styx239

I have an MSI GT680 gaming laptop.

It's got the i7-2630QM CPU and the NVIDIA 460m video.

Unfortunately the NVIDIA 460m video is too under powered for the 1080 screen of the laptop so I'm looking at video card upgrade options.

Note that this is a discrete GPU only laptop and it's using a BIOS (not UEFI).

I'm reading that some people have had success with installing an AMD Radeon HD 7970m but there are some issues.

I'd like to summarise what I've read and ask for comment as to whether I'm on the right track.

My current thoughts are:

• Get a 180W power brick to replace the current 150W
  
• Get a Dell 7970m with a version 015.017 vBIOS
  
  • If I get a card with the wrong version vBIOS can I blind flash a vBIOS from here: Video Bios Collection | techPowerUp
    

  [*]Get a heat sink for the 7970m (as I don't want to risk the Dremel method)

My concerns are:

• How to avoid shutdowns due to excess power use
  
  • Is this just a matter of running the unlocked BIOS and ThrottleStop or is there more I need to do in the way of software or hardware mods to deliver more power to the GPU ?
    

  [*]Heat issues....

  • Is it advisable to cut a hole in the chassis to increase air flow ?
    

  [*]I'm also looking for any Australian suppliers for the replacement GPU and Heat Sink as postage is expensive from the U.K. or U.S.

I look forward to any insightful posts.

Thanks in Advance.

I got both gx60 with a hd7970m and gt680 with gtx460m. Used hd7970m heatsink and fan to gt680. Both systems have Windows 7 x64. Firstly i thought bios wont boot, but after i heard Windows starting sound whole black screen seems meaningless. Tried gt680 with hd7970m to different hdmi output and nonsense. Thermal paste and other coolers components are intact. I got a booting Windows but no display at all. I ll be thankful for any ideas.