Ok, this is just a follow-up on my series of tests regarding the GPU amongst the Alienware M97xx series and the OCZ Whitebook, know here as the Alienware M17. Now, I've already shown what happens with the M9750 and the ATi 3870 x2 (2 GPU cards) from the OCZ Whitebook/AW 17. This is shown here. Now it's the M9700's turn. For those who forgot, the M9700 was the first iteration of the Arima dual GPU chassis via SLi that used the AMD single core Turion and came in three colors. Thanks to a member here at NBR (mlee49), we can now try what done on the M9750.

First, here are the pictures of all the MXM-III GPUs from Arima (except the 8700M GT):

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9817/ArimaGPUs.jpg

Now here are some results:

The M9700 DOES boot up with a 7950 GTX card from the M9750. Because I only had 1 card, I couldn't try SLi, though I assume that it would work. Installation was pretty straight forward as it's the same as installing a new graphics card for a desktop. Due to some conditions of the notebook received, I couldn't do any gaming benchmarks, but I took screenshots of the temperatures and ran 3dmark06, which are shown here:

Screenshot with idle temps:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8497/m97007950.jpg

^In fairness, and due to lack of space, the notebook was sitting on a bed, and I applied a small amount of thermal grease. From my experience with the M9750, subtract about 8 degrees from that figure as well from the 3d06 temps, which will be shown later.

3dmark06 scores with a SINGLE 7950 GTX in the M9700:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3...0079503d06.jpg

Temperatures after the run (subtract about 8 degrees, as mentioned before):

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8...03d06temps.jpg

Now for the ATi card(s)...

Now this is a pic of the M9700 with both ATi cards installed:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/2197/M97003870s.jpg

BUT, oddly enough, the ATi cards did NOT work, both the single and dual GPU setup. What happens is that it boots to the BIOS screen with the alien head, but then it freezes. The GPU fans are blasted at full speed and the same screen is there. I was able to enter the BIOS configuration screen, but after I exit, it freezes that screen and the same problem again. I touched the GPU sinks afterwards, but it didn't feel hot at all.

I'm guessing it's a chipset issue or possibly a BIOS issue. The M9700 uses an nVidia nForce chipset, while the M9750 is a hybrid between nVidia and intel. Also, I noticed that the M9700 requires a battery for it to run on AC (meaning that if you take out the battery and run on AC, it won't boot up), while the M9750 can...or it just might be this notebook in particular due to the AC input issue the owner is having.

So there you have it pretty much, M9700 can handle a 7950 GTX, but not an ATi 3870[x2] for now.

this is awesome to hear d00d. what was the 3dmark 06 score? i it worth the upgrade????

I think your m9700 has issues... Mine boots fine without the battery when plugged in.

yea mine too I actually use mine without re battery because it basically like by desktop it never moves

Ok, it's probably this one in particular due to the AC input being messed up I guess. Anyways, OP is updated with pics.

any luck with two 7950s and where culd I buy em

So this means that 8700 cards could possibly work in the 9700. That would be a decent upgrade for those wanting DX10.

Are you sure you have not messed up. On your photos I see 3 7900gs cards. As I tested 7950gtx with label D can be installed in m9700 laptop as primary card. With label P nothing will come up. What about 3870 cards? Did you try to test them in single install in m9750 laptop. I thought with the one with label s suppose to work on its own. With no SLI. In m9700 laptop try power adapter for osz to give it more power. 7900gs consumes 30watt, 7950 45watt, 2 3870 110watt. bear in mind.

The 7900 GS and the 7950 GTX look identical. If you see the screenshot with the GPU-Z, you can see that it is in fact a 7950 GTX. I assume the label D and P mean "Daughter" and "Parent" respectively. If anything, the Parent card would need to go in the center socket, while the Daughter card goes in the side socket. Switching them would result in what you seemed to experience.

As I mentioned before, I tried both single and dual configurations with the ATi cards with both setups yielding the same result. I also used a 180w PSU from the M9750 (the M9700 comes with a 150w PSU) to accomodate for the extra power the dual ATi GPU setup consumes.

So does 3870 master card work in m9750 as a single card?

I installed a daughter 7950gtx into the primary slot of my m9700. On start up I hear the normal beeps but there is no signal on the screen.


As you can understand I'm feeling pretty anxious. Please if anyone has any basic ideas let me know because I've never tried replacing a card before and not sure where to begin troubleshooting. Any replies much appreciated.

Have you tried plugging something in to the output port on your notebook to see if you can video on an external monitor?

Tried an external monitor but that just gets another black screen. Will try fiddling around tonight, but really not got many ideas

You did toggle the FN+F key back and forth a few times?

cheers ...