M15x + ATI 5870 (MOD)

I've tried installing all the drivers linked to from this thread, all of them just jump to the end of the installation and give an error.

 

You can try IC DIAMOND 7, it will lower the max temperature of 5870. If you just need to use internet or office(word, excel etc.), you can use AMD GPU Clock Tool to underclock 5870. I underclock mine to 350/250, temperature will be around 49 to 52, and M15x will be very quiet. Still, I can get 60fps in NBA 2K10 with settings all max, 1080p, no aa. It's a very strong card indeed.

Do you have gta4? I used to get more than 30fps for 260m, but now, it's only 15fps...and I have no idea why.

I tried some other games, like JS2 and DAO, and the improvement is very obvious(compare to 260m).

 

Oops, just got the driver working, had to manually point the Device Manager to the ATI directory like ethan said. Now to play

 

You need to install the driver manually through device manager. As for ccc, I downloaded 5770 driver and installed the ccc from it. Not very useful, but at least I can rotate the screen now.

 

What are you using to monitor temps?

 

Gpuz doesn't work...so I am using a gadget tool to monitor temps

 

Mind linking it to me?

 

What about HWMonitor or HWinfo32?

 

HWinfo32 doesn't work, it only gives min and max values but no current value

 

Someone gave it to me. I don't have the link, I tried to upload it as attachment, but it says invalid file, sorry...try hwmonitor

 

HWmonitor seems to work. I'm at 69 idle right now (seems very high)

 

The nicest thing about the 5870 is that it will finally turn the M15x into the kickass laptop it should have been from the outset, with performance to match the look.

 

Can i use rivatuner to monitor the temperature?

 

IMO, I think you should re-apply some good thermal paste, you may be able to get it down 8-10 hopefully.

 

You should try a less liquid/bleeding paste like ICD7. There might be a poor contact between the core and the heatsink so it would be better to use a thicker compound or even a copper plate.

 

That's what I use...

 

Will MX-3 work? I just ordered some of that off amazon and I can't cancel it now ..

 

ICD7 is abrasive and difficult to remove from what I hear. I never used it myself. If you actually need something "thicker" then there is an issue with the heatsink that needs to be resolved. The application of paste should be as minimal as possible.

 

Used MX-3 in my R1 and had to apply a very thick layer to cover the gap. Still it worked very well and reduced the max MCP/9400 temp from 80C to 58C. So, I think it was successful other than some minor cleanup of the chip that needed to be done before sending the system back to Dell.

But I agree, Mandrake. That's why IMO, we need a high quality copper plate + thermal pads for the best possible effect.

 

First bench, stock clocks:



Will do OCed benches in a few days once I get better thermal paste and it settles in. Max temp was 89, which kind of scares me, so I'm done for now. It currently idles around 66 (<1 hour after installation)

 

Nice run there, s0y.
Also, avoid intensive benching/gaming till you reapply the paste and reduce some 10C from the max temps. You need more reserves for long gaming sessions. Don't kill your GPU just yet

 

For sure, thanks for the advice.

 

I agree. Once you do then you might try the GPU TOOL

 

Does anyone know if the M15X GPU heatsinks and pipes are identical to those in M17X?

 

they are actually VERY different as the chassis are radically different on the inside

that being said, the 4870 heatsink should fit a 5870 with no issue if that was your concern - MXM is MXM, that is the point of the standard

 

Thanks, Scook. My concern is the temps mostly. So in other words does the M17X cooling (HS, pipes and Fans) provide better results than that of a M15X?

 

The MXM standard has nothing to do with one GPU's heatsink fitting another, and offers no guarantees.

 

Yah I idle @ 59c and have a Zalman NC-2000 on full blast; running Furmark it went up to 94c which seemed a bit scary!

 

That doesn't sound good.

I am going to take my time and do a very thorough paste job with MX-3 and I also have a whole sheet of new thermal pads.

If my temps get into the 90's I will not be a happy camper....

 

What application method are you guys using? Drop in the center or spreading? I prefer the former, a nice round drop at the center and let the heatsink do the spreading for me.

 

That is the method I use as well, FWIW.

 

Yeah, it is the safest method for applying paste imo. I know many still like to spread using a card etc but if the temps are this high and you are spreading via card, perhaps the drop at center method is worth a try.

 

Wrong....the MXM standard says where things like voltage circuitry and gpu die and vram and screw mounts have to be....essentially making it so all heatsinks will fit all cards when both meet the standard.

take a look

 

Hey i just install my card and i try to update the driver via the device manager but whenever i go in there it keep said there no inf file found? Can someone help me plz...? I went under device manager and click display adapters then it said standard vga adapter and i try to update from there. Is that correct?

 

You might try uninstalling anything and everything having to do with Ati and ccc and restart the system and install THIS DRIVER

 

Yea but how do i install it? When i go under device manager I saw the display tab and i click it and then i see standard vga. I right click it and update driver but whenever I went to my ati file there nothing in it.

 

Did you try to right click the exe file in that driver and run as the administrator and let it go though the setup that way?

 

I never have a computer with ATI Card so i don't know how to update the driver. When i extract the file you link me to download there two icon pop out. Which one do i pick? After i install the card how do i know if the card is detect it or not?

 

After you download and extract the driver look for the setup icon. Right click that one and run as the administrator. If you do not see a setup icon then it was not downloaded or extracted correctly.

 

There two icon one said catalyst 10.3 profiles app and the one said ATI Window 7 catalyst 10.3 preview. Which one do i choose?

 

ATI Window 7 catalyst 10.3 preview. That one.

 

You have to extract it to whatever directory and go to your device manager, choose install driver and direct it to that directory. The .exe won't install automatically.

 

How i do that? Sorry I'm really new at this. When i click have disk and try to locate the ati file that i extract. There nothing in there. No inf file or ati catalyst 10.3 preview. Do I need mobility Modder?

 

Does anyone have CCC working?

 

k I finally got the driver to update. Thank ethan!

 

Great news! How's the temps?

 

I'm idling at 68, is that hot? Is it going to be better after a couple day when the thermal paste set in?

 

I would like to see it 8 less at least. You might need to reapply another type of thermal paste. I would find out from others with the same setup what they are using for the best results. Until then I would not try pushing the system with benches and such. I use IC Diamond 7 with very good results with my setup.

Also, HWINFO32 is good to try.

 

I'm using MX-3 like ethan. I just put a little in the center of the gpu and put the heatsink back on. Wonder that the correct way to apply thermal paste?

 

i think you have to spread a thin even layer on the gpu. probably best to do it correctly. there should be dozens of videos on youtube showing how to do this correctly.