And another.. 7970m in M17x R2..Installation with photos

#1 update: If I run the i7 920xm in Turbo mode + 5% overclocked (possible in the PM55 bios) --> I see powerdrain peaks monitored with Finalwire of 75Watts and it is not even running full load. Is that normal?
I can only imagine powerdrain peaks of up to 100Watts solely by the CPU + 100Watts by the GPU = No wonder my GPU is throttling

#2 update: New PSU came...Turbo mode on + 5% OC (in bios), powersaving settings on "Performance", vsync off & alternative dvi-modes unchecked in CCC.
Could run 3D Mark without GPU throttleing back to idle, nor CPU hiccuping at full load. Don't want to jinx it, but it seems like an aging PSU was causing the trouble, as suspected.
Will check on the stability the next month and then report back to hopefully checkmark my problem as solved

 

I need that bloody X-bracket...
Any ideas where I could get one on ebay or some other place?

 

I bought a complete and individualized upgrade kit to avoid the hassle for bioses, cooling pads/pastes and the x-bracket. Worked 100% plug'n'play for me.
X-bracket --> ebay, but quality? No idea...

 

HD8970m going 4k

Performance: Will it be ok?
Displayport 1.2: Will it work?

 

I've increased TDP to above 130 on mine at times. (T-stop)
The hardest ive pushed it has been above 120 at highest with increased BIOS voltage and T-stop added. Reading it out in HWinfo, not going to be scientific but gives a good indication.

Here the highest I have in screendump for a quick TS test above 4GHz with my 940: 117W on the CPU.

1% in BIOS and 30X in T-stop. Dont remember TDP/TDA for this test.

Normal use when going BF4 the CPU pushes 95W regularly and has normally been 120/105 TDP/TDA. Just decreased TDP to 100, TDA to 95 due to higher inside temperatures.
My CPU has endured this "punishment for years now, but i do not use increased voltage in BIOS normally since it seemed the heavy bencing over time with increased voltage did some damage to my 940, now using the 920 since it seems it runs "faster" with same clocks.

 

Trome,
Simple question maybe not.

I game a lot with my system.
Would I see a big improvement with games going from 840qm to 920xm or 940xm?

My current 3dmark11 score is 6100 and am curious if getting a better cpu would lift this score towards 6500-7000 with o/c or is it not worth it?

Any thoughts/ideas appreciated.

 

Hi I'm new to this forum, up until now I've just been a lurker reading everybody's posts. But I decided to register and join because I saw that you have successfully installed an 8970m into your Alienware M17x R2. I have the same model, that's still equipped with the stock 4870m's in crossfire and the Intel M 620 chipset.

What I want to do now is upgrade my chipset to an Intel 920xm along with a clevo branded 8970m from upgrademonkey seen here: AMD HD 8970M 4GB GDDR5 for Clevo P150SM P170SM Upgrademonkey in Stock | eBay

They are not providing me the x brackets, and I was wondering if there are any particular ones that you would recommend? Also, I saw on a youtube channel that a user has also purchased the same gpu and flashing the vBios to the one linked in the comment sections:

The Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN0LICuAzL0

The user recommended vBios
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ql5rkb4m6w2ez0m/Thames 8970m m17x r2.rom

I was wondering if I had to go through all of this, or if you could give m a recommendation of your own before I take the plunge and go for these two upgrades? Thanks a bunch! Sorry for the lengthy style of writing, I just wanted to make sure I articulated well enough so I don't waste anybody's time.

 

Hi Blacky ,
Not been on the forum in like 3 or 4 years .
Link Below

CEG X-BRACKET GPU SPREADER + SCREWS FOR ATI RADEON HD MXM 3.0B VGA | eBay

 

Hello everyone.
I have a m17r2 5870 CF and I want to upgrade it to 7970m. I have a 7970m v1.1 with Clevo P370, at the sticker on the bios there is br42768.008.
1. Is it a VER 015.021.000.002.042768 ?
2. Is it true that if you reflash your bios from lower to the higher version this card will be destroyed ?
3. Can I replace vbios Rjtech with 015.021.000.002.042768 or I should upload diffrent version to not burn my lcd rgb?

 

1. Cannot tell until you load up techpower GPU-z in windows
2. I have heard that only with dell 7970m cards that higher than 21 vbios will brick or not work with m17xr2
3. You won't burn your lcd rgb unless you get white bleach screens. I use vbios from eurocom. It is 015.017.000.001.042717 and a clevo 7970m v1.1G.

If you need this vbios let me know.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for your answer but i have another question...
i have thermopads just on memory on my old cards 5870m. what about 7970m?
i bought thermopads "phobya" 1millimeter.

sorry for my english i used translator...

picture: http://zapodaj.net/ffc54e0df7fa9.jpg.html

 

Yes these should be fine.
Place them as shown below in image.

 

1. I have radiator from 5870m card. In the picture below I had marked with red, places which won't be in contact with radiator when I gave everywhere thermopads 1 mm. Should I buy new thicker thermopads or just give more layers?

2. Can I put "IC Diamond 7 Carat" paste instead of thermopads in the places marked with yellow, becouse without this memorys (marked blue) won't be in contact with radiator. Is this idea ok?

3. Please send your bios 7970m v 1.1.(alienware m17r2) just in case...

 

Use more thermal pads and do not use ICD7 only on GPU.
Here is the v1.1 vbios I am currently on.

http://www.filedropper.com/eurocom

 

did u test alienware m18x r2 7970m cards on AW 17 r2?

 

Hi mate

Nope, I got my cards from Eurocom Canada.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

last question, did u know if they can work on Aw M17xR2?

 

No problem man ask as many questions as you like, we are here to help.

Cards from m18x r2 should be plug & play

However...some futures may not work, like fans will be stuck at low speeds so you will have to use HWINFO to control them.

Please allow few hours for other users to see your question too and I am sure they will re- confirm or correct me if I'm wrong before you pull a plug.

I am pretty sure this question has been asked dozens of times here

But my memory faded since this post was oryginally created



Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

As per flingin reply the dell 7970m should be no problem with m17xr2. Just need the correct vbios and the wonderful sangemaru post should help.

Good luck.