Strange Graphic error with nvidia 485m on P170hm3

I got my P170hm3 almost 2 years ago. It has 32gb of ram, 2720 proc, intel 330 ssd, and a 485m nvidia card, win7 ultimate 64bit, 120hz matte screen 17".

Its been perfect, except for a few months ago when I felt like the fans were running too often, and opened it up and cleaned out the dust and reapplied IC diamond to the GPU and CPU.

Other than that, a champ.

I updated to the latest 320.18 nvidia drivers and have been playing Defiance recently.

Yesterday I got a little artifact weirdness in the game. It pixelates around certain objects. I checked and I was not hot, only 70ish C according to Precision.

It is also apparent thru HDMI on an external TV screen.

I have backrevved to multiple versions of drivers, checking they were removed all the way via safe mode. It works on 120hz and 60hz settings, 16bit or 32bit.

It goes away....if I unplug the unit. The graphics card slows a bit, it is clear, so it is as if the power drops to the card, being on only battery, and no problems. It is slightly evident in Windows but only a bit at this time (it may get progressively worse as time goes on, I guess). The four metal prongs inside the power input on the back of the laptop look ok, the lowest one is a little scuffed and not rounded. The adapter cord is in good condition. Not sure how long this has been going on, but it has for as long as I can remember having the machine.

In Windows, I have power management set to High Performance, and CPU min/max is set to 100%. Nvidia is set to Single display mode, quality, adaptive power (I have moved it around a bit to see if it changes things, but it doesnt seem to do so).

Perhaps there is a setting I need to tweak? Or does it look like I have a 485 that is just going out ? Or power supply maybe ? Its kind of weird, so I figured you guys might know.

If it is the video card going out, what should I swap it with? Anyone got a 485 for cheap or maybe a 580 for sale or know what part number and who to go to so I can get it overnighted to me ? Its just they want 500 for a 580 ugh, and a 670 runs 350ish. I'm not sold if the 670 or 680 would work, but for a 2yr old laptop, I would be hard-pressed to cough up 700-800 more when I'm not sure how much longer it will be my primary laptop. I just want to get some more time out of it, then hand it down to the 11yr old for his gaming machine since I dont think resale value will be near the 2600 or so I have invested thus far into the laptop.

 

Had a long day so maybe I am confusing myself hah

Does the issue happen with other games or outside of games or just when playing?

The newer NVIDIA drivers are full of all sorts of issues.

For example I play BF3 and 314.22 is latest one I can play without issues. They are a mess right now.

As for if your card does end up being bad.

I seen some 580M's on eBay for around 300 mark. Not sure if they would work as are from dell systems but they probably would after a v bios flash.

FWIW 485 is only a hair slower vs. 580m and a 675m is the same as a 580m basically.

A 485, 580 or 675 will all work without any performance loss but just not sure on the cross brands.

 

sticking to clevo cards would be the way to go, since dell gpus arent compatible to clevo machines (just the other way round, unfortunately ) also, ull need modded driver .inf files for the 675M, whereas 485m/580m would just be plug n play pretty much

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

When you unplug the machine it goes to a lower clock and lower voltage, if it's unstable plugged in its unstable at stock clocks and voltages which is not good.

Yes a sager card is needed for a sager machine.

 

I got with my reseller and found out that there really arent any 580 or 485s on the parts depot available. They had a 670mx that was reasonable and is on its way now.

So....I havent flashed my bios yet, can someone help me on what I need to do to get the new card working when it arrives tomorrow? How to flash/what to flash/etc?

Also, anyone got a link to the vbios for the 485 that I can flash to see what it does or if it fixes it ?

 

Thats 670mx is maybe a little slower but has lots of room for tweaking.

 

Yeah maybe, it is comparable with slightly slower clocks but more ram and lower power consumption...for literally 1/3 the price.

Im just concerned about what bios and drivers will be needed. Anyone know what steps I will have to take? Im still running stock 2010 bios that was installed when delivered 2 years back.

Anybody got the vbios for the 485? I'd really like to try that flash out, but I cant find it anywhere.

 

also what bios will work for the 670mx ?

Anyone have the modded drivers for Win7 64bit ?

 

I was able to upgrade the P170hm3 to the latest bios, 05.

However, the EC will not upgrade - I'm trying to upgrade to EC V 1.00.09 SA2. It is currently on
1.00.06 SA2.

I've tried via CD and USB, booted up, and i get "ROM File ROMID is not compatible with existing BIOS ROMID".

GAH!

I read where Prema mentioned the version I had was the latest at the time, but that was mid-2011.

My reseller looked and all Sager has out there is the EC09 version for install. So....anyone know if I am I up to date or not ?

Also, what do I need for the 670mx install ?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/556299-clevo-bios-older-models.html

Linked in the clevo bios sticky.

 

hm, i didnt know that the mx gpus were even compatible at all with the HM laptops? here i thought only the non-mx 600 series was compatible using modded driver .inf files...

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

Well it's not something I personally know a lot about since I never had an HM so if someone knows for sure they should chime in.

 

Well...the 670mx is not supported on the P170hm (or mine, the P170hm3).

Anyone got a used (but working!!!) 485 or 580m they would be willing to sell?

 

Ah with the 120hz screen you need it to be nvidia too.