New GPU

So my buddy got a $900 G73JH rbbx05 refurbished and it came with a defective 5870, hardcore artifacting and GSOD. No driver/bios would fix it. He can't return it because were in Afghanistan right now and we have no out-going shipping from our small base. So I decided to see if I can just order a new MXM 3.0 card from somewhere, a new/used 5870m or 460m would be fine. Anyone know where I can find these notebook gpus to purchase online? Or would any MXM 3.0 card work? Ebay only has 5870s and no 460Ms but their to expensive ($390). I'm hoping to find a 460m <300. Thanks

 

i think babyhemi has one for 300. sucks and sorry to hear. isn't it still under warranty?

 

Well it came refurbished from Tigerdirect, honestly idk what the warrenty is, but we're going to be here in Afghanistan for a while and its very complicating to get packages shipped outbound. 300 would be fine.

 

You have to get an Asus HD5870M and babyhemi definitely does not have one, he's a Clevo seller.

The only way is to RMA it since Asus is not selling the HD5870M.

 

Things I would try:

1) Open her up and do a repaste. You may have a loose heatsink, or bad TIM, and with your ambient temps there, you may be overheating.

2) Make sure the fans are working properly.

3) Video BIOS Version: 012.020.000.032.038352 is the new vBIOS. Make sure yours matches this. If not, d/l from my sig link and flash.

 

Doesn't asus use a non-standard MXM connector (flipped)?

So only asus cards would work.

Before you get a new card, try underclocking the old card. With lower clocks it might be stable.

 

Only an Asus card would work since it uses a different MXM connector AND has a bigger, wider (crappier) PCB - its totally different than the other mob. 5870 used by other manufacturers (Clevo, MSI, AW), and as it has been said you cant just order and buy one. The only way to get a new one is to RMA your laptop (or if you manage to arrange for them to cross-ship you a new one for your defective one).

 

Yes as others have said Asus uses a proprietary MXM slot design so only the HD5870 made specifically for this laptop would work. Unfortunately this is not something that even a reseller can get for you. At this time Asus will not sell this part to anyone. The only way to have it replaced is to RMA it to Asus. If I were him I would contact tiger direct and see if he has any avenues with a DoA laptop...unless it has been too long. Otherwise I am guessing that you should be covered under the 1 year warranty that that series of computer was designed with.

I am sorry to hear your friend is having these problems. I wish you both the best of luck.

 

thanks guys for your help, found someone on ebay to sell his used g73's 5870 for only $230...

 

Don't forget to repaste it before installing.