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    Replacing Dead GPU with 7970m

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Special_K, Oct 15, 2012.

  1. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    I'm looking to install a 7970m into my R3 because my warranty is out and my GPU is kaput. I have found a 7970m on ebay for a fairly good price, BUT it is a clevo 7970m. Does anyone know if this will present a problem? Also, The company is willing to flash the vbios with the dell vbios for an extra 50.00. So if i can save 50.00 I will. Also I do not have the 7970m dell bios, anyone know where I can get it?

    Thanks in advance
     
    Special_K, Oct 15, 2012
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  2. Tarkon

    Tarkon Newbie

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    Interested in this thread. I would like to upgrade my 6970m in my M17x with a 7970m.
    How is difficult to replace a video card with another?
     
    Tarkon, Oct 15, 2012
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  3. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    It is actually quite easy, just take out the battery take out the 2 screws on the far ends of the battery bay, slid the bottom panel toward you and now you can see everything besides DIMM slot 3 and 4. And since your going from one ATI card to and another it will be lots easier. Im going from a 580m to 7970m so it will be lots more complicated for me.

    Like I need to buy this heatsink: YHP1P | Alienware M17xR3 Video Card YHP1P Fan/Heatsink

    and I need to make sure i boot on the integrated output remove all nvidia drivers restart in stall the ati stuff bla bla bla bla

    Found a forum with a guy that got a killer price for a new one. Think i might just have to go with this.

    "Alright,...

    Just got off the phone with SagerNotebooks, I called them directly.

    They sell the 7970M kit for various models of their laptops.

    The price I was quoted was $530.00 USD for the following:
    -7970M GPU Card
    -Cooling Solution (HSF)
    -VGA BIOS Flash for whatever specific model of sager laptop you have. I assume this in order to allow the bios to control the cooling fans etc...

    That is a damn spiffy deal."
     
    Special_K, Oct 15, 2012
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  4. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    I'm not sure if a fix had come up already but I believe you had to turn off Enduro in the BIOS to run the 7970m properly.

    Also, you'll need a special support plate and heatsink.
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Oct 15, 2012
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  5. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    Right, I've been reading around and found that, but is the Clevo 7970m compatible with the m17x r3?

    Well good news people! I called up dell and they gave me a price I could refuse for the 7970m with the bracket, heatsink and fan!

    Update: It will be here tomorrow and will let you guys how it all works out
     
    Special_K, Oct 15, 2012
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  6. MolocM18x

    MolocM18x Notebook Geek

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    Nice Let us know how you go....

    I Replaced my card last week from 560-580 and the machine is completely different i know its one series behind but loving it atm...
    maybe next year ill get 680 or new 7 series when they come out..
     
    MolocM18x, Oct 15, 2012
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  7. airacutie

    airacutie Notebook Consultant

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    wow you lucky guy ... i was waiting for more then 2 months for my Dell 7970m so i cancelled the order finally ...
     
    airacutie, Oct 16, 2012
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  8. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    560m-580m is a good upgrade. just dont overvolt your 580m, it will die. I went through one that way and I had 2 other 580m's die mysteriously. So I am done with the 580m for the time being and wanted the 680m because I am Nvidia fan, BUT it costs over 800.00 when every thing is said and done, which is why i went with the 7970m.

    I just got an email this morning from dell informing me that the shipment of my card will be delayed until the 22nd, this isnt looking good :-/
     
    Special_K, Oct 17, 2012
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  9. corona4497

    corona4497 Notebook Enthusiast

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    can alienware laptops handle clevo 7970ms?
     
    corona4497, Oct 17, 2012
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  10. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    That is what I was trying to find out initially, but I found the card cheaper to buy straight from dell than anywhere else, so i didnt buy it from ebay.
     
    Special_K, Oct 17, 2012
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  11. airacutie

    airacutie Notebook Consultant

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    hmm, thats what I kept receiving every couple of days for 2 months before cancelling. Let me know how it ends, really curious. I wish you more luck that I had ...
     
    airacutie, Oct 18, 2012
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  12. Alienware-Natalia_J

    Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative

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    If you are interested in knowing Dell's price for the 7970m, send us an e-mail to [email protected] with your service tag and contact information or PM me, I'll help you out.
     
    Alienware-Natalia_J, Oct 18, 2012
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  13. airacutie

    airacutie Notebook Consultant

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    is it available now?
     
    airacutie, Oct 19, 2012
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  14. Alienware-Natalia_J

    Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative

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    There's a slight delay from the manufacturer still, but It shouldn't take much longer for the card to be available.
     
    Alienware-Natalia_J, Oct 19, 2012
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  15. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    Update:

    Got a call yesterday from a dell technician by the name of " Punnet Thakur", His spelling not mine. Anyways he informed me that the card will be here the 22nd and there should be no more delays. So i decided to check the order status and it still has yet to be shipped :-/
     
    Special_K, Oct 20, 2012
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  16. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    Now the 25th..... this is silly
     
    Special_K, Oct 22, 2012
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  17. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    Update: I cancelled my order finally and went through upgrademonkey on ebay and got the card for 548.00 with shipping. Install was smooth following the guide on the forum and omg this card is a beast!
     
    Special_K, Nov 4, 2012
    #17