The updated GTX 1070 MXM model thread (2020)

Hello guys,

After reading through these threads which contain tons of information (cudos to them and the community):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/mxm-gpu-resellers-in-the-world.804197/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/successful-mxm-gpu-upgraded-laptops.805136/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-hopeful-of-keeping-mxm-3-0b-alive-thread.795048/

I went in search for a GTX 1070 MXM upgrade for either my Alienware M18x R2 or my Alienware 18 (Viking).

My google, ebay, amazon, newegg, taobao, aliexpress/alibaba came up with all kinds of results and I just wanted to help out those who are in the same position and need some help / advice to make up there mind.

[I'm sorry if part of the information here has already been described / discussed on the other threads. The information available here is a compilation of the available data I found]

[Any additional information is of course welcomed to make this thread even better]

MXM standard Dimensions:
-mxm 3.0b is 82mm x 105mm like MSI Gtx1060
-mxm 3.0 is 100mm x 124mm like Clevo Gtx1060
-mxm 3.1 is 94mm x 111mm like Aetina Gtx1070
-mxm 3.1b is 94mm x 105mm like MSI Gtx1070


Let's get into it and look into the existing and available models these days:

MSI (there might be several revisions out there)
MXM 3.1B
MOSFETS : 12


To buy:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MSI-GT72-N...XM-Graphics-Card-MS-1W0V1-TESTED/254734395326
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MSI-NV...R5-8GB-Notebook-MS-1W0V1-VER-1-0/154139956349
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...ntVVv&id=620127679087&ns=1&abbucket=11#detail
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...2q3vw5d&id=2534927328&ns=1&abbucket=11#detail
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001516907895.html

CLEVO
MXM 3.0
MOSFETS : 12
Power : 150 W


To buy:
(US) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Clevo-P87x...VIDIA-GTX-1070-8GB-DDR5-MXM-3-0b/122388357859
(EU) https://www.ebay.com/itm/nVidia-GTX-1070-8GB-MXM-3-0-N17E-G2-A1-Laptop-GPU/254746439386
(EU) https://www.ebay.com/itm/NVIDIA-GTX...p-GPU-CLEVO-EUROCOM-PCSPECALISTS/324326098225

EUROCOM
MXM 3.0 B
MOSFETS : 12
Power : 115W
It looks like GECUBE and ZOTAC are inspired from this model


to Buy:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Clevo-...XM-3-0-N17E-G2-A1-Video-Card-GPU/163765413429

GECUBE:
MXM 3.0 B
MOSFETS : 9
This one is very similar to the EUROCOM, but with less MOSFETS (7 instead of 10)
This one is very similar to the ZOTAC model but there are slight differences on the PCB (circled chip, bottom left)


ZOTAC:
MXM 3.0 B
MOSFETS : 9
This one is very similar to the EUROCOM, but with less MOSFETS (7 instead of 10)
This one is very similar to the GECUBE model but there are slight differences on the PCB (circled chip, bottom left)



BUY:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001445143961.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001447136785.html

AETINA:
MXM : 3.1
MOSFETS : 12 ?


Buy:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aetina-M3N1070-NN-Embedded-MXM-GPU-Module/283960866793

GECUBE ? (desktop chip GP104-200-A1):
MXM 3.0 B
MOSFETS : 9
Looks like its based on a EUROCOM model but with a desktop GTX 1070 GPU chip
source: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/nvidia-gp104.g793


BUY:
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...ntVVv&id=557065333684&ns=1&abbucket=11#detail

QUADRO/DELL variant (most available model on ebay/Taobao/AliExpress) :
MXM 3.0 B
MOSFETS : 8?

Very similar design / PCB arrangement as the GTX 980M / Quadro M5000M (Maxwell) as well as the Quadro P5000 (Pascal) models:
https://www.techinferno.com/index.php?/forums/topic/11125-quadro-p5000-running-on-m17x-r4/

GTX 1070 MXM :


GTX 980 MXM :



BUY:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GeForce-GT...-for-Alienware-Clevo-MSI-DELL-HP/193707478098
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Nvidia...lienware-HP-MSI-Clevo-VIDEO-CARD/164357449828
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Precision-Workstation-GTX-1070/dp/B088PY9KWW/
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...ntVVv&id=616511434188&ns=1&abbucket=11#detail

It looks like this last model is the one most available on ebay + Taobao

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According to this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/successful-alienware-18-msi-gtx-1070-mxm.818900/

The MSI card works with a little dremel work on the heatsink. The idea is to see if the upgrade is possible with the other models, except Clevo of course.

Let me know what you think.

 

The last model is Dell P5000 PCB with a GTX 1070 die from my understanding.

Results have been a bit mixed from what I have seen but not as bad as the early Aetina, Eurocom, Gecube models.

Zotac is likely the best practical choice but supply is very limited, requires MSI vBIOS to output internal panel. MSI is more common but isnt MXM 3.0b and requires a bit more attention to the VRM cooling or will shut down to prevent damage to the VRMs

 

Great post!
You've only missed the two mosfets on the right side on every PCB:

 

thank you on that one, let me correct that straight away.

What about Aetina, GECUBE (desktop chip) and the P5000 PCB ones, how many MOSFETS do you count?

 

I think nine on Aetina and eight on Quadro’s PCB...

 

Both 1070M and Quadro P5000M have the same PCB configuration, but if you look at the Quadro M5000M (previous generation, Maxwell), it is the same as GTX 980M, and they all very much look alike...

Also, Quadro usually comes out AFTER the general market GTX... This might be the reason why inital PCBs for 1070m come in all kinds of layouts and as soon as Quadro P5000 came out, Nvidia decided to streamline production for both pro and general markets based on the Quadro PCB... just my thoughts... nothing proven here...

I'm very surprised at the PCB layout differences between early GTX 1070M models and the late models...

 

Those Black PCB ones are re-used Dell parts from what I udnerstand, not verified personally just what i have been reading around here

 

If Zotac model is not available, nor MSI model, probably last decent solution is the MXM 3.0b cards (black PCB) with a MSI Vbios, right ?

 

I think MSI are still available second hand...

 

Black PCB Dell doesnt need a vbios.

The Zotac card needs the MSI vBIOS because its installed originally in a desktop which doesnt require a signal output to a built in panel.

MSI 1070 is likely easily available here or on ebay and is the best card to date, but requires some modification pending the model of the machine in question (most need it to my knowledge)