Help replacing a dead laptop graphics card

[Rmk825]

Hello, about a year ago I purchased a computer from Cyberpower after a year of never having a problem the laptop stopped turning on. Here are the specs.

Xplorer X7-8500 Gaming Notebook
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X7-8500_Gaming_Notebook/

*BASE_PRICE: [ 1415]
ADAPTER: Universal AC-DC Adapter
BAGS: None
BATTERY: 9 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack, 48.84WH
BLUETOOTH: None
CD: 8X DVD /-R/RW/4X DL Super-Multi Drive (MS17612)
CPU: Intel(R) Core™ i7-2670QM Mobile Processor 2.20 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache, Max Turbo Freq. 3.10 GHz
FLASHMEDIA: Built-In 4in1 Media Reader
GEAR1: CoolerMaster SF-19 (USB 2.0) Gaming Notebook Cooler Model:SGA-4000-KKNF1 [ 53]
GEAR2: Logitech Gamepad F310 [ 27]
HDD: 750GB 7200RPM SATA300 Hard Drive [ 30]
HDD2: None
HDMI: Built-in HDMI Port
INVERTER: None
KEYBOARD: Built-in Keyboard
MEMORY: 4GB (4GBx1) DDR3-1333 SODIMM Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
MONITOR: None
MOTHERBOARD: Intel HM65 Chipset Mainboard
MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse [ 5]
NETWORK: Built-in 10/100/1000 Mbps Network Card
NOTEBOOK: MSI MS17612 Gaming Notebook 17.3" FHD LED-Backlit 1920x1080 16:9 Display w/ Built-in 720p HD Webcam, HDMI Port, Li-Ion Battery, & Universal AC Adapter
NOTEBOOK_COVER: Xplorer X7 Gaming Notebook Cover
OS: Microsoft(R) Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
RAID: Non-RAID Storage
RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 10~15 BUSINESS DAYS
SERVICE: STANDARD 1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SOFT1: Microsoft(R) Office(R) 2010 Home and Student (Word, Excel, PowerPoint OneNote) [ 105]
SOFT2: McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2011 [ 15]
SOFT3: McAfee Internet Security 2012 [ 19]
SOUND: Built-in 3D Premium Surround Sound
SPEAKERS: Built-in Stereo Speakers System
TVRC: None
USB: Built-in 2x USB2.0 Ports 2x USB3.0 Ports
USBFLASH: None
USBHD: None
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570M 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM PCIe Video
VIDEOCAMERA1: Built-in 720p HP Webcam
WNC: Built-in Wireless b/g/n Bluetooth WiFi Combo Card
WTV: None
XWNC1: Zonet ZEW2546 IEEE 802.11b/g/n Draft 2.0 USB 2.0 Wireless USB Adapter [ 29]
_PRICE: ( 1698)
_view_: {56C481E2-0F77-418E-A9D4-0B5D6BE822C5}
_load_: 12/15/2011 4:07:53 AM

After having professionals look over it they were able to determine that everything was working fine except the gtx 570m graphics card. So obviously I want to replace it however I have no idea what to replace it with.

I'm aware of MXM and even though I think my laptop was built to fit the 3.0 type B cards I'm not 100%.

According to the specs above the actualy notebook is MSI made, does that mean I have to purchase from ebay or wherever an MSI branded Nvidia graphics card or can use Dell/Alienware or whatever.

Also if I decided I want to go ahead and upgrade the card to a 580m or 680m does it seem like my computer would be safely compatible with those upgrades and obviously as I said before do they need to be MSI branded specifically?

Thanks for taking the time to respond, I know my computer knowledge is coming off as limited but any suggestions to my questions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MC_K7]

So if I understand well the laptop only had a 1-year warranty and it just expired?

I never replaced a video card on a laptop but I heard it's tricky. I would communicate with MSI just to make sure the card you will install will be compatible. I don't know if a 580m or 680m would draw more power or would overheat in this laptop, really not sure if that would be compatible.

Sorry if I couldn't be of more help, maybe some other users with more experience in notebooks graphics cards could give more information.

 

[Rmk825]

Any feedback is appreciated. I haven't gone to MSI yet but I've been reading up on the customer support and it seems to only be a nightmare and a headache to get anything one or receive information.

 

[jrbruett]

So if I understand well the laptop only had a 1-year warranty and it just expired?

I never replaced a video card on a laptop but I heard it's tricky. I would communicate with MSI just to make sure the card you will install will be compatible. I don't know if a 580m or 680m would draw more power or would overheat in this laptop, really not sure if that would be compatible.

Sorry if I couldn't be of more help, maybe some other users with more experience in notebooks graphics cards could give more information.

Replacing it isn't too hard, it's just not as straight-forward as a desktop. This is because each laptop is different in terms of internal construction. I have had 5 alienwares and I have replaced the GPUs in each on successfully. But judging by the power consumption and size of the notebook I would say that you should be able to get by with a gtx 580 or 680. The main reason for restrictions is the heat distribution of the gpu, but I'm guessing that the 17 inch platform can support that amount of heat displacement. Most other 17.3'' gaming notebooks can.

Also as long as it is clearly labeled, "MXM 3.0 Type B" it should fit and work fine. The brand doesn't matter, when I upgrade I usually get it from clevo just as long as it says the right MXM values.

Hope this helps