gigabyte RTX 5090 AORUS Master, unlocking unprecedented power limits:
- 1600W theoretical power ceiling (vs. stock 600W)
- 900W practical testing showed 10.3% performance gain
- 4% extra overclocking headroom versus stock BIOS
- One fan disabled permanently due to controller mismatch
This risky procedure demonstrates the untapped potential—and dangers—of GPU BIOS modding.
Critical Technical Breakdown
| Aspect | Outcome | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Power Delivery | 900W sustained (50% above spec) | 16-pin connector rated for 600W max |
| Cooling | Fan #3 inoperable (ASUS BIOS supports only 2 controllers) | Thermal throttling/overheating |
| Performance | +10.3% avg. fps at 900W | Diminishing returns beyond 4% with OC |
| Safety Net | Dual BIOS switch saved card after failed attempts | Bricked GPU without backup |
Why the fan failed: Gigabyte’s 3-fan design uses three controllers, but ASUS BIOS only supports two.
Real-World Performance Gains
Testing without additional overclocking:
- Stock BIOS (600W): Baseline performance
- ASUS XOC BIOS (900W): +10.3% average fps
- ASUS XOC + OC: Extra +4% versus stock OC
Note: Gains require manual voltage/shunt mods – not just BIOS flash.
Critical Warnings for Modders
- Connector Limits: 16-pin power rated for 600W – exceeding risks melting/fire
- Warranty Void: Any BIOS flash invalidates manufacturer support
- GPU-Specific Issues: Fan/RGB controls often break with cross-brand BIOS
- Stability Risks: Random crashes even with “successful” flashes
“This isn’t worth it for 99.9% of users. You risk a $2,000 GPU for single-digit gains.”
— JayzTwoCents’ conclusion
Also, Read
- GPD’s Strix Halo Handheld – 16-Core AMD Beast Spotted on Geekbench
- RTX 40 series GPUs – NVIDIA’s New “Smooth Motion” Doubles FPS for RTX 40 GPUs in Any Game
- Win a Limited Cyberpunk 2077 RTX 5090 – NVIDIA’s Ultimate GPU
Who Should Attempt This?
- Casual gamers: 4-10% gains ≠ worth $2K+ risk
- Air-cooled systems: Inadequate for >600W loads
- LN2 overclockers: Competing for 3DMark records
- Dual-BIOS owners: Safety net for failed flashes
Final Verdict: For 99% of users, stick to manufacturer-approved tuning tools like MSI Afterburner. The marginal gains don’t justify bricking a flagship GPU.
Tools Used: NVFlash (BIOS mod), GPU-Z (verification), HWInfo64 (monitoring), FireStrike (benchmark)
Source: JayzTwoCents