Mobile Graphics Card Upgrade

[Champagne Cristal]

Greetings, I have a MSI GT683DXR, with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX570M 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM (TDP: 75W).

Can I upgrade to the following cards?:
RADEON 7970M (TDP: 100W)
GTX770M (TDP: 75W)
GTX780M (TDP: 122W)
GTX870M (TDP: 100W)
GTX880M (TDP: 122W)
GTX970M (TDP: 100W)
GTX980M (TDP: 122W)

The MSI GT683DXR and MSI GT685R are identical, except that the GT685R has a GTX580M 2GB GDDR VRAM (TDP: 100W) instead, but the cooling system and AC/DC power adapter (180W) are the same.

Therefore, I think my laptop can handle a graphic card with a TDP of 100W.

I have an Intel Core i7-2670QM, not an i7-2630QM. Does that make a difference in power (W) consumption? In other words, if I upgrade to a graphic card with a TDP higher than 75W, do I have to buy a more powerful AC/DC power adapter?

Thank you for your answers in advance,
BR

[Big Al]

In general, you cannot replace a laptop GPU. You listed some desktop GPU models in your question, but given the TDP numbers you wrote, I believe you intended to ask about the mobile versions of those cards. If you were in fact inquiring about using a desktop GPU in your laptop, then no, you cannot do that.

Some mobile GPUs use what's called an MXM slot, which is a type of PCIe socket designed for laptop graphics cards. While it may in fact be possible to replace such a GPU, one will typically run into problems with BIOS and driver support.

Another problem with attempting to upgrade an MXM compatible laptop GPU is the fact that mobile GPU manufacturers do not make their products available to retailers - only OEMs have access to them. Meaning, you cannot buy a mobile GPU from Newegg or Amazon. To acquire one, you would have to buy it from ebay or another third-party re-seller, and it would most certainly be a used or refurbished part.

[AbstractRobbie]

Actually he has listed the mobile versions of said processors and the laptop he has is a gaming laptop. In other words everything is non-integrated.

Yes you can swap out the GPU. You can swap out the CPU, soundcard, wireless card etc. That is the whole point of having a gaming laptop like that one.

Your CPU can only go as high as the 2960XM but you can swapout the whole board and then use the latest Intel too.
As for the GPU I think you can popp the latest in but if you haven't upped your RAM and put a more powerful CPU in then it might bottleneck.

Good luck

[_I_]

the cpu is pga, and can be upgraded
http://ark.intel.com/products/53469/Intel-Core-i7-2670QM-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_10-GHz

the gpu might be in a slot that can be upgraded
just make sure the gpu slot is the same for both gpus, and the new gpu is the same or lower wattage and that the heatsink attaches properly to it

[Champagne Cristal]

@Big AI: Sorry, that was a typo. I forgot to put the letter "M" after each model´s name. Mine has a MXM-B slot if I remember correctly. I have checked all the requirements that you have listed before posting this thread and again, I am sorry for the mislabelling.

@abstractrobbie: Thanks for the confirmation, I knew I can upgrade the graphics card, but the issue is whether I can go above a 75W TDP graphics card.

@_I_: Nice! I appreciate your post, because I did not know whether the cpu is upgradeable. Can you list the exact cpu model options, please? Thank you in advance!

However, I still have the same question. Does my laptop have the cooling capacity of running a 100W TDP graphics card, or are there other limitations? Also, if I upgrade to a graphic card with a TDP of 100W, do I have to buy a more powerful AC/DC power adapter or is 180W enough?

[_I_]

your current cpu is 45w socket FCPGA988
http://ark.intel.com/search/products?q=FCPGA988
i7 3840qm
i7 3740qm
i7 3630qm
i7 3820qm
i7 3720qm
i7 3610qm
i7 3610qe
i7 2670qm
i7 2860qm
i7 2760qm
i7 2820qm
i7 2760qm
i7 2710qe
i7 2630qm
many are available in bga (ball grid aray, solddered to the board) and pga (socket)
be sure to get the pga version

[Champagne Cristal]

Is it true what abstractrobbie said, that my CPU can only go as high as the 2960XM?

[_I_]

depends on the boarsds chipset, may need a bios update for 3rd gen
2nd/3rd gen use the same socket

[Champagne Cristal]

The chipset is a HM67 and where can I get an unofficial BIOS firmware for a 3rd Gen, that is specifically made for my BIOS?

[_I_]

http://www.msi.com/support/nb/GT683DXGT683DXR.html#down-bios

[Champagne Cristal]

Alright, that is the official BIOS that I am currently using. I have asked whether it is neccesary to install an unofficial version, but you say this official one already corresponds for the 3rd Gen CPUs? Please, confirm!

[AbstractRobbie]

QUOTE "Another problem with attempting to upgrade an MXM compatible laptop GPU is the fact that mobile GPU manufacturers do not make their products available to retailers - only OEMs have access to them. Meaning, you cannot buy a mobile GPU from Newegg or Amazon. To acquire one, you would have to buy it from ebay or another third-party re-seller, and it would most certainly be a used or refurbished part."

This is also completely and utterly incorrect information, sorry there Big Al. Of course you can purchase new mobile GPUs. What do you think people who buy a barebones laptop do? Scrounge around for second hand unwanted parts? I guess if you're gonna wander into PCWorld or another local electrical white goods supplier then of course they're not gonna have them. Nor will they sell a single laptop which is not fully intergrated, I guaruntee it. There are specialst suppliers online as well as through EBay and they will not be ripping out a heavily soiled and used GPU from an old lappy. It will be brand new in the box.

These days gaming laptops are a big market. Again as I said before, non-intergated. That is the whole point. If you want a laptop for gaming puropses then thats what you buy. That's what he has and that is what he's asking about.

Okay MXM has been mentioned here. All you need to do is know whether you are using A or B MXM. There are plenty of sites around which will tell you that. As for the TDP it should be fine because the fan and sink in the 683 are good. You could always put a better fan on it and perhaps running with the turbofan button on would be better but you shouldn't see all that much of an increase in the heat being produed.

People should really know what they are talking about before choosing to post. Sorry if that sounds harsh but it is true. Incorrect info is useless info and wastes peoples time.

[Champagne Cristal]

abstractrobbie@: Thanks for the support and all clearing that up! I just ignored that part of Big Ai´s post...

Anyway, as I have mentioned already, it is an MXM-B (3.0)!

So, basically, you are saying that the TDP is nothing to worry about, concerning the stock cooling sytem? Please, clarify!

Source: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1495/geforce-gtx-570m.html