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    P170SM-A 970M -> 980m or 1060m?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by szkubi, Sep 23, 2020.

  1. szkubi

    szkubi Newbie

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    Hi, I have Clevo P170SM-A with i7-4900mq and gtx 970m. Last time I started to think about upgrading my GPU and not sure which way to go. Is GTX 1060m worth having more trouble with getting work properly? Or maybe 980M would have almost same performance and would start without modifications? My Clevo has stock BIOS and Im afraid that getting prema's one is impossible nowadays (or maybe somebody have it and can send me on email?). Do I need modded bios with both cards? I thought that if there were an option to get 980m in stock in my clevo it would start p&p. Am I right?
    Sorry for my english ;p
     
    szkubi, Sep 23, 2020
    #1
  2. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    It depends, how is the machine performing for you now? Have you tweaked it?
     
    Meaker@Sager, Sep 23, 2020
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  3. szkubi

    szkubi Newbie

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    It's not bad. It's more than ok for my everyday use but sometimes for gaming or working in CAD I could use more power. I just want to upgrade this laptop as much as I can to give it a couple of years more. I dont need new computer but If I can do something with this one I want to give it a try.

    Regarding overclocking I didnt do it. I wanted to OC new one because that will give me better performance. Planned to sell 970m to get some money for a new one.

    What do you think about cards from aliexpress? Is it worth to give it a try?
     
    szkubi, Sep 24, 2020
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  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    You would want one with a decent VRM if you are doing CAD.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Sep 24, 2020
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  5. szkubi

    szkubi Newbie

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    VRM?
    CAD is not a primary task since Im using company computer during work. I mentioned that because sometimes I have to design something in my free time but more important is gaming performance.

    EDIT:
    You meant Vram? Both 980m and 1060m has decent amount od vram I guess.
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2020
    szkubi, Sep 24, 2020
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  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Meaker@Sager, Sep 24, 2020
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  7. szkubi

    szkubi Newbie

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    I cant find specific information about VRM of those cards but I know that 980M is a bit hotter than 1060M. However my Clevo has quite good cooling system so I guess its not that much important for me. My 970M has about 65-70 during benchmark which I think is good temperature.
     
    szkubi, Sep 25, 2020
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  8. Blacky

    Blacky Notebook Prophet

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    My vote is for the 1060. I think you can put in the 1070 as well with a modified GPU heatsink from Eurocom, but I think that's overkill.
     
    Blacky, Sep 25, 2020
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  9. szkubi

    szkubi Newbie

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    Its not about voting. I know that 1060m is obviously better GPU. Im asking if performance gain is worth of paying more ($230 vs $350 on Aliexpress) and if its possibile to get this card work on stock bios. I have read about modding .inf file and Im ok with that but if there is more to do?
     
    szkubi, Sep 25, 2020
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  10. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Should just be modified drivers software/firmware wise.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Sep 25, 2020
    #10