Clevo P170HMx GPU upgrade - request for information

Hi Everyone! My first post

The laptop in question is a Clevo P170HMx from Ava Direct (way back in 2011). I have been using this laptop, for many years. Recently, the video card has apparently stopped working... let me explain. I was using Windows 10 and the system had blue screen of death. After many restarts, I was unable to repair it and I decided to perform a fresh install of Windows 7, mostly because I did not have Windows 10 media. Unfortunately this did not solve the problem. Even with a fresh Windows 7 install the video card did not work due to blue screen of death related to NVIDIA graphics driver, the file "nvlddmkm.sys" error. It seems like the same problem under Windows 7 and 10. Currently I am using the standard VGA adapter driver because the Nvidia driver always results in blue screen of death. Given the age of the laptop, I would not post this request for help, except that the laptop screen resolution is best at 1920x1080, but, the VGA adapter is limited to 1280x1024, and so I am looking for expert advice.

Here are the laptop specifications:
Laptop series: P170HMx
BIOS revision: 1.01.06
KBC/EC firmware revision: 1.00.05
VGA Card: nVIDIA GTX 485M
VBIOS Revision: 70.04.26.00.01
VBIOS Build Date: 09/20/10

After doing some internet research, I am wondering if I can replace the GTX 485M graphics card. I saw an upgrade kit on eBay for almost $500 which is too much for me. I see cheaper options such as GTX 765M, 675M, 560M, 460M... each for under $100. In short, I spent two weeks and many hours trying different things, and reading on the internet, and I am beginning to realize, this might be complicated, at least for me! Bottom line, if you/anyone has an idea for a way forward at a reasonable price, I am open to hearing it.

Thank you!

 

The 460m and 560m will function plug and play. The 675m will only work properly if you flash the vbios to that of a 580m, which the card is physically identical to. I am not sure what functionality you will have with a 675m vbios.

 

This is excellent info--exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you

 

7970M should work

 

I dont believe he can put an AMD card into that machine. I have the exact same machine with the same problem he has. The 400/500 series is easiest and should be plug and play. From what the company told me when I bought mine, when that model was released the mobo was designed to accommodate either the AMD or Nvidia cards but not both. You couldn't switch once you picked one without getting the other board. I have the 470m and ended up taking it out and baking it and that's gotten me another year out of it.

Edit: make sure you get the Dell/MSI/Clevo version and not the Asus version of the card.

 

I had a couple of P150EMs that I ran both AMD and NVIDIA cards in without issue. I don't see why the P170HM would be different.

 

I bought a used Alienware GTX 460M off eBay for $50. I thought about the "baking" option with my 485M but, decided to try the 460M. Anyway, I should be receive the 460M in a few days and then I can try that. Who knows I may also bake the 485M. Will post update later.

About the Radeon cards, probably could work if I flash my BIOS and what-not. But I am more comfortable with the plug-and-play options. I read Khenglish's amazing DIY job; it's way beyond me, but I am surely impressed! https://premamod.wordpress.com/2017/10/10/clevo-pascal-mxm-standard/

 

You don't have to flash any bios to do the Radeon card. They didn't make any changes to offer two different cards that I know of. Doing a quick search shows users going from an NVIDIA card to an AMD card.

 

I see Alienware 7970M on eBay as low as $80. I assume the TDP is lower for AMD compared to Nvidia? Anyway, will try things out first with the 460M. But I'll admit to being tempted for the price.

 

The 7970m will only work if it is the Clevo card and has the v1.2 pcb. You will then need to make sure it has vbios meant for dgpu only systems on it, requiring a blind flash if not.

Dell cards do not work due to temp sensor reading not working resulting in thermal shutdowns 1 minute after boot. Clevo v1.1 cards are of a later base pcb design (supposedly same as 8970m board) and will not work.

 

OK... I have the replacement 460M, Arctic thermal paste... I successfully removed the 485M from the laptop, installed the 460M, applied thermal paste, and... the GPU mounting plate on the 460M. Is. Not. There. lol. I did not realize I needed to be aware of this. Does anyone know where I can get the mounting plate? Hopefully for $5 or $10 bucks?

Here's my 485M with the GPU mounting plate (I'm not exactly sure what it's called). Not sure exactly the best way to share photos, so here are a couple on my google drive (sorry if this is the "wrong" way to do this):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17N5HhDKWCVfNFr62qlaMya_qU8mLnfBG/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jX26cNWc4hohnZGdw6tWUDwEfaNUwQ_A/view?usp=sharing

And here is the replacement 460M... without it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOlZ0iROIIAWKNQq21BEnijyCiMosiEx/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QGfoyLl_2hCwCRoRq6MhHhrl5ETvMvuT/view?usp=sharing

Anyway... I cleaned everything up, put the 485M back in... at least I'm back up and running with my VGA adapter driver.

 

Take the xbracket off the 485m. Heat the card up some and you can pry it off.

 

OK. Finally Done! Here's the sordid story. At first, I was uncertain about taking the xbracket off the 485M. I bought an xbracket from Hong Kong for $10 (shipping included). After a few weeks, it arrived. Perfect condition. I opened up the laptop, took out the 485M, cleaned it up, put the 460M in, and.... the screws did not fit the xbracket from Hong Kong. Deep breath. Got my courage up and went for it. Carefully pried off the xbracket from the 485M. Took about 15 minutes of gentle coaxing. Put it on the 460M, and.... it would not "stick" to the underside of the card. Oh boy now what. After a few anxious minutes, I had the idea of using a long piece of tape to essentially use as a lever to keep the xbracket as close to the card as possible. I did not have a gentle adhesive available to help the xbracket "stick" to the underside of the 460M, and I did not want to use super glue just in case the 460M did not work, and I needed to reinstall the faulty 485M. In any event, fit the 460M into position. Attach the first heatsink component and screws. Next, arctic ice application. Finally something apparently straightforward. A few minutes later, after a couple more false starts, I was able to get the second heatsink component's first screw into the xbracket, then the second, and slowly all four. Tighten all screws carefully. Gently work the tape away from its place, ensuring it is completely removed from the laptop. Place the laptop back cover and screws. And now the magic moment. Turn on the laptop. Wow. I was not expecting this. I should have taken a photo but I missed it. Totally new pre-boot screen. Nothing about American Megatrends etc. Some really funky STYLE graphic appears for a second and then the system booted into Windows. At least that is a good start. I rebooted right there, because I wanted to try and get into the BIOS to take a look. So, reboot. And bingo! The usual American Megatrends text appears on screen. I press DELETE and I land in the BIOS config screen. NVIDIA 460M is listed as the graphics card. Yeah! Get out of BIOS, boot again. Back into Windows. Navigate to the NVIDIA website, download drivers, install, reboot. The Windows login screen is already using the 1920x1080 resolution. Could it be that everything is now working as expected? I log into Windows, and start checking settings. Indeed the NVIDIA drivers worked, the display adapter shows the GTX 460M. This almost 10 year old laptop is now back in business!

If you're still reading then you might be interested in these screenshots:

Here's the screenshot showing how I used the scotch tape: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UHv-Xxe9rjrVqtCRCADqqRTxGsjafIR5/view?usp=sharing

Here is a view of the two xbrackets and screws (top view): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iX0NLECjSa6xkVhVtP6RsDMX33axLk7g/view?usp=sharing
Bottom view: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s1QLOGW7WOF5rUAEP4eLH550AjmLKzUu/view?usp=sharing

Thank you All for your feedback and especially Khenglish for your helpful advice!