In-Depth Guide to DMA Card: Requirements, Recommendations, and Best Practices

Introduction

This comprehensive guide is based on extensive experience utilizing DMA cards across various games. if you are using DMA cards for forensic purposes, this article covers everything you need to know—from requirements and setup to troubleshooting and best practices.   

  

1. DMA Card Requirements

DMA cards (Direct Memory Access) are specialized devices primarily used for game cheating or forensic analysis. Support for these devices is minimal, with most community reliance on  and tools like pcileech. To effectively use a DMA card, ensure you meet the following requirements:

Hardware  Requirements

  1. Dual Computer Setup:
    • One PC for gaming or target operations.
    • A second PC for controlling the DMA card. Using a single PC is possible but limits functionality.
  2. Reliable Firmware:
    • Choose a trustworthy vendor to avoid compatibility issues.（The firmware section is not covered in this article. Readers are advised to learn and find suitable providers on their own）
  3. Desktop PC:
    • DMA cards are installed in a PCIe slot. ASUS or Gigabyte motherboards may pose compatibility challenges.

Recommended Additional Devices

  • Kmbox Device:
    • Opt for kmbox NET Version for better reliability compared to the kmbox b+ 
  • DMA Fuser :
    • In the market, the DICHEN fusion device is the most user-friendly with very stable quality. Currently, the DICHEN 4K fusion device has also been launched ahead of others and has received high praise from a large number of users.

System Adjustments

  • Disable virtualization technologies like VT-d, IOMMU, and Secure Boot.
  • Set PCI slot to Gen1 for stability.


2. Which DMA Card Should You Buy?

DMA cards are categorized based on speed and performance. Here's a breakdown:

Model Recommended Product Average Speed Why Choose It?
35T Currently out of the market, it is the oldest generation DMA card 150-200 MB/s Reliable support and value.
75T STARK 75T OR CAP 75T 250-300 MB/s Stable performance and low price
100T Due to its high price, it is currently not mainstream in the market 800-1050 MB/s Exceptional speed for high-demand tasks.

It is recommended to use DMA hardware from the official brand, such as the DICHEN official fusion device. It is not recommended to purchase it on AliExpress, where various pirated products are gathered. Although the price is low, the quality is not guaranteed


3. Setting Up Your DMA Card

Follow these steps for a smooth setup (credits to Root and James for the guide):

Hardware Installation

  1. Power off your main PC (unplug it to avoid damage).
  2. Insert the DMA card into a PCIe slot.
  3. Connect a USB cable from the DMA card's data port to your second PC.

BIOS Configuration

  1. Boot your main PC into BIOS and adjust the following:
    • Disable Virtualization (Intel/AMD).
    • Disable VT-d and NX-Bit (if available).
    • Disable Secure Boot (clear all keys if necessary).
    • Set PCI slot mode to Gen1.
  2. Save settings and restart into Windows.

System Check

  • On the second PC, confirm the appearance of FTDI FT601 USB 3.0 Bridge Device in Device Manager under Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

4. Flashing Firmware and Development Tools

Flashing Firmware

Always seek guidance from your firmware provider to ensure a smooth and safe flashing process. Be cautious with unreliable vendors.（The firmware section is not covered in this article. Readers are advised to learn and find suitable providers on their own）

Development Tools

For creating cheats or external applications, consider Metick's DMA Wrapper, which offers robust features like shellcode injection.

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

DMA cards can pose challenges. Here are solutions to common problems:

  1. Game Bans:
    • Often linked to firmware issues or ban waves. Contact your provider for updates.
  2. Bad TLP Requests:
    • Likely caused by firmware incompatibility. Request a firmware fix.
  3. BSOD (Blue Screen of Death):
    • Firmware conflicts with hardware components, like Ethernet controllers, may trigger this. Switching to compatible firmware often resolves the issue.

Conclusion

DMA cards are powerful yet niche tools that demand careful setup and maintenance. By following this guide, you can navigate the complexities of choosing, setting up, and troubleshooting these devices. Whether you're a developer or a power user, investing in high-performance models and reliable firmware will ensure a seamless experience.

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