Graphics MXM GPU Upgrade

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Mister_Tad, 23 Jan 2013.

  1. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    This might be a little bit niche, so not necessarily expecting a definitive answer, just would like a few additional opinions - even a "that should work in theory" would give me a bit more confidence before pulling the trigger on any bits.

    I've got a HP Z1 All-in-one and I'm exploring GPU upgrade options (just using Intel onboard at the moment, which honestly I can live with, but tinkering is more entertaining). Now before anyone points out that AIOs are proprietary form factors and not really upgradeable, I should point out that this isn't a typical AIO, for example...

    [​IMG]

    So I'll go through my thought process...

    You can spec the machine direct from HP with a few different GPU options: onboard (Intel HD/P), Quadro 500M, 1000M, 3000M, 4000M (no consumer cards though).

    The discrete GPUs on offer suggests that the PC can take MXM 3.0 Type A or B cards, and the Quadro 4000M option suggests that it can handle a card with a TDP of 100w.

    A MXM Geforce 680M is conveniently a MXM 3.0 type B card with a TDP of 100w and appears to have a nigh on identical layout to a 4000M...

    [​IMG]

    So in a 680M can drop in and work... in theory... I think.

    As for the cooling, in the spirit of user self-service and upgradeability HP kindly publishes the parts list for the Z1, which includes "GPU Heatsink Type B - 682305-001", and should mount nicely on the 680M, given that it's meant for the Quadro 4000M

    And thus concludes my line of thought - which I think is sound, but I'd be rather disappointed if having spent hundreds on a GPU and what could be a fair amount of time sourcing the cooler only to find that somewhere along the line my thought process was flawed, and it would have never worked.

    Anyone able to offer any insight, perhaps following a laptop upgrade to a technically unsupported config?

    The only reason I can think that it wouldn't work is if HP specifically rigged something so that only certain cards work, but I'm not sure that would even be technically possible with a standard like MXM.
     
  2. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    Well - in years gone by, I've had various expansions running in laptops which were (apparently) unsupported, so I don't see why not. BUT - there may be a vendor/device id lock in the BIOS, which will identify the aftermarket GPU as incompatible. I'm not sure why there would be though!
     
  3. Krikkit

    Krikkit All glory to the hypnotoad! Super Moderator

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    I think that sounds pretty reasonable tbh, although it is possible that HP have locked out any non-approved cards: IBM used to do the same with some of their laptops, even on mini-PCIe the wireless cards etc had to have a particular checkbit in their firmware to be completely usable. (At least in my experience anyway.)

    [edit] Sniped, so +1. :p
     
  4. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Is the daddy!

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    I envy your Z1 tad, you lucky lucky c**t!
     
  5. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    Thanks for the input gents, I thought it made sense too. I feel like HP wouldn't have specifically locked certain hardware out with this system, given the "spirit" of it. The HQL is relatively short, though. It is a "business" machine after all, so they need to limit configurations when we're talking about next-day on-site fix/replace.

    I'm running 16GB of non-ECC RAM, which is unsupported, without any issues. I did stick to the HQL for a CPU upgrade (E3-1245v2) though, as venturing off-piste and risking incompatibility with an i7-3770 would have gained me nothing.

    I might try to get hold of the cheapest and nastiest MXM 3.0 card I can get my hands on and rig up a makeshift cooler to test the theory before splashing out on anything.

    I'd be lying if I said the Z1 was anything other than entirely awesome, however c**t might be a bit strong :p
     
  6. rollo

    rollo Modder

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    Not really sure where you will get the Gpu from as they are not for public sale the m series is only sold to OEMs and not to the public.

    I'd also be very careful about buying a 680m of eBay as you will have no warranty.

    eBay is also the only place where you will get one from.

    On USA eBay site a 680m sells for $700-$800 that's totally insane.
     
  7. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Is the daddy!

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    No no, defiantly required due to such luckiness you've been given
     
  8. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    Sorry, Krikkit! :)

    I'd be interested to see how this pans out - I had a cursory glance on eBay, and there are various cards on there, with the associated eBay issues...

    But - there might be some odd old cards kicking about on there that would be worth a punt!
     
  9. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    I think the choice to get the cheapest mxm 3.0 card you can find and splice it in there will be the best way to go.

    Be a simply amazing machine if you can get a 680m in there though.
     
  10. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    I'm not massively concerned about warranty - if it works on day one, it's likely to continue to do so for the rest of its useful life. The M cards are my only option here, unfortunately - I accept that they're going to cost more than their desktop counterparts.


    I had a cruise through ebay when I first started toying with the idea - more options than I would have expected. Something like this, this or this could work for a test-case.

    I'm considering that it might be worth just diving straight in with a 680M (or trying to find a 680MX... mmm) from somewhere reputable (as reputable as ebay can get) that offers returns, even if there's a restocking fee, I won't be too much out of pocket if it doesn't work out. Problem with a test card is that I doubt I would be able to recoup my initial outlay, so I'll be £50+ out of pocket even if it does work. I'll keep my eye on ebay for something cheaper whilst I'm deciding.


    EDIT: I've just found a brother in arms that seems to be trying it out with a 675M: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware/Alternative-GPU-For-Z1-Workstation/td-p/2341017

    Though it's not promising that the other poster had success with neither a 460M nor K2000M :/

    Will be keeping my eye on that one.
     
    Last edited: 23 Jan 2013
  11. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    It's a difficult call to make - I wonder if there's anyone on here with, say, an Alienware box that they might be willing to lend a card from?

    Long shot, perhaps, but might be worth a try!
     
  12. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    Good news - a chap on the HP community forums just confirmed that he's got a 680M ticking over after a few driver tweaks.

    Now on to which GPU I want to go for - decisions, decisions. The cooler has quite the lead time from HP so I've got some time to think.
     
  13. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    680M or nothing :rock:
     
  14. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    Hell to the yes! :thumb:
     
  15. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Is the daddy!

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    even more jealous than I was at the start!
     
  16. jinq-sea

    jinq-sea 'write that down in your copy book' Super Moderator

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    Reckon you could get a 680MX to go? :D
     
  17. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    I could get a 680MX, but I'm trying to balance the fact that I'll likely only play a few of PC-only exclusives (Diablo 3, Sim City, Planetary Annihilation) against my desire to have the shiniest bits... It really is a terrible affliction. If you're going to do something, at least make sure you do it properly, right? :worried:

    The availability of the 680MX is as-good-as nil, it would almost certainly have to be sourced from the states, and cost me £6-750 when all was said and done - having trouble rationalising that (which says something, I'm normally excellent at rationalising expensive toys! :eek:).

    The debate for me is between the 675MX and the 680M really, since I'd be wanting a fair chunk of VRAM for 2560x1440 gaming. Maybe I'll throw in a few cheeky "best offers" for 680Ms and see how I get on and then make a decision between the two if I decide I'm getting nowhere.

    I don't know what you're so jealous about, it's not like I won it in a raffle!
     
  18. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

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    Out of interest what do you have to do in order to get the Geforce cards to run/install?
     
  19. RichCreedy

    RichCreedy Hey What Who

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    actually, you might want to contact a dutch/belgian company called MXM-Upgrade, you could take the machine to them, and try before you buy
     
    Last edited: 25 Jan 2013
  20. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Is the daddy!

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    If the last few months for me had gone better I would have bought a Z1, problem is by the time I've got the income to purchase the Z1 it would be old tech and I doubt HP will do another machine like the Z1. I could be wrong about that, but the Z1 feels like a "concord" moment and I've missed it.
     

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