M15X - Gpu upgrade / other mods etc.

[DylSki]

Hi all, was recommended to make a post here. Apparently there might be some old members from NBR which used to discuss about these machines many years ago? 
 

I’m looking to hear from those who have installed a GTX 970 or 980 into one of these fine M15X rigs in the past. If so what was the process of getting everything working nicely? 
 

From doing some research apparently you need to do a copper shim mod, installation of a modded gpu driver alongside a vbios mod to stop the card drawing too much power? I think it’s around 80 - 90 watts the card should be pulling once setup to help with longevity. 

 

I will also be installing some upgraded fans which provide better CFM (used oem dell fans which should be a drop in upgrade into the original fan enclosure) this is mainly to help with thermals even if it’s a couple degrees. 

I plan on installing a i7 940XM and will also be doing some overclocking. 

I do have a genuine dell 240w charger to help with these upgrades which I plan on purchasing in a couple days. 

Any help regarding the gpus / or unmentioned mods & upgrades would be very much appreciated! 

Thank you 👍🏼

[panda_zzz]

You can buy and install a Dell m5000m graphics card, and you won’t have to mess around with the video BIOS or modify the cooling system.
If you want, you can replace the fans with higher-performance ones from the Alienware m14x R2, but some modifications will be required.

[ssj92]

I'm running 980M (1617) Clevo model perfectly fine in M15x. 

 

M5000M should run cooler though. 

 

No mods needed except driver INF mod

[DylSki]

On 5/28/2026 at 3:09 PM, panda_zzz said:

You can buy and install a Dell m5000m graphics card, and you won’t have to mess around with the video BIOS or modify the cooling system.
If you want, you can replace the fans with higher-performance ones from the Alienware m14x R2, but some modifications will be required.

hey, I ended up buying a new old stock GTX 970M for £37 and a I7 940XM for £20 

 

going to see how the 970M performs for the time being and then get a 980M and throw this 970 into my grey M15X I also have. 
 

🤟🏼

[DylSki]

14 hours ago, ssj92 said:

I'm running 980M (1617) Clevo model perfectly fine in M15x. 

 

M5000M should run cooler though. 

 

No mods needed except driver INF mod

 

Awesome, what are your temps like with a 980 out of curiosity? 

I ended up buying a new old stock GTX 970M for £37 and a I7 940XM for £20 

 

going to see how the 970M performs for the time being and then get a 980M and throw this 970 into my grey M15X I also have. 

 

[ssj92]

1 hour ago, DylSki said:

 

Awesome, what are your temps like with a 980 out of curiosity? 

I ended up buying a new old stock GTX 970M for £37 and a I7 940XM for £20 

 

going to see how the 970M performs for the time being and then get a 980M and throw this 970 into my grey M15X I also have. 

 

Temps can get a little high in the 80s but 980M doesn't run full power in m15x anyways. pretty sure I need a vbios mod for that. 

 

970m should be perfect