What should I upgrade on my m17xR2 ?

Hi everyone!

I have a m17x R2 since 2011, with the following specs:

Intel® Core™ i7 920XM 2,0GHz (3,2GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
8GB SDRAM DDR3 1333MHz
Disque dur SSD Samsung PM800 290 Go ( already order for a 840 Pro 512 GB )
1024 MB AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5870

I there a way to safe-upgrade it ( safe means keep system stability ) ? What part should I change?

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

Video cards to 7970m's.

 

Thanks for your answer.

Really? I didn't know it was possible to change the video card on a laptop

Is there a tuto somewhere?

Don't you recommend to upgrade my RAM to 2 x 8 Go instead of 2x 4Go ?

EDIT: Regarding this topic, it returns that " the 5870m bracket not working with the 7970m card "

 

Yes, you will need a new X Bracket and correct version of 7970M card, not all of them will work and most of the time Vbios flash is a must.

 

That's absolutely not sounds like a safe upgrade

( just for info, why the 7970 and not the 8970 ? )

 

It's safe as long as you take your time reading up a little. It definitely worth it. Its amazing the m17x r2 can still punch above it's weight until today. An amazing machine with amazing potential you have yourself there.

 

The vendor upgradeyourlaptop ( as mentioned in others topics ) sells kits with X bracket. Sadly, there is no more 7970 kit anymore

 

I don't think 8970M has been tested yet on an R2, though really it's a 7970M. 7970M has been tested and has no major issues in the R2.

 

I vote you should get another 5870m, $200 on ebay. Those 2 cards are above a 6990m. In terms of performance for price, that is your best option, seeing as asymmetric crossfire is not supported.

Also look into a Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300m, $30, you will see a huge difference in wifi performance, and its really cheap.

 

Actually a 6990M benches higher than 5870M Crossfire. 5870M Crossfire benches slightly higher than a 6970M. I mean it is pretty miniscule the difference (I used to own an R2 with 5870M CF, sold it now I have this 17" Sager with 6990M).

 

I would suggest going for a single 7970m for now, this upgrade will give you a significant boost over your 5870m. After this upgrade once you get familiar with all the tweaks needed, you can even go crossfire. There are many members here that can help you along the way to do a successful upgrade of the card, so even if it looks complicated don't worry, the performance boost will be worth it in the end.

 

Thanks for answers... Now I just have to find one, with the good kit for m17x

 

We have the NBR marketplace right here, why don't you put a post in the Want to Buy section. Members will generally sell you the cards cheaper on here, and you are pretty much guaranteed a good card :thumbsup:

 

It has been tested in R2 and it works also in CF configuration same as 7970M

The thing is:

1. While Video cards for desktops are almost undestructable and much more ESD safe, the MXM standard is in my opinion the biggest fail of all.

2. MXM cards are VERY ESD FRAGILE

3. Poor quality components and VERY POOR QC, sometimes QC is just is just a sticker, nothing more.

4. Poor soldering job, or Very poor.

5. At most 2 years lifespan, or dead after initial 3-6months (burn in), even if we keep our filthy hands away from overclocking, and even if you undervolt.

6. Filmsy hands, bad heatsink, too much screw on power without retention clips - Deadly


This makes GPU upgrade a vvery costly operation, not only in R2.

Who else experienced a MXM gpu fail recently ?......like 80% on NBR i suppose...

Anyways it should not stop anyone from upgrading, it is fun and educative, and there are many, many users who are accually happy


so BE CAREFULL

 

Huh maybe the 8970M threads have disappeared or aren't as prominent as the 7970M/CF upgrade threads, I mean that and the 290X for MXM and 8970M are just better spec 7970M cards.

 

Should I buy this one?

Ebay 7970m

If so, what other pieces do I have to buy?

 

you need to check with them what VBIOS is original on the card.

If you buy dell card it has to have VBIOS 015.021.000 or older. The 015.022.00 original could be unusable.

Clevo cards would have other VBIOS numbers as what is usable.

There is no way you should swap your CPU btw.

 

The seller said:

015.021

 

That was my first upgrade too.
As long as you use single card you will have HDMi with sound.
Bear in mind that it has normally been Clevo cards that has been the easiest cards to get hold of, and if you want to do crossfire you need two cards of same type.

You might also have to re-flash VBIOS with clevo VBIOS to make crossfire run properly. Loosing sound for HDMI as a result but that is something you can work around if it is a must.

 

Hi Trome

No I definitively don't want crossfire. Single card would be just fine for me. And anyways, I don't care about HDMI.

So, if I go for the 015.021, is it OK? What would I have to do next? Buy additional items?

 

You have probably seen this guide

If shows what cards that will fit and how to do it, you just skip the parts about crossfire (most of it) Its quite straight forward as long as the card is not a degraded 022 card. From that same vendor as you link to here is where i bought my last card so they should be ok.

I did mod my PSU and added another card and now i can play BF4 on all settings as high as they go, and normally I hover @ 61 FPS. (ive limited it to 60)

If you dont want to go crossfire, i cant see what more that needs to be done when reading your setup.