M17X R4 burnt 660M

I went to a liquidation auction last Sunday and picked up an M17X R4 for $900. I think I got a decent deal on the machine.

Prestine shape, looks practically untouched. Only catch is the 660M is burned out.

I did some research on my options and it looks like I can upgrade into a 680M or 7970M? I'm leaning towards the 7970M because I don't see what the $200 premium from the 680M has over the 7970M in performance.

I googled around for the M17's chipset type but couldn't find any information on it. I'm assuming its the PM77 3rd gen and that this 7970M will be compatible?

Is there anything I should know before I buy the 7970M?

thx nbr. ur the best. hugs and kisses xoxoxoxo

 

you will need a 7970m x-bracket and heatsink. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-mobility-7970-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html

 

The chipset type doesn't matter for crap. Makes no difference when using different GPUs.

Yes, you should be plenty fine in going for the 7970M.

 

That or a 780m.......

 

It should work without any issues. Make sure you get the correct heatsink and support plate for that one as destinationsky suggests.

 

hold up. A 780M would work as well? I didn't read anything about that yet. Has anyone successfully swapped one in yet?

 

Mmmmmm the 780m is 120W. I'm not sure it would work.

 

I was informed it was a 100w GPU. The 680MX was a 120w GPU.

 

The 780M should work fine in the M17x R4. I have one running in my M17x R3 atm.

Cheers.

 

Yes it should be slot in, and a lot of FUN

 

And the link to your results is?

 

I'm very curious as well

 

Start here peeps.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...nware-m17x-benchmark-thread-part-4-a-363.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...nware-m17x-benchmark-thread-part-4-a-365.html

Alienware M18x R1 running a Nvidia GTX 780M - Let the testing begin - Page 3

Cheers

 

Thanks man, looks impressive - especially the SLi setup. I'm SOL on this though as I'd have to give up 3D, dell refuse point blank to add new cards to the '3d certification' in the main BIOS

Sry to OP for OT

 

Looks like you may need to get someone to add it in for you

 

Yeah, I keep looking but R3 owners have been waiting a long time for svl7 to get around to fixing it for them to use a 680 3D. No chance of getting a 7 series added until he figures that one out...

Oops, too many OT posts - sry OP

 

After reading the guide, I think I have a general idea of how the upgrade is gonna go down. Bought a 7970M upgrade kit, the listing says its compatible with Clevo models but not the M17x.

I know that physically the card is the same thing, but is there anything I'm not equating here? I'm assuming the 7970 is pre-flashed and incompatible with the M17x. Would I need to flash it over to something else?

Will the HDMI-in/out still work after the 7970 upgrade? I remember when I was looking into upgrading my G73's 5870 to 7970 that one of the backdraws was that the HDMI ports would disable.