Legacy question - P170EM GPU Resolution

[88timesaday]

Hello. Not sure if this is the right place to post but I have an old Vortex series Laptop from 2012. It has been 'stock' until just this week when I upgraded the BIOS to Prema v2, Doubled RAM to 32GB, Installed a brand new Samsung SSD drive to replace the old Intel 520 Series, and swapped the WLAN/Wifi chip with one with Bluetooth functionality. Overall a great upgrade after 13 years of ownership!

I noticed my existing GPU (AMD 7970M 2GB) card only shows up to the maximum resolution of 1080 especially on 4k external monitors. Is there any recommendations out there where I can install a GPU card that supports external monitor resolution to 1440 or 2180? Do I also need to upgrade the existing Heatsink?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hello. Not sure if this is the right place to post but I have an old Vortex series Laptop from 2012. It has been 'stock' until just this week when I upgraded the BIOS to Prema v2, Doubled RAM to 32GB, Installed a brand new Samsung SSD drive to replace the old Intel 520 Series, and swapped the WLAN/Wifi chip with one with Bluetooth functionality. Overall a great upgrade after 13 years of ownership!

I noticed my existing GPU (AMD 7970M 2GB) card only shows up to the maximum resolution of 1080 especially on 4k external monitors. Is there any recommendations out there where I can install a GPU card that supports external monitor resolution to 1440 or 2180? Do I also need to upgrade the existing Heatsink?

Laptops aren't upgradeable in the way desktops are, so you can't just fit a GPU upgrade I'm afraid.

 

[88timesaday]

Laptops aren't upgradeable in the way desktops are, so you can't just fit a GPU upgrade I'm afraid.

Not sure thats true. Seeing I updated the BIOS from stock 1.00.04 to Prema V2, I believe I now have the ability to swap out the existing GPU card for a more powerful one. Im not too fussed about upgrading to a powerful card, I just want an upgraded card that is capable of handling resolutions beyond 1080 for everyday tasks (i.e content creation, office tasks) as opposed to playing games. I do not use my LCD display panel which is permanently limited to 1080 FHD. I always use dual 4k external monitors but in my case both screens are limited to 1080 due to the AMD GPU card installed on the chassis.

I have the P170EM service manual in my possession which includes instructions on how to remove and install the GPU card.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Not sure thats true. Seeing I updated the BIOS from stock 1.00.04 to Prema V2, I believe I now have the ability to swap out the existing GPU card for a more powerful one. Im not too fussed about upgrading to a powerful card, I just want an upgraded card that is capable of handling resolutions beyond 1080 for everyday tasks (i.e content creation, office tasks) as opposed to playing games. I do not use my LCD display panel which is permanently limited to 1080 FHD. I always use dual 4k external monitors but in my case both screens are limited to 1080 due to the AMD GPU card installed on the chassis.

I have the P170EM service manual in my possession which includes instructions on how to remove and install the GPU card.

That’s what I’m saying, there is no GPU available for that model that would increase resolution, doesn’t exist

Those old laptops had an MXM GPU card, but only a specific few cards were made per model.

 

[88timesaday]

Hello. I was able to successfully upgrade my GPU card without changing the heatsink. New card is an old Nvidia GTX 1060 (MXM), the BIOS mod I made recognises the install. Now Laptop successfully shows the max resolution rates of up to 2180p (via HDMI and DP at the back of my laptop) across my two 4k external monitors although the refresh rate is slightly limited across each screen but can still get 144hz on 1 screen and 60Hz on another - but not an issue at this stage.

I thought this was not possible, doesnt exist?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hello. I was able to successfully upgrade my GPU card without changing the heatsink. New card is an old Nvidia GTX 1060 (MXM), the BIOS mod I made recognises the install. Now Laptop successfully shows the max resolution rates of up to 2180p (via HDMI and DP at the back of my laptop) across my two 4k external monitors although the refresh rate is slightly limited across each screen but can still get 144hz on 1 screen and 60Hz on another - but not an issue at this stage.

I thought this was not possible, doesnt exist?

I have no idea why I said that.

My frame of reference I check for laptop GPU upgrades is Eurocomm, they’re an official Clevo stockist and stock legitimate new replacement parts.

Thats where I’d go to check GPU compatibility.

Searching the P170EM on the primary GPU clearly shows a GTX1060 as compatible as well as 900 series cards which would have done it also

CLEVO P170EM/SAGER NP9170/ORIGIN PC EON 17Pro/XMG P702 Upgrade

EUROCOM Fully configurable and upgradeable Desktop Replacement Notebooks, mobile workstations, mobile servers and Portable LCD PC systems.

eurocom.com

I can only think I looked up the incorrect chassis, can only apologise.