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    strange issue with the 580m

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by tsnowberger2012, Apr 30, 2014.

  1. tsnowberger2012

    tsnowberger2012 Newbie

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    so a few months ago i upgraded my M17xR3 from a 6990m to a 580m. just a few weeks ago my computer started to freeze up whenever i would start playing a game and i would have to do a hard reset.
    i tried almost everything aside from reinstalling my OS. at first i suspected it was my GPU dying out already. but here is the thing. if i use the GPU with my alienware unplugged it works, but only at like 50% because it is running on the battery. but the moment i plug the power supply back in the GPU freezes up and i have to do a hard reset. i thought it would be a bad power supply but i just switched it out today and the same thing is happening. if anyone knows what this could be, please let me know.
     
    tsnowberger2012, Apr 30, 2014
    #1
  2. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Hi there, unfortunately I'm fairly sure the GPU has died. I'm seeing 580m's go bad on an almost weekly basis. Mostly lock up's like yours :(. They are simply an unreliable card (and the 675m which is exactly the same card). I've had 4 replacements, two 580m's in my R3 and two 675m's in this replacement!

    The reason it works on battery (and this is also a common symptom) is that the GPU is downclocked on battery so the card is not stressed. See http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/721878-nvidia-320-18-driver-warning.html for a bunch of them dying because of a small overvolt.

    You could check out my posts since there are a LOT of 580m's in there with serious problems.

    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The best replacement (although not a dell supported card) is the 680m or the 7970(?- not sure of AMD cards). Research it as neither are plug n play in an R3, but not too difficult to get working ;)

    Good Luck
     
    MickyD1234, May 1, 2014
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  3. tsnowberger2012

    tsnowberger2012 Newbie

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    hey. thanks for the reply. i was worried it was that, but, i was also hoping it wasn't that since i just got it not even two months ago. :( oh well. i'm not even sure i want to buy another card for this thing since mobility cards are so expensive. i'll probably just build a new desktop in the coming weeks.
     
    tsnowberger2012, May 2, 2014
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  4. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Yeah, you do pay a premium for a portable gaming machine. Shame to not fix it though - just not with a 580m, but of course your call!
     
    MickyD1234, May 2, 2014
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  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    You could put something smaller on it and sell it before you buy a new one.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, May 2, 2014
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