Asus G50 - 260M Swap Procedure

[forcedinductionz]

Updated Procedure:

http://blog.san-dex.com/2010/07/asus...procedure.html

I have been reading posts and articles on this forums for a while now. Just though I would share some progress on my ASUS G50 Best Buy model.

Here is the list of upgrades:

X9100 Processor
8 GB of Corsair
2 x SDD Drives in Raid 0
260M 1GB Video Card Swap

I thought people may be interested in the video card swap since it isn't really documented anywhere.

First off, my friend had a G60 that got partially crushed. So he ended up giving me the laptop. Well as everyone knows ASUS mobile video cards have a different mounting pattern than most other manufacturers. So I was able to remove the 260M from the G60 and swap it across into my G50. Everything works great.

Here is the procedure I followed to remove the card.

- Remove back access plate
- Remove 6 Heatsink bolts for CPU and Northbridge
- Remove 2 Heatsink bolts for GPU
- Unplug the fan
- Now gently pull straight up and the whole cooler assembly will lift up and it can be removed from the laptop case.
- Remove 2 bolts holding GPU card in place
- Gently wiggle the card loose and remove it.

Here is the tricky part:
- Gently place the new video card into the slot
- It will not want to seat at first, I used the metal end of a multimeter probe to leverage the card into place. Do be GENTLE when you do this. Take your time and everything will work out.
- Now I cleaned off all the thermal tape that comes on the cooler stock, lapped the heatsinks and applied a new thermal compound.
- Now reinstall the cooler and button up the case.
- Install the driver of your choice
- Have a beer



http://san-dex.com
http://san-dex.blogspot.com

[a3r0x]

The 260M GTX is going to fry in that G51 chassis. Did you play any game or run stress test?

[forcedinductionz]

It's in the G50 chasis, but I've been playing CODMW2 for hours no problems yet. The air coming out of the fan duct is cooler than when I had the 9800m installed. I guess I'll find out.

[EIement]

what are your idle/max temps? check with HWmonitor and post results here.

[forcedinductionz]

This was just after playing COD for about 30 minutes

[a3r0x]

Idle seems fine, can u post the temps after a session of MW2 using the same program to monitor.
Do you have a cooler or any mods made?

[forcedinductionz]

I lapped the heatsinks and applied arctic silver. My laptop sits on a rack, instead of on a table, so more air can circulate. I will be cutting the hole out of the bottom of the access panel to improve airflow at some point.

I'd like to point out the G60 cooler is IDENTICAL to the G50 cooler, and can't find a reason we it should run any hotter in a G50.

I'm playing some MW2 now and I'll post the HWMonitor temps when I am finished.

[a3r0x]

I'd like to point out the G60 cooler is IDENTICAL to the G50 cooler,G50's fan has different spindle design, and it runs at slightly lower speeds which forces less air and therefore has less cooling capability. I agree as to the heatpipes, yes they are the same.

[forcedinductionz]

Interesting, never took a close look at the fan. I still have the G60 cooler, maybe I will swap that in if heat becomes an issue. Thanks for the heads up.

[a3r0x]

Yeh a swap could be a good idea, I would try that at least.