GPU upgrade EliteBook 8540p

[draarn]

I have an ageing laptop, HP EliteBook 8540p. It runs very well after upgrading to i7 840QM, 8GB RAM and an SSD disk. Now the GPU is the weakest link. The GPU card can be replaced, without much work.

Can I make an upgrade with any card that fits the slot, or am I stuck to any limitations in BIOS?

I would like to try this card: AMD HD 6770M GDDR5 1GB

The card installed is a Nvidia NVS 5100M DDR3 1GB

Both cards has the MXM 3 TYPE A-format

If possible, would the present cooling be sufficient? The heat sink  will fit any MXM 3-A

[banhien]

Hi,

The 8540x laprops support a list of Graphics cards:

NVIDIA NVS 5100 graphics card 595820-001
NVIDIA Quadro FX 880 graphics card 595821-001
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800 graphics card 595822-001
ATI FirePro M5800 graphics card 595823-001

But I believe the 8540p series only has  NVIDIA NVS 5100 graphics card part # 595820-001 installed.  Each needs a graphics card spare part kit and all graphics card spare part kits include replacement thermal material.

Regards.

[draarn]

OK, I know the 8540p support the listed GPU's, as listed in the your post and the service manual. I have concidered the FirePro M5800, but there is reports of some issues with the driver when installed on a Win 10 system.

No chance for success with the AMD HD 6770M (?) ...when it fits the slot?

This card would give a significant boost for sure...

[NigelThornberry]

I've seen videos on YouTube of the EliteBook 8XXXx running cards like the K610M and the 2000M, and while HP doesn't offer support for unofficially capable cards, it's a welcome upgrade, the K610M is about 2.5x times the power of the NVS 5100M and the 2000M is about 3.5X as good.

Right now I've used MSI Afterburner to overclock the Quadro NVS 5100M core to 715MHz and the memory to 1030MHz. It's a huge speed boost.

When running games like Skyrim the GPU doesn't go above 65 degrees celsius, which is absolutely amazing. HP did a really good job keeping this mobile powerhouse cool.

[Jkspr1]

I dont know if this would help, but after upgrading to the Quadro 1800m, I've also tried the Quadro 1000m and 2000m. Power with black screen on boot, and I even tried injecting drivers through a live OS in hopes tomake it work. I had no success. I believe those 4 cards that are listed is the BIOS whitelist for this model, which really disappoints me as this machine plays older (2010-early 2015) AAA games with no problem. 

Definitely following this thread for potential solutions.

[Surreal_Memes]

Supposedly you need to use a Dell card because the VBIOS is on the card. Apparently HP cards don't use the VBIOS chip on the card they put it on the motherboard. So you need a Dell card because the VBIOS is on board.

[NigelThornberry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_8KhTTK25Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BKVHQggcvw

[Mormislaw]

Thank you so much! That is a massive improvement!

[Jkspr1]

Sweet! I'm going to try that method. I didn't think about VBIOS being on the card rather than depending on the board's BIOS restrictions. I'll pop back on with the results at some point between 9/6 and 9/16. Thanks for the heads up.