Upgrade to GTX 1060... 120Hz REQUIRED?

I have an old 17 R1 that was given to me a couple years ago and the graphics card is garbage (I believe it's the GTX 780m). I would like to upgrade and I'm looking at either the 980m or the 1060. I pretty much never use this as a laptop, but rather have it in my entertainment center connected to the system via HDMI. For this reason, I really don't have any need to update to the 120Hz screen.

I've seen conflicting comments on whether the 120Hz upgrade is really NEEDED or not... given my setup, can I go with the 1060 using the original screen, or should I opt for the 980m?

Thanks for your help

 

Some others may be able to help you out on this question, but I'm pretty sure that people have gotten the Pascal cards to work with the 60hz display.

 

Its not explicitly required but it is the ideal scenario to run it with.

You can also just use SG mode if you have the 60hz panel in which case the Intel HD is driving the display. Though you may lose up to 15% performance and/or have the typical issues that plague certain Optimus only systems

 

Thanks. Is there a reduction in performance or "typical" issues if I'm using the HDMI out, regardless of panel? I'd prefer stability to maximum performance.

 

stability and maximum performance are one in the same until you mod the power allotment.

I want to say that those issues are circumvented if using video I/O but I cant recall at the moment as it was not my scenario when I had mine.

 

Thanks again, Rec. I don't plan to do any power mods, so I'll go ahead and give the 1060 a shot. My main concern was that it wouldn't work (at all) with the 120Hz panel, so I wouldn't be able to configure once installed. I'll take a look through the upgrade threads for the driver changes.

 

Keep us updated with the upgrade and some benchmark scores would be really helpful for others who may be thinking of it.

 

In the beginning it was stated that it was impossible without eDP 120hz panel but over time as more people tested this became less and less accurate.

The issue with the 1060 though is that the die sits lower than the 17 R1's heatsink accounts for, so you will need a copper shim, or at least I did for my Ranger which frustrated me and later sold it for the 1070.

I hate Optimus with a passion, and any method that mirrors that result. Input lag, frame tearing, inconsistent performance etc etc its why even though I thought I would love the 13 R3, it gathers dust in my closet. Really need to stop being lazy about selling that thing.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-over-your-nvidia-driver-installation.835030/

This should help with driver installation according to comments in the thread.

 

Second that. In an ideal scenario one would avoid to upgrade the optimus path, imo it's a pita, performance loss, games starting on the Intel instead of the nVidia e.g. But as you have the 60 Hz model already and are willing to upgrade, I'd say it's worth a try, you could upgrade the screen later anyway.
Though sourcing a 120 Hz display assembly for the R1 may be a bit hard nowadays.

 

Assembly is the same and the N173HHE-G32 panel works just fine. Cable might be more expensive but thats about it