Which M17x to Beef up? R3 or R4?

I have a M17xr3 that has been an issue lately. Was told I needed to replace my GPU (GTX 580m) because of discoloration to it, which is a sign of overheating. Was also told this GPU was not meant to go in the R3. The symptoms are that when I plug my adapter in the system automatically wants to reboot when I try to browse web or play a game. I tried a replacement adapter and had same results. I did a clean reboot went into RAID0 when I did it, and still the same issue.
I just bought a M17xr4 that comes with a GTX 680m, i7 3740QM, 256GB SSD, 16GB RAM(4 DIMM's), FHD Resolution 1920x1080. Here's the slight problem, it's not a 3D screen whereas my R3 is 3D. My R3 is decked out, i7 2860QM, 1 TB (2- 512GB SSD's in RAID0), 32GB RAM, and FHD 3D Resolution 1920x1080, and I bought a replacement GPU (Radeon HD 6970m) for the supposedly bad GTX 580m.
My question is stated above in subject line. I'm not sure if the 680m would work in my R3, or if the 680m allows true 3D. Another possibility I was considering is to swap the 3D monitor from R3 to the R4 since it can handle the newer GPU's. I also bought another 256GB SSD so I can have whichever M17x put into RAID0 also. Any suggestions? Also, I never have replaced a GPU, but have watched it done on youtube, so any suggestions on which thermal paste to use and do I need any thermal pads? Thanks.

 

Whoever told you a GTX 580m isn't meant for an R3 is wrong. It's an officially supported card. The trouble is, the 580m is just a bad card, that'll die without warning.

Anyway to answer your question, I'd go with the R4 to beef up. It's more future-proof than the R3, e.g. R4's can take Ivy bridge processors, whereas on an R3 you're stuck with Sandy bridge.

Btw the R3 only supports up to the GTX 580m. The GTX 680m isn't supported. You can make unsupported cards work with a modded driver though. I have a 780m in my R3 and just mod the drivers myself. You'll probably lose 3D capability with an unsupported card though.

 

Hi, the 580m was the top NV card for the R3. Best bet as far as I can see it to transfer the panel and emitter assembly to the R4. I believe it's the same SEC unit used in the R4 120hz. The 580m is the same poor card as the 675m and is often the cause of problems.

The 680m in the R3 will not provide 3D so that is a non-starter .

The AMD is not going to work with the 3D display (machine will not start) but swapping them over should give you a pair of working machines. Remove the card and heatsink as an assembly and you do not need to repaste the 680m. For the AMD you will need a different x-bracket, and pad placement will be slightly different.

HTH

 

Sorry I went about it a long way.

Yes, just putting the R3 3D panel in the R4 and you should have a fully working R4 3D 680m model. I've followed a few threads on 120hz upgrades and even those that never went the extra step for the 3D all were impressed with the display and you get 120hz even if the 3D does not work.

The AMD may say 3D capable but this term often just relates to 3D perspective games. I'm sure there is a solution for AMD using 3D glasses but the work required is probably too much. If you attempt to use this connected to the 120hz panel the machine will not start and just beep

There are a few teardown videos relating to the panel (and the emitter). It does look daunting but there is very little prying from what I saw when I watched it done on mine a couple of times. I'll have a look back and update if I find anything.

While you have it open that much, does it have an msata drive? Have you thought about if it's useful? Also you now have access to the other two memory slots so you may have better combo options?

 

Upgrade the R4! Go all out: grab a 3940XM, a GTX 780M, and a 330W PSU. Install a custom vBIOS for the 780M and overclock those babies. You'll be playing BF4 on Ultra at 60 FPS in no time.

 

Go with the R4 and upgrade that one. The 680m will work on the R3 (it's not officially supported though) but it will not let you use the built-in 3D capability.