M15x + ATI 5870 (MOD)

yep it works. ;-)


I'm just typing this from my secondary PC...running some SF4 benchmark right now on the M15x w/ 5870 successfully installed. The heatsink that the 5870 came with for Clevo is definitely a lot more robust than the GTX 260m one that M15x has. I'm a bit concerned that it might be inadequate. Machine is functioning without issue...installation of oem catalyst driver. The GPU fan is coming on strong pretty quickly upon starting a game which is what has me concerned. I used MX3 on the gpu and the pads on everything else. I had to mix and match pads from the original heatsink & the clevo heatsink in order to get proper contact with the various other chips that are on the circuit board. Maybe the MX3 paste just needs a little time to settle in.

I've got my Zalman NC-2000 on full blast just to make sure I give it all the cooling I can....last thing I want to do is fry the card during this stage of testing.

But it works!!! I'm not really big into benchmarks but I will do some tomorrow. For now just going to have a drink and play some games.





Here are some notes that I have condensed to this main post:

**Major Point** If you do this upgrade please get this program: AMD GPU Clock Tool with the current software the 5870 runs at 700/1000 all the time. With AMD GPU clock tool you can set the GPU & Memory to 250 / 300 respectively and reduce the heat generated by a significant amount when you are not stressing the GPU.

I removed the backplate from the 260m and placed it on the 5870 because the screw size is different on 5870 backplate. On the outer ICs (at the edge of the card beyond the GPU memory) I used the original 260 heat transfer pads.

There's one screw that appears to hold the "exhaust bezel" in place but even after removing that screw I couldn't get the bezel to pop off so I had to delicately pry the heatpipe out. It's very do-able but perhaps there's an easier way...maybe there's another screw for that bezel piece but I didn't see it.


okay, so here even more info in form of a little photo log:


So obviously after taking this photo I applied thermal paste to the GPU.



This photo is actually prior to adding extra pads (doublestacking) to the ICs near the edge of the circuit board....I figured a thick layer of padding is better than no pad contact at all.


As sleey0 mentioned there is a way to remove that exhaust vent bezel but if you remove the screw circled in the above photo you can remove the heatpipe without issue. Saves a little time and no real risk of damages.

 

Congrats. Run GPU-Z and see what it reports for temps

 

CONGRATS!!!

 

Awesomeness!

Now for a version with CF connectors....

 

Unfort the sensors are not reading it.

 

How about HWinfo32? Everest?

 

Hmm. But the drivers loaded properly?

Also try HWMonitor, Everest, HWInfo

Lol, we think alike

 

Thanks. HWMon reports 78c while playing BFBC2 which seems hot!

Left game and now after idling for a couple mins its down to 60.

 

78C for that card is actually quite good.

 

I would call those temps managed

 

How long were you in bc2 for tho?

 

K. Just did some searching online and saw some info about temps so am a bit more comfortable. I just wasn't sure 'cause the OEM heatsink is a nice solid piece of copper whereas GTX260 is copper pipe with alum and a lot smaller.

It's running fine.

Driver install was not a problem.

 

Yes, your temps seem to be fine. Also keep in mind that the cooler pad doesn't help much, maybe just a few degrees. Still, very good news!

 

The other buyer of this card will have his in a few hours (UK). I hope he posts here his experience.

 

So, comparing to your rig, how are the temps?

 

My highest has been 78c when running benches and idles high 40's to 50.

 

Where can u order that card5870?

 

babyhemi had them for sale in the thread below. Don't know if he has anymore for sale though. They were going like hotcakes.

FS: ATi Radeon Mobility HD5870 1GB GDDR5 DX 11, MXM 3.0b with Heatsinks...NEW!!

 

Can you check for throttling? would be nice if the new gpu has no throttling!

 

hey ethan, with the hd 5870, are using the a05 bios?

 

Only the A05 bios supports 5870's.

 

thats great news, will we have any benchmarks comming soon m15x with 5870 would do nicely, it their a small medium big improvent on the 240/260s...

also does the 5870 have a crossfire connection?

 

Why not show us the gpu card and M15x. The M15x could not run the 4870 gpu. Mybe a video. A few months ago Mr Moo and someone else went to a Mcdonalds to test a 4870 in a M15x. It did not work. So please give us some FACTS. Not it Work. Furmarks temps. 3dmark 06 or Ventage and compare it with the M15x with just the geforce 240 and 260.

It sounds really good but I rather have FACTS.

 

Yes, I bought this card because someone (thank you) posted some info about the codename of 5870 being Broadway and it being mentioned in the A05 BIOS update log for the M15x.

Alright, alright. I've got silky smooth frame rates in BC2...sorry if the first thing I want to do is take enjoy the new card and not run some synthetic benchmark. I just wanted to get the info out that it does work to this community but I'm happy to provide screenshots. I'm not going to post a video of the board in the M15x, I don't have time for that. Plus I think most realize that I'm not making this up.

 

Thanks, ethan and +rep given.

Now I just need to pray hemi gets more as I am next in line

 

ethanh8791

Well done getting the 5870 hope you enjoy your new gpu .

 

Do you think the CF cable from 4870s will work with 5870s?

 

I would think the cable would be the same.

 

Well the A05 was supporting 5870 cards so this wasn't really a surprise. But the fact that somebody DIY-ed it, before Dell AW did it, is.

So +Rep if you can show us some pics of this good news!

Hell... Maybe I'll order a single 4870 M17x R2 and do it myself if the M17x BIOS supports it!?!

 

Gotta wait for the next R2 BIOS as the current one most likely does not support it.

 

Hey, this looks really awesome. Could you check if that card throttles?

 

edited. info added to original post

 

+Rep as promised, great job there!
Do you have pictures of you custom heatsink job?

Would be great for other users! I don't own a M15x but I can imagine this will help them trying to improve their rig aswell. Tnx

 

It sounds as if you didn't read the service manual available on dell's support site, ethan?

I know exactly what you are talkin about as the exhaust vent is hard to get out of the system.

If you look at the sm you will see there are screws above (near the lcd) that you must remove, as well as screws to the sides of the vents to get them out.

Anyway, I also did what you did when I put the 280 in way back when the M15x was first released in that I didn't take the vents out I just gently wiggled the heatsink out of the system,

 

finally....happy that the info of broadway helps....now if only i got the extra cash....hmmmmmz =P

 

I really hop hemi gets more cards on Wednesday.

 

HAHA. Service Manual!! Nah, I did not read that. You're totally right, I should have read it but I'm foolish like that.


removed some info from this post to add to the original post.

 

Oh and thank you. I was trying to search for who posted the info but couldn't find it. Cheers man.

 

GREAT PICS!! It looks like a professional job to me. What camera are you using?

 

+rep saw this last night decide to see results today and great thing to see that DIY trump Dellienware +rep

 

Nikon D60 w/ 18-55mm

With the OG heatpipe & pads + the OEM pads you can properly cool the 5870 from what I can tell so far.

Also babyhemi: thanks for the quick shipment and excellent communication.

 

At least it doesnt run over 100 degrees like someone mentioned a while back in the forums. I bet dell ends up using the 5850 with gddr5.

 

Why do you say that?

 

Maybe because Dell chose to use the GTX 260 as the top-end card for the M15x when the 280 was available??

 

@Ethan,
+1 rep. Good job!

 

It's like sleey0 read my mind

 

Well now it will happen because you guys mentioned it. Hope you're happy.

 

Doesn't bother me, as I am next in line for a 5870

 

Ethan now has a m15x-R2 << First in the world. Congrats

I wonder what can the m15x with i7-920xm and Ati 5870 setup can score in Vantage and 3DmarK06.

Will Asus G73 or m15x-R2 take the throne? We have to wait till someone has this setup to find out.