Removing and replacing X-bracket from a GPU (P150EM)

Hello there,

I have a P150EM and some people know that already, since this isn't my first topic here. Recently I bought a Tesla M6 and a Quadro P4000 looking for a good replacement card and yes, I'm aware there is not a single person that was successful in installing those cards on that clevo. I mean, maybe there are some people that was actually successful installing that specific Quadro (Khenglish for example), but you can't say the same about the Tesla M6. Yes, I know that and I bought knowing it'll be an "adventure"... or maybe to hold those cards for compatible laptops in the future, idk.

ANYWAY, this is not important, what is important is none of those cards came (Tesla card arrived today)/will come with a X-bracket, so I'll need to install them myself and I have no idea how to even begin. I have a GTX 970M that is my main card rn and a defective 7970M that was the card that originally came with this laptop. Both have a X-bracket installed.

What I want to ask is: what the heck am I supposed to do to install this thing? The only tutorial I could find was a Vimeo video with confusing instructions and, despise that, the guy doesn't show the process to install the bracket, only for removing it. Can I use the HD 7970M bracket or I'll need to use the one from GTX 970M? Which tools to use and how is the process? Maybe I just have no idea how to find instructions for that and this is actually simple to find/do (I hope so). If that's the case, please, can someone enlight me?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Alright, I learned how to remove the bracket (just use a heat gun/hair dryer until x-bracket comes off easily. You do need to protect memory chips and everything that is close if you plan to use the card later), but I have no idea which adhesive/tape to use for glue X-bracket in place. Which one do you guys recommend?

 

A non conductive glue I guess, not had to replace it before. Usually the old glue is enough for my uses.

 

For now I used electrical tape and since it won't be loose after installing gpu, I tried either way.

It did the job, but then I discovered that Tesla M6 doesn't work on P150EM. It doesn't show anything on screen and I can't be sure if it's not booting or if it's actually booting, but with only external monitor support. Thing is: Tesla M6 is supposed to show video on a VGA monitor only and there is no VGA port on P150EM, so... yeah.

I'll hold it for a future M6700.

 

EM displays are driven off the IGP only IIRC.

 

Yeah, and this is exactly the reason why I don't think it was the issue. It's probably an incompatibility problem.

Also, even without glue I could use the X-bracket with the Quadro P4000 and it's working perfectly

I'm just not sure if I used the best driver available for it, but this will be a matter for another topic.

 

Hello guys sorry for reviving the topic but i found myself in a similar situation as i currently have a 970m to replace the dead 7970m on my Clevo P150em. The issue is that the 970m came with the dell x-bracket that has lower screw holes so my screws are too short. Do you think i should just swap the brackets from one card to another (the bracket on the 970m seems to be a bit loose so i think i might be able to pry it off by hand) or do i just try to get the right screws (might be harder as i am not exactly sure where to get and i am somewhat in a hurry to get the new card working)?

 

I found the right screws. They are M2x4mm if I'm not mistaken.

If you buy a pack with different sizes, it's a good idea to test them out, but I had really good results with M2x4mm, like temperatures not surpassing 65°C with 970M.

 

That's good to know. And did you use any washers to fill in the space between the metal tab of the heatsink and the hole so they wouldn't bend too much?

 

They do bend a little when I use those screws, but I didn't use anything and it was fine.

I was using a different screw before, which was also M2, but only 3mm, so it was used to bend even more. I didn't have any issues besides high temperatures, of course.

Thinking better right now... I probably used M2x6mm not M2x4mm. It's the same size as the screws that you use in upper heatsink (at its sides).

 

Thank you so much for the info Then you wouldn't recommend i simply swap the brackets right?

 

I don't. And this is coming from a guy who removed 3 brackets already.

It's not an easy process and you have to be really careful to don't damage the card. I have cold sweats just imagining breaking a 970M doing that, lol.

Waiting for screws is safer and easier.

 

Ok thank you i will get the screws then

 

One more question the bracket on the nvidia card is pretty loose on one side to the point where there is not enough pressure to screw into the hole. What did you use to glue the brackets that you replaced? I know you mentioned electric tape was there anything else?

 

Just electric tape. The result was awful to see, but it worked fine with my Quadro P4000.

There is a kind of double sided tape that you use specific for this situation, but I have no idea which kind is it. Electric tape works fine because it is also safe against shorts.

 

Plastic spudgers help if you really have to remove it.