Area 51 m15x GPU

After searching these boards and reading as much as I could about my 4 year old Area 51 I decided to upgrade my GPU from a Nvidia 8600M-GT 256MB to a ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB. I picked it up from ebay and it was listed for a M17 but after reading the message board here it looks like it will work. First question is, will this gpu work?

Second, when I open my system up to replace the GPU it looks like the metal connecting plate does not fit the new (ATI) graphics card. Will I have to purchase a new one or do they sell second hand ones on the internet? A search comes up with a 4 screws heat sink, my computer has the 3 screws one.

Lastly, should I install the devise drivers for the ATI before I install the new card?

I hope I provided enough info for someone here to give me a hand. Thanks in advance.

Edit:
I installed the graphics card but I just get a blank screen. I don't know if I have to update Bios? or maybe I purchased an incompatible graphics card?

This is the card I purchased: NEW ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB 216-0709003 41-AB0439-C00G - ALWH-40GAB0439-C40M | eBay

Any help?

Thank you so much

 

Card looks legit. It is a master card correct? Have you pressing tried the onboard / discrete graphics key (f something) when booting?

 

I haven't tried that yet. I will try updating BIOS then trying to hold down the F10 key (I believe)

I think it may be time to purchase a new computer, I have gotten a lot of use out of this one.

Thank you for your info.

 

You are talking about the heatsink for the graphics card. Yes if I remember correctly, the original card youhad the 8600m GT used a smaller heatsink. You will need to purchase the larger one made for the 8800m GT / 9800mGT which will also fit and work for your ATI 3870. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

I also have the same Laptop model, with a previous 8800gtx card installed. I've bought the card and heatsink and have them installed, but I get a blank screen to Start up with intragrated graphics on (pushing and holding right mouse in touchpad area).

Is there a BIOS version that supports this card? I also have the slave card, but it is not Crossfire so should it still work?

 

So you are running only one slave card? If so you will either need to sell it and get a master card OR attempt flashing the slave card with a master BIOS. I have read with some cards the slave>master flash works, others have ended up bricking their cards. You would also need to do a "blind flash" which is dangerous since you can not see what is on the screen. Taking the risk doing this is up to you.

 

Correct, I was unable to find a master card or nVidia card on eBay. I was under the impression that a single slave card would work but it should up as a 3870x2. I still to need to update BIOS to X36, which is quite difficult when you have to go through Alienware's site

 

I've decided to obtain the Master card instead of taking the risk with the blind flash, more so since I haven't done it before and don't a fancy brick

Is there anything else (software) but the X36 bios that I would need for the Ati card?

 

Assuming you have the proper heatsink you should be all set.

 

Yes, I've ordered it and used it to try the Slave card (as expected I had no video display). It might need a slight repaste but should be good.

 

I have installed the Master card, but still am experiencing a blank screen on start up with the card after BIOS X36 is installed. Suggestions?

Some more updates. When I have the ATI card in, I may get a slight picture at start up, but then the screen goes black. I can use into grated graphics via Right button boot (RBB). I see no contrast change when I use the OSD commands, fn +f4/5.

With the nVidia, I get a black screen but I see changes with the contrast OSD commands. However, RBB does not start, the PC starts up then shuts down after 3-4 seconds.

I'm also using my heatsink backing from my 8800 on the Ati card, could this contribute to the issue?

 

I'd take a guess that you've been sold a dud ATI card.

 

Well I tried the pressure/copper coin trick suggested in another thread, and I would get a picture but very high card temps (100+ C), which leads me to believe there is a problem with the card interacting with the heatsink.

 

The shutting down after a few seconds makes sense with the heat. Does the fan for the heatsink spin at all when the ATI card is connected?

Also, I don't have a m15x but for some reason I thought the Nvidia & ATI cards had separate heatsinks.

 

Correct, they do have separate heatsinks and brackets. Both fans (the external GPU and internal) do spin while starting up/Posting.

 

I got my bracket today intended for the ATI card and installed it, looks like that helped to stabilize and adhere the card to the heat sink. Using CPUUD monitor, I'm getting temps up to 87 C with a 0.90 voltage. Is this normal for this card?

Edit: moments after this post, the temps went down to 58C and .9-1.2 voltage.

 

As thermal paste sets in temps will lower some. I think the "break-in" period is 200hrs.