*** Official Sager NP8170/Clevo P170HM Owners Lounge ***

Excellent many thanks again

Do you reckon a 580m would be a better investment found a decent price for one online and they ship to the UK

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331281720628&alt=web

This should be ok I would have thought?

Regards

 

Just be a bit wary of engineering samples.

 

This has probably been answered a bazillion times in this massive thread, but what type of SSD is recommended for upgrading my old dog?

I'm looking at the Crucial M500.

PS: What else can be done to refresh this ~3yo laptop?

 

Crucial M series are good, but the Samsung 840 Evo tend to be the most popular and best bang for your buck. You'd probably never see the difference in the two in real world use.
Besides that you could add more RAM, but that depends on what you do on the computer.

 

What's the latest word on BIOS for this old dog? I suspect it's too much to hope that a newer BIOS has UEFI support? Either way, what IS the latest BIOS and where can I get it? I've been googling all over the place for it!

 

Check the old clevo bios thread, it's not stickied but a google search should bring it up.

 

My apologies if this has already been posted. I attempted a search but nothing turned up.

One of the USB ports on the left hand side (a 2.0 port) seems to be crapping out on me. How easy is it to replace that? Will I require a whole new motherboard?

Thanks!

 

It is on the motherboard yes.

 

Hi, new member with a NP8170 from Dec of 2011. Well my Radeon 6990 just died. (Black screen unless I disable the card). I am comfortable opening up my laptop but I've never put in anything more difficult than a new fan, What is the best product to replace the 6990 with (even if it is another 6990) and how easy is it to replace? I know about making sure it is clevo, but beyond that I am a little lost, IE, what is "Flashing the BIOS" and should I avoid it? I'm based in the US if that is a factor. I appreciate any help that can be provided.

 

It's easy enough to replace, if you need step by step instructions I can send you some photos in a day or two as I am actually going to repaste mine.

I'd plump for a 7970m if you can find one cheap enough or failing that a 675m

He 7970m is so easy to flash with the guides

 

Thanks! That would be great! I'm seeing 7970's for around $380-$400 on ebay, I assume that is a good price? Also, should I be concerned by a used gpu? Where else should I look to buy the part? Thanks!

 

That price is pretty normal since the 7970M, 8970M and M290X all use the same chip.

 

Hey ascottuk2010, did you take any pictures of your install? I could really use the help with my installation! (Thanks in advance for any help you can give!).

 

Hey, just in case ascottuk2010 has gone MIA, is there any guides (preferably with images) that I can use to install the 7970m. I also am aware that I'll need to "flash" the BIOS. So a guide to doing that would be great to. I have found Jaybee83's guide, but it isn't for Sager and I don't know how much is different between the two.

Thanks for the help!

 

Hi Buddy, not sure if this is still needed, I indeed have been MIA for a while, the wife gave birth to our 2nd child, its been manic,

here is a guide on blind flashing

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-7970m-modded-vbios-clevo-p1xxhm-laptops.html

 

hi,

I'm a proud P170HM owner, but recently found my notebook screen won't start up, but I can hear Windows starting up, even tried hdmi output with tv still nothing, anyone please? I think my hd7970m gave up...

 

Would be about par for the course on those. Get in touch with your reseller and they may be able to arrange an alternate GPU purchase/install

 

thanks for fast reply, I found a cheap gtx 780 but not sure it will work on p170hm?

 

I believe that should work assuming you mean the 780m, you'll want to make sure it's listed as compatible with Clevo. If it doesn't specify where it came from you'll want to ask.

 

thanks, it comes from alienware and mentionned compatible with Clevo/MSI/Alienware laptops?
But I'v heard it could hang in MB bios?

 

They require a bit more work if I recall. Probably need to run Prema's BIOS Mod and if your GPU is dead probably need to blind flash it.

 

Thanks again for your advice but...
I revived my hd7970m in the oven at 180 degrees celcius for about 5min (youtube), and it surprisingly works again!!!!!
At least I know for sure it's GPU related problem with no doubt, so will still look for an upgrade soon, what do you recommend?

 

I'm currently going through this myself. I have a 6990m that I have baked about 7 times but I finally have to replace it.

From what I've read, a 780m will not work in the np8170/p170HM.

For the Sager NP8170/Clevo P170HM, This is what I understand your replacement options to be:

1. AMD Radeon 6000 series ( I believe these are plug and play with new driver download)(Recommended against using these due to the heat issues and the BGAs)

2. GTX 500 series (These should all be plug and play with new driver download)

3. GTX 600 series (These should be plug and play with new driver download and modified .inf file)

4. GTX 680 (Requires some modification, search the forum for how to get this to work)

5. AMD Radeon 7970 board version 1.2 (version 1.0, and 1.1 will not work) (search the forum for how to get this to work)

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for this list. Do you know if these will also work on the p170hm3 (3d version)?

my old 560m burnt out and Im looking to replace it. Having a hard time finding a 560m or 580m for clevo (which I know will work). Will a 660m or 670mx work? Have found some of those for clevo.

Thanks for anyone who can help me.

EDIT: Found a 675m for sale, wondering if it will work. Have moved my question to this specific thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/p170hm-nvidia-675m-compatibility.715307/

 

For anyone else who stumbles across this no an AMD card does not work in the 120hz model.

 

Hello all! I have one of these old faithful Sager np8170 and I'm looking to upgrade my graphics card. My 560m has finally met it's match with The Witcher 3 and I want to upgrade it. I've done it looks like a lot have people have been in the same boat. Can someone confirm that the 7xx series and up don't work on the Sager np8170? A saw one poster mention the 780m would work and another that 7xx series doesn't work. If the strongest card I can upgrade to is a 680m, I'll probably build a more powerful desktop instead.

My specs:
Sager NP8170(Clevo P170HM3)
17.3" 120hz 3D LED 1920x1080
Intel Core i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHZ
Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M 1.5GB GDDR5
16GB dual channel DDR3 1333MHZ
500GB HDD some company
CD/DVD Drive some company and specs
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 - 64bit
Wireless something

 

As of now HMs can only be upgraded up to GTX680M...
I was working on GTX980M support on my P170HM3 when my motherboard developed an unrelated problem...had it already in Windows and driver installed...
First thing I'll do when I find time will be to repair the board, if possible...but don't hold your breath.

 

Thanks Perma! Damn, I guess I should probably just build a new PC. The 680m is probably on it's way out just like my 560m. Still, I'd really hate to retire this laptop. It's still got a lot of power and was on the pricey side. Cards are 300-500 buck :-/ Might have to build a desktop.

 

The issue as a machine gets a lot older you may run into other issues, it has had a good run at least.

 

Yah, it's had an incredible run! I've tried to take good care of it and in turn, it's taken good care of me. What sort of issues are you referring to Meaker? Can you elaborate a little? Should I skip upgrading?

I debated for a while whether I should build a new desktop or upgrade my GPU. I think I'd rather get a another GPU. I don't think it's the right time (for me at least) to upgrade to a proper gaming rig. Next year with new cards and new games! I'm looking at the 7970m and I'm also really impressed by it's performance. It's running The Witcher 3 1080p on high. Dying Light 1080p on max. Shadows of Mordor 1080p on high. These "next gen" games my 560m can barely handle on low in 720p are very playable framerates with the 7970m. Wow!

Here's what I've discovered so far. Yes, I think I can upgrade to the 7970m! I need to find a Clevo compatible HD 7970m version 1.2 card. But I need to upgrade my bios before I'm able to use the 7970m? Am I correct? I had a back and forth exchange with XoticPC and they said I couldn't upgrade to the 600m series. I wrote to them about wanting to upgrade to the 7970m if possible. Through a google search, I found a petition titled "Add BIOS Support for newer GPU cards in HM model series." And they eventually did release a new bios that allows an upgrade to the 7970m? Thank you for fighting for this guys!

I'm about to email that techsupport email @ XoticPC to see if they can help. Anyway, I'd really like to upgrade to a 7970m if possible. So I can I upgrade to a 7970m? I don't mind losing the 3D in my 120Hz screen. The screen and games and everything will still work normally right?

 

This was the official statement from Sager:

"NP8170 (P170HM) w/ NVIDIA GPU + 120hz 3D LCD Panel AMD 7970M is not supported.

NP8170 (P170HM) w/ NVIDIA or AMD GPU + Hannstar LCD Panel, AMD 7970M is supported.

NP8170 (P170HM) w/ NVIDIA or AMD GPU + LG LCD panel, AMD 7970M may or may not be supported, special EDID Firmware may need to be flashed to the LCD panel. Sager can provide this firmware update as long as the user pays for both way shipping & labor."

Since you originally said you have the 3D screen, it seems like the 7970M will not work.

 

I don't believe the amd cards support the output that the special display cable connector uses.

 

Hmm... I am thinking of changing to something more powerful and yet lighter and portable too (Eyeing the Aftershock S-15, based on the Clevo P650SE/P651SE, or the Aftershock XG13-V3 based on the Clevo W230SD) but yet my NP8170 is still working fine but just that I cannot bring it around too much due to its weight.

EDIT: After poking around in many forums, I think I will hold on to it until I get a good enough deal of those newer Skylake laptops or something. (And grab something else for a NAS)

 

Will gtx 670mx clevo branded work in P170HM ? Anyone checked it?

 

Hi bodosko, how did you go with your hinge / barebone. My 170hm has also just locked / broke the left hand side hinge, the plastic tabs now appears to be broken around the screen,
Where did you obtain the parts?
Rob

 

If you need parts try contacting your original reseller.

 

Would be great, but Logical blue one no longer exist, makes life hard.

Rob

 

Try contacting clevo for your nearest service center or hit up another local reseller, you may find one willing to help.

 

Yep, have find a seller that will sell the hinge and back lcd cover.
Does any one now know how hard it will be to replace the hinge, is there a step by step discription?

 

You could track down the service manual for it.

 

did download the service manual, but doesnt show a complete dissembling, only shows changing video cards hdd, etc, all the easy bits. Will have to do it blinded.

Cheers
Robert

 

Hi

I got gtx670 for my Sager 8170. I wonder what modification for the driver is needed to make it work.

 

Just use the .inf mod from laptopvideo2go.com

 

Thanks boss

 

Don't forget to leave the beer money

 

This little beast has served me well this years but now I'm setting things up to sell it as second hand.

I ran into a big problem: Windows 10 x64 + AMD latest drivers = can't control the brightness anymore (controls only work with the old 6970m drivers from Sager website)

Any work around for this? Games no longer starts with the old drivers (At least I think it's because of that)
Running with 6970m

 

Is throttling common on P170HM ?
I have this for about 5 years and never had problems while gaming. Bbut recently I did some tests and got CPU clock going up and down on Fire Strike benchmark.
I did some more tests while gaming (Guild Wars 2, Riders of Icarus, CSGO), but CPU didn't throttle. Clock was 2993Mhz during the entire gaming.
Is is a problem?

 

During the GPU parts of the benchmark the CPU is not loaded heavily (it's a GPU test after all) so in balanced performance mode the CPU clocks down to save power as it's not stressed.

Set to high performance in windows and the clocks will max out.

 

High performance in windows? Do you mean set 3dmark to high priority on Windows Task Manager, or power plan?

 

Hey guys,

What kind of GPU slot does the P170HM/NP8170 have?

I'm suffering from a dying Radeon HD 6970m, and trying to research eGPU kits that might work for connecting a desktop graphics card directly to the motherboard. I can't find specs that are that detailed.