MSI Barebone systems GPU upgrade

Hi All,

Since both 1651 and 1722 is very popular nowadays, I figured besied the CPU discussions, we may want to know how to upgrade the GPU on these computers. As you may know these computers come with MXM Type 2 GPUs. There were some posts in here saying that type 3 cards may work with it too. Now from my research, I couldn't find any MXM type 3 cars for sale and no guide to upgrade.

Considering we manage to get an mxm type 3 card, what are the complications of changing the GPU? We may have to modify the heatsink but other than that can vbios be a deal breaker? GT725 comes with a very similar body and supports ati 4850 gpu. I don't know if anybody opened up their gt725 yet but if we get a picture of the inside, may be we can tell if 1722 works with 4850 or not. I mean 1722 supports quad core CPUs just like gt725. Does any of you know if there is a different mother board in gt725 then 1722?

Even 3870 would be a very nice upgrade to these machines. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

 

I ordered a 1722 barebone to build for my mother. I'll also be testing to see if the 3870 from my system would boot up with no issues (I won't be able to fully install because the heatsink is different on the 9600M GT).

 

keep us informed ichime i am super interested to see if this would work, although im sure that a replacement graphics card would be rediculously expensive it would be cool to know if its possible.

 

Depends. From the prices we are seeing now, if the 48xx cards were to be sold separately, they would be very cheap (unless it's from a former user, who would jack up the price). But, if there is an upgrade path for my system, I'll be selling my older cards at a reasonable price, provided that they work.

 

Is this an X1900 card in your GX620/1651?

 

Why yes, yes it is. I have another MXM card on the way. Don't get too excited though, this next one isn't anything special.

 

@TRF:

Did you have to update vbios or anything when you did the upgrade? Also, can you please shortly explain if you did any heatsink modifications etc.

Thank you

 

I did nothing except put in the card, modify another heatsink I had to temporary make contact with the ATi GPU and powered it up. That card is from an Alienware M5750, if anyone wanted to know.

 

Over all the main question is where to get the new mxm cards. If this computer had 9800m instead of 9600m it would be at least $400 more expensive.

 

Hope we all see soon on the market newer MXM III cards, because I really want to change this nVidia card... (more because I hate them, than their effectiveness). At E-Bay there are only old MXM III cards...
ATI X1600, Quadro FX 1500M, GF Go7900, GF Go7600 and is this a MXM III card (?!?) GF Go7300

 

Found This site: MXM Types
There are shown the differences between different MXM types.
Nice table where is shown that MSI laptops GT 7x0 series are with unknown MXM slot.
Can somebody measure the distance of the MXM slot. Is there enough place to fit MXM-III card (W:82mm, L:100mm), as shown at the firs link.

 

Very interesting! Keep us updated (regardless of the card). Any MXM swap is always an interesting scenario.

 

Actually 3870 or 4850 is the one that would make these machines awesome. If they work and if theree is a way to get them, then we are talking serious business.

 

hey guys, i just ordered a 1722 and have a question about the gpu, is the 9600m gt is removable or is it melted with the board. thanks.

 

If it was melted on the board why would I open a thread like this! It is removable.

 

it would be awesome but where the hell would you buys the cards from? there freakin impossible to find

 

Hey guys I have one good and one bad news. Today when I was walking home from my job I passed from my local dealer and asked him for mobile video cards. And the good news is that they told me that they can deliver almost any card I want. Ofcourse I've asked about the prises ... and there the bad news comes... they are very very very expencive, at least the good cards. Here is part of the list of nVidia cards and their prices (this are the cards I've liked for upgrade) that they gave me today. Unfortunatly ATI cards for now are unavalable, but they told me that they will ask.
512MB GDDR3; Nvidia GeForce Go 8800M GTX; 16x PCIe; DX10; Modular VGA; D06 608.40 €
512MB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce Go 9800M GTS; 16x PCIe; DX10; NB9E-GT 312.00 €
512MB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce Go 9800M GT; 16x PCIe; DX10; NB9E-GT2 576.00 €
1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce Go 9800M GTX; 16x PCIe; DX10; NB9E-GTX 759.60 €
1GB GDDR3; SLI 2x 512MB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce Go 9800M GT; 16x PCI-e; DX10; NB9E-GT2 1 152.00 €
2GB GDDR3; SLI 2 x 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce Go 9800M GTX; DX10; 16x PCIe; NB9E-GTX 1 520.40 €
1GB GDDR3; SLI 2x 512MB GDDR3; nVidia Quadro FX Go 2500M; OpenGL 1 592.40 €
If somebody is interested I can order and send it to him. Althou I don't know yet how time is going to be need for the shipping, because they don't keep this cards in stock. So this means that if some of you want a card I have to wait some time, get it, then ship it again. It doesn't sound very good I know. Also if somebody finds some other dealer of mobile cards, please write.

 

If highlighted price is right and it comes with 2 cards, I am buying 10 of those tonight.

 

1,512 euros?
that sounds terribly expensive...

 

isn't it just 152? my bad.

 

so uh, the SLI part of it....is it two separate cards? or is it like 9800gx2 dual cards ....u know...to save space in a lappy n all...

 

sli should be 2 cards. 1 master and 1 slave. I was thinking, may be we can use both cards in two seperate computers.

 

I already posted this in the GX620 thread, but I guess you guys would be interested in this one too.



512MB GDDR3 Geforce 8700M GT Master card from an Alienware M9700

2D/Low 3D/3D clock throttling: 100% Functional
Temperatures: 55C Idle/87C Maximum after 30 minutes of FurBenchmark
Notes: 1651/GX620 heatsink modification required, card uses 46mm x 46mm mounting point. No BIOS change required, laptop will boot up normally without special help.

 

sweet. is 8700m gt mxm 2 or 3?

 

MXM III, due to the 35W TDP requirement.

 

Nice! the 1722 barebone I ordered is supposed to arrive today, but I'll have to wait for the processor because my QX9300 won't be compatible unless I update the BIOS I think. But this is really cool because I got a 3870 from my system to work in an Alienware M9750. So I think a 3870 won't be an issue.

BTW TRF, what modifications did you do to the heatsink?

Edit nevermind: I read somewhere that you pulled off a Nightwalker.

I had a broken/distorted GPU heatsink from an ALienware M9700, but I think I threw it away. I could have probably screwed it off (it's attached by screws) and just screw it on the copper trail. it I knew I was going to use it in the future, but had to clean up my room.