The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Ati 8970m going into an m17 R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by San Pedro, Sep 10, 2013.

  1. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Alright, so I haven't found anyone who has actually done this yet (or at least a post/thread about it), I've decided to start this thread in case anyone finds themselves wanting to do the same thing.

    First off, my reasoning for buying the 8970m: My former card (6990m) died, and I don't want a 10lb document writer with a fancy keyboard. I was able to procure the 8970m with kit for a decent price from a trusted seller on ebay (Eurocom).

    My basic plan of now is to follow this guide, but with different drivers:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-mobility-7970-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html

    I was hoping to be able use enduro, but oh well.

    I'll let everyone knows how it goes.
     
    San Pedro, Sep 10, 2013
    #1
    MogRules and reborn2003 like this.
  2. juliant

    juliant Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,015
    Messages:
    1,409
    Likes Received:
    27
    Trophy Points:
    66
    This is interesting... I am sure it will work; however you will notice in time for some games that your CPU may be the bottleneck for your system (I am referring at the GPU)... You may be able to get an extreme CPU at good price 2920QS (qualifying example CPU's are much cheaper then OEM) should do... Just a thought!
     
    juliant, Sep 10, 2013
    #2
    reborn2003 likes this.
  3. Voronmetro

    Voronmetro Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I wonder whether you have a problem with a dim screen as in 7970 with the R3
     
    Voronmetro, Sep 11, 2013
    #3
    reborn2003 likes this.
  4. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I hope not, I mainly use my notebook in a bright room. Oddly enough, my 6990m was stuck on high brightness, and only with the IGP was I able to change the brightness, which is one reason I'll miss switchable graphics.

    I do have questions for everyone:
    Do you think I will have to use manual fan control since there is no vbios for 8970m for alienwares?

    Do you think Catalyst beta 13.10 is okay to use?
     
    San Pedro, Sep 11, 2013
    #4
    reborn2003 likes this.
  5. flingin

    flingin M17x R2 Mafia

    Reputations:
    444
    Messages:
    1,173
    Likes Received:
    306
    Trophy Points:
    101
    8970m is the same card as 7970m, just with GPU clock raised by 50MHz, so refer to 7970m manual and you should be OK :)

    anyways, i would not go for 8970m, just because you can OC 7970m from 850/1200 to 950/1400 with 2 sliders in CCC, stock voltage.

    2nd factor is the price, 8970m is much more expensive than 7970m...
    Peace !
     
    flingin, Sep 11, 2013
    #5
    reborn2003 likes this.
  6. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Already bought it, and the price was the same as 7970m. Eurocom doesn't even sell the 7970m anymore.
     
    San Pedro, Sep 11, 2013
    #6
  7. flingin

    flingin M17x R2 Mafia

    Reputations:
    444
    Messages:
    1,173
    Likes Received:
    306
    Trophy Points:
    101
    they do sell 7970m, you just have to ask :)

    used on ebay about 250GBP

    never mind anyways, ENJOY BRO !
     
    flingin, Sep 11, 2013
    #7
    reborn2003 likes this.
  8. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    Well, at least you could get it :)
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Sep 13, 2013
    #8
    reborn2003 likes this.
  9. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Well, I got the card. Went into bios changed to PEG disabled the IGP. Restart and 8 beeps...

    1:36 in the morning, going to try to clear my CMOS and see how it goes...

    [Edit]
    So, I can get into windows now. I re-enalbed SG and the IGP, but when I try to install an AMD driver, on reboot windows loads to an empty screen (black), but I still hear Windows start up.

    I can install intel drivers, but I want to my my gpu

    My next step is to install dell drivers, and sleep, then try with a VGA monitor. Outputting computer to Hdmi doesn't seem to help much.
     
    San Pedro, Sep 21, 2013
    #9
  10. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    So after a couple tries with different vbios, the guys at eurocom got me one that did the trick. Right now all is well and good (besides my CPU temps so time to do some cleaning). I'll update with benches and what not when I get some time.
     
    San Pedro, Sep 25, 2013
    #10
    Voronmetro likes this.
  11. Voronmetro

    Voronmetro Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Congratulations, do not forget to change the signature :) The screen brightness dim or not? What operating system do you use?
     
    Voronmetro, Sep 25, 2013
    #11
  12. San Pedro

    San Pedro Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I'll get around to the signature..
    I'm using Windows 7 64 with Catalyst 13.9.

    I've only tried the dimness after opening HWinfo, but I was able to dim and brighten the screen with the function keys. I'll let everyone know if I can do it without HWinfo later.
     
    San Pedro, Sep 25, 2013
    #12
  13. PJko66

    PJko66 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,

    thanks for all the information you've provided so far. It's the only usefull forum I found. How did the things worked in the end? Did you get it to work properly? Can you get the card to highest brightness? And most importantly (for me), do the HDMI out port and VGA port still work? I have and external monitor connected via HDMI and someone posted this problem with 8970. Thank you.
     
    PJko66, Apr 2, 2014
    #13
  14. msantosn

    msantosn Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hey man, so summarizing how did you solve it?

    I have the same system Alienware M17xR3 and upgraded the GPU for the 8970m, I am getting the 8-beep error code, I followed this guide too http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-mobility-7970-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html

    I have the A12 unlocked firmware with PEG and Internal Graphics disabled.

    I am a little frustrated with the 8-beep error, I bought the card from eBay but I don't want to think is damaged.

    Any inputs on this are extremely highly appreciated. :)

    Thank you.
     
    msantosn, Nov 6, 2014
    #14