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    M15x GPU Thread: General Discussion on Upgrades, GPU Troubleshooting & Repairs

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Jeehan, Jun 28, 2011.

  1. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    its a pain... try tweezers :)
     
    BatBoy, Oct 7, 2011
    #201
  2. Fancysauce

    Fancysauce Notebook Consultant

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    should i only apply it to the places where the stock pads were? are there any other places that i could put them in order to help with the temps?
     
    Fancysauce, Oct 7, 2011
    #202
  3. spoonjaffa

    spoonjaffa Notebook Consultant

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    thermal pads required for a cpu upgrade or just gpu?
     
    spoonjaffa, Oct 8, 2011
    #203
  4. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    No not really required, but it wouldnt hurt to switch the old ones out for new one that are better quality
     
    Mexic00ls, Oct 8, 2011
    #204
  5. Fancysauce

    Fancysauce Notebook Consultant

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    Do you think putting new pads on other components will reduce the temps for my gpu?
     
    Fancysauce, Oct 8, 2011
    #205
  6. Dolbs

    Dolbs Notebook Guru

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    Really want to see how this works out! this will be an awesome upgrade.
    :>
     
    Dolbs, Oct 8, 2011
    #206
  7. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    There seems to be an abundance of M15x knowledge in here. I have a small question. I (unknowingly) sold my slave 5870M to a guy on eBay who tried to make it work in his M15x. He says the card works, but there are color problems. Is there something else he needs to do to make it work? I don't know what tutorial he followed to do the job or anything. Thanks.
     
    TurbodTalon, Oct 8, 2011
    #207
  8. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    Not really the thread for this, but it might need to be flashed back to the A00 vBIOS.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Oct 8, 2011
    #208
  9. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    That's right, he needs the first vBIOS (A00) to make it work in the M15x.
     
    katalin_2003, Oct 8, 2011
    #209
  10. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    if the other components can make or are make contact with heatsink or other surfaces the yes but only slightly
     
    Mexic00ls, Oct 8, 2011
    #210
  11. Fancysauce

    Fancysauce Notebook Consultant

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    Fancysauce, Oct 8, 2011
    #211
  12. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    look like a little too much for me but u might want to ask widezu69 for help i believe it was him who modded his heatsink to lower his temp, or they maybe something wrong wiith your card maybe see if you can get someone else to test the card in there system(that has experience with the 6970)
     
    Mexic00ls, Oct 8, 2011
    #212
  13. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thank you guys. I'll let him know.
     
    TurbodTalon, Oct 8, 2011
    #213
  14. ultimatebeast

    ultimatebeast Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey everybody, I am looking at how to upgrade my gtx 260m to a gtx 580m and would a gtx 580m even fit in my laptop.
     
    ultimatebeast, Oct 8, 2011
    #214
  15. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    580m hasn't been tested in the M15x, can't say for sure whether it works or not. The 470m uses a very similar architecture and doesn't work without some VBIOS modifications, chances are that it's the same for the 580m.

    You could simply get a 6970m, you can find them for less than half the price of a 580m and it's almost as powerful and works fine in the M15x. (Check out the thread in my sig)

    Also this is the third thread you made about exactly the same topic...
     
    svl7, Oct 8, 2011
    #215
  16. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    @ultimatebeast -

    I have merged your thread from the graphics card section of NBR with this one. Please do not create multiple threads, only one is needed.

    For desktop discussion, you'll need to take that to desktopreview.com. Notebook related chat here only please.

    Questions, pm me.

    Thanks.
     
    BatBoy, Oct 8, 2011
    #216
  17. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The Revelator, Oct 8, 2011
    #217
  18. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    Yes the GTX 580M will fit. That means very little as to whether it will work though.

    Your only option is to buy one and try it out. No one else has yet done it, so you're the guinea pig.
     
    Kevin, Oct 8, 2011
    #218
  19. masteraty

    masteraty Notebook Enthusiast

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    masteraty, Oct 9, 2011
    #219
  20. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Every aspect of installing a 6970M, and available options, is discussed here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...u-need-know-upgrading-problems-solutions.html. The Eurocomm card you link to is used by several people in the forum, but requires special ordering to assure compatibility with the M15x heatsink without further mods. It is always best to use a Dell 6970M if available.

    MX-4 thermal paste is highly recommended. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...Non-Conductive_Thermal_Compound_4g.html?tl=g8. Innovation Cooling Diamond 7/24 Carat thermal paste is new and highly regarded, but expensive. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7...hermal_Compound_-_48_Grams.html?tl=g8c127s754.

    Thermal pads: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...ermal_Conductivity_60_WmK.html?tl=g8c487s1288.
     
    The Revelator, Oct 9, 2011
    #220
  21. masteraty

    masteraty Notebook Enthusiast

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    so i just need to tell them to get a card that fits my m15x?
     
    masteraty, Oct 9, 2011
    #221
  22. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Revelator, thanks for directing our friend to the correct thread for the answers and to post new questions on the subject.
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 9, 2011
    #222
  23. Dangeel

    Dangeel Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys!

    Looking for some help.
    Today started having some problems with gtx260m.
    After i start any game and after about 3-5 minutes of gameplay the game hangs..no bsods just hangs and nothing can be done (only reboot helps)
    Temperatures are normal.
    What could be the matter?
    Thanks!
     
    Dangeel, Oct 9, 2011
    #223
  24. Hel20eS

    Hel20eS Notebook Evangelist

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    I reckon it's the GPU driver, but if you haven't touch the drivers for a while then I guess it's the GPU itself.
     
    Hel20eS, Oct 9, 2011
    #224
  25. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    What Hel20eS says, provided that the temps are ok. Check your GPU temperatures, if they're ok you can still try to fix this issue by raising the GPU voltage a little bit.

    Get the modified VBIOS here and follow the instructions.
     
    svl7, Oct 9, 2011
    #225
  26. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Since we are speculating about upgrading the M15x to 580M and troubleshooting a 5870 issue, let's continue the discussions on this thread.

    widezu69 - I am eager to hear if the 580M upgrade is successful on the M15x. If the process turns out to be more complicated than the 6970M upgrade, perhaps a dedicated "how to" thread would be a good thing (assuming it is a successful upgrade). It will also be interesting to see if the 150W PSU for the M15x will handle it.
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 9, 2011
    #226
  27. Dangeel

    Dangeel Notebook Enthusiast

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    Problems started after i have disassembled the case in order to recolor it.
    Temperatures are normal about 45-55
    Tried to reinstall drivers but no effect.
     
    Dangeel, Oct 9, 2011
    #227
  28. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Temps seem fine, if the problems only appeared after reassembling the system you should try to reseat the card. Clean the contacts with rubbing alcohol or similar before putting it in the MXM slot.
     
    svl7, Oct 9, 2011
    #228
  29. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    We seem to have a number of threads that continue cropping up to ask about GPU upgrades for the M15x, how to install thermal pads, questions about re-pasting, etc. Several threads have been merged to keep the forum organized.

    If you are contemplating upgrading your GPU, be sure to stop by and read through svl7's excellent guide on upgrading the M15x to 6970M. You may find some of your questions have already been answered. Here's the link: M15x & 6970m - What you need to know - upgrading, problems, solutions
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 9, 2011
    #229
  30. DraZziW

    DraZziW Notebook Consultant

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    i'm afraid he sold it :-?
     
    DraZziW, Oct 9, 2011
    #230
  31. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    NVM, wrong thread.
     
    The Revelator, Oct 9, 2011
    #231
  32. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    Don't you already have one?
     
    JohnnyFlash, Oct 10, 2011
    #232
  33. Freedom07

    Freedom07 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Whats the best video card for the m15x right now?
     
    Freedom07, Oct 13, 2011
    #233
  34. Ldmoose

    Ldmoose Notebook Consultant

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    Officially - 5850m
    Unofficially - 6990m
     
    Ldmoose, Oct 13, 2011
    #234
  35. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    anything special u gotta do to get a 6990m workin in an m15x?? or do u just put it in and its good to go?
     
    kurupt, Oct 20, 2011
    #235
  36. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Ought to reinstall your video drivers after inserting the card so that they are optimized to your new card. Congratulations and good luck. :)
     
    The Revelator, Oct 20, 2011
    #236
  37. xeroxide

    xeroxide Notebook Deity

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    need a newer bios, the one which supports the 5850m and newer.
    other than that, no nothing special.
     
    xeroxide, Oct 20, 2011
    #237
  38. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    thx bro. where can some1 download this bios?? im thinkin bout gettin a 6990m. if not then ill get a 6970m
     
    kurupt, Oct 20, 2011
    #238
  39. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    so xeroxide whats the report on the 6990 so far? is it working good, any need to undervolt, any outstanding problems?
     
    Mexic00ls, Oct 20, 2011
    #239
  40. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The A09 Bios is the most recent system bios for the M15x. Although some earlier versions also supported the 5850M (and by extension the 6900M series cards), you want A09. Drivers & Downloads.
     
    The Revelator, Oct 20, 2011
    #240
  41. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    sounds good. thank you
     
    kurupt, Oct 20, 2011
    #241
  42. dutchess63

    dutchess63 Notebook Consultant

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    I read the 580m has some serious throttling issues in its bigger aw brothers!

    Still curious how it works with M15x
     
    dutchess63, Oct 22, 2011
    #242
  43. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    has any1 used an ES 6990m in their m15x??

    im thinkin about buying 1 but idk if its safe or not and if it would be better to just buy an OEM one.
     
    kurupt, Oct 28, 2011
    #243
  44. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    I have one laying around, will put it in my system when I find time.
     
    svl7, Oct 28, 2011
    #244
  45. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    Thx svl7. im not planning on buying it til at least next week so take your time
     
    kurupt, Oct 28, 2011
    #245
  46. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Ok, I just put it in my system, only did some very quick testing so far, but it seems to work like a charm, native fan control (no need for HWiNFO to control them) and no clocking issues so far, sweet :)
     
    svl7, Oct 28, 2011
    #246
  47. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    +rep

    thanks so much. i will let u guys know how it goes when i get it. any driver u recommend i should get for it??
     
    kurupt, Oct 28, 2011
    #247
  48. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    I'm using a modded 11.10 at the moment, will see how well it works.
     
    svl7, Oct 29, 2011
    #248
  49. kurupt

    kurupt Notebook Consultant

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    is that modded 11.10 working well?? if so any place i can download it? my 6990m should be shipping in a few days
     
    kurupt, Oct 30, 2011
    #249
  50. ultimatebeast

    ultimatebeast Notebook Enthusiast

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    so to confirm the 580m does work in the M15x. This is so awesome. I would really like to try it. What would some benchmarks be for the card.
     
    ultimatebeast, Nov 15, 2011
    #250
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