460m to 7970m

Okay I hate making another thread on upgrading to the 7970m but I've tried searching from many different sources and can't really find a firm answer. Basically I'm going to be upgrading from my 460m to a 7970m and I'm wondering what I need to do for this switch to be as seamless as possible and what I will need to look out for? Will my current heatsink for my 460m work on the 7970m? Thanks for helping me out here, I really do appreciate it.

 

You will need to get your self the backplate for an AMD card. One that is compatible with 6970M or 7970M will do. Your current one will cover important transistors and possibly damage the 7970M upon boot.

Otherwise also make sure the 7970M is a Dell card. If it is a dell card there are zero issues, Native fan control, Direct port works etc. Very easy install really. Simply install it properly using decent heatpads on the vram and thermal compound for the die and then have the latest AMD drivers downloaded ready to go on your desktop.

It can be a ES/QS or OEM card all will work. Just be sure if you have a choice to get a Dell card not clevo etc

 

Ahhh okay, thank you very much for the reply. The card I'm getting looks to be a Dell card and will be coming with the correct backplate so hopefully there won't as many headaches if it were a clevo card. I did read somewhere about possibly needing longer screws to use on my heatsink? That shouldn't be a big issue since that's a cheap fix.

 

No headaches. The 7970M is plug and play. You simply have to install and then install drivers.

Nvidia cards additionally need to have the inf file tweaked in the driver to perform correctly. Perhaps even some vbios flashing. You went made the best choice if you want a headache free experience. The 7970M at stock is roughly 4x the power of your old 460M. Enjoy it.

 

This guide could help, IK it's a different card but the process is pretty much the same.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...u-need-know-upgrading-problems-solutions.html

 

Thanks for everyone's help and replies here, this is all great info I can use when trying to install it here. I should be getting the card in soon and I hope I have a painless install here. Thanks Porras for the link, I wasn't sure if that guide would apply to the 7970 but glad it does.

 

Will the radeon 5800 series have the correct backplates or do I need to get different ones. Going from a 5850m to a 7970m and want to make sure I have everything for the swap. Seems plug and play and bracket is the only issues, its a dell card. If i need different backplates does anyone know where I can get them? Thanks!

 

No should be fine. If you had the 460M it would be a different story.

Simply swap the backplate on to the 7970M and you are good to go.

 

svl7 said only 6000M (6970M, 6990M) series backplate fits the 7970M. I don't know personally.

 

Is there a way to tell when I do the swap? I want to make sure and not fry this card, or if anyone could point me to a thread that has the information.