MSI GT72 with MXM Graphics - Upgradable

[ARJIBEAR]

GT72 refreshed with GTX 900M graphics

Last week we saw the launch of one of the biggest leaps in mobile graphics we’ve seen in a long time. We’re talking of course about the NVIDIA GTX 900M series, which consists of the GTX 970M and the 980M. These come in distinctly different flavors, but they’re both extremely high-performing, while using less power than the previous generation.

If you want the best, the GTX 980M is your choice. A GT72 with the GTX 980M scores over 11000 points at stock frequencies in 3DMark 11 (with NVIDIA 344.00 drivers), whereas the GTX 970M outperforms the previous generation’s high-end offering GTX 880M in the same benchmark by scoring about 9200 points.

Unlike other gaming notebooks on the market, the GT72 is actually upgradable – you can swap your existing GTX 870M/880M graphics card for the 970M/980M, thanks to a unique MXM graphics design. Depending on your territory, you can purchase this yourself (if you’re experienced enough to do the job yourself) or have the job performed for you at an MSI authorized service center. For more details on this, see

http://event.msi.com/gt72mxm


Another great reason why the GT72 is a fantastic model.

ARJiBEAR
MSI NOTEBOOK UK

 

[Bailey]

Looking and performing awesome ArJiBEAR

Bailey

 

[picktooth]

Oh, so i can upgrade my 870 on my gt60 dominator if i wanted to?

 

[Elickser]

Oh, so i can upgrade my 870 on my gt60 dominator if i wanted to?

Yeah by buying a GT72

 

[picktooth]

Yeah by buying a GT72

boooo.

 

[oweneades]

Unlike other gaming notebooks on the market, the GT72 is actually upgradable – you can swap your existing GTX 870M/880M graphics card for the 970M/980M, thanks to a unique MXM graphics design. Depending on your territory, you can purchase this yourself (if you’re experienced enough to do the job yourself) or have the job performed for you at an MSI authorized service center. For more details on this, see

Er... most other high end gaming laptops are also upgradable in the same manner (and have been for a long time). It is only the recent trend of slim gaming laptops that have the GPU's soldered directly onto the MB and thus are not as upgradable.

Do you have a rough idea on 980M pricing? I won't be able to use a MSI one without flashing the bios (assuming of course that it is a standard MXM module design) but the cards themselves should similarly priced.

 

[MrMojoRisin]

Oh, so I can upgrade my 870 on my gt60 dominator if i wanted to?

I believe that the 970M upgrade kit comes with a new heatsink because the positioning of the components on the 870M is different to the 970M apparently. This video kind of shows this.

The way I interpret things is that MSI would need to release a kit for the GT60 to make it possible to upgrade.

 

[MrMojoRisin]

Unlike other gaming notebooks on the market, the GT72 is actually upgradable – you can swap your existing GTX 870M/880M graphics card for the 970M/980M, thanks to a unique MXM graphics design. Depending on your territory, you can purchase this yourself (if you’re experienced enough to do the job yourself) or have the job performed for you at an MSI authorized service center.

Does the fact that you are including this comment here mean that the UK is one of the territories that will have this upgrade kit available?

 

[ARJIBEAR]

Does the fact that you are including this comment here mean that the UK is one of the territories that will have this upgrade kit available?

Hi there

OCUK will be a place where you can upgrade your GT72

More details to follow in the future!

Regards

 

[MrMojoRisin]

Thanks for the info ARJiBEAR

But I have a GT60

Will a similar upgrade kit be appearing for mine?

 

[ARJIBEAR]

Thanks for the info ARJiBEAR

But I have a GT60

Will a similar upgrade kit be appearing for mine?

Hey,

As the above shows, the GT72 is the only model at the moment that this applies too :/

Regards

 

[MrMojoRisin]

Thanks for the response.

Just to point out though - those of us who have spent £1300+ on a GT60 probably wouldn't bat an eyelid at spending another £400 on an upgrade like this .

At the very least it would be good if a heatsink kit that supports a generic 970M card was available.

 

[Meaker]

Yeah by buying a GT72

The GT60 use an MXM design too, but the upgrade is not officially supported. That's not to say you can't however

For instance when the 7970M launched I put it in my 16F2:

With a bios update and heatsink I would be very surprised if the GT70 and GT60 could not pull off the same trick (since the motherboard is the same between the two versions).

Is it officially supported by MSI? No, but that means nothing to someone with a little time for some research.

Two generations on and the layout is identical (applies to GT60 and GT70)

 

[MrMojoRisin]

So you think that the heatsink in the GT72 Kit will physically fit the GT60?

Edit - actually, ignore this, I can see that it won't

 

[MrMojoRisin]

It looks like some online auction sellers have GT60s with 970Ms included.

http://us.msi.com/product/nb/GT60-Dominator-GTX-970M.html#hero-overview

 

[Meaker]

Yes you would need the heatsink from that model.

 

[FinglisHobbit]

Has there been any word on the gt60 getting an official upgrade kit? Would be good idea imo. My 870m is fine but part of me would like to try the new gen in there.

 

[Meaker]

MSI are not billing the other GT series as upgradable so I doubt there will be an official kit.

 

[FinglisHobbit]

MSI are not billing the other GT series as upgradable so I doubt there will be an official kit.

Quite a shame really. Considering you said it should be possible with just a compatible heatsink.

 

[FlyingFish]

Anyone know if I can upgrade my msi gx660r further than the 7970m?
I also have the proper 7970m heatsink fitted.

The original gpu was a 5870m, from that I installed a 6970m and modded the heatsink with dremel. And now it's the 7970m. But now I'm wondering if I can upgrade to a 980m with the right heatsink?

Mick