Need help installing a 7970M on Sager NP8170

Hello All! I need some help uninstalling the GPU from my NP8170 and installing a new 7970M. I have found the BIOS flashing guide, but I want to make sure I install it properly first. Does anyone have a guide, or at least the basic run-down of what to do? Pictures would be a bonus!

Thanks!

 

alright, lets do this things to have in hand are a screwdriver, thermal paste, new gpu with matching heatsink and correctly placed thermal pads and also: make sure to ground urself first before touching any laptop innards! either by wearing a grounding bracelet or by touching a metal object such as a heater or smth.
you can start off by checking out the p170hm/np8170 service manual right here: https://app.box.com/s/c6np2wmouuddu950y2df it includes schematics, pictures and necessary steps to take when fumbling around with the hardware of ur model

cheers and good luck!

ps: welcome to the wonderful world of the 7970M, havent regretted upgrading to that gpu, u wont either

 

Jaybee, thank you for the help! I had to get new thermal pads so I'll probably attempt my install on Sunday. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

 

So, it seems as if I might have bricked it, but I'm not giving up yet.

Installation went well (I assume). All the parts fit and I replaced the thermal pad and applied Arctic Silver. However when I went to reboot the system I could not hear anything (no windows noises). My flash drive also did not seem to turn on (no green light). I've tested the flashdrive on other computers and the light turns on when it is plugged in (although it works better in some spots than others).

For now, whenever I turn on the computer it starts and then about a minute in it restarts and then just stays on with a black screen (no sound).

My next thought is to redo the boot with a new flashdrive (that is newer) and hope that works better.

What I want to know is this: Does this have a chance of working? Have I truly bricked the laptop? Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks for all of the help!

 

hmmm, since it restarted on its own im assuming that the vbios flash actually went through. question: does the gpu have any stickers on it? if so, what exactly do they say? cuz apparently, there are two 7970M versions (1.1 and 1.2), out of which only one actually works in HM machines after the vbios flash (namely 1.2)

 

So you did the flash from a system that was booting but gave a black screen? After the flash it's turning on (lights, fans) but is not booting at all?

Which vbios did you use?

 

I'll open it back up and see about that. It did have stickers but I don't remember what they said.

Yes - black screen, but lights and fans.
I used the vbios from Jaybee83's GUIDE to blind flashing the 7970m.

Does that help any?

 

Seems like it is the card itself from your answer, can you take pictures of the card too? Front and back.

 

I will take pictures as soon as I can, unfortunately my infant is asleep and the flat head screwdriver is in her room. So I'll try to post pictures tomorrow night (night being East coast USA time).

 

Okay...so it seems this GPU might be version 1.1 (pictures below). Does that mean that it won't work? Is it even Clevo?

 

yep, thats the the culprit! there were other reports here by users who just couldnt get v1.1 cards to work in their non-enduro machines, even by reflashin the vbios....sorry mate

 

Yeah I would return it if you can, at least the card itself is still working so is of value.

 

So is the part actually Clevo? Or is it only for Alienware? This might be an important point to bring up when trying to get a return. It was specified as Clevo, so if it isn't I'll have a much better chance...if not, I might have to try and resell it on my own.

Also, thank you both for all of your help with this. I very much appreciate it.

 

looks like a clevo to me, but better ask meaker about that, hes more familiar with different board layouts than i am

 

It's a clevo card (p15el and yellow stickers give that away)

 

10chars

 

Thanks again you guys. Hopefully I'll be able to return or sell this chip and get another one so I can try and fix this computer...otherwise...do you guys know how to buy a SAGER/CLEVO shell with a CPU/GPU, but no hard drives or multi-media drives?

 

This card is technically a 8970m or newer card running on the 7970m gpu. Hence the architecture is newer and thus incompatible with the older clevo units.
However, I have the v1.1 2G currently running on my alienware (thnx god) with eurocomm vbios. Never tried it in the clevo as the behemoth 680m with 4GB is in there

Doubt the eurocom vbios will make it work but tis the only vbios for me that works. Even the enduro off vbios will not work in the alienware (well it works in 2D but freezes with 3D and frequent BSOD when trying to run 3D games)

The gurus here have offered excellent advice. Return to sender and get v1.2
Good luck