Is upgrading gpu in clevo really practical / feasible ?

I am contemplating getting a clevo 170sm with 780m gpu. In about 2 years ill want to upgrade the gpu. How realistic and feasible is upgrading really?

It seems like upgrading is just something that really isn't done much. Either its because theyve swittched to a new socket or a new gpu costs lenough to get a whole new laptop.

Can anyone comment on whether the upgradability is just a myth not really practical? I would get it through mythlogic so the labor would be pretty much covered.

 

The price of a new top end GPU is what usually prohibits people from actually doing so. If you get a 780M now, two years from now you'll probably want the top end card at that time too. We usually see around $800 or so for top end mobile GPU's. Once you consider that and the price of getting a whole new computer with new everything else that is usually the best way to go.

 

Thanks. Is 800 really all that crazy for a new GPU though ?

I mean right now the cheapest laptop brand new with the 780M would be 1800. Paying 800 is a lot cheaper than paying 1800 all over again in two years time, no?

 

Its not too bad of a price. If the new ones come out and are compatible you can put one in there.
With a whole new computer you will also get the latest CPU and everything else that has been upgraded.

 

Ah Makes sense, in 2 years time, cpu/ports/connectivity may have changed as well.

Does anyone know if the next gen nvidia cards will be compatiable in the current clevos ?

 

True. You could be looking at a different chipset, board revisions, etc.

There's no way of knowing about next gen NVidia cards yet. Heck, I think we're still trying to ascertain whether current 7xxM cards will work in EM series or not with BIOS mods.

 

Upgrading isn't done much because Clevo/Sager cripples the BIOS. They prety much force you to buy the new models if you want the latest gpu-cpu.

 

Do you have a source for this information? Since they tout the upgradability it is hard to believe they do this.

The 780M maybe $800 now, but in a year how much will they be? When upgrading you just need something better, maybe not the best.

 

Sager do have a different EC management system so there can be conflicts but to say this is deliberate is a bit of a stretch.

 

I paid $350 7 or 8 months ago for my 7970m. A very practical and feasible investment in my eyes. It was a lot cheaper than buying a whole new laptop, especially with a 7970m or 680m in it.

 

Mind me asking where you paid $350? I am thinking about upgrading myself. I am in Asia/Europe though. Also, if anyone has a guide on this, that would be great! I am a bit confused and the card appears to cost like $800 which seems to high?

Also, it is from a P150HM with the 6970M to the 7970M - is that a direct fit or what else needs to be done? Bios? Heat sinks? anything?

Thanks for the help!

 

I would avoid clevo for now as future upgrades are not supported. Once clevo had a great design eg HMseries which can accomodate last years gpus. These days the SM series shows no clear link to possible future upgrades so caveat emptor and haswell is very hot cpu and 780 is again another overclocked gpu from 680 which will run hot compared to 680 so essentially notebook will be an oven when gaming.

 

I bought it from a private seller on the hardforum, not a retailer. Have you checked ebay lately? From what I see on there now, there's actually a P150HM upgrade kit, with heatsink and x bracket, with the 7970m already flashed. Normally with a 7970m, you'll need to flash the vBIOS. Fortunately there's a wonderful thread for that from jaybee. jaybee83'sblind-flashing

 

He is not exactly incorrect with that assumption. The HM series are not compatible to the 7970m vid card. It was a third party blind flash that allows the compatibility.

My 9170em is also not compatible with the 780m. So far, no bios exist to allow this upgrade. Don't even hold your breath for Sager's help. As far as sources go, it comes from all Sager notebook users. The advertisement for upgrade ability is a joke. If fact, I'm almost thinking of it as a scam.

Just an FYI for video card prices, the 680m also cost about $800 when it came out over a year ago. Now, it cost about $600 on ebay, that is if you can find one.

 

Actually the vbios file for the 7970 for use in the HM series was designed and released by clevo/sager. It was people on here asking for the file which got them to make it.

 

Indeed it was due to the fantastic efforts of kingpin
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...ition-bios-updates-clevo-hm-model-series.html

 

I dunno. My experience has been after 2 years or so a GPU upgrade isn't quite a reasonable investment since the laptop has seen it's wear and tear and newer technologies and/or features make their way into the newer laptops.

 

I agree with you, since 2 years in computer years can be considered as a couple of generations. Technology moves too fast. 800 for a gpu card..... dang.... that cost is indeed scary.

 

Yes if you go top end you pay a high tax on the top nvidia card but the 770M is a lot cheaper.

 

still making headway...

 

If all you need is a faster GPU, then it is a lot cheaper than buying a whole new laptop. And as pointed out, you don't have to go top end. Not to mention the 780M was just released, prices will drop over time. Obviously there is some demand.

 

Sorry for reviving an old thread from a year ago, didn't feel like making a new one just to ask one question. My laptop is pretty old, I am due for an upgrade and its showing signs of old age. My comment from last year, is it still the norm with the new Clevo laptops that are coming out? It made me stay away from Clevo because of that, I'm hoping it changed since last year.

 

Default BIOS does this. If your machine is out of warranty you might as well get a modded BIOS from prema and update it and be done with it. =D.

As for clevos, they probably will not change this. Almost no manufacturer allows you to hot-swap new GPUs except Alienware. MSI definitely doesn't do it, GOOD LUCK doing it with an ASUS even WITH a BIOS update, and Clevo you can get one from Prema (and a matching heatsink probably if need be) and then you're basically good to go. Either way, it's a pick-your-poison these days. I will say the new clevo SLI models are doing pretty dandy though. They're fairly cool (I hear) compared to the last couple gens, and excepting the 880M fiasco, should do just fine with the new 900M series that's launching in about 4 days, if you decide to go Clevo again.

Otherwise, Alienware is your best bet, and at the least, the warranty will keep you properly covered for a long time =D. (get at least a 3 year warranty on those things you won't regret it).

 

If you are ok, wait and let others try first when the cards are actually out, then you will know for sure.

 

I think thats the best option for me right now. With proper maintenance this laptop should hold out a little longer.

 

I don't see why not, it's still very solid.