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Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/09/12 in all areas

  1. Got my Dell 7970m (ES) today... and so far it rocks! Native fan control, runs cooler than the 6900m series, and it simply kicks ass. It's pretty much plug-and-play, no issues so far, though I will need to continue the testing (and benching ). Only did a Vantage and 3dM11 run so far, with GPU and CPU at stock, Tess on, check it out, hehe: Confirmed for the Dell 7970m (part nr. 747M2) in the M15x: Fan control is working properly Sound per DisplayPort / HDMI is working GPU clocks and performs as expected Possible issues: The card runs slightly warmer than the officially supported cards, due to it's higher power draw. This also leads to less overclock headroom. The card works fine even if you have an i7 920XM in your system, but if you overclock the CPU too hard, the GPU voltage drops, resulting in a drastic performance drop. (This is actually not directly caused by a power limit due to the PSU... the CPU can draw as much power as it can get, but it seems that when the CPU draws more power than usual, the GPU voltage supply somehow doesn't get provided anymore with enough power, even though there's headroom power-wise, it's probably caused by the circuit design of the mobo). Things to do before changing the GPU: Download working drivers. At the moment you can either get the drivers of the M17x R4 from Dell, or the modified, but actually more recent (12.5) from "benchmark3d". Get some thermal paste, e.g. Arctic MX-4, or Prolimatech PK-1, or whatever you prefer, you'll also need something to clean the GPU die and heatsink, isopropyl alcohol or similar will do. I highly recommend using an ESD mat and wristband whenever working Get familiar with the upgrading procedure, respectively disassembling the system. Refer to the M15x service manual if you need help, or to this pictured guide which explains how to replace the GPU in the M15x. The upgrading procedure: Uninstall your GPU drivers. Make a power drain (Turn off your M15x, remove the power cord and the battery. Then press and hold down the power button (Alienhead) for about 10-20 sec. Remove your GPU - Here's a little guide with pics in case you need some help. Clean your heatsink, if necessary replace the thermal pads with new ones. Make sure the 7970m has the correct backplate on it. Insert your GPU, make sure that it sits properly. Apply the thermal paste, and attach the heatsink. More to come.
    2 points
  2. This thread will be updated with some infos in the coming weeks. I'm buying a 7970m and 60Hz display. My good friend GeoCake has already proved that it works. I'm just going to make an official thread. If you read this Geo, feel free to chip in I decided to go ahead and get the 7970m as according to the interwebz, the nvidia GTX 660 Ti won't be out for another few months which spells trouble for the GTX 680m which it should be based off. I'm just gonna have a play with this in the mean time. I've also ordered a 6990m backplate and heatsink from eBay as the from what I see in the pictures, the GTX 580m one will fit but the 6990m is less of a hassle. Plus it give me easy swap options. I literally have to take the whole GPu assembly out and swap to nvidia and the 120Hz screen when I to watch 3D movies. WIN Some technical details of the card: 1280 SPUs, 28nm Wimbledon @850Mhz, 2GB memory Hynix (Dell version) @1200Mhz. The specs are similar to that of a desktop 7870. The new GPU uses MXM 3.1 which is the mobile equivalent of PCIe 3.0. In the M17x R3 it will only run @PCIe 2.0 x16 (same as PCIe 3.0 x8). In the R4, the Ivy Bridge CPU will support 3.0 x16 speeds (or x8 in the M18x when running dual cards). I'm excited, GeoCake has already done some awesome benchmarks over at NBR and I hope to replicate them. This card is overclockable with MSI Afteburner and I hope to hit 1Ghz with it on air coupled with my 2920XM @4.5Ghz? Please stay tuned I will add more as things move along. [uPDATE] The 60Hz screen is installed and calibrated. The 7970m has also arrived. Was actually hand delivered by the seller 'cause he lives real close. Now it's just the heatsink and backplate. For people eager, track it with me here: https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input?origTrackNum=EC740116213US
    2 points
  3. I downloaded Trixx yesterday, and has the option to disable ULPS, fans are slower across the board (while watching videos... no time for gaming yet), and temps stay the same: High 60s for CPU, high 40s and low 50s for GPU (all °C), will post pictures tomorrow I promise. Thanks, I've been on NBR for a few years, but most of the guides that were posted there, are now only here... and I find the M17x R2 users here more helpful. Thank you guys
    1 point


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