Is this the incorrect 980m card for my M17xR4?

[JJ90]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently bought a 980m graphics card for my M17xR4 as my old 970m developed problems.

 

I fitted it to the heatsink and it seemed to fit ok, but on starting the laptop I get 8 beeps. Is this simply the wrong graphics card for the laptop or is likely another issue? The card doesn't seem to have the usual x-shaped plate on the back like my last one and instead has a copper backplate (image url inserted below).

 

https://imgur.com/a/lh7JkFS

 

Thanks in advance

[Jerryzago]

This heatsink comes from clevo laptops. You can unscrew the four screws and uncover the xbracket. I used this one for my RTX3000 for my AW17 R1. Needed some trimming to make it work. I doubt if it can work inside the M17x R4. You will have to remove it.

[JJ90]

Many thanks for the reply.

 

When I initially fitted it, it did seem to slot in as normal and screw down with no problems. I did however notice what appeared to be a slight bulge in the case where the heatsink seemed more raised than with my previous card. It certainly wasn't immediately obvious how the plate would have been causing this though being on the other side, where there seemed to be plenty of room for it. Although, maybe I'm mistaken.

 

Is it perfectly safe to remove this plate? There appears to be thermal pads between it and the card - will it not make it run too hot if I remove it?

 

[JJ90]

bump

[kela-slk]

On 2/7/2026 at 1:52 AM, JJ90 said:

Hi everyone,

 

I recently bought a 980m graphics card for my M17xR4 as my old 970m developed problems.

 

I fitted it to the heatsink and it seemed to fit ok, but on starting the laptop I get 8 beeps. Is this simply the wrong graphics card for the laptop or is likely another issue? The card doesn't seem to have the usual x-shaped plate on the back like my last one and instead has a copper backplate (image url inserted below).

 

https://imgur.com/a/lh7JkFS

 

Thanks in advance

Try flash Dell VBIOS

[kela-slk]

or flash unlocked bios and setup Vigeo graphics in SG mode, because if you use factory bios, first will be PEG mode and without correct Vbios laptop would give 8 beeps

 

[Jerryzago]

For the M18x R2 I could remove the plate, because the fan was underneath and kept cool those memory chips. I believe the M17x has the same design. The fan is below the GPU and has a hole to blow through.

 

For the 8 Beeps, there is a custom Bios for the M17x R4 that also unlocks the advanced menu. If you don't want to mess with this, you must set your laptop to full UEFI mode in Bios. 

 

First set UEFI boot and then install the GPU. If it boots, just install OS again and custom drivers.

 

If it still gives you 8 Beeps, then probably you have the g-sync model. VBios is not to important. I had success with dell, clevo and HP Vbios and GPU booted just fine.