Replacing Laptop's GPU

[alterpath]

Hi guys!

So I'm trying to revive my brother's AfterShock gaming laptop and the issue is with the dead GPU.

The GPU that was in the laptop was: AMD radeon 7970m 2GB DDR5 with Enduro Technology

I'm not exactly the most handy person nor am I knowledgable on computer parts, but I'm wondering if changing the laptop's GPU will be difficult? Or is there any recommendation on where I can get the CPU changed for a reasonable price. My brother was quoted $600 to get it replaced... and in the end he upgraded to a desktop gaming rig... so I'm left with this to fix.

And since I'm changing it, which laptop GPU will you guys recommend for an upgrade and what will be the average cost of replacing it?

 

[chiaRH]

maybe try and talk to aftershock and see if you can get help to purchase a replacement GPU

that GPU model you mentioned is a 3-year old one though, which means the machine it came in was probably one of the pioneer batch of aftershock devices (X15 or X17) and for a device that old, I quite doubt they can support newer GPUs which are several generations ahead. And getting a replacement 7970m, due to the GPU's age, may not be that simple either

Im also from the pioneer batch (X15 from 2012 Sitex) and my GPU died too and I more or less decided to just hiatus from gaming altogether and wait for aftershock to release something and buy a new machine entirely.

 

[alterpath]

maybe try and talk to aftershock and see if you can get help to purchase a replacement GPU

that GPU model you mentioned is a 3-year old one though, which means the machine it came in was probably one of the pioneer batch of aftershock devices (X15 or X17) and for a device that old, I quite doubt they can support newer GPUs which are several generations ahead. And getting a replacement 7970m, due to the GPU's age, may not be that simple either

Im also from the pioneer batch (X15 from 2012 Sitex) and my GPU died too and I more or less decided to just hiatus from gaming altogether and wait for aftershock to release something and buy a new machine entirely.

Wise advice, thank you! I'll probably give it a pass to try to fix this. No wonder it cost a hefty 600 just to replace the existing one.

 

[watzup_ken]

Having used a gaming laptop for sometime, I realized that even though the GPU is "removable", it does not translate to upgradeable. There are a few reasons I can think of,

1) Same as your case, the MXM slot on my laptop is not compatible with the newer mobile GPUs,

2) Too expensive - the mobile GPUs don't come cheap as most of them should be better binned chips that uses less power to suit a laptop. Also they are readily available like desktop counterparts, which likely also contributes to the higher price,

3) May not work on a new laptop - Say you purchase the GPU upgrade 2 years after your laptop and your old laptop stop working, you will be stuck with an extra GPU. And same as point 1, it may not work on newer MXM slots even if you consider reusing it(I am not sure if they are backward compatible).

Having said that, I feel it make sense to buy a laptop with a better GPU right off the start if it is not overly expensive and within your budget. When its time to upgrade, might as well just get a new laptop.

 

[Intrinion]

On top of the excellent points that chia_RH and Watzup_ken have mentioned,
not all laptops (Aftershock inclusive) have MXM slots.

There are GPU chips which soldered on to the motherboard itself - therefore, you would have to replace the motherboard in its entirety in the event of a faulty GPU.


Cheers.

 

[chiaRH]

On top of the excellent points that chia_RH and Watzup_ken have mentioned,
not all laptops (Aftershock inclusive) have MXM slots.

There are GPU chips which soldered on to the motherboard itself - therefore, you would have to replace the motherboard in its entirety in the event of a faulty GPU.


Cheers.

the OP mentioned a 7970m so it should be a MXM GPU.

To my knowledge, flagship-tier GPUs soldered onto motherboard didnt come into existence until Asus started soldering their GPUs onto all their laptops (think they started with the G750)

that being said, GPUs on laptops have all sorts of compatibility hurdles like the vbios etc that make long term upgrades not feasible. the MXM thing just isnt designed to be long term future-compatible

 

[alterpath]

All points taken and appreciated! I'm moving to my quest... on building a mini rig and hopefully not making a joke out of myself.

Posting over here instead.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/hardware-clinic-2/mini-itx-build-recommendations-5353453.html