Kings of the Overclockers - a ViperJohn Interview
Understanding ViperJohn's ModdingYouGamers: The work you do focuses mainly on video cards. What are some examples of finished products you've created? VJ: Note: John provided this link (click here) – you know what they say about a picture's worth in words!
YouGamers: Surely, the process of modding a new card involves many steps. Can you give us an idea of how the modding process when you get a new graphics card model for the first time? VJ: For the most part it is taking card measurements then designing parts to fit the heat producing components. After that it's lots of test time to make sure the cooling job is, in fact, getting done.
YouGamers: What sort of testing do your finished products undergo before being sent to the customer?  Firefly Forest - 3DMark05 VJ: Post-mod testing typically runs about 8-10 hours including custom BIOS development tests. ATITool Scan for artifacts, 3DMark2001, 3DMark03, 3DMark05, 3DMark06 and Aquamark are all used in final testing. Several individual tests from the above test suites are set up to repeat over and over from memory (up to 50 passes) to build heat, stress certain functions/components and generally hammer the hell out of the cards.
These selected tests will vary from card model to card mode,l as I find tests that are particularly difficult for a card to get through repeatedly when you lean hard on the clocks - like 3DMark05 FireFly Forest for the the [NVIDIA GeForce]
YouGamers: You have an intricate knowledge of video cards, from the GPUs to the layout of the finished product on the PCB. What resources do you use to become so familiar with hardware? VJ: Again, I can't really get into this area to much. Years of experience, accumulated knowledge and knowing/understanding how "stuff" works is a huge factor.
YouGamers: Is hardware video card modding strictly an expert activity, or are there mods that are accessible to the layman as well? VJ: That totally depends on the knowledge, skill level and tools the person doing the mods has.
YouGamers: Over the years, you've completed a large number of mods. Are there any that you're especially proud of? VJ: All of them, but the ViperFang-IV modded GeForce 8800 GTX / Ultras always make me smile.
YouGamers: How do you come up with the great names for your finished products? VJ: I have always liked the sound of "Viper" (although I literally hate snakes!!!).
YouGamers: Hardware enthusiasts tend to be an eclectic and sometimes demanding bunch. What's the most extreme request for a mod that you've ever received? VJ: Well, since I only mod my way, nothing is really extreme to me. I deal in 24/7 performance mods.
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