The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    GPU upgrade - NVIDIA 460m vs AMD 5850

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Chinopr, May 12, 2011.

  1. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    OK, so how do I do this?
     
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #101
  2. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    svl7, Jul 5, 2011
    #102
  3. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Update:

    I just reflashed the GPU and the problem persists. Once in the Windows log-in screen the display gets all distorted and the blacks out. Now, once the GPU blacks out it wont display anything at all no matter how many times I restart the laptop. One thing I find curious though, the 5870m gives me a display if the GTX 260m was previously installed. I tested if it was the power drain I'm doing for each installation but its not since I get the same black screen result.
     
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #103
  4. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

    Reputations:
    2,420
    Messages:
    2,676
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I forgot to ask,

    What drivers are you using and have you uninstalled the nVidia Geforce drivers?
     
    ichime, Jul 5, 2011
    #104
  5. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No, I was planning on uninstalling the drivers with the ATI card installed. I doubt the NVIDIA drivers are doing this but I could be wrong.
     
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #105
  6. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Update:

    Tried turning on the laptop so that I could reflash the GPU with Rev's VBIOS but the laptop is refusing to display anything so for now I'll resend the card back to ichime and hopefully he finds out what the problem is.
     
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #106
  7. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    No good... does it still POST or not? I doubt you can flash a 5850m vbios on the 5870m (I assume you're talking about the 5850 vbios A02 which The Rev posted earlier on this thread)... maybe you bricked the card.
     
    svl7, Jul 5, 2011
    #107
  8. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Cant tell since I cant see anything and lets hope that bricking the card is not the case.

    BTW, this has got to be a bad day for me, I just pulled the fan connector to uninstall the 5870m and successfully broke the green and black wire :mad:. Do you guys know where I can buy this fan?
     
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #108
  9. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I have a spare one, otherwise from Dell or ebay, which is probably cheaper considering the shipping cost you'd have to pay if I sold you mine.

    But it sounds like this could get fixed... can you post a picture?
     
    svl7, Jul 5, 2011
    #109
  10. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Chinopr, Jul 5, 2011
    #110
  11. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Does anyone know where I can buy the GPU cooling fan online? I'll call Dell tomorrow and see how much they will charge me but what worries me is that if by damaging the GPU cooling fan will void my warranty.
     
    Chinopr, Jul 6, 2011
    #111
  12. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    This can be fixed with a soldering iron and some shrinking hose (or duct tape). Otherwise you can get one from ebay, e.g. here.
     
    svl7, Jul 6, 2011
    #112
  13. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I got an update for you guys. I ended up having the GPU fan soldered back together (got tired of waiting for the spare part).

    The 5870m is installed and running flawlessly and I'm impressed with the temps. I ran MSI Kobustor with DX11 @1600x900 w/ AAx8 for aprox. 30mins and the load temps were 84C

    http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/chinopr86/5870mTempsLoad.jpg

    http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/chinopr86/MultimeterTempsLoad.jpg

    Idle temps after 10min cooldown was 53C

    http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/chinopr86/5870mTempsIdle10mins.jpg

    http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/chinopr86/MultimeterTempsIdle10mins.jpg

    Now, here is something that caught my attention. The GPU fan is stuck at a certain RPM (not at max speed). The laptop starts and shuts down with the same RPM (doesnt bother me since its not loud). Is this intended or do I need to manually set the RPM? Seeing how well the temps look and knowing that the GPU fan can run faster I was thinking of OCing the GPU but as long as the fan cannot be controlled I dont think I'll even risk it. Thoughts?
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #113
  14. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    The fan doesn't speed up when the GPU gets stressed? What's the fan speed reported in HWiNFO?
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #114
  15. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Alienware M15x EC
    GPU1: ~4500 RPM

    ATI GPU[#0] ATI MOBILITY RADEON HD 5870 (BROADWAY XT/GL)
    GPU Fan: 399 RPM
    GPU Fan Speed: 30%

    Edit: Idle temp 49C
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #115
  16. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    4500 rpm means it's at full speed. With HWiNFO you can get the fan to run even slightly faster, but 4500rpm it's all you get from the system.

    It's always a this speed and doesn't slow down at all?
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #116
  17. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No it does not. Starts and shuts down with the same speed.
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #117
  18. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Your 5870m behaves like a non-Dell 6970m... :)

    Very weird, never heard of this with a 5870m. As long as the fan cables are properly fixed I really have no idea at the moment about what could be causing this, maybe the EC messes up something.
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #118
  19. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The member warzeta is having the same issue and he has the same GPU (same seller also). The fan cables are fixed propperly so I'd take that out of the equation. Also, the GPU is working as intended, if you exclude the fan issue. I know absolutely nothing of the VBIOS, but is there a posibility the problem might be there?

    Edit: Link to warzeta's thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/594218-m15x-weird-fan-issue.html
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #119
  20. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Hmm... as the fans should work properly with the 5870m there's definitely something wrong... Since other people run their M15x without fan issues and 5870m I don't think it's the vbios. You're using a Dell card with A00 VBIOS if I remember correctly, right?

    It could be that the EC messes up something, you could try an older version, but you might have to roll back the BIOS as well, just to make sure there are no compatibility issues between the BIOS and EC.

    But first of all (if you haven't tried this yet) take out the battery, make a power draw and then remove the BIOS coin cell battery and wait for a couple of minutes. This will reset the BIOS and the system will have to read in all the hardware addresses again.
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #120
  21. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Trying it now...
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #121
  22. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No changes :(
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #122
  23. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I'm more or less out of ideas... you could try flashing BIOS A05 since this should definitely work with the fans and 5870m. Make sure the EC gets flashed as well.

    Otherwise you'll probably have to use HWiNFO for automatic fan control.

    Maybe Dell has different hardware revisions of the 5870m and the later of them won't work... no idea.
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #123
  24. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I dont mind downgrading to A05 but what will I be missing from the A09 Revision?
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #124
  25. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    A lot of bugfixes... it's not something I'd recommend, but you'll be able to see whether it' because of the EC or not. You can still go back to A09 afterwards.
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #125
  26. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'd rather not risk it with the posibility of bricking the laptop. I guess I'll be using the HWiNFO64 from now on... :(. Any other program that can start with windows automatically to control the GPU fans?
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #126
  27. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    No, HWiNFO is the only one as far as I know, and it has an auto start function, but you'll need to have UAC disabled to make it work afaik. Otherwise you should be able to make it start automatically by using the task scheduler I think.
     
    svl7, Jul 17, 2011
    #127
  28. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

    Reputations:
    2,420
    Messages:
    2,676
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    hmmm, this is weird. I know that the m15x supports both the Dell and Clevo 5870Ms, but from my understandings from reading the boards, the Dell 5870Ms should work as if it were the 5850M. I understand that people were doing this with the A05 BIOS and up.

    I think 1 of 2 things happened since then; the later revision mobo BIOSes killed communication between the EC and the card or the VBIOS I used isn't really compatible with the M15x EC, even though everything else works fine.

    Maybe someone who had the DELL 5870M in their M15x can offer some input into this.
     
    ichime, Jul 17, 2011
    #128
  29. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If you manage to find anything please let us know :D
     
    Chinopr, Jul 17, 2011
    #129
  30. mbickerdike

    mbickerdike Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am about to upgrade to the 5870, I think it is a better option, or the 6970.
     
    mbickerdike, Jul 19, 2011
    #130
  31. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Unless its a Dell 5870m I dont think you'll have any problems (thats if you dont mind having the fans controlled with the HWiNFO program). I've heard the 6970m is very good if you have the cash for it (~$400 I believe).
     
    Chinopr, Jul 19, 2011
    #131
  32. mike26668

    mike26668 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Chinopr before permalink 110 You sayd that it was not working blackscreen and corrupted image and than youre fanwire snapt....after permalink 111 card worked again........what did you do?? because i have the same problem but i dont get my 6970m to work same problem blackscreen and i hear fans and windows start. when i hookup a second monitor it gives just corrupted screen (see 6970m threat page 185 for pictures). did you use a other vbios or what?

    Greets in advance Mike
     
    mike26668, Jan 25, 2012
    #132
  33. Chinopr

    Chinopr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    77
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hello mike26668! I never managed to get the first 5870 to work and I ended up sending it back to the seller which he kindly replaced. I did have problems with the display along the way and had to call Dell for a LCD replacement. The second GPU is still working like a charm but never managed to get anything done with the fan problem. Sorry about your 6970 but I'm afraid I cant help you there. :(
     
    Chinopr, Jan 25, 2012
    #133
  34. mike26668

    mike26668 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    41
    ow oke sorry to hear for youre card as well than i was just wondering about it, well it seems that mine is dead as well than. weird you have the fan problem i hope that mine is working with it (should arrive this weekend).
    Thanks for the reply.

    Greets Mike
     
    mike26668, Jan 26, 2012
    #134
← Previous page