Really New To Upgrading Need Major Step by Step Help

Hello my name is Ray and i am currently an owner of a m17x r4 laptop that uses a 2gb nvida 680m graphics card. I have currently ordered the nvida 880m 8gb graphics cards and i would like to know how i would go about installing it. What i mean by that is program wise what do i need to do because i already found videos on how to physically replace the drive but i was told i need to flash something called a bios and i also need to remove my old 680m drivers and all this wierd and confusing stuff.

Basically if someone could give me a step by step instructions on how to do this that would be great.

Also just to be 100% sure is this the graphics card that i need http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...lienware-upgrademonkey/909632_1612386904.html

 

If you havent then I would wait if you need a graphics upgrade the 680m is not much different to the 880m.

You would need to flash the Unlocked BIOS to disable integrated graphics (if your display is not the 120hz one). Then install custom modded drivers as well.

Personally hold onto your money and wait for the next generation, the 880m has not got a great reputation.

 

Hi Ray, I agree with DDDenniZZZ.

I think you may have gone a little too far for a complete noobie at this stuff. A common mistake (that I made BIG time) is to apply the same logic as desktops and upgrading. It is very different.
While waiting for the next generation why not get the best out of your 680m? You should be easily able to reach 780m performance. Mine is running 980mhz boost (720mhz stock) at all times without any voltage mod, just a modified vBIOS that unlocks the +135mhz limit (and plays a little with boost I think).

It makes quite a difference to gaming, way smoother, and you get to learn a little about all this overclocking stuff. Same question as above: Is it a 120hz 3D model? Makes quite a difference to upgrading.

If you want to try overclocking then I can walk you through how I did mine, and how to monitor it's working fine

 

If you already brought the 880M I would see if you can cancel the order and get your money back as this card is known for having so many problems. It runs super hot and throttles down because of it. Just wait for Maxwell and overclock your 680M as that card is still very strong and capable of running all the games on high/highest settings.

 

Ok thank you for the heads up. how would i go about overclocking my 680m to give it the performance of a 780m then?

 

OK, let's start with just basic overclocking and monitoring, then we can go to the heavy duty stuff, still need to know if it's a 120hz 3D model though?

To overclock, get MSI afterburner. You can up the clock speed here up to +135 at stock.
To monitor, set up the afterburner monitors (FPS, Clock speed, temp, you choose these from a list of all available stats) to use the on-screen display (OSD), this is in the settings/monitors tab.
Now when you game you will see realtime stats.
There are a lot of benchmark programs, 3D mark being the most popular but I prefer to use in-game benches and Heaven 4.

Heaven 4: UNIGINE’s Heaven Benchmark Releases Version 4.0 and Extended Editions | Unigine: real-time 3D engine (game, simulation, visualization and VR)

msiafterburner: MSI Afterburner.

For overclocking I prefer NvidiaInspector as I get more information and access to advanced settings but you won't need it ATM.

Once you establish that it runs fine and temps are good we move to stage 2 ovrclocking. This requires a flash of the vbios to unlock the overclock. I can zip you up my vbios file and instructions (Slv7 acknowledged).
You will also need the latest version of the flashing software - NVFlash: Download NVFlash 5.67 for Windows | techPowerUp

Stage 3 overclocking involves increasing voltages and also requires a vbios flash - more for the hardcore guys chasing every oz of performance.

Oh and before any overclocking get some base numbers at stock. Got any recent open world games, Batman AC and AO have good benchmarks to compare numbers?

All you need to see is that temps stay around 70c or less and the clock speed does not fluctuate. I'll be around for another 6 hours or so for questions (or pm me)

 

How exactly do i check if i have a 120hz card? all i know if =s that my screen is a 60hz screen since i didnt want a 3d 120hz screen

 

Not a problem, if you knew about the 120hz but didn't get it then you have a twin (intel and NV) GPU 60hz model. This is important if you were to try an unapproved GPU (like a 7xx or8 xx card)as more work is involved.

Edit: reread! all NV cards are 120hz bootable.

 

Yeah thats correct i have an Intel and an Nvida card. I was also told that i can uses the 780m or the 880m but since the 680m is just fine i will hold of on buying 880m. By any chance do you have a Skype that i could reach you with later. Since Im at work currently.

You can just message me it if you like. I should be done in around 2 hours

My Main Goal is to be able to play ArcheAge on the Very High Settings with atleast 40 fps

 

Yeah you can use them but it's far from plug and play, and since the performance leap is questionable I'd see how it goes for the early adopters that no doubt will be keen to part with their cash.

Don't use skype but we can go off-line in PM's if you prefer less politically correct answers, haha.

I'll be on-line until around midnight (UK) and my phone lets me know if a message or new post arrives

Mick

 

Also on a side note i noticed that recently my HDMI out port stopped working and i have been out of luck to find out the reason for this. Is there a way to restore my laptop to factory settings without using alienware respawn. The reason being is that every time i try to download it,it keeps telling me my disk is full when it is not.

 

Ok thanks. Well i downloaded MSI after burner and i am able to set it to the 135 core speed and i also found that the 550 memory speed works also and i get around 78- 80 degrees while im in ArcheAge without using the 550 memory i believe i am alot lower temp. (this is without using a cooling pad though i doubt the pad would make much difference).

 

I had that problem, Respawn, and just an uninstall/reinstall fixed it. Does it not still give you the factory restore option even if it wont backup?

I believe that one time I run the repair option from a win CD, selected Restore, and it offered me the AW Factory partition as an option. But I have no idea if that was by design or just luck??

If the original factory partition is there you should be good.

Does the Nvidia Control panel list the HDMI ports? A different cable? Not really sure about this, do you frequently plug/unplug. On my M18x I used to have to push down on the plug - cheap components!

 

The factory setting option appears to be greyed out. so i can not click it. i also believe that it stated that the factory partition could not be found, and i currently cannot for the life of me find my old CDs so is there a way i can get the partition another way?

Lastly did you want me to post my numbers after i get a program to test me card?? Before we overclock it?

I will have to get back to you on the HDMI status because i dont have my laptop with me. however when i do connect the HDMI Nvida control panel does not seem to notice that a second screen is connected.

 

Sounds like your first job is going to be cleaning out the fans and maybe a repaste. I never saw above 68c at +135, but I do seem to have hit gold with this one. I put a new heatsink on it from dell and since it comes with all the pads/paste pre-applied all I had to do was screw it together.

I generally overclock the memory just a little, mine is up from 1800mhz to 2000mhz, it does generate extra heat so maybe your temps are more 'normal, the numbers are often quoted differently, I assume 550 means 2200mhz

See if the factory partition does exist use 'Disk Manager' to see all the partitions - look don't touch!

Yes for the basemark, the base mark is important for comparisons and since I have a very similar setup it's easy to see if you have problems

 

Can you link me the good thermal paste to use and a good way to cleen my fans because they are in fact dirty and blowing are on them does not seem to remove the dust.

 

PM'd

10cha

 

Just an update for any watchers.

Cleaned out the heatsink fins - totally clogged.
Maxed out stock clock @ +135. Temp max = 68c
Installed modded vbios, waiting results of tests

Pretty much identical bench numbers to mine at stock and +135, and maybe even a degree or two lower!

Rock on 680m :thumbsup: