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    Upgrade Options for Sager NP8690/Clevo W86CU ??

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by RaxTax, May 12, 2012.

  1. RaxTax

    RaxTax Notebook Enthusiast

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    hmmm. did my post not go up??


    here it is again.

    I have a Sager NP8760
    Specs:
    Intel i7 Q820
    8 GB Ram
    Win 7 65bit Pro
    GTX 285M

    I would like to get another year out of this machine and was wondering if there is any way to upgrade the GPU or CPU or add more ram to improve performance.
    Is this possible? It is worth it?

    Thanks for any input.
     
    RaxTax, May 12, 2012
    #1
  2. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    Possible and worth it. Go for a 7970m!

    The performance increase would be massive.

    The main thing you have to worry about is modifying the heatsink. You'll need to get a high speed grinding tool like a Dremel because some of the copper will get in the way. At least I'm assuming it will.
    You could also skip the grinding and get a copper shim and some thicker thermal pads.

    You might want to get a higher wattage PSU as well.

    BTW, 65 bit win7? :eek: :D awesome!!!1
     
    niffcreature, May 12, 2012
    #2
  3. RaxTax

    RaxTax Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah, it cost me an $200 more for the extra bit. but i was worth it. LOL

    7970m, that is a ATI card? I have been using nvidia. but could change if it is worth it. What does the card go for?
    I can replace parts, but griding heat sinks. is that hard? where do i get shims?

    do i need to update my bios?

    anybody post a how-to on this replacement?
     
    RaxTax, May 12, 2012
    #3
  4. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, that is an ATI card. The card retails for $100 more than the GTX 675M and is equivalent in performance to GTX 675M dual in SLI. It would also run cooler than the aforementioned nVidia card.
     
    Prasad, May 13, 2012
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  5. xxpawnerzxx

    xxpawnerzxx Notebook Consultant

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    or maybe u can wait around one more month to see what does 680m offer :)
     
    xxpawnerzxx, May 13, 2012
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  6. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    Really big on waiting for the 680m aren't you? I'm kind of torn. So far, it looks like it's not anywhere near the 7970m's performance. They can still change it, but the rumor was that it was supposed to launch in June or July. If they change it, they'll most likely have to push that timeframe back. I don't think I want to wait that long.
     
    Gear332, May 13, 2012
    #6
  7. xxpawnerzxx

    xxpawnerzxx Notebook Consultant

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    the 680 overpowers the 7970.... so i don't know why do you have the mindset that 680m will be inferior to 7970m in terms of performance :(
     
    xxpawnerzxx, May 13, 2012
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  8. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    The mobile versions aren't the same. The leaked benchmarks of the 680m last month were way below the 7970m, but that was before the 7970m benchmarks were leaked also.
     
    Gear332, May 13, 2012
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  9. xxpawnerzxx

    xxpawnerzxx Notebook Consultant

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    Hmmm can u provide a link? If its true then i will be ordering my sager this instant! :)
     
    xxpawnerzxx, May 13, 2012
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  10. oan001

    oan001 Notebook Evangelist

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    The 680m has a smaller chance working with the w860cu anyway.

    OP: You will need to mod your heatsink. A hacksaw will do the trick. Theere is another person on this board about to upgrade his w860cu to a 7970m so you might want to wait and see if it works.
     
    oan001, May 13, 2012
    #10
  11. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    It took me forever to find this for you as the search function seems to be broken on the forum (add it to the list I guess!) and I had to search through the Upcoming GPU thread (which is over 1000 posts now) to find the link.

    [​IMG]

    Link here: DELLÐÂAlienware M17x 2012ÐÂÒ»´úδ·¢²¼ÍâÐÇÈ˱¾Alienware M17x-R4µýÕÕ/ÐÔÄÜ/ÅÜ·Ö/ÅäÖÃÆعâ_´÷¶ûAlienwareÍâÐÇÈËÂÛ̳

    Keep in mind, that leak is just over a month old at this point, and they likely made some changes to try to close the gap since then, but I can't imagine they'll be able to do much more than hope to match the performance of the 7970m. Even that seems like a pretty tall order.

    I don't really lean toward one company or the other (my current card is an Nvidia). I just want whatever's best and the 7970m seems like it's going to be a really tough act to follow. I'm not sure Nvidia can pull it off this time around so I'll be getting a 7970m myself. :)
     
    Gear332, May 13, 2012
    #11
  12. RaxTax

    RaxTax Notebook Enthusiast

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    okay. but how much is a GTX 675M? where can i order one from?


    can my CPU be upgraded?

    I have also read that i could add more than 8 gb of ram? true? will it impove performance?
     
    RaxTax, May 13, 2012
    #12
  13. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    You can configure at any of the Sager resellers like XoticPC or PNB.
     
    Prasad, May 13, 2012
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  14. RaxTax

    RaxTax Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do XoticPX or PNB sell just the cards? this is for a two year old laptop that i am trying to upgrade.
     
    RaxTax, May 13, 2012
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  15. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, you can talk to their reps. I'm sure they'd sell you the card.
     
    Prasad, May 13, 2012
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  16. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    If not, Mythlogic will probably sell you just the card.
     
    Gear332, May 13, 2012
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  17. xxpawnerzxx

    xxpawnerzxx Notebook Consultant

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    wow thanks! :) btw the most recent news is that 680m is going to get announced on june 5th so i guess i will be waiting to take a look at the specs before making my decision :)
     
    xxpawnerzxx, May 13, 2012
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  18. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you're leaning toward the 675m, you're better off going for a 6990m as it has the same performance and you'll likely find it cheaper somewhere, plus it's known to work.

    Edit: It also uses less power so it'll run cooler. I'm not entirely sure the W860CU power supply provides enough power for the 675m.
     
    Gear332, May 13, 2012
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  19. RaxTax

    RaxTax Notebook Enthusiast

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    how much better is it than the 285M? can i use the same heat sink?

    or will it come with a new one?
     
    RaxTax, May 14, 2012
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  20. Gear332

    Gear332 Notebook Evangelist

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    The 6990m is about 2.5x faster than the 285m. The 7970m then is almost twice as fast as the 6990m. I'm not entirely sure about the heat sink.
     
    Gear332, May 14, 2012
    #20
  21. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

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    Who has tried to install the 7970M in the W86CU?
     
    jaug1337, Aug 7, 2012
    #21