ASUS G51Jx-X1 - Upgrade Video Card ???

[Retired]

Hello All,

Is it possible to upgrade the GTS 360M video to something that is DX11 such as a GTX 460M? If so, how? Is it a card replacement or just a chip?

Thank You in advance!

[Retired]

sorry cant upgrade. the heatsink contact layout is different.

[sccurtido]

hello, but the connector is the same? mxm 3.0 B? i read something about asus, used other kind of reversed connector...

[grungeboy2]

sccurtido wrote:
hello, but the connector is the same? mxm 3.0 B? i read something about asus, used other kind of reversed connector...

asus uses a reverse design. the connecter is flipped 180 degrees. this means that the only other video cards you can upgrade to are the ones that asus themselves put out for other laptops. since no other laptops really use a separate video card, most use a on-board type of video, you're pretty much limited to G-series laptops.

if a GTX 460m would physically fit (i can't answer that as i've never tried), then it might work. the heatsink would be in the wrong location however. in order to make something work, you'd have to custom fab (fab as in fabricate) something to mate to it.

it's not impossible. it's really not a super-hard task either. it would require knowledge of computers, specifically laptops. it would also require tools and abilities to weld and machine copper or another suitable metal.

the problem is, the amount of time and money you would spend on the project wouldn't be worth it. that's the real reason no one does it. for all the time and effort you could sell your laptop, put some money with it, and get a new G46 or something.

the cool stuff is coming down the pipe with the thunderbolt connecters. external GPU's are nothing new, but they seem to finally be getting real, as in usable for game performance.

[Muratus]

I'd be the last person to tell you it can't be done. Everyone said a 560M would not work in my G73sw, but guess what.... It does and rocks!

It is going to take allot of modification of your laptop. The heatsink needs to be rebuild using the plate of the 460m/560m (they are the exact same size) and the heatpipes from your G51. Then drivers will be an issue, but it could very well work the way I got mine working.

I know this is extremely rough but will give you an idea of how this would fit in. There are still many unknowns at this point, like what is inside were we don't see.

Here are a few pics that I matched the size of the cards and layered them on your laptop.

First the G51 from the underside:



Now your current 360M layered on to it so we can get a better idea how it's in there. I matched the MXM plug sizes. Again this is rough, but gives the idea.



And now the 460m/560m layered on. On the surface it looks like it would fit inside. You also have to think what's on the motherboard where it covers and the 360m does not.



The heatsink would need to be desoldered and the plate of the 460m/560m soldered on to your heatpipe. I'd still be a bit worried if that would provide enough cooling though.

Cost is also a big factor here. I paid 150 for a Asus GTX 560M with a heatsink and I've sold a Asus GTX 460M with heatsink for 100. My upgrade only cost me 50 bucks which was well worth it. You'll have to do much more work then I did, so costs can go up.

Anyway the point of all this is, don't let people tell you it can't be done. Do your own research and make your own decisions if it can be done. I knew for a fact I was going to get the 560M into my laptop, regardless that everyone on the interwebs was saying it can't be done.