Alienware M17x R3 460M to 780M - Questions/Concerns

Reinsert the card , if still no go swap the 560m back, enter the BIOS and disable the integrated sound card...so IGP disabled and PEG enabled ?
Specs ?

 

I disabled the HD integrated audio (and PEG enabled) and gave it another go. This time, the computer still provided me with a black screen, but I got a single beep. No booting still.

I still have not flashed the video card because I assume that's something you do with the new card rather than the old card?

Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130318-1533)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M17xR3
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 1.0 A12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM

 

You must disable the Integrated Graphics too, Second Advanced Menu>Video Configuration>integrated graphics disabled (HD3000).

-Integrated graphics disabled.
-Set display to PEG.
-HD integrated audio disabled.

If still no booting then there's probably an issue with the card...upgradeyourlaptop ?

 

Yes, I had the integrated graphics disabled too..via following the steps from the other link you sent. So the above settings match what I am showing.

I didn't get it from upgradeyourlaptop I bought from gfsi. Also on ebay.

So flashing the video card is not something I should do then right? That is after the new card is in?

 

Don't flash the card, is it the manufacturer refurbished one ?

 

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M GTX 770M 3GB DDR5 MXM 3 0 VGA Video Card for Laptop | eBay


Manufacturer refurbished.
I did use my 560M heatsink and bracket, but it seemed to all fit fine.

 

There's a problem with the card, better start the RMA process...2 cards left.

 

I truly appreciate all your assistance. I will return the video card and try another time

 

Alienware m17x r3 have 480m card with 3d display upgraded to a 660m installed the drivers with the mod inf file got the card and drivers working but no 3d

is it possible by flashing and vbios mod to get the 660m working with 3d?

 

Nope. There is some sort of 3D validation in the BIOS that lists the panels and cards approved at the time of sale. There was talk of a modded BIOS but I guess not enough demand . The 580m is the best card you can use and still retain 3D. 120hz works fine though.

 

Heatsink for 780m arriving today. Here is my pad job with Fujipoly 1mm pads, looks good to you guys?



(obviously will remove the clear plastic from pads before install)

I removed the black plastic surround that was embedded around the GPU core. I assume this is just part of the packaging and not meant to stay there?

It can be seen left intact in this guys photo: http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/636/dsc00506dd.jpg

 

The black plastic is to prevent shorting of the heatsink to the passives that sit around the core, it's usually best to leave it.

 

Try to cover those red marks and apply a second layer of pads only for that area 2-2.5mm (check contact with the heatsink on), dell's 780m (green PCB) has no isolating plastic but the heatsink does (680m heatsink) still as Meaker said better leave it, most thermal compounds are non-electricity conductive/capacitive so you'll be fine if you use one of them.

 

So... there IS a different heatsink for the 780M... o_o

Rats... guess it's time to save a bit more... :/

 

Hello there friends! I'm planning to upgrade my m17xr3 gpu to 560m to 780m. For the answers I need is:
1. Is it possible for me to use the heatsink and xbracket from the 560m?
2. Will someone able to help me step by step how to make the 780m work properly?
3. Where to buy the card and decent thermal paste?
4. Can you guys help me where to put the pads in the right place?
P.S. I'm not a tech person but I can try to read the instructions you guys give me.
Thank you for reading this and hopefully I can get help ASAP

 

Hey Danzzz,

1- I think so, but better post a photo of the part number on your heatsink to make sure. To be honest if you're spending all that money on a new 780m I would recommend a new heatsink (9CNMG). I used my 580m heatsink for the 680m but it needed some light modification so it isn't a perfect fit IMO.

2- Check the beginning of this thread, lots of good steps and tips.

3- Eurocom on eBay, "upgradeyourlaptop". Also FrozenCPU.com is good for pads and paste.

4- Yes, check the top of this page and look at the edited photo by j95. Also see this: http://www.techinferno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/680M.jpg

Just remember to do everything slowly and carefully. If it's your first time it helps to have a more experience guy watching you in case you make a mistake. But if you follow all instructions it should be ok doing it on your own as well.

 

Try inserting the card a couple of times, check if the GPU slot is clean then use the R3's stock working card to rule out Mobo/GPU, the gpu slot is integrated into the PCB.

BIOS settings.
IGP Disabled
PEG Enabled
Integrated sound card disabled 780m GTX - M17xR3 integrated soundcard working again! NO MORE USB SOUNDCARD!

 

So i can reuse the xbracket from the 560m then? The website you gave me for pads and paste, can you link me the decent paste and pads. Thank you again! ill in form you guys once i buy it and receive it!

 

Thank j95, I will try as soon as I find electrical contact cleaner to get to my gpu slot.

Looks like the right side of the slot is dirty or damaged huh?



What is this small piece of metal foil on the motherboard, some kind of ground or some kind of mistake left by a ty tech guy?

 

That looks like a bad dream but it's fixable, try ebay they are selling cheap R3 motherboards just for parts, so the GPU slot was the problem and the technicians...

 

Are you suggesting buying a new motherboard or getting a cheap broken motherboard to desolder the GPU slot and install it on this one?

 

And can I just pull off that weird piece of foil left by God knows who? Maybe it's creating a short

 

Yeah a cheap broken motherboard desolder the GPU slot, that piece of foil doesn't belong there...Alienware haters ?


Edit: It's not an easy job, before purchasing try to ask if it's even possible.
http://www.aliexpress.com/

 

I've been trying to upgrade my Alienware m17xr3 to a GTX 780m....but I haven't been able to get much help...and this thread has gotten pretty long...I need some help T.T
I've got the card,know how to do the physical swapping but I am not sure if I need to flash the BIOS, I've tried to update it to A12 just incase but can't due to not having a working battery pack. I've also got a modded driver ready for the graphics card....I am stuck on what to do.

 

Yes it's not that easy I'm sure, so it might be better to get a fully working motherboard for $250 than a broken one for $100, that may have a damaged GPU slot also! Sigh, what an adventure...

 

What’s New in Version 331.65
This Game Ready driver is recommended for GeForce owners playing Battlefield 4 as well as Call of Duty: Ghosts.

Performance Boost
Increases performance for GeForce 400/500/600/700 Series GPUs in several PC games when compared to the GeForce 327.23 WHQL drivers.

Software Modules
NVIDIA PhysX System Software - v9.13.0725.
HD Audio Driver - version 1.3.26.4.
GeForce Experience - version 9.3.16.0

Gaming
Introduces GeForce ShadowPlay™ technology
Introduces NVIDIA GameStream™ technology for NVIDIA SHIELD™
Displays
Adds support for 4K Surround

ShadowPlay workaround http://forum.notebookreview.com/ide...-owners-questions-thread-110.html#post9427685

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...le-support-nvidia-shadowplay.html#post9427696



Windows 8/7 GTX 780M installation

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V9.4 / first uninstall option.



GeForce 331.65 - WHQL - Game Ready Driver


Modded nvdmn.inf v331.65 Alienware M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 Nvidia GTX 680M / 780M

 

This 331.82 Game Ready WHQL driver ensures you'll have the best possible gaming
experience in Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag and Need for Speed: Rivals.

Performance Boost
Increases performance by up to 19% for GeForce 400/500/600/700 Series GPUs in several
PC games when compared to the GeForce 327.23 WHQL drivers.

• NVIDIA PhysX System Software - v9.13.0725.
• HD Audio Driver - version 1.3.26.4.
• GeForce Experience - 1.7.1 (version 9.3.21.0)


M17xR3 - Windows 8/7 GTX 780M installation

[Guide] Modding Nvidia's OEM INF Files

Modded Quadro Drivers nvdmq.inf v331.82 AW M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 GTX 680M / 780M Increased Stability / Low DPC Latency


Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V9.6.1 / first uninstall option.



GeForce 331.82 - WHQL - Game Ready Driver

Modded nvdmn.inf v331.82 Alienware M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 SLI GTX 680M / 780M

 

Hey j95,

So these drivers are smoother than the typical 331.82 Geforce drivers?

1 - uninstall old drivers using DDU

2 - install modded quadro drivers

Thats it, right?

 

Yeah lower DPC latency, extract drivers -> Delete NVWMI / Display.Update / Display.Optimus / Display.NView folders -> Copy/Paste PhysX install folder (from Geforce 331.82 ) -> Display.Driver copy/overwrite nvdmq.inf.

Edit : Display.NView folder

Download Quadro Notebook 331.82 - WHQL - Driver

 

This new 331.93 Beta driver provides an updated SLI profile for Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag and ensures maximum performance and system stability across all titles.

Software Modules
• NVIDIA PhysX System Software - version 9.13.0725
• HD Audio Driver - version 1.3.26.4
• GeForce Experience - version 1.7.1
• nView - version 140.84

Graphics
• Implemented Horizon Based Ambient Occlusion plus (HBAO+) for DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 applications. Visit GeForce.com for more info about HBAO+.


M17xR3 - Windows 8/7 GTX 780M installation

[Guide] Modding Nvidia's OEM INF Files


Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V9.8.1 / first uninstall option.


Modded Quadro Drivers nvdmq.inf v331.82 AW M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 GTX 680M / 780M Increased Stability / Low DPC Latency


GeForce 331.93 Beta Driver

Modded nvdmn.inf v331.93 AW M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 SLI GTX 680M / 780M

 

I've lurked for way too long, and can not send PM's .. so here is on of my first, "quality" posts (I hope..)

@j95 -

I am also very interested in upgrading my GTX 580m (black screen crashes - temps are fine, memory is fine, etc .. figure I would upgrade and replace this PoS card : /) - but am a little confused by all these instructions D:

I was going to PM you so I wouldn't look so, well, stupid in front of everyone by asking such newbish questions : /.

I have a M17xR3 with 3D. I am currently using unlocked A08/Sata Fix BIOS. So I am reading I need to upgrade to A12 unlocked/Sata fix BIOS. Ok, this is no problem.

I start to "worry" when getting to the "turn off integrated sound, change display to.." Ok .. I can probably do this easily, right? No problem, maybe : ) ALSO I don't have integrated graphics I thought, on the one-card 3D model?

What worries me is, why must the sound be disabled? And what is "try to renable IDT" and what audio drivers? The realtek ones that is already installed? Must I uninstall them prior to installing this card, and THEN disable sound in BIOS, and then once everything is installed, find drivers, install, reset, re-enable, and reboot?

i figure the only stupid question is the unasked one. So .. sorry for all the nub questions. Hopefully someone can ease my worries (since this card is expensive as hell).

 

IDT integrated sound card/ Drivers, Realtek is the card reader.

Uninstall IDT drivers (Programs and Features) -> reboot -> F8 Safe mode -> uninstall Nvidia drivers Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V9.9.2 third uninstall option (shutdown/no rescan) -> swap cards.

#3 780m GTX - M17xR3 integrated soundcard working again! NO MORE USB SOUNDCARD!

 

j95, can this be done if you don't have a spare card and use the onboard Intel temporarily?

 

Yeah, remove the 780M (2 screws/Keep the heatsink on).

 

Yep being able to keep the heatsink on makes it a lot quicker

 

It worked! 780m and IDT soundcard working together with no white/black screen after boot

One tip to note: If you are doing it this way, make sure you don't forget to enable PEG as primary GFX and disable Intel IGP in the BIOS right before installing the 780m back inside again!

 

Good for you man, it didn't work out for me/IRQ conflict...actually that was my first attempt followed by many different combinations.

 

-Added support for OpenGL 4.4
-NVIDIA PhysX System Software - version 9.13.0725
-HD Audio Driver - version 1.3.30.1
-GeForce Experience - version 1.8.1

M17xR3 - Windows 8/7 GTX 780M installation

[Guide] Modding Nvidia OEM INF Files

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V10.1 / first uninstall option.


GeForce 332.21 WHQL Driver

Modded nvdmn.inf v332.21 AW M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 SLI GTX 680M / 780M

 

But these aren't the modded Quadro drivers anymore are they? Would you recommend sticking to Quardo 331.82 for now?

 

Nope, Geforce 332.21...try them.

 

My 780m will be arriving for my R3 any day now. This driver stuff is exactly what I need, but I'm not 100% sure how to insert the modded .inf file into the driver. When I download Nvidia drivers, it's usually not a file I can open, just a single executable icon that does everything from start to finish. Any tips?

 

Follow this

 

Thanks, am following the instructions at the moment.

Using the A12 unlocked bios, how to I disable the integrated sound? Can't see anything that says IDT or audio. What does the integrated sound stuff show up as?

Edit 1: So I disabled the IDT audio in device manager instead, did a restart, and continued as normal. The Nvidia driver seems to have installed okay and the 780m seems to be up and running now, as well as the system having sound. Do I even need to bother disabling IDT in the bios now?

Edit 2: Testing performance:

Cranked ArmA 3 up to ultra, just to test things. Getting 30 fps there, with peak temps of 63-65°C, and no visible throttling. Pretty happy there.

World of Warcraft on ultra seems to be having minor issues however, since fps was sporadic, often dipping below 20fps, and averaging not much higher than that. That's lower than my GTX 580m I believe, so I suspect something's not right there. Also the game seems to be struggling with custom fonts, since it's now only showing the default ones. Going to reinstall WoW overnight and see if that helps.

Anyway I'm cautiously happy so far. Going to see if I can turn switchable graphics back on, so the 780m can take a break when I don't need that much power.

Edit 3: Trying to turn switchable graphics back on via the bios was a mistake. Means the system freezes the moment it tries to boot, and the only fix is to take the GPU out, reboot into the bios, and put the setting back to what worked. Oh well, I can live without that feature I guess. Just hope the GTX 780m is built to last unlike the 580m.

Edit 4: Second Life has so far pushed the highest temps, hitting 68°C. Don't think it's going to go much higher than that, even though it hasn't hit the point of throttling yet.

 

Re-enable IDT, if you get a white/black screen try this #3 780m GTX - M17xR3 integrated soundcard working again! NO MORE USB SOUNDCARD!
(Amroth) http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...0m-780m-questions-concerns-9.html#post9513377

Removed Ocing limits/ Throttle + desktop GPU OCing options -> flash unlocked 780M vBIOS rev02 NVIDIA Kepler VBIOS mods - Overclocking Editions, modified clocks, voltage tweaks

 

Glad to hear it's mostly working out. I'm also cranking Arma on ulra/ almost ultra settings. I actually used the FPS Limiter of nVidia inspector to cap it at 30 since I prefer that over the constant changing from 30fps to 50 which makes the gameplay not smooth at all.

Did you re-enable the soundcard after everything else was done? If you do and it gives you a blank screen after booting let me know and I'll give you the exact steps I used that solved my problem

 

Sorry this is the second time I mention this- I want to upgrade to the latest Geforce drivers that you linked to j95, but are they better than the modded Quadro 331.82 which you said provided lower latency etc? Worth the upgrade?

 

This is what I've been waiting for!

 

Yeah I just re-enabled IDT in the device manager, and that was it, so turns out I had no trouble at all with the sound. Didn't even uninstall/reinstall the IDT driver during the process. Bit odd considering the troubles others had. Maybe it's because I went for the latest Nvidia driver (modded), 332.21. Who knows.

 

Testing Quadro drivers 332.21 WHQL, same clocks (GF 332.21) less voltage required Modded Quadro nvdmq.inf v332.21 AW M17XR2/R3/R4 3D + M18XR1/R2 GTX 680M / 780M

 

Quadro 332.21 WHQL better temps/lower voltage to sustain clocks, low fps spikes...keeping them.