XMG U726 (Clevo P870DM) Coffee Lake CPU+GPU upgrade

Hello there,

my XMG U726 arrived yesterday, I bought it for 600€ used and I think that's a pretty good deal.
It's equipped with an i7 6700, a GTX 980, 16GB of RAM and the FHD G-Sync screen, which I could get running at 100Hz.
Now, because I want to squeeze out more performance while keeping it more quiet, and just because it's fun, I want to upgrade the hardware.
Now, I really wouldn't want to destroy this machine just a few days after getting it, so I was hoping I could get some help here to minimize the risk of me spending a month crying in fetal position.
The problem is, that many of the tutorials/threads here are either old or have hundreds of posts. I find it pretty easy to get lost.
I've checked out Mr.Fox's work, he's done something very similar to his notebook, but he mentioned there might be better methods than the ones he used back then.
For your help, I'd like to give something back: I'm going to make one or more videos about the upgrade explaining how to do it and the changes in performance, temperature, fan noise and power consumption. I realize not many people own this specific notebook, but it still could be interesting for some. But before I can do that, I need to be be as well informed as possible to avoid spreading any misinformation.

First stop is the CPU:
This is probably the easier part. I want to install the 8700k from my old desktop rig.
I know I need to short 2 pins (I'm going to use electrically conductive paint, I just don't know which one yet) and flash a new BIOS. Do I need the "P870DM.rom" or "P870DMx.rom", what about the RTX one? The thread here seems to be focusing on the coffee lake refresh CPUs, so I'm not entirely sure if it works with my notebook as well. And the pictures in the thread showing which pins to short are gone, but I probably can find that information somewhere else.
I read somewhere that this mod disables the iGPU. Is that true? Not like I need it since the notebook doesn't support Optimus, but if I make a video on it, it might be worth at least mentioning it.
The other things I'll do are pretty obvious: delidding, liquid metal paste, undervolting, etc.

About the GPU:
This is where it gets more difficult. My first question would be: which GPU does this notebook support "out of the box"? I've seen a video where the guys from Eurocom installed a GTX 1070, but I couldn't figure out if it's compatible with the heatsink or whether I need to buy another one.
Now, Mr. Fox did some modifications to the MXM slot by soldering some stuff, bought an adapter power cable and modified the heatsink to install his GTX 1080. It was more like a progress report rather than a tutorial.
Now I found this GTX 1080:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/143298141490?ul_noapp=true
and this GTX 1070:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/283493169850?ul_noapp=true
I'd also install an RTX card is the price is right.
Honestly, the GPU part is where I'm a bit lost, I'd be incredibly grateful if you could give me the step-by-step information to solder the pins, modify the heatsink if necessary and pick the right GPU to replace it. I know it's not the easiest of jobs, but I think I might be able to get it done. I just lack the knowledge.

Hopefully I'll be able to give something back to you, a video, a thread functioning as a progress report/tutorial, if, of course, you think that makes sense.

Very long text, if you've reached this part, thanks a lot for reading it!

 

You ask about BIOS but stop and think a bit around the letters. RTX is going to relate to an RTX series card being used so are you going to use one in the machine as you flash it? Then there are the model numbers p870dm and p870dmx, there was the p870dm2 and the p870dm3 following the p870dm generation.

Basically one miss step and you brick the machine so the names are important.

 

600€ is a phenomenal deal, congrats. (Assuming the machine isn't damaged somewhere or the parts were driven into the ground).

You write that you want to squeeze more life out of it while keeping it quieter? That 8700k is going to run hotter and louder than your 6700k. A 1070 is going to run
near max fans gaming versus the 980 in there now and hotter. A 1060 is basically useless / downgrade.

There are some basic steps you can take now that all 870DM owners did:

Delid the CPU w/ TGC and use nanogrease (my favorite) between the IHS and heatsink. This is the single, best thing you can do to tame your CPU.
You can then check for pairing issues since Clevo's are notorious for variable quality in their heatsinks.
You can then see about maybe getting a better IHS if you want to take it there. I used a Bitspower SL IHS for the added height (4.3mm vs 3.3mm) for a better fit.
Better fit means you could potentially use TGC (and take the necessary precautions) between the IHS and the HS.

Pull out the air blocking silver coverings over the vents on the bottom removable piece.

Double and triple check your GPU thermal pads and use a quality TIM to optimize temps. Again, I used nanogrease, but you can also use Kryonaut, Gelid Extreme, etc...

Rear elevation for optimal air flow (I do this anyhow for better typing ergonomics for myself).


As Meaker said, you want to be exacting in your BIOS upgrade if you take that path and the BIOS naming conventions associated with their respective models.

WARNING: Dsanke can be finicky and I've had to crack open every machine I encountered that was flashed (8 and counting) and bricked and manually flash them to get them back to life again. One machine wouldn't work regardless of how many times it was manually flashed (some odd incompatibility), and I ended up regressing to the stock BIOS to get it to work. But when it works, it works well enough. I'm running DSANKE to get an 8086k going and it works great. I'm @ 4.5 all cores, all stress tests passed in my sig and it is seriously quiet during gaming and whisper quiet for normal use.

With Dsanke your P870DM-G secondary fan will not work via EC anymore and you will have to manually control it for the 980.

The 870DM won't do RTX really at this time.

As you noted, @Mr. Fox did an extensive build out of his P870DM, but it required a lot of modifications and the 5v fans will have you hitting a wall since the newer models (DM2/3, KM, TM) all use the 12v jetliner models.

You can get a 1060/1070 going relatively easy in traditional MXM format (Black PCB), but the 980 >= 1060 performance wise and the 1070 can run a smidge hot without massive gains for your trouble. You would
need to get the single card heatsink.

If you have a good 980 sample, they have room for some nice OC's. Unlike the stock Clevo 980m's, the Desktop Clevo 980 is built like a freakin' tank.
I never OC my laptop GPUs ever (it's just not cup of tea and I barely do anything meaningful GPU wise except for some light gaming), but they vary. I sold my last 980 yesterday and it was the cream of my crop and
ran 68 benched/stressed ambient versus two others I had which did >74 and >76. I would explore your card's potential first especially @ 1080.

 

@Meaker@Sager

Of course, I'm obviously well aware that flashing a new BIOS is a delicate matter. I simply wasn't sure whether the P870DM and the P870DMx were separate models, which is why I asked.
And about the RTX thing - I'm actually surprised you can't simply install an RTX card (provided there are no physical limitations) without flashing a new BIOS. In desktop computers, RTX cards are also compatible with, let's say older Core 2 Quad mainboards (can't remember the chipset), aren't they?

@electrosoft

Yes, the laptop is in near-mint condition. There's some wear to the keyboard, the surface on some frequently used keys is just sliiiiightly smoother compared to others, but other than that, I can't even detect a single scratch. Everything seems to work very well.
Makes sense that the 6700 runs less hot than the 8700k. Same litography, more cores = more transistors/bigger surface that produces heat. That's a tradeoff I'm willing to make, not only because I literally own that CPU already, but also because it would make my notebook a little more future proof and I'm sure delidded+undervolted it would run cooler than the stock 6700 currently installed.
As for the graphics cards, the GTX 980 has a TDP of 180W, so does the GTX 1080, right? So, theoretically, they should run equally hot with the GX 1080 providing a lot more performance, again a tradeoff I'm willing to make. I'm planning to connect it to my 4k TV every once in a while, so as much performance as possible surely helps. I've read on Notebookcheck that the GTX 1070 has about 20-25% higher performance than the 980.
What does TGC mean? Thermal grease compound or something? And is Dsanke the name of the user who modified that BIOS?
This thread here? http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...clevo-laptops-rtx-cards-now-supported.825558/

Thanks for the answers and your time. I still want to upgrade the components, I may seem like a greenhorn, but with some help or better said some confidence boost, I know I could get it done. We all have to start somewhere, don't we?

 

For a 1080/2080 GPU upgrade you don't need any firmware changes, but you have to heavily Mod the GPU cooler.
For reference see the POC we did back then with Mr. Fox:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...0k-and-gtx-1080-upgrade.814711/#post-10697707

And do some minor MXM slot alterations for Clevo cards:

https://premamod.wordpress.com/2017/10/10/clevo-pascal-mxm-standard/

As an alternative look at the mxm-b format P5000 or 1070, which don't require any changes.

For the CPU be warned that this system is limited to 5v FANs vs the newer models 12v FANs and a maximum CPU power draw of 120A. Everything above that and the system will shut down instantly.


Just my 2Cs...

Info: I have nothing to do with those cross-flash firmwares posted here!

 

I read everything the post. I'll deal with the CPU first and then worry about the graphics card. But I think I might have to ask (annoy) khenglish personally to find out some more about what needs to be done. I'll find out as much as possible by myself before doing that though. I NEED a GTX 1080, I just do, it's written in the stars.
I'm positive the heatsink can handle the 8700k. It keeps the 6700 currently installed at a maximum of 75°C, with stock thermal paste under the IHS. So the 5v fans shouldn't pose any problems.
Now, I'm unsure whether it exceeds 120A. I've read reports of the CPU consuming around 90W at full load, so at 1.2V it should be at around 75A.

 

Waiting a generation and looking at the 60 and 70 series of it might make more sense.

 

Maybe you're right, but who's to say they will be compatible out of the box, and when they'll be available.
It's not just the performance gains I'm aiming for, I'm sure the project itself would also be a lot of fun. The heatsink modifications seem doable, the only thing I'm unsure with is the MXM slot modification.
But I'll explore the laptop's "stock" potential first. Maybe I'll be happy enough with that.
@electrosoft
Starting with undervolting the GPU. And I've already hit a wall, apparently the 980 doesn't allow me to change the voltage. Or am I just too dumb to do it? I don't want to change the power or temperature target, that would defeat the purpose. Do you have any experience with that?

 

The clocks would be limited by the power limit.

 

So basiclay if I do the the mod a rtx gpu will work (power on and display image), with the stock bios? No need for prema bios?

 

Those mods are for the Clevo cards.

 

Clevo P870dm-g, I made this mod to the MXM slot, solder the wires . and adjusted the radiator. installed a new generation 1060 video card. bios from Dsanke. but the video card did not start.

 

@Eddy99 Sometimes the vBIOS isn't compatible, but I've had success with my P870DM-G with both a Clevo 1070, an older Quadro card, and the original 980 (D), post-Clevo mods. I have not updated to the Dsanke bios, but I have done that on my P775DM-G, and my Clevo 1070,1080 and MXM-B 1060 all work A-OK.
Also, it might be a G-sync thing - I think I recall reading some non-G-sync models dislike G-sync capable cards and vice-versa.

 

Thanks for the clarification. me a motherboard with g sync. but after installing the BIOS from Dsanke, the sync stopped working. and the GTX 1060 video card is also with g sync. new generation video card, which is designed for p870 dm2 dm3 and tm versions , my laptop is P870 dm-g https://clevo-computer.com/en/spare...hics-card-nvidia-gtx-1060-6gb-n17e-g1-mxm-3.0