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    M17x R1 280m GPU's Question

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by dave-p, Mar 9, 2011.

  1. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    Dell just sent me 2 new 280m GPU's for my R1, they are both the exact same part number and have the same heat pipes on both cards

    I seem to recall they are 2 different cards, and 2 different heat pipes???

    Before I open up the R1 just wanted to confirm things.
     
    dave-p, Mar 9, 2011
    #1
  2. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    You are right. And really, really easy to change the GPUs in this lappy. And look HERE for some pics and a reference guide some awesome guy (Arm breaks while patting self on back) put together.
     
    pmassey31545, Mar 10, 2011
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  3. orionz

    orionz Notebook Consultant

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    The cards are ALMOST identical....the left card has the SLI connector on the front side of the card (it can be accessed easily without further disassembly)...the right card (slave I think) has it's SLI connector on the rear side of the card UNDERNEATH the heat pipes. So to connect or disconnect the SLI cable on the right card you have to remove the heatsink plumbing!
     
    orionz, Mar 10, 2011
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  4. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Sorry, but I've done this more than I ever cared to. You DO NOT 'HAVE' to remove the 'heat pipes' to install the cable. It's easier if you remove them, but not absolutely necessary.
    http://img138.imageshack.us/f/dscf2563a.jpg/
    Aggravating, but possible.
    But, to your point, I would remove them to do it, but only if I really knew what I was doing and had some heat compound lying around to reapply.
     
    pmassey31545, Mar 10, 2011
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  5. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    removing the heat sinks is not an issue for me, I have the tools etc, just was more concerned that I seem to have two identical cards.

    Will open this baby up today and report how it went

    Cheers
     
    dave-p, Mar 10, 2011
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  6. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    If they look the same and not reversed-like mirror images-they are the same. Did you check the pic I posted?
     
    pmassey31545, Mar 10, 2011
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  7. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You only need the other heatsink as nVidia cards don't use slave BIOSes like ATi so the cards will work in either slot "out of the box".
    The heatsinks should be different one from the other(mirrored as said above).
    But if you still have the old pair of 280ms you can get the heatsink that you need from them and the SLi cable if it didn't come with the new ones.

    cheers
     
    katalin_2003, Mar 10, 2011
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  8. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Yes. 10 char.
     
    pmassey31545, Mar 10, 2011
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  9. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    got it sorted out, the boxes had the same part number, but once i opened up the static bags there was the master in the one, and the slave in the other box. They do look very simular. other than the slight difference in the Sli location.

    I did find the screws for the new master GPU heat pipe assembly were not very tight, and the thermal compund on both new cards were dry.

    So applied some new AS5 while things were opened up.

    I will post some pics later


    Thanks to all who replied.

    Time to test for a few days and see if the black screen symptoms are fixed now
     
    dave-p, Mar 10, 2011
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  10. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    The SLi connector position/cards architecture/BIOS are the same.
    You have the impression that the position is not the same because of the position of the cards/MXM slots/heatsinks ;)

    Good thing you replaced the stock thermal paste,i personally do it with every system.
     
    katalin_2003, Mar 10, 2011
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  11. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    added some photos

    The GPU opened up was the new one, you can see how dry the thermal paste was
     

    Attached Files:

    dave-p, Mar 10, 2011
    #11
  12. cookinwitdiesel

    cookinwitdiesel Retired Bencher

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    Looks like they actually had decent contact on the GPU. You know you only have to take off the touchstrip, keyboard, and those 2 metal plates in the corners right......the GPUs are actually really easy to get to in the R1 (shame the CPU is not though)
     
    cookinwitdiesel, Mar 10, 2011
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  13. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    temps under full load were under 60, both GPU's , ambiant in the 25 - 30 range

    Yeah I realised afterwards I did not have to remove everything I did, but it was easier to work on lol
     
    dave-p, Mar 11, 2011
    #13