Acer MXM Models and Cards

Hi!
I have a little problem with my Aspire 7720zg. The Radeon works great but i want to replace it with GF 9600m GT ddr3. I tried to install it into Acer TravelMate 5530g but with no luck (it was describe in this topic). Now I tried to install it into 7720zg but it wont work. The windows 7 32bit is loading but with black screen (like was in the TravelMate 5530g). I plug in a monitor but also nothing happened (i tried also switch it by Fn+F5). I have 1.44 Bios version, the GF has Acer vbios, and I have the same motherboard like 7720g. What do you think, maybe the graphic card is broken? It is the second laptop that it wont work with it.

 

Could be, but that generation of laptops is notorious for black listing the 9600M GT specifically.

Do you get a POST screen at all?

 

No, I haven't got POST screen at all. Not on laptop neither on the monitor. And i don't have POST errors at all, it simply bot into Windows. The card is from Acer Aspire 5930 it is a VG.9PG06.006 model.

 

Sounds suspicious to me then.

 

Also when I first bot into Windows i heard a sound that drivers was installing but then was an error sound and nothing happened.

 

Grzenio, try getting in touch with this user through PMs or email - he's upgraded his 7720G to an 9600M GT without problems, and could have some tips.

 

Thx I just send him a PM. Maybe he would help. But this is strange, I read a lot of upgradeting 7720g or 7720z and people had only problems with installing drivers, not with black screen. Thanks God that Radeon working fine with this model. Oh and I have 3D Marks 2006 scores:
-stock 2054 @ 1280 x 800
-stock 1879 @ 1280 x 900
- oc 680@ 880/ 500@ 650- 2600

On the TravelMate 5530g in Crossfire with hd 3200 I had 2523 marks.

 

Update to my TM7720-6486 mxm upgrade adventures.

Just wanted to report that the hd4650 from ipc.de does swap in, gets into windows, installs drivers, etc.

However, as the video card itself doesn't come with a bracket with the nuts for the screws, the connection is dicey. While the gpu cooler does make direct contact with the gpu die, heat is a problem. I was not able to complete pcmark bench - the computer shut itself down. More importantly, if you jostle the computer the tiniest bit, the display goes funny. It becomes dotted/gridded, for lack of a better description, it's like you can see grid of the lcd display. I'm not sure how to describe it. The colours also shift to blue/green and start flickering. As such, more physical modding to address the gpu cooler situation is required to make the upgrade to the 4650 permanent and durable.

I'm thinking the gpu should be copper shimmed to the gpu cooler, and the video memory needs generous amount of thermal pad/tape to make the bond to the gpu cooler. I think using kapton tape to hold some m2 nuts to the back of the video card might also make it possible to screw the gpu cooler into place (cpu/gpu cooler unit screws are m2/l4). I'll keep people updated once I get some copper shims, thermal tape, m2 sized nuts, and kapton tape.

So, in theory upgrading the 2400xt to the 4650 works as it is bios compatible, and windows 7 takes care of the drivers without a hitch.

If all that works out, I'll set up a guide. The 5650'd timelineX is beginning to look more and more attractive, lol.

 

You should be able to unstick the mounts from the last card onto the new ones.

No MXM card comes with mounts.

 

meaker, i had no idea.

any ideas on how i would go about unsticking the mounts? they seem glued on to my existing 2400xt card . . ..

 

Try this. Heat the mounts with drier. Take the screwdriver or the knife and prise off the mounts gently. Heat and prise off in turns until the glue loosens.

 

I would not use a metal implement, there can be surface mount stuff under the mount.

I would just push on the spokes the poke through the holes (or use a thin screwdriver to push them through.

It will bend the mount slightly but you can bend it back and make sure its flat on the new card.

 

Grzenio, Meaker, thanks for the replies and advice!

So, I managed to get the bracket off the 2400xt and onto the hd4650. While not a prefect fit (more components on the backside of the 4650) Windows installs, recognises it (as before) and the flickering/colour cycling no longer happens.

New problem now, however, is that the computer will randomly shut down, sometimes immediately, sometimes a few minutes into use. As a result, I'm back to the 2400xt.

I don't imagine it to be a heat or lack of power issue. After furmarking, the gpu doesn't run any hotter than the 2400xt does (about 50c). As it is a mxm 2 connector as well, I don't imagine it being from a lack of power.

So, I'm wondering if something is shorting because the 2400 bracket is not an exact fit. But that doesn't explain the randomness of the shutdowns - if it truly was a short, then the computer shouldn't even boot up. . ..

So, to cover my bases, I'm going to try wrapping in kapton tape and to put in the copper shims + new thermal pads/tape when they show up and try again then. Will keep everyone updated.

 

Please do, acerbhattac; you're the only one of us persistent/crazy enough to get the HD 4650 to work on the 7720G.

 

Does the 7620g bios have no nvidia support? just curious

 

When it shuts down by itself, restart windows and check the windows error report (small pop-up window that appears after every time windows recovers from unexpected shut-downs), and if BCC code is 124 then it is power fail...

Cheers

 

Arminator,

Thanks - I'll look into it. The few times it did shut down with the 4650, there was no windows error/shutdown for protection pop up screen when I rebooted. It never BSODed, it just turned off.

All I've been able to find from Control Panel\System and Security\Action Center\Problem Details is this: "The previous system shutdown at 9:07:22 PM on ‎29/‎12/‎2010 was unexpected". UPDATE: did some more digging and i found the event log in windows event viewer: EventID 6008 [ Qualifiers] 32768. From a cursory surf around the internet, it might be that I have insufficient power for the 5650? I'm still going to give it one more go once all the cooling bits and pieces show up in the mail - the shutdowns were fairly inconsisent. I've had insufficient power shutdowns on my desktop in the past, and those were fairly reproducible under load. This was very much random.

I'm running windows 7/32b pro. I've had my fair share of bsod errors, no thanks to civ5 until I reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled. This doesn't seem like one of them - the computer doesn't lock up or go into BSOD and do a memory dump. It just turns off.

 

@acerbhattac

Well when it happend to me I was using RMClock and undervolting...
And it would just turn off, no clue nothing, not even a BSOD, just instant shut-down...
But when I restarted and read report, it said BSOD, BCC code: 124...

Cheers

 

Hello Arminator,

Which directory did you find the reports in? Were you able to solve the problem by stopping the undervolting?

Thanks!

Happy New Year, all!

 

Let's not forget that undervolting can affect a system's stability; never assume that a once-stable UV will work under new system circumstances.
Try returning your CPU to regular voltage, just as part of troubleshooting and diagnosing the problem.

 

I received my HD 4670 today. Got it installed. Working just fine. Here's a pic of Device Manager and the System Properties screen.



Now I'm just waiting to hear from Meaker to see how the HD 5650 turns out.

 

@acerbhattac

When Windows starts first time after unexpected shut-down it bumps up a report with the informations such as BCC code I mentioned and so on...

@TehSuigi

Well I fixed the issue with disabling the RMClock... In reality, it works great on high frequencies, with no shut downs... As soon as it goes to idle for some time, half an hour for example, it just shuts down, for no reason... Even if I try raising the lowest voltage, it wouldn`t change things better... So I just decide to retire it, at least when idle...

 

hi, i have a Acer 6530G which currently has a ati 4570 in it. Is it possible to upgrade this to a Nvidia 9600GT or can it only be upgraded to ati cards like the 4670. thanks

 

A GTX260M in a 7738G:

YouTube - GTX 260 ON ACER 7738G - MOUNTING PROCEDURE - By IvY

Not me btw, he has other videos showing it running.

 

I need an Acer vbios for a 9300m GS.I looked high and low for it to no avail. Does anyone know where I could find one?

 

Ok I have ordered a GTX460M.

I am going to try doing the same procedure when it arrives.

Wish me luck, I may need it lol.

 

@dubsflyt: Welcome to the forums! I double-checked the Aspire 6530G, and sure enough the Nvidia GPUs are seen in its FRU list. Given that none were sold with the 6530G, I'd label it a bit risky, but should still be totally doable. Best of luck!
@Meaker: Good lord, you're a nutter.

 

No I am more dangerous than that, I'm a nutter with a soldering iron :S

 

EDIT: Did the 260m work?

 

Yes, yes it did.

 

A GTX 460M would be an extraordinary upgrade, but aren't you concerned about the heat?

 

:O i did not realize the 7738 had space for MXM B

I was going to mention, i think I found some MXM A GTS 360m, but I see they are not needed

 

It does not, technically. There are things in the way which you have to desolder, move and then connect via wires.

I think more sane people would still be interested in the 360M cards lol.

As for the heat, well I can undervolt my CPU to whats in my signiture, since this guy uses a 260M with a higher TDP I am just going to see if it works. If it gets to hot I can always undervolt it.

 

I thought you were joking when you mentioned the soldering iron.

That is truly amazing. something I've dreamed of.
AND you got SO lucky with that q9200 wow. you are going to have an amazingly modded laptop....

 

Oh the GTS 360m however, does anyone know what the BGA should say?
I think the 250m is a GT215-660-A2 or maybe GT215-450-A2, but this card is like a GT215-880-A2 or something.

I'm thinking of buying one (and an MXM 3.0 laptop) just to find out

Also I think I might have an idea of where that MXM A ATI 5650 came from Check it out:
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 5670 512MB for iMac 21.5" MID 2010 661-5546 - NEW - $338.00
Probably not, cause actually its a HD 5730. I was pretty surprised to find this card. Unfortunately the price doesn't condone someone snapping it up to see if it will work in a aspire 5739g, especially since the GTS 250m will always really be better... but hey, if anyone feels the urge, I found it for 250$ Card, Video, ATI Radeon HD 5670, 512 MB - 661-5546

Edit: forgot about the whole directX 11 thing maybe thats a pretty darn good price hmm?

 

I've heard issues about Apple cards outputting to all monitors.

It's only what i've heard, it was suggested for the 5650 I've got a hold of.

Oh and if my friend gets it working AND the mod I try works i'll be selling it here for a very reasonable price.

If you look at the video on the last page, it shows exactly the mod I need to do.

 

Mr. Speedy lived up to his name sake and shipped QUICKLY.

When he heard about my project he was kind enough to post international.

Will let you know when the card arrives.

 

Well, thats just 2000% beyond awesome. (pithy expressions fail me) hadnt looked at that video.
With that much hardmodding I will pray for BIOS support
Also, when you get around to cooling modifications... If I were you, I'd really use the stock heatsink (if it will cover the RAM chips at least) the inductors and other components seem like great culprits for the copper ramsink passive cooling mod.
I think the connection of the heatpipe and rest of the heatsink can be delicate and hard to recreate while retaining good heat transference... i dunno.

Now you've got me looking at all sorts of motherboards, wondering if it could be done with a 16 or 15". It looks possible! But that may be taking it a little too far lol.
I think I'm going to get a 8735g, it should be known that it has the full space for MXM 3.0 B already. Not that I wouldnt enjoy a little soldering, its just a good price.
So, soon I will reveal some of these mysterious MXM cards... cooling mods will be necessary as one card I'm getting is a quadro FX 3800m with 100w TDP

In other news, I just bought an aspire 5720g motherboard along with a whole 5315 ready for transplant
Its so much fun for under 200$ lol. Anyway I'll top ranting, I don't know if anyone finds that interesting

Suffice to say Acer represents something so much more than Clevo, Alienware, MSI, and HP do with modular graphics. Im amazed.

 

But didn't acer just stop using MXM cards recently?

 

Yes so double check that model your looking into. I have not seen an AMD notebook from acer with MXM 3.0.

As for me, yes I am praying the motherboard is not picky about what card is used.

Also is the GTX260M MXM 3.0 module slightly shorter than the others?

As for the heatsink I am not going to modify if I dont have to.

Since the GTX comes with no heatsinks on it and the VRMs are poking out to under a hatch with vent holes I think ill leave it for now.

There looks to be a fair few and with a 69W TDP for the whole board they should not get too bad. The ones on my motherboard look similar and they stay cool.

 

anyone else here think this 9600GT looks dodgy?

Nvidia Geforce 9600M 9600GT G96M DDR3 MXM II VGA Card - eBay (item 180499829205 end time Jan-22-11 05:56:50 PST)

 

Looks like a high price, if that's what you mean?

 

So it is possible to upgrade from a Ati to a nvidia on others?, I think the 9600GT is from a 6930G which is mostly the same. Alternatively is there anywhere that has a ati 4650/4670 in stock?

 

Oh man it is way expensive...
I remember it was around 150 US$ about 5 months ago and now it is a hundred bucks higher price...

I would recommend you to wait a better deal if you are not in a hurry...

UPDATE:
I would recommend you the one below. It is 9600M GS with DDR3. Just overclock it to 9600M GT clocks and it will work like a charm and you will save 70$ for other upgrades: CPU, RAM or so...

Cheers

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nvidia-GF-9600M...eo_TV_Cards&hash=item2a0cb08a6b#ht_1715wt_905

 

Oh thats too bad, but I guess we should have seen it comming.

Are there any other brands that still use mxm slots? (like for example AW and all the Clevo/sager brands).

Btw, to the 5920g owners. A while ago (it suddenly fixed itself) my fan was making this noise: rrrrrrr and when I pressed on the left corner of my laptop (so where the fan is located) the noise stopped untill I released the pressure again. I haven't taken my laptop apart again, but when I removed the heatsink for reapllying the thermal paste on my cpu I can't imagine I did anything wrong (the fan is located inside a soldig construction so noormally it shouldn't be able to touch anything).


Any thoughts or similar experiences?

 

Theoretically, yes. Quite a few users (Meaker in particular) have gone from ATI to Nvidia, but the more popular one is the inverse - especially with the ATI Radeon HD 4650/4670's recent availability in MXM-II format.

 

The 4650/70 would be my preferred upgrade but I cant find one for a comparable price to the 9600M GT. What kind of performance difference is there between the 9600GT and the 4650?

 

I think the performance relationship is akin to below. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though, guys.

(G)DDR3 HD 4670 > (G)DDR3 HD 4650 > GDDR3 9600M GT = DDR2 HD 4670 > DDR2 HD 4650 > DDR2 9600M GT

 

that sounds ok then, I currently have ddr2 4570 and am looking at a gddr3 9600m GT and its been quite difficult to see if its worth it as most benchmarks use the ddr3 4570 which is much better from what I gather. thanks for the help

Edit: Also could anyone tell me would I be likely to have heat issues moving from a 4570 to the 9600GT?

 

No the difference is not too bad.