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    New GPU need help Guys!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012.

  1. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    hey Guys

    Just purchased a GPU 6990m from a NBR member for my m17xr3
    when i installed it and pushed power button black screen 8 beeps..

    what i done so far..

    reset cmos
    set all back default
    checked GPU twice
    checked around gpu ok.

    running windows 7 64 bit
    bios A10 stock

    is there something bios im missing or go back to A08 bios?

    i put back my 560m to test and booted worked as normal ...

    please help want this running been through alot to get this all together GPU from perth ,heat sink from UK , x bracket from Canada lol!!

    so yea
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  2. airacutie

    airacutie Notebook Consultant

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    airacutie, Oct 2, 2012
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  3. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    hey

    thanks for you reply i checked and double checked not sure were done wrong...
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  4. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Hi, since you are failing POST we can rule out OS or software related issues (so far!). It's going to be BIOS or hardware related.

    What I'd try is first remove the 560 completely and bring the machine up on the iGPU only. Don't uninstall any drivers/software at this point. Roll back the bios and put in the AMD. If you can't get it to POST then you have to think the card is faulty - as long as you don't have the 120hz display :eek:
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  5. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    hey thanks i will try and roll back now ... but my issue is this i dont have IGPU on my bios main page says iGPU not detected then below that says Nvidia GFX and i tried installed driver for the IGPU but says not compatible ...

    always wondered why... maybe i dont have?
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  6. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Really sounds like you have a 120hz 3D display. On those models the iGPU is disabled (it's built into the CPU) and the display is connected differently. If this is the case then you are limited to an nvidia GPU :(
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  7. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    yea my screen is 3d

    any way to enable it? unlocked bios?
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  8. pau1ow

    pau1ow Notebook Deity

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    If your screen is 3D, then you can't install any ATI cards :(
     
    pau1ow, Oct 2, 2012
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  9. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    what!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  10. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Afraid your scre** :( .

    The 3d display can only be used with Nvidia cards. Looks like you'll be selling that card and looking for an NV upgrade - maybe time for a 680m since you don't seem concerned that you'd loose 3d (as you will on an r3 with a 680) :eek:
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  11. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    ohhhhhh i am spewing
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  12. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Sorry man. :(

    Dell are not very clear on this when purchasing so it's a rookie mistake I've seen before :rolleyes:
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  13. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    no way there has to be way bar from changing my screen
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  14. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Afraid not. Your panel is physically connected differently and no way get around that without replacing it.
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  15. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    use dont understand i feel like snapping the card in two right now but ill bite my tongue and try and sell it complete unit.... heat sink and all compete

    what use think its worth card heatsink x bracket thermal pads... ??
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  16. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    That's the thing to do! Complete with heatsink it should be easy to shift.

    It arises because Nvidia 3d requires 120hz display so that it can provide 2 x 60hz images to the glasses. Neither the Intel iGPU or AMD cards are capable of driving a native 120hz display so you're tied in. 'Glass half-full' comment - you'll never have optimus issues :)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  17. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    yea true well sorta defeats the purpose when i wear glasses cant even use 3D lol but i didnt purchase this from DELL got it from JB-HI-FI (store in Australia) ...... so ill prob try go for 580m or 680m....
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  18. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Did you get the nvidia glasses with it?

    As for the upgrade, just remember that the 680 does not get detected as 3d in the R3 so although everything else works you give up 3D. If you want 3d then the best you can get ATM is the 675m (which is the same card as the 580), which I find is great for all the games I've tried - even in 3D.

    See: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability.html. Epic read but all the info you should need :)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 2, 2012
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  19. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Sorry bro, Paulow is correct, ATI card will not work with the 3d screen, you have to stick to nvidia.
     
    SlickDude80, Oct 2, 2012
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  20. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Yea I know ah well there was a reason I stuck Nvidia all these years thought I try AMD not mentioned to be lol.... Hopefully I can sell it or trade for 580m or something else...

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  21. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    dude that really sucks i just hope you get the card sold alright
     
    martin541, Oct 2, 2012
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  22. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Is it worth while changing the screen?

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 2, 2012
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  23. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Personally I wouldn't think so. I think the money would be better spent on a 580/675m for similar performance in most games to the AMD, or a 680m for (arguably) the best around ATM. And hope Dell do the right thing and release a BIOS update to support 3D on it, although this seems a low priority issue for you :)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 3, 2012
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  24. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    True might save up for a 680 or cheap enough 580 comes around ill grand that....

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 3, 2012
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  25. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Cool. First thing is to unload that card and see what you can get for it. Put that behind you and you'll have a better idea of your budget ;)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 3, 2012
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  26. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    If it goes... Not sure what it's even worth as a complete unit.... Asked for a price check... Or trade see how it goes... I guess

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 3, 2012
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  27. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    No one's Interested :-( yet lol worse things I'll get a non 3d 1080P screen

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 4, 2012
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  28. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Shame, but unless you can find a panel cheaper than a 580/675 then the 'downgrade' is probably not worth the effort...
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 4, 2012
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  29. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Ok guys sold my AMD card :-( and bought a 580m thanks again guys for all your help really great full... :)

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 7, 2012
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  30. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    :cool: Have fun :)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 7, 2012
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  31. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Bar from lifting the laptop or using a notebook cooler which I use throttle issue fixed yet 580m?

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 7, 2012
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  32. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    No fix from Dell. The power throttle (drops to P1 clock, 405 I believe?) is 'working as designed'. The fix for this one is a modded vBIOS. For the 78C throttle where the card drops to 74 and is unusable is poor pasting/padding and or blocked heatsink (dust). Dell replaced my heatsink with a new one and my R3 never went over 72C after that.

    The heatsink complete with new pads and pre-pasted is available form Dell at a reasonable price if you want an easy solution. Depends on what country you're in but I was quoted £19.00 on the UK and I've seen $24.00 in the US.

    Check your temps and if you see temps in the 70's often then a repaste is probably the answer.

    All details in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...x-580m-78c-throttling-see-post-191-later.html - a bit of a read!!!
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 8, 2012
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  33. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Cheers for that will take it up just quickly is the 560m and 580M have the same thermal pads placement?

    Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 8, 2012
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  34. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Probably but I don't know for sure. There are pictures here (somewhere on NBR - sorry) of the pad placement. There is also a strip of putty that covers the voltage regulators. If you can't find a pic I think I have one I took I can post :)
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 8, 2012
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  35. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    OK guys

    A final update i have received my 580M gtx installed operational ... re paste with artic silver atm idle is 54 deg but its on its first boot since the repaste running for 10 mins ... would like to thank everyone once again... so I may re flash bios to 675 later on but just happy the drama is over .... lol

    Regards
    Leigh (MolocM17x)
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 10, 2012
    #35
  36. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Excelent news :thumbsup:

    Nothing to be gained from a 675 flash - except '675m' showing up in the display data - unless I missed something. Just use a vBIOS with P0 and P1 matched so you don't get the power throttle :D
     
    MickyD1234, Oct 10, 2012
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  37. reborn2003

    reborn2003 THE CHIEF!

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    Glad to hear its all worked out in the end Champ!

    Enjoy gaming with the new GPU! :thumbsup:

    Cheers. :)
     
    reborn2003, Oct 11, 2012
    #37