MSI GX640 Upgrading Q's

So I am considering an upgrade on my GPU....

I am looking at the nVidia GeForce GTX285m (MXM 3.0 B) and I am curious if this beast of a laptop can support it...

I am also looking at upgrading the screen (or downgrading, whichever way you see it). I want something between 1440x900 and 1920x1200 that has an LED back light. Am I hoping for too much in this case?

Lastly, where can I get my hands on some copper shims for the CPU, Chipset and GPU? What sizes do I need?

 

Ok firstly the 5850m on the msi gx640 is around the same if not faster in some games than the gtx 285 so why bother upgrading? The stock screen on the gx640 is 1680x1050 which is between both res u have stated.

Copper shims can be found on ebay. DV9000 DV6000 V6000 F500 F700 Thermal Copper Pad Shim - eBay (item 250683844738 end time Sep-15-10 15:36:25 PDT)
This guy is reliable and has good rep. The thickness of this shim is perfect for the gx640

 

Yeah its not the best move, not only that you don't even get the features of the 5850, odds are it'd work though but i'd look at how much power the 5850 use and 285 use also, you may find a 285 doesn't clock up properly etc.

 

Alrighty, I will scrap the GPU idea for now.

As for the screen, I need something much brighter as it is rather dim even at full brightness.

Is there any way to add a tv tuner to this laptop? I see that I have a free Mini PCI-e slot by the CPU and I can get an Avermedia Mini PCI-e Analog/Digital tuner for about 20 bucks. Is there any way to route an antenna to the back of the laptop where there seems to be a hole covered with a rubber stopper?

 

The antenna connector should be there already, located somewhere near the mini PCIe slot. It may be somehow folded inside the chassis though.
The GTX285M would rather be a downgrade. Instead You could OC the Mobility 5850 to the Mobility 5870 level (or beyond, if Your cooling is sufficient). As for the screen, there's no possibility of using a LED backlit screen in GX640, only CCFL backlit. Plenty of screens are available on ebay (just keep in mind the 16:10 screen ratio).

 

If it isn't, where would I be able to buy one?

 

why go into so much hassle with upgrading the screen. Im happy with the stock one.. >.>
also it wud b hard to find replacement ones other than ebay

 

I came from an Asus UL80VT with a pretty damn bright LED Backlit screen, my HP 2510p's screen is also LED backlit and my desktop's monitor is super bright CCFL.

Compared to those, this screen seems dim and dark in comparison.

 

Why exactly can't the CCFL screen be replaced with an LED one?

 

You can upgrade from CCFL to LED, but it's hard because you need to replace the inverter.

What you would have to do would be similar to this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/471036-changing-ccfl-led-display.html

 

wait..
the vga in gx640 is upgradable?

 

The GX screens are awful. I had so much hatred for it that I sold the entire unit and lost a significant amount of money. I also came from Asus, so I was used to better screens. I don't blame the OP for seeking a new screen - The display is barely tolerable for some.

 

It is MXM 3.0B, so the answer is YES .

 

replacing the backlight of an lcd and replacing an lcd of one with a different type of backlight are 2 rather different things.

I haven't had much time to get into this lately but I think most of whats needed is a 30-pin to 40-pin conversion, which I have already found a tutorial on.

If you REALLY want an LED screen... contact the good people at this company Professional Touch Screen manufacture

Their dvi-lcd converter boards work with some LED screens (i've talked to them about it) although they dont list any LED models. They said that I could send one to them and they would decode it.
There are probably some good LED screens that they have already decoded.

the fact that they offer their converter boards programmed to specific models and with custom cables + connectors makes them pretty unique as it is.

of course... most LED screens are 16:9 nowadays (although I do happen to have a particular 16:10 WSXGA+ 15.4" LG LED panel) and also you would end up with the conversion on an external board. but these are just technicalities... and could use the same panel for anything with DVI

 

sorry,
can someone explain to me what mxm 3.0b is?

**nvm
i got it