HP Envy DV7-7250us Upgrading Graphics/Motherboard/HDMI Help

[CaptainTim]

Hello,

I have been researching how to upgrade the GPU on my laptop in an effort to see if I can get it to support 4K on my 27" 4K external monitor (HP of course.) I know that there are quite a few hurdles in this plan, since my laptop is equipped with the older HDMI 1.4a type, but I was wondering if upgrading the GPU from the Intel HD Graphics 4000 to the more powerful Nvidia GT650M/2G would boost my potential resolution capabilities from the current 2560x1440 @60Hz to 3840x2160 @60Hz, in which case I believe my laptop could potentially support 4K external video. 

That said, there are a couple obvious snags in my plan. First is my HDMI port, which uses the older format of 1.4a rather than the newer 2.0. Will this pose a problem? Or will this be okay for my purposes? My second issue is in regards to the integrated GPU. Since it is integrated in with the motherboard, I believe that the entire motherboard will need to be replaced. The part required according to the manual I believe would be 682040-501, but I am a bit confused as to whether or not this motherboard replacement would come preinstalled with the aforementioned Nvidia GPU, and in addition, will it come with the intel i7 quad-core processor as well? I have plenty of experience swapping out computer parts, but little to no experience transplanting complex circuitry to that degree, so I want to be certain that this would even be possible before I move any further into unfamiliar territory. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time :-).

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

The 682040-501 motherboard is described thus in the Manual:

For use only on computer models equipped with an Intel quad core processor, the NVIDIAR GeForceR 650M graphics subsystem with 2-GB of discrete memory, and the Windows 8 Standard operating system 682040-501

Service manual

You would just swap over your processor (which is socketed and fairly easy to transplant) but the video chip is embedded in the motherboard. 

The HDMI 1.4a theoretically can drive an external 4k monitor but at 30 hz so not ideal. I use a pair of 4k monitors at my daily workstation (with a Zbook 15 G3) and I have never had much luck using HDMI ports...DP is the way to go but your laptop does not have DP ports. The motherboard upgrade would be an improvement in gaming performance but I seriously doubt it would drive a 4K monitor where the Intel version will not. 

4K was just not yet a "thing" when your laptop was made and the hardware does not anticipate its development very well. 

[CaptainTim]

Thank you for the reply :-).

This has been bugging me for a while now. Glad to know that the processor isn't difficult to move over. That was my main concern as I have never done that before. I was wanting to make the upgrade anyway for the fun of it and it's been fun trying to see how far I can push my older model. I prefer to upgrade rather than replacing it altogether. 

I had looked into using the DP cables, and they definitely would help from the sound of things. I was thinking about trying them with a DP to HDMI adapter, but I'm not sure if they are compatible in my case, or if the adapter is designed for 2.0 ports only. I'd really love to get it working at 60Hz, but I'll settle for 30Hz. I know that the original 4K TVs still used 1.4a HDMI ports, but that doesn't mean that it would work in my case. I guess the only thing to do now is try it out and see for myself.

Thank you again for all of your help, I really appreciate it :-).

[Huffer]

HDMI to DP adapter is still an HDMI port so no benefit. Just use the HDMI. Give it a try you may get a useable 4K picture. Good luck.