laptop graphics card dead

[deeppow]

The nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M on my laptop has given up the ghost. nVidia has been no help. Any suggestions other than buy a replacement of some type?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

If you can remove the GPU from the mainboard (sometimes the graphics card is on a separate board), you could try baking it to reflow the solder.
Have you also tried cleaning out any dust, re-applying TIM, or anything else?

 

[deeppow]

Took it out, cleaned it and all associated cooling, and reseated. Couldn't see any visual issues with the card. (Don't have TIM available but since the OS couldn't see it on restart I don't think that is a problem --- at least on startup.) Haven't tried heating it.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Is the GPU its own board?

 

[deeppow]

It is a separate card that plugs in a raised connection from the motherboard.

BTW, the laptop-cpu has Intel graphics so I can limp along on that till I replace the laptop. Just would be nice to get the nVidia card fixed and running.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I would see if you can find another of that laptop that is "for parts" or find one of the GPU out of it.

What's the make and model of the laptop?

 

[deeppow]

It is a PowerPro R 11:36-675 laptop which I think is a MSI-based laptop (unsure of that). CPU is i7-3610QM but I'm can't find info on the motherboard.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Hmm, that'll make it more difficult to find parts for by the model number.
If you take it apart again could you take pictures of the front and back of the GPU PCB?

 

[deeppow]

Will do.

I did look around for a nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M and there are a few available on both Amazon and Ebay. But they aren't cheap, start at a couple hundred $s and are used. (I have no problem with used parts.)

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Ouch, couple hundred for a 670M sounds high... I'd just watch for a deal to come up on a "for parts" laptop with the right 670M for you.

 

[deeppow]

After some surfing I did find this link (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Upgrade-sReplace-a-Notebook-Video-Card.3236.0.html). I am very familiar with desktops but very limited in my knowledge of laptops. I'll continue to look around but it sounds like I have to live with the Intel graphics till I replace my laptop.

Thanks for your assistance and other thoughts always welcome!

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Any time!

Like I mentioned though, it's very possible we could cross reference a GPU that'll work for you if you can get some pictures of it.

 

[custom90gt]

I would take the card out and bake it to see if you can get it to work again (I bet it does)

Also it looks like the actual model of the laptop is an MSI GT60 (MS-16F3). I used to see a lot of used MSI MXM cards on sale at forum.notebookreview.com, but not so often anymore.

Check out this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-official-msi-gt60-70-970m-980m-upgrade-thread.765058/

 

[deeppow]

Baking temperature?

 

[custom90gt]

Sadly I've never baked one before, always used a heat gun (fixed a ton of nvidia gpus while working as a tech), but here is what I would do:
Take everything off of the card that you can
Cover the entire card in aluminum foil except for around the GPU
Bake at 385 for 8 minutes (seems to be what the google machine recommends)
Let cool for 10 mins, put back together and cross your fingers

 

[deeppow]

I'll give that a while in a little.

 

[custom90gt]

Lol just looked below your thread and saw this:

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/606658-THE-OVEN-TRICK-WORKED

 

[deeppow]

Sadly baking it didn't help. Appreciate the suggestions folks!

I'll watch for a used graphics card to replace this one but I'll limp along on the Intel cpu graphics for now.

 

[custom90gt]

well bummer, was hopeful

Thankfully it looks like any clevo/dell card should work in it. I'd do a little research on notebookreview, but maybe you could pick up a cheap 860m/960m and get a decent upgrade while you're at it?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Pictures of the GPU since it's out? Might help to find out if the GPU is a proprietary PCB or not