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.
 Next page →

    7970M heatsink modification.

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by Meaker@Sager, Apr 26, 2012.

  1. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    [​IMG]

    Image of the heatsink has been horizontally flipped so you can make a 1:1 comparison with the card.

    Red = remove
    Green = slightly grind down

    Think I got that right? Also what kind of rotary tool do you think is best?
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 26, 2012
    #1
  2. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    I usually use a small dremel - that works pretty well !

    When does ur GPU suppose to turn up ? And of course +rep for the heatsink mods info, will do that when I get the gpu next week !
     
    pau1ow, Apr 26, 2012
    #2
  3. Tim4

    Tim4 Alchemist

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Waiting for your impressions guys. +rep for you!
     
    Tim4, Apr 26, 2012
    #3
  4. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Will keep you updated Tim4 ! Shouldn't be a hassle at all to install these monsters in our MSIs.
     
    pau1ow, Apr 26, 2012
    #4
  5. Tim4

    Tim4 Alchemist

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Will appreciate it very much! Impatient for your results guys!
     
    Tim4, Apr 26, 2012
    #5
  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    2 weeks :) Gives me time to get everything ready.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 26, 2012
    #6
  7. swiftden

    swiftden Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Wow!! Subscribed!! Thanks for.making this Meaker. :)

    Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
     
    swiftden, Apr 26, 2012
    #7
  8. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Cool, I'll make sure to take pics of the final mods too.

    At the top right I may try and just grind that down to meet the inductor.

    Once I get the 7970M working, I should be able to take power measurements too.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 27, 2012
    #8
  9. ryboto

    ryboto Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    21
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is the shape of the GPU going to cause problems? the contact for the heatsink looks like it wont cover the entire chip...
     
    ryboto, Apr 27, 2012
    #9
  10. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    It will, Meaker hasn't taken off the black rectangular shape tape on his heatsink.
     
    pau1ow, Apr 27, 2012
    #10
  11. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yeah, thats the photo from the ebay listing lol.

    Under the black tape are core guides, which because of the rotation of the core it wont meet which should help prevent air bubbles.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 27, 2012
    #11
  12. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

    Reputations:
    1,491
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The 7970M is BEAST. Good luck on the modding, I made a proper mess when I tried modding the MSI heatsink Dx
     
    GeoCake, Apr 27, 2012
    #12
  13. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    What tool did you use? How hard was the metal to work?
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 27, 2012
    #13
  14. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

    Reputations:
    1,491
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I used a Dremel tool, first time too, and I found it quite hard. It's not something you'd rush, gotta really take your time.. lol
     
    GeoCake, Apr 27, 2012
    #14
  15. ryboto

    ryboto Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    21
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    So if you remove the black tape, the surface underneath isn't completely smooth?

    I PM'd you, since I really like the MSI GT platform, but want the 7970m so I'd love to see this work.
     
    ryboto, Apr 27, 2012
    #15
  16. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    No, there are indents that follow the lines of the 5870 core, but only at the corners, so they are away from a rotated core which goes between them. It is all one piece of copper though.

    I'm off to B&Q....
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 27, 2012
    #16
  17. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

    Reputations:
    1,491
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    You can do it when you B&Q it. :D
     
    GeoCake, Apr 27, 2012
    #17
  18. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Yep you have to be very careful using the dremel. I use it with a very small thin disc which breaks really easily so have to be very patient.

    It's not really hard as long as you're careful :)
     
    pau1ow, Apr 27, 2012
    #18
  19. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    My mighty hold over card ^-^

    [​IMG]

    Dug it out from my old acer days.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 28, 2012
    #19
  20. Xonar

    Xonar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,457
    Messages:
    1,518
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Is this with a 560M GTX mobo? Keep us updated.
     
    Xonar, Apr 29, 2012
    #20
  21. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yes, though I have applied the same motherboard mod MSI put in the 580M model.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 29, 2012
    #21
  22. Xonar

    Xonar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,457
    Messages:
    1,518
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Ah, okay. That's what I was looking for specifically. Good luck.
     
    Xonar, Apr 29, 2012
    #22
  23. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Hmm may have to see what I can do about upping a GT70 to 7970.

    I could do better with a better source image but here is what I get overlaying these for compatibility.

    [​IMG]

    As for how to mod, I would do the heavy work with a dremmel, and If I had one a vice to hold it in place while I work.

    I would then do the fine detail with sandpaper by hand.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Apr 30, 2012
    #23
  24. ryzeki

    ryzeki Super Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    6,552
    Messages:
    6,410
    Likes Received:
    4,088
    Trophy Points:
    431
    This topic is so relevant to my interests that I shall ninja-like tag along, learn, and apply the knowledge to mod my heatsink.... which luckily I think I have the 3 pipe version.
     
    ryzeki, Apr 30, 2012
    #24
  25. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

    Reputations:
    1,748
    Messages:
    4,094
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Dremel 300 is the best tool I think. Its silly to get a cordless model. Also I use a cone type grinding bit for stuff like this.

    Just be sure to do it FAR AWAY from your laptop and graphics card and clean the heatsink before you install it again. Metal dust and shavings are NOT good for laptops. ;)
     
    niffcreature, Apr 30, 2012
    #25
  26. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yeah i got the 300 and accesories. Am i best jst grinding rather than cutting do you think?
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 30, 2012
    #26
  27. ryzeki

    ryzeki Super Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    6,552
    Messages:
    6,410
    Likes Received:
    4,088
    Trophy Points:
    431
    I'd say grinding is the way.
     
    ryzeki, Apr 30, 2012
    #27
  28. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Also +rep for the image ViciousXUSMC, I will use that to help me remove the most obvious bits before getting the card for fine tuning.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 30, 2012
    #28
  29. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Installation planned on Wednesday night !
     
    pau1ow, Apr 30, 2012
    #29
  30. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I have good feeling about these gathered people, let's break some records guys :D

    Also make the 580M owners feel a bit jealous :p
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 30, 2012
    #30
  31. Heihachi_1337

    Heihachi_1337 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    618
    Messages:
    985
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Fixed.

    I would love to see what you all are capable of doing with a bit of tweaking. :D
     
    Heihachi_1337, May 1, 2012
    #31
  32. Breakdown

    Breakdown Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Can't wait for results :)
     
    Breakdown, May 1, 2012
    #32
  33. mtrein

    mtrein Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    121
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Wicked, Meaker. + rep. Again :)
     
    mtrein, May 1, 2012
    #33
  34. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

    Reputations:
    1,491
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Can't wait to see some results from the MSI folks!

    All the Nvidia people are really annoying me.

    Also, these are the only drivers that seem to work best: http://benchmark3d.com/amd-catalyst-8-97-18-april-7900-mod If you find betters ones that would be cool... Wonder why official support takes so long?
     
    GeoCake, May 1, 2012
    #34
  35. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    [​IMG]

    Oh yeah.
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 2, 2012
    #35
  36. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66


    Oh yeah. :p
     
    pau1ow, May 2, 2012
    #36
  37. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    2,443
    Messages:
    2,314
    Likes Received:
    114
    Trophy Points:
    81
    you got a pair of them? :O

    CFX benches soon? ;))
     
    long2905, May 2, 2012
    #37
  38. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Two is just greedy lol.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Are they Dell or Clevo cards?
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 2, 2012
    #38
  39. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

    Reputations:
    1,491
    Messages:
    1,232
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Oooooooooooohhhh MUST SEE BENCHES!!! :D

    Blue means Dell me thinks. Clevo like to use olive green coloured boards.
     
    GeoCake, May 2, 2012
    #39
  40. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Took me a little while to grind the heatsink - I think that's fine now, will post pics tonight.
    They are dell indeed.
     
    pau1ow, May 2, 2012
    #40
  41. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Pau1ow please show a picture of the heatsink when modified :)

    Latest version of GPU-Z has support for the 7970M.
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 2, 2012
    #41
  42. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Guys, took me over an hour to find the perfect pads layout, will post pics in a sec, now downloading the drivers.

    Sorry for the lack of news, had to feed the French forums as well so quite difficult to handle both NBR and FR guys (I'm not saying I prefer them over you guys :p)

    Anyway thumbs up!
    7970M installed in a MSI 16F2

    [​IMG]

    3dmark11
    [​IMG]
    AMD Radeon HD 7970M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor,Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. MS-16F2 score: P5867 3DMarks

    3dmarkVantage (with cooler boost)
    [​IMG]
    AMD Radeon HD 7970M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor,Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. MS-16F2 score: P20963 3DMarks

    Now uploading the heatsink pics and will do a paint to show what pad thickness you need for each section.

    So far so good.
     
    pau1ow, May 2, 2012
    #42
  43. 5482741

    5482741 5482741

    Reputations:
    712
    Messages:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Well done. Looks like we don't have a "3 minute shutdown" thing to worry about.

    Are you planning on overclocking it?


    I debating between trying to get a 16F3 motherboard or getting a 7970M.
     
    5482741, May 2, 2012
    #43
  44. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Oki let's start:
    - First you need the card and the heatsink (5870m, 3 pipes) (rly?)
    [​IMG]

    - Then you need to grind it: I used a dremel + disc bit - it takes more time than a cone bit but I always used that and that seems to work pretty well. Took me about 30min to grind it (and ground a section by mistake also lol see pic below) and you need to grind the section entirely! (so you make sure there won't be something on the way)
    [​IMG]

    - I advise you to get 0,5mm, 1mm and 1.5mm Thermal pads as you will need all of them (you can get only 0,5mm and 1mm's and stack them up, this is what I did)
    I used Phobya 5w/mk thermal pads are they are really sticky and easy to place (and won't slide when you put the heatsink in)
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    That's pretty much it ! Just be careful when you slide in the heatsink over the GPU not to lose any pads on the way !

    That's what I figured out but with a bit more time, might be able to do even better I'm sure !
     
    pau1ow, May 2, 2012
    #44
  45. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Hmz I may ground down the red to get to 0.5mm pads all round since that ensures best core contact.
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 2, 2012
    #45
  46. SocaJam

    SocaJam Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    This is incredible how do you do this kind of stuff?! Will the same principles apply for the gt60 as well?
     
    SocaJam, May 2, 2012
    #46
  47. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,336
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    66
    That's pretty smart :)
     
    pau1ow, May 2, 2012
    #47
  48. felix3650

    felix3650 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    832
    Messages:
    631
    Likes Received:
    224
    Trophy Points:
    56
    What about us GT780DX owners? :) Any BIOS updates or modding?
     
    felix3650, May 2, 2012
    #48
  49. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,441
    Messages:
    58,200
    Likes Received:
    17,914
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Nope, should just pop in.

    Only concern for GT60/GT70 users is if optimus gets in the way.

    If you could take measurements of the heatsink if you take it out again that would be great.
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 2, 2012
    #49
  50. mtrein

    mtrein Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    121
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Wow, well done Paulow. +rep, mate, well deserved.
     
    mtrein, May 2, 2012
    #50
 Next page →