[Guide] Installing AMD Radeon Mobility 6970 / 6990 in your M17x R2 (Single GPU and CrossfireX)

We should entice "The Wiz", maybe get a NBR collection going, I would gladly put $20-50 toward the project.

I am on the fence with the upgrade to 69xx cards, not just that the power required to run them properly, much less overclocked, isnt available, but that the 79xx Mobility cards are fast approaching.

Either way, we need more power.

Patiently waiting.

 

Same here AUD $25-50

Edit: Thanks Grey & Douse

 

Yeah that is the question...I think many of us (myself included) would be gladly willing to put money towards the project.

I believe DR650 (correct me if I'm wrong, don't mean to volunteer anyone) had reached out to him a number of months ago regarding this and it was more of a time thing then anything else. I do know that they are exceptionally busy and I don't know how they prioritize one thing over another.

 

Its understandable, but I feel that maybe its time to give him an offer, if we could get 20 of us to put up $50 a piece, thats $1k. I'm willing to be that he may be able to find the time for $1k, especially if the task is, for someone of his technical proficiency, a weekend endeavor.

Either DR650 or someone else put this offer forward, or give me his contact information and I will try to persuade him/her.

Money talks.

 

Hi Vulcan,

I am willing to put $50 forward and good of you to put this idea forward.
However it might be worth making sure at least 10 people are interested enough to put that amount of cash forward before bothering him.
Cheers

 

yeh I'd be happy to contribute $20. $50 is a bit beyond my student budget

 

What is the project ? I lost everything ? lol

 

we need the bios to support the 330w psu from the m18x and the wiz has the ability to do so just not the time, but if we make it worthwhile for him then...

 

If you guys want to contact him he is monitoring the m17x r2 580m sli thread. Read through it. A lot of power discussions like on here.

 

Oh great ! Thank you kenny

 

Yeah I'd be willing to put at least $20 bucks forward (possibly more, but I can definitely be counted in for $20)

 

Doh, massively disappointed.

My active displayport adapter arrived and I plugged it in and nothing is detected. Must be the same issue that everyone else has.

Strange because VGA and DVI passthrough work on that port so it is connected to something....

The card definitely supports it (taken from the AMD site):

DisplayPort 1.2

Max resolution: 2560x160013
Multi-Stream Transport
21.6 Gbps bandwidth
High bit-rate audio

Wonder if it is a driver thing...

EDIT:: Installing 12.3 previews to see if it makes a difference. Not very hopeful.

EDIT:: No difference. I dont think this is drive related. More hardware related. Although I dont see how the inherent design when it comes to DisplayPort would have changed from the 5870m's. It is as though there is no physical connection to the displayport output on the video card...

EDIT:: Mucked around with A10 modded BIOS settings but to no avail. Reflashed to unmodded A10, no change.

EDIT:: OK, literally spent hours on this now...Tried different drivers etc. I wanted to try some Dell drivers but I couldn't get them to install. I am thinking this may be something like the Audio over HDMI issue experienced by Clevo cards....

It does not even show the POST screen as it does for the VGA output......

Disappointed...was looking forward to eyefinity...

Anyone have any other ideas?

Does anyone have Dell 6970/6990's installed to see if that works? Or does anyone have the vBios for the standard Dell 6990m?

 

do the clelo systems that support the 6990m have displayports? maybe that why?... dell bios may fix?

 

Ok, I will post a link to our proposal in that thread, see if he takes bite.

 

Not sure Kenny, however my cards are not Clevo's but ES's so it seems to be not limited to just Clevo 6990s.

That was why I was wondering if anyone had Dell 6990s in their system and if it worked. I would be willing to flash my cards to to the Dell vBios but I would prefer to have confirmation of the Dell cards before doing so.

 

People!!!! The display port works for somebody? I want 120 hrz on monitor S27A950D.Problema already has strangled me!!!

 

So far I have not heard of it working for anyone. I am very surprised that this is the first time that this issue has been discovered since the 6970/6990s have been released and people have been installing in to the R2's

I have tried a lot of different things but no luck as of yet. My last ditch effort is to try a Dell 6990m vBIOS. Unfortunately, this will not be suitable for Clevo cards.

Hell, I don't even know if it is safe to use on my ES's....time will tell

Aarpcard, you had a Dell 6990m at one time yes? Did you perchance happen to try the displayport?

 

just had a look around and I could only find one clevo/sager latop that has a displayport... the new x9270 and it only comes with the 580m, maybe you got a clevo/sager/eurocom ES?

 

Nah, i dont think so, as I have the same fan issues experienced with the Dell cards... also my audio over HDMI works.

 

Display port worked on my Dell 6970m.

It's also working on my Clevo 6990m. Display port has always worked for me with both the Dell and the Clevo cards . . . I've always used a Display port to HDMI or DVI adapter though. I've never tried a straight displayport to displayport connection.

You guys are having a really strange problem if i am understanding it correctly.

 

Cool, but that worked for me as well.

Passive DisplayPort pass-through to DVI works fine. It is only the active signal that actually uses the DisplayPort signal which does not work.

For example, an actual displayport cable or an active displayport to DVI\HDMI\VGA converter.

EDIT:: Well, I flashed with a standard Dell 6990 vBIOS and there is no difference. The DisplayPort signal is not available. I am pretty sure I was already running this vBIOS as the checksum was the same...

OP should be updated with this information so people are aware of this limitation.

For the experts here, do you think Dell did not use a 100% standard MXM specification?

 

Thanks for your earlier suggestions. I installed and vbios flashed my cards at last!.
However I now have a new problem. Windows wont load the amd drivers. Whenever i install Catalyst windows refused to start. Anyone had this problem? anyone know of a solution? I keep having to restore windows to my last restore point and only have standard VGA drivers loaded. Hardly ideal

 

if you didnt uninstall catalyst drivers before changing vbios then this can cause it. Completely uninstall amd drivers and then reinstall

 

It seems to be my fate to have continuing problems with these cards.

If I install one 6970M it works fine, installed drivers and windows loads normally.

If I install the other 6970M in its slot with drivers Windows fails to load, ie starts loading and then hangs part way through, this is true with or without the crossfire cable attached.
If I unistall drivers wiindows loads but recognises them only as VGA cards.
GPU-Z sees both as Radeon 6970/6990Ms.

If i uninstall the secondry and reinstall drivers windows loads normally.

As yet I havent tried the card I was putting in the secondary sot in the first position to see if it works.

Apart from this can anyone think of anything else to try? Originally I only have one 5870 in my machine.

do I have a faulty card or could something else be the problem?

While im getting a performance improvement from one card Id much rather have 2

 

Hi Geiler,

A couple of questions...what brand cards are you using? (Dell, Eurocom, Clevo)?

Are you doing any overclocking at all (in the bios, throttle stop, etc)

What AMD driver are you attempting to load?

I think the next step would be to put the secondary card in the primary slot and see if windows loads. If it doesn't then it sounds as though you might have a bad card (or potentially a slot on the motherboard, but I'd guess the card first).

It's a good way to narrow it down to the card or something else.

Good luck!

 

Hi Greywolf,
I bought my cards from Eurocom.
I'm loading Catalyst Software Suite Version 12.1 Released: 1/25/2012.
Using standard DELL BIOS A010, no overclocking or any other variations.
... Guess ill have to try the secondry in the primary slot, lot of work and limited time
any other ideas given the above?

 

Hi Geiler,

Sorry you are having so many issues. All of the above looks good to me, drivers are good, bios is good. I realize it's a lot of work to swap the cards around (had my fair share of it and am not in any hurry to have to do it again any time soon), it should help to narrow it down a bit. If the second card boots successfully in the primary slot then there are other things we'll have to look at.

Unfortunately right now, it seems as though for some reason that card is just not functioning properly.

Quick question..when you installed the card, was the battery removed and the power unplugged? I know a few folks have had their motherboard/cards shorted in this case...otherwise maybe you'll get lucky and swapping the cards around will do the trick.

Keep us posted and good luck...hope you can get it sorted out soon.

 

Hi Greywolf,
Thanks for your time and help, going to have to give it another go if only to satisfy my own curiousity
will let you know what happens.. likely wont have time and energy till the weekend.. here's hoping a card swap fixes everything...

oh and no, i removed battery and PSU and did a power drain...

 

Good luck Geiler...we're all here to help out the best we can.

 

i currently have an alienware m17x r2 with 920xm, single 5870m. i would like to upgrade to the 6970m/6990m, i have a 240 PSU will this be able to handle any of these cards? in the future if i want to crossfire one of them, will i need to buy a new PSU? if so then where would i buy it as i live in the uk.

thanks in advance

 

This thread should answer all you questions.

[Guide] Installing AMD Radeon Mobility 6970 / 6990 in your M17x R2 (Single GPU and CrossfireX)

 

Got my new hard drives installed and that darn 1600X1200 resolution always gets me. Luckily did a bit of searching on this thread to remind me on how to resolve it (multiple monitors in windows, change the resolution in the catalyst control center).

You'd think after all this I'd have all of this tatooed on my brain.

 

Don't forget the Nvidia GTX 580 might also be an option for you (especially if you're looking for a single GPU setup).
Also, new cards will be heading our way soon (nvidias and atis) so I would wait another month if I were you

And the first post on this thread will have most if not all your answers covered.

Greywolf, everytime is a new discovery lol

edit: apologies to the moderators for the 2xpost.

 

same config as mine
I'm going to have a single GPU setup that's why I'm waiting for 7970m.

 

Ha Ha it sure is.

 

Hahaha don't worry, same thing happens to me all the time

I am very interested to see how the new cards go in our systems! Looking forward to those game enough to try it

I am gonna have to pass I think. These ones are still performing quite well

 

Agreed...I will watch the new cards from the sidelines as well. I've had enough fun to last me a lifetime...well ok, enough to last me until I get the itch to go through it all again

*EDIT* which reminds me, almost time for the next upgrade...16GB of ram.

 

I'm in the same boat as you Douse and Grey. Although if I give up my warranty by not renewing, not to sure when it expires. I'd cover the 7990 cost by selling the 5870s and 6990s. That's only assuming someone else confirms they work and there are no fan issues.

 

Hrrrrm selling the 6990s AND the 5870s.......damn you DR! Getting ideas in my head

I think I have HEAPS of warranty though. So wont happen any time soon

 

Yea, I think I may have quite a bit of warranty left as well. I got the system, around early summer 2010, so I may have a year or so left on my warranty. So I won't be selling the 5870's off any time soon. I'll probably extended it in the event that I somehow manage to drop it or kill the system and need a replacement Hopefully at that point, whatever the replacement is has an RGB, though doubtful.

 

One of my heatsink screws had been rounded out so i pulled it out with force to replace the thermal paste on my GPU and theres a silver thing stuck to it. When i'm buying a new card i found one that says it has soldered points and comes with matching screws, will i be able to use that card? will i need a new heatsink for my gpu, if not how do i remove the screws and the silver thing and put the new ones in?

oh and i also can't screw the number 1 screw on my heatsink due to the fact it pulled it up and it has a silver thing on it

 

Hello, I just got the 6970m GPU which is Alienware M17x R3 (or M15x R3 not sure) Version. So as you mentioned on your article that it is currently impossible to make this card fully workable on Alienware m17x r2, i just wondering if you had any luck to look after that. And is it possible for you give me some link where i can get all the version of vbios for this card. I know this is too much to ask but i am trying for last two weeks to get hands on to proper vbios but it looks like impossible to find vbios on internet. if you can help me that would be really great and i'll let you know if i get any luck with it.

 

Hi trikolpona,

Unfortunately the dell cards will still need their fans controlled by HWinfo in order to be adjusted properly, but your HDMI port for both video and audio will work which is a plus for the Dell cards over the Eurocom or Clevo cards (where audio does not work via the HDMI port).

I know Ichime provided the Clevo bios to use on his first post...just scroll to the bottom of his post and there is a link to where they can be downloaded (if that's what you are looking for).

Regarding the fan issue, I don't believe that we'll ever be able to address that completely, but a lot of folks have had good results using hwinfo to control the fans.

Good luck!

 

wait so the hdmi port doesn't work when you have the 6970m/6990m

 

Hi Theredninja,

Correct for Audio it doesn't work..it works for video, but for audio you'll need to use headphones or connect through the audio card, external sound card etc.

Regarding your other questions, the card with the soldered on posts is the one you want to buy, just make sure that you verify that they include the screws when they send the card (as the screws that came with the dell cards will not fit).

You won't need a new heatsink, you'll be able to use the ones that came with your R2 as it'll sit perfectly on the card with the posts.

Hope that helps!

 

Wow, 430 pages on this

I am assuming that the 6990M is still the best option for my m17x-R2? I have looked around and can't seem to find a place to actually buy them. I think the Clevo ones are what I want? (I don't care about audio over the HDMI port, but fan control is a big deal)

It seems there might also be a possibility of the upcoming 7xxx cards working too; should I just hold off and wait to see what happens there?

I have already owned this machine for almost 2 years and have kept putting off the GPU upgrades the whole time. Still running a single 4870, so kind of wanting to beef it up a little. Not sure I need or want xFire - but I at least want a really good single GPU at this point.

 

Hi Easirok!

Welcome to upgrade central

Most of us (myself included) have gone through upgradeyourlaptop on ebay, the link is below for the 6990 (although they sell the 6970 as well)

AMD Radeon HD6990M (Blackcomb XTX) MXM 3.0b; 2GB GDDR5 - CrossFireX Ready | eBay

This is the official ebay name of Eurocom...as far as Clevo goes these are harder and harder to come by.

The Eurocom cards work the same as the Clevo, just install the Clevo bios and you are good to go...the only thing you don't get with Clevo (or Eurocom) is lack of audio over the HDMI port. Otherwise they are great cards. I went from a dual 4870 setup to a dual 6970 and it made a huge difference.

If you are looking to go with a single card then I'd definitely recommend the 6990...if you are going for a dual card setup either the 6970 or the 6990s are a good choice.

Good luck!

 

Thanks! Do I need to be concerned about the following (I have a single 4870 right now, with whatever hardware that includes):

 

With the 6990's I'm not certain, but it might be worth asking if they have soldered on posts available (the x-bracket from your 4870 won't fit without modifications). If they do have them with posts, then ask them to include the screws as well (since the dell ones will not fit).

My 6970's came with the soldered on posts and I know they still sell those for the 6970's, for the 6990s if they don't have the posts maybe the can sell you an x-bracket as well.

If you are curious about modifying your existing x-bracket a few folks of done that on here (I haven't) although I know it involves clipping the ends of and then using the corners to secure it down..I'm sure someone here can explain in better detail then I.

Good luck!

 

Hi all,

I installed two dell 6970M in my laptop. That works perfectly.

Temps are good :
79 °C after 20 min Furmark
75 °C after 2 hours BF3 Ultra

HDMI audio output works perfectly and i install hwinfo for fans issue.

I changed my AC adaptor for a Delta. With my Flextronics, my laptop shut down... (with 5870M CFX too)

I undervolted @0.98V each card with stock frequencies.

But i've a little problem with ULPS. Altough i edited windows's registry to disabled ulps for each card (enaledulps was modified with "0" value), ulps is always active when my computer start.

Second card stays at 100/150 Mhz.

I try to disable powerplay, but nothing works.
I must uninsatall drivers avec install them again and CFX is correctly activated.

Anyone has an idea to resolve my problem ?

Here my config :
Alienware M17X r2 - 920 XM - CFX 6970M - 1900x1200 RGB LED - 8 GB - SSD Samsung PM830 256GB - 1To Samsung SpinPoint - DVD Writer