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.

    MS 16F32 GTX 670M 1.5GB Repair GPU in Germany

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by djdblaster, Feb 13, 2015.

  1. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hey guys,

    So I got this system. It experienced an electric surge when it was thundering hard in my area. Unfortunately/fortunately, only the GPU was fried. Everything else is tested and working perfectly.
    I believe the chip itself is good because there is a black spot on the card. But, I cannot say much cause I am not an expert.

    I am looking for a good and preferably the cheapest repair service in Germany. If anyone has a list of them, knows someone personally or has any other advice, it would be a huge help.

    Cheers!
     
    djdblaster, Feb 13, 2015
    #1
  2. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    It wont be cost effective to repair the card, if it's scorched then the chip may be damaged and there could be many faulty parts on it. I would get a replacement as it's safer and more likely to work.

    Have you inspected the MXM slot connector itself to see if all the pins are still fine?
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 14, 2015
    #2
  3. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I see. Well, in that case, I have to look for other cards. I had borrowed a GTX 675M and installed it, worked great with modded .inf file, however, temps were high, like 95 degrees C in Watch Dogs and rising. I didn't want to burn it so I would exit the game when it would get to that temperature. I believe this should be a confirmation that MXM slot works?

    GTX 770M for 300 euros is a good price? Would it work right away with the current heatsink?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 14, 2015
    #3
  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    No the 770M does not work in the 16F3, it needs to be 6 series, 780M or 970M. All kepler and maxwell based GPUs (You currently have a fermi chip) would require either modifications to your existing heatsink (Grinding down specific spots) or a new heatsink.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 15, 2015
    #4
  5. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I see. Well in that case, I guess my best bet would be just to sell the laptop as is because I don't have cash for more expensive cards.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 15, 2015
    #5
  6. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I know of a 675m that could probably go for a decent price. :D
     
    superguy25, Feb 16, 2015
    #6
  7. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    What are you thinking of? I had it before and the temps were not stable.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 16, 2015
    #7
  8. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    If you need it for now you can run it without a GPU, the fan will max until you get an unlocked bios and set it to primary IGP boot.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 16, 2015
    #8
  9. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hoe do I get an unlocked BIOS? Is there any BIOS out there that couldtake care of it?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 16, 2015
    #9
  10. majster msi

    majster msi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    106
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    81
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Maybe I am able to fix it but is it worth ? Repearing sometimes can be much more expensive than working one.
     
    majster msi, Feb 17, 2015
    #10
  11. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    You've got the tools/equipment to do it? We talking about GTX 670M, right?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #11
  12. iTzZent

    iTzZent Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    210
    Likes Received:
    39
    Trophy Points:
    41
    thats wrong. the GTX770M works great, also the GTX870M works great. I´ve both card tested on my MS-16F3. And... the Fermi Heatsink is not to be modify for Kepler and Maxwell Cards, because the DIE Size is to small. Only the old Fermi Heatsink (GTX460M, GTX560M, GT555M) and all Kepler Heatsinks can be modify.

    Without 51x Bios will no other Card work with the MS-16F3.
     
    iTzZent, Feb 17, 2015
    #12
  13. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Alright. I'm curious then. To get the GTX 870M working, laptop BIOS would need to be updated and new heatsink applied. Would that heatsink require some modifications and how hard would it be to modify it?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #13
  14. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    There a bios files hosted over at the tech inferno forums.

    I found strange behaviour from the 770M when testing it in my own 16F3, if that has been fixed with an update you will need to apply that or get whatever specific card is required.

    You would need a grinding tool (Eg a Dremel) to work down specific areas to modify the heatsink.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 17, 2015
    #14
  15. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I can tell you that a Fermi heat sink from a 16F3 will not fit a Maxwell 970 without modification.
     
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #15
  16. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Modification takes about 10 minutes. Checkout the 970/980 upgrade thread fit info on how to do it.
     
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #16
  17. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    So long as you have the right tools it's fairly quick yes.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Feb 17, 2015
    #17
  18. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Alright, I will check them out. But first then, got to collect some cash and wait for a decent GPU. I'm thinking GTX 870M if it can be found for a good price.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #18
  19. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    970 performs better and runs cooler than an 870. You will likely find the 970 cheaper as well. It's running about $450 USD at the moment.
     
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #19
  20. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I'd like to see a link of one.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #20
  21. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #21
  22. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Nice find! How about a heatsink? Do you know if there are any import charges from US to Germany?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #22
  23. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I'd suggest emailing it calling RJ Tech and see if they'll work with you on it. I don't know if there will be import taxes as I'm not familiar with Germany's laws. I know some people have tried to use an intermediary that will accept the package in the US then send it abroad for a fee.

    For a heatsink, I modified they one from my 675M and it worked fine. Just put some good thermal paste in it and I used the thermal pads that came on the Clevo heatsink.
     
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #23
  24. superguy25

    superguy25 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    573
    Likes Received:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    56
    superguy25, Feb 17, 2015
    #24
  25. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Thanks a lot for this info superguy25! I appreciate it a lot. I've talked to RJ, they don't operate with anyone internationally. Too bad. I gotta work around this situation somehow.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 17, 2015
    #25
  26. m11kkg

    m11kkg Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Well I ordered a GPU (970m) from them (RJTech) last month, and it arrived here in the UK without any issues. So they do international orders, I just paced an order through their website and paid with PayPal. It did take 3 weeks to get to me, uk customs took ages! And I had to pay the customs charges to the delivery company over here. But other than was very straight forward :)
     
    m11kkg, Feb 18, 2015
    #26
  27. majster msi

    majster msi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    106
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    81
    Trophy Points:
    41
    I have repaired over 100 gtx 670m/675m cards and probably only one service in Europe has electronic scheme for it. For sure you will not find it in Germany :).
     
    majster msi, Feb 18, 2015
    #27
  28. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    So you're saying that you could diagnose mine and say what could be wrong?
     
    djdblaster, Feb 19, 2015
    #28
  29. iTzZent

    iTzZent Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    210
    Likes Received:
    39
    Trophy Points:
    41
    @majster msi and what is your price for a repair ? i have a GTX675M and a GTX570M here, both with heavy problems. The GTX675M start sometimes and when she is startet than she lost the connection. And with the GTX570M the Laptop don´t accept power when the Card is built in. Both Cards come from MSI (GT70 & GT780).
     
    iTzZent, Feb 20, 2015
    #29
  30. majster msi

    majster msi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    106
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    81
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Probably gtx 570m is for repair I know what to do with it, gtx 675 - hard to say what is wrong with it. If interested PM me.
     
    majster msi, Feb 20, 2015
    #30
  31. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I could send you mine GTX 670M if you're interested to diagnose it.
     
    djdblaster, Feb 22, 2015
    #31
  32. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Just to refresh this thread a little bit. Alright, so...

    I bought a 970M and I have a heatsink for 670M. Is there anything I could do with the current heatsink to make it compatible with 970M?

    Also, I've got a couple of cards for repair, if possible.
     
    djdblaster, Aug 1, 2015
    #32
  33. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yes you can grind down certain areas and use stacked pads to help contact the parts which require contact but don't have a "post" coming down to meet them.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 4, 2015
    #33
  34. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Nice, I don't have to buy another heatsink, wohoo. Would you happen to know if there are some pictures that show the difference?

    I'm waiting for the GPU to come which I will match with the current heatsink to see what needs to be trimmed, but before it comes, I'd like to see it online and get prepared.
     
    djdblaster, Aug 4, 2015
    #34
  35. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 4, 2015
    #35
  36. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I thought the one might come down handy. Thanks!

    Would you happen to know someone who repairs GPU's? I have two 670M's and one 580M for repair.
     
    djdblaster, Aug 4, 2015
    #36
  37. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,436
    Messages:
    58,194
    Likes Received:
    17,902
    Trophy Points:
    931
    You could try getting them baked but beyond that they are usually beyond economical repair.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 4, 2015
    #37
  38. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hm, I see. Eh... So, I guess I'm left with paper cards.
     
    djdblaster, Aug 4, 2015
    #38
  39. djdblaster

    djdblaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    djdblaster, Aug 18, 2015
    #39