HP Elitebook 8570W - is it still good ? Hardware modifications

[GuitarG]

2 hours ago, PingwinVonJelen said:

 As far as i know nvidia 9xx should work with lvds, i have here quadro m5000m (gtx980m equivalent) and it works well

True, GTX980 worked with both LVDS (much better compability) and DC (worse compability).
With DC screen it worked only in pure UEFI, no fastboot, up to some version of drivers only - 371? or 391 ? I don't remember.
So 965m should work too, same family or GPUs.

Btw,RTX 4000 showed up on auction sites, even some 3000 "normal 3.0b mxm" version... But I have to be a little more patient, 5000 is much more efficient and better designed (E.g core size and more bios versions). I think new *adventure* should begin in 1-2 months 😄 In next week I'll try to retrofit hifi creative soundcard to bypass internal DAC and AMP. I wonder if internal speakers will work better.

In meantime I restored old IBM (shoving SSD in 28 year old laptop or trying to make retro lap dock for Dex - can't beat that) with cool lifting keyboard mechanism - look up ibm 760 how it opens. That kind of mechanism makes whole heatsink work up to 50% more efficient (E.g. a lot more cold air for fan) - tested by 1h long experiments with palmrest on/off, one fan / two fans, different thermal material etc. I will see if it would be possible to adapt 8570w to such things
 

[GuitarG]

Well, RTX is on it's way 😄

Tracking says I have to wait until friday... wish me luck !

[Zeht]

Amazing post! I saw that you commented on my post about modding the Zbook 15 to fit a quadro p3000, did you discarded the idea of using the Zbook 15 motherboard?

 

From my experience the main issue with the zbook is the heatsink, the cpu simply gets too hot to handle these big gpus. I'm also not too convinced on undervolting haswell chips, my 4810mq barely does -50mv on the core and -40mv on cache, anything more than that it will randomly crash. Under a gaming load it can do 35w sustained, which is decent but not enough to fully push the p3000.

[GuitarG]

17 hours ago, Zeht said:

Amazing post! I saw that you commented on my post about modding the Zbook 15 to fit a quadro p3000, did you discarded the idea of using the Zbook 15 motherboard?

 

From my experience the main issue with the zbook is the heatsink, the cpu simply gets too hot to handle these big gpus. I'm also not too convinced on undervolting haswell chips, my 4810mq barely does -50mv on the core and -40mv on cache, anything more than that it will randomly crash. Under a gaming load it can do 35w sustained, which is decent but not enough to fully push the p3000.

Hi! And thank you for your information! I have abaddoned that idea, too many cons.

I think issue with UV is silicon lottery. Best chip I ever seen was my P5200 - between 0,1 and 0,2 ohms on core. Though its damaged..  works perfectly.

Maybe highest quality chip from waffer may offer better UV value - equivalent to 3940XM for 4th gen.

3740qm took more wH from battery than XM. That's my theory, im not proffesional by any case so I may ne mistaken 😄

 

And.. the news !

New GPU in testing phase, 8570w is also in preps for transplantation. Behold..! In next few days operation begins !

 

[GuitarG]

Checked for clamp align, core align, PCB dimensions. Will have to check if it will work in 8570W then we move onto designing most efficient cooling


PS. Already tested Zbook 17 G6, even after repasting it's not great.. hitting very quickly performance and cooling rooftop.

 

 

EDIT: Bootup test both laptops:

 

 

[GuitarG]

IT 'S ALIVE

 

But error 43 😞 VBios Flash may be needed. Or use different settings in nvflash

 

Too tired to write or think more, see pics

 

Edit:

Well, everything works as intended now, I have flashed different vbios and used different files and method in NVClean. With correct drivers everything shows correctly in GPU Z. No Optimus needed, 8570w don't have IntelHD. For now there are few steps to be done:

 

1. Make 3D model of heatsink, order it in full copper

2. Glue GPU board support for two screws

3. Solder very flat connectors for touchpad and fingerprint reader

4. And most important, relax, sit on chair together with my cat and.. just use laptop and play 😄

Mission accomplished.

 

After I saw success on screen, I was relieved I won't have to use newer notebooks for little longer. Too much budget cuts (except final price), no attention to details and shorter lifespan, even in workstation teritory ..

I would love to have chance making computer from ground up, like people from Framework.

 

In meantime, few little problems need to be solved, like making ax210 work with BT / or making better antenna for original Broadcom; installing nvme drive in EC Expansion slot with adapter; fitting external amplifer in place of internal one (sound from internal DAC is very good, of course USB DAC is better, but most people wont hear difference); change second fan for more silent one (from zbook 17g2).

Edited February 18 by Mashcar

[GuitarG]

Settings in NVClean and GPU Z screen (had to add another post because of MB limit for post)

[RRPD4130]

Another kindred hackmodder refugee from NBR (RIP)! I am thrilled to have stumbled over this magnificent heir to NBR, and my first post must be to you and your outstanding project, which received my full attention. Simply excellent, sir. I salute you and will eagerly follow your progress.

Note to ya'll, especially moderator: I just discovered this forum, by accident, deep-diving the tech interwebs daily for two months; using Booleans, excluders, and well defined chip-level identifiers related to my modifications of a legacy ruggedized FrankenDell. The only explanation for this is that Notebooktalk is clearly being obscured and downrated by SEO —search engine optimization— keeping it concealed from the most intensive, precise topic searches. 

[GuitarG]

On 2/22/2024 at 2:25 AM, RRPD4130 said:

Another kindred hackmodder refugee from NBR (RIP)! I am thrilled to have stumbled over this magnificent heir to NBR, and my first post must be to you and your outstanding project, which received my full attention. Simply excellent, sir. I salute you and will eagerly follow your progress.

 

Hello! And thank you for kind words!

Today I made rough beta version, welded together heatsink so I could at least do little benchmarking. It is obvious GPU heatsink is not good enough, rest of laptop is working okay. Zbook G6 plate is much worse than 8770w, less copper, overall thermal mass.

There is a much more performance to get, I also need to see why RAM clock is at half of full speed (6000mhz).

 

Now I will try to make CAD file for heatsink so I can order customized plate for GPU and CPU, use fresh heatpipes and apply Honeywell PTM and go back to testing.

 

Biggest problem is can't afford to find spare mxm card so I can make perfect heatsink. I have spare 8570w modified just for making perfectly working heatsink, but m3000m core and X clamp are offset, unfortunately : (

[GuitarG]

I have solved next problem: I have ordered Quadro T1000 for very cheap, now my template is complete. Heatsink will be perfectly aligned as from factory ^_^
Biggest challenge to yet be solved - making CAD file for jlcpcb manufacturer.

 

Meantime, I've done a little bit benchmarks, in particular Timespy - GPU suffered heavy thermal throttle, so nothing to be proud and to show.
There is still a lot performance to be gained.

 

In meantime I figured out why AX200 Bluetooth don't work - no USB lanes attached to mPCIE. Fun fact, it would in older 8x60W - there are even 0ohm resistors near dvd sata port for Data+ and Data-. I will show how to do it later!

 

 

[GuitarG]

Hello!

This time I go more *pr0* (less n00b way) - I measure which heatpipes and heatsink usage idea is the best!

I need to know exact heatpipe dimensions I will use in my 3D model

 

After few test Im totally shocked, common sense was worst way to work on this like I did before 😮 

 

I also ordered other tools, so I can determine best fan for job.. 😁 I wonder if I had choosen best one..

[GuitarG]

I will buy next 8570w for test purpose! I want to make 8560/8570w easier to mod for everyone! My plan is to make detailed instruction how to customize LCD cable for EDP screens. On board is 50 pin connector, both LVDS and eDP. It is possible to connect up to 4K screen in our machines 🙂 No need to look for expensive and rare DC assembly.
I will test it myself if theory is right.

 

I'm also slowly progressing as I'm having not much free time on hands, but definitely getting there.

 

Progress ! (tell me "yes", please ^ _^)

Aaaaand I have found another problem - I can't pinpoint exactly why RTX don't want to show on Displayport.
First thing in head is to change daughterboard (there is IC for DP control in schematics) to other or try other cable. Didn't tried yet, and I have only DP to HDMI (worked with P5200) and DVI to HDMI cables.. maybe bad NVClean driver setup (bad inf) or something..
If only there were some schematics for zbook g6 that would be solved quickly..

[Will]

On 4/20/2024 at 10:42 AM, Mashcar said:

I will buy next 8570w for test purpose! I want to make 8560/8570w easier to mod for everyone! My plan is to make detailed instruction how to customize LCD cable for EDP screens. On board is 50 pin connector, both LVDS and eDP. It is possible to connect up to 4K screen in our machines 🙂 No need to look for expensive and rare DC assembly.
I will test it myself if theory is right.

Do you think that would also be valid/possible for 8760w/8770w? I mean this customized LCD cable for EDP screens

[GuitarG]

On 4/22/2024 at 8:50 PM, Will said:

Do you think that would also be valid/possible for 8760w/8770w? I mean this customized LCD cable for EDP screens

Sure, 15 and 17 inch are like 99,5% same, biggest difference is in placement of components and PCB mask color.
Only minor differences

[GuitarG]

Well, I solved problem with external graphics, just use 90.04.97.00.B5 MSI vBIOS and it will work. It's literally same amount of DP outputs, thermal management, etc.
I think Dell's would also work, but none is on internet (from precision 7540/7740).

I start to wonder why HP hardware don't go along with HP software haha 😄
 

[GuitarG]

LCD cable conversion in progress, will show diagram and work later. I will change to 16 inch 16:10 display from Zbook Fury G9.
I will use 30 pin connector (from random eDP cable) and use original lvds cable from 8570w. I have spare 8570W so I can test if it works safely =]



I had also ordered colorimeter for Dreamcolor calibration, I wonder how it will look after! 
And compare to LCD from G9 🙂

 

[GuitarG]

AX210 bluetooth working, just run 2 cables from BT connector (4 pin Data- and 3 pin Data+) to WLAN connector (38 pin Data+ and 36 Data-). Double check for shorts to ground or between them, use UV mask and voila!  No more weak BT 4.2 and bad reception with BT earphones. Now works like modern laptop! 😄

I had also connected touchpad succesfully and fingerprint sensor.
Touchpad connector and fingerprint soldered back, too.  Changed Dreamcolor2 board from 8560w to zbook 17g2 blue one. Now I have correct calibrations profiles from factory! Perfect! White is white, black is black and good gamma now.

i1 display pro from x-rite didn't work with board, though. Program found LCD but couldn't connect to profiles from DC board, I even tried different Windows and put original Quadro K1000M. Didn't worked. I saw in changelog there was compability with i1d3 xrite added, so maybe that one would work..

Aand lastly, LCD cable is still work in progress, same with copper heatsink. But I will deliver one day.. 😄 

 

[incendery]

love the Bluetooth upgrade very nicely done 🙂

[GuitarG]

Hi everyone !

Recently I won not working Clevo P170SM-A for very cheap, I repaired it (it was just one small bad capacitor) and checked out whole system - I never saw Clevo in my life. Replaced CPU for i7 4910MQ, changed TIM to honeywell for CPU and for GPU (GTX 870). I got heavily inspired by it, I liked disconnected CPU and GPU cooling system with two big independent fans.
I was tempted to try out RTX in it, but it would need case mod, because of card protrusions (Deja vu!).  I think it would work no problem even without modded BIOS (that's because optimus, Pascal and above works even with LVDS signal lcd).

Btw, power supply for clevo is totally same model for 8570w/8770w with just different connector. 

CPU runs unchained, temps are under 70 degrees under heaviest loads, GPU gets up to 80-81 celsius with 100W load to core + a bit more to memory. It has optimus (which may be problematic - some retro games won't scale to fullscreen or some games have problems running at all / running on dGPU) vs. on HP only dGPU no problems at all. Still, I would like to test some powerful rtx card in it (like standard mxm aetina, I saw one rtx 3000 for 300$) so I will have reference point. Clevo seems to make best cooling system in those desktop replacements class laptops, but cuts cost everywhere else (touchpad, hinges, case, LCD, etc.). And whoever designed that keyboard layout, I hate him ..

Anyway.. heeeere Cleeevo!




Above temps are not even best ones - I can make fans work 100% and it is even better (downside is ear bleed from dual whine). Sound quality in Clevo is also better - it uses Creative x-fi, it does have external amplifier so it's louder and better.

 

So I think now it will be for the best to make two totally unconnected heatsinks. What do you think ? Would it be uncomfortable to have hot air blasting from both sides ?
I think that one heatpipe is not enough for more that 50W of TDP. Even now while I restrict RTX to 50W maximum, it may overheat itself to 80 celsius. When I used p5200 with beefier cooler, one pipe was enough. But I would love more to have heatpipes being able to cooldown GPU in seconds, like in Clevo. I need your objective opinion, people ! 😃

I will need to make additional holes in case for second fan (more airflow, routing space for second heatsink). I though about modding fans mounting because original one restricts it (vs. 8770w ones).




Spare 8570w in transit so I can safely try my modded original to eDP cable 🙂 and undervolt board. I am excited to see if my hack/mod works - Dreamcolor set is like unicorn (or Zod rune from Diablo2 - both fairy tales) these days.

I will record another videos when after work with cooling. I will make few of them this time - one for general simple showcase, one for show off work done, dissasembly and reassembly of laptop and two last ones separately for pure benchmarks and gaming. I think one long video may be too boring, even for enthusiasts !


Idea: fan mounting metal sheet - I marked zones to cut for more airflow (so it more cold air and no more whining sound [because it *chokes* now]).

[nforce4max]

There are two common RTX 3000 mxm cards for which one is a pain in the ass to install yet has proven to be compatible with a lot of laptops out there. The one I've been daily using for the past 8 months thus far has been reliable but really needed better tooling for the heatsink mod. I would say go for it if you can stomach the cost.

[Prop64]

I am a bit late to this forum, but thought I would add something that may be of help to others in regard to the fingerprint reader on the HP 8570W. I have this laptop myself and struggled to get the fingerprint reader to be seen and function on Windows 10. I managed to get the onboard fingerprint reader to work using the following SP71833 drivers. After installing this SP pack my fingerprint reader is seen in device manager and functions perfectly. 

[Myro]

On 8/18/2024 at 4:19 PM, GuitarG said:

Hi everyone !

Recently I won not working Clevo P170SM-A for very cheap, I repaired it (it was just one small bad capacitor) and checked out whole system - I never saw Clevo in my life. Replaced CPU for i7 4910MQ, changed TIM to honeywell for CPU and for GPU (GTX 870). I got heavily inspired by it, I liked disconnected CPU and GPU cooling system with two big independent fans.
I was tempted to try out RTX in it, but it would need case mod, because of card protrusions (Deja vu!).  I think it would work no problem even without modded BIOS (that's because optimus, Pascal and above works even with LVDS signal lcd).

Btw, power supply for clevo is totally same model for 8570w/8770w with just different connector. 

CPU runs unchained, temps are under 70 degrees under heaviest loads, GPU gets up to 80-81 celsius with 100W load to core + a bit more to memory. It has optimus (which may be problematic - some retro games won't scale to fullscreen or some games have problems running at all / running on dGPU) vs. on HP only dGPU no problems at all. Still, I would like to test some powerful rtx card in it (like standard mxm aetina, I saw one rtx 3000 for 300$) so I will have reference point. Clevo seems to make best cooling system in those desktop replacements class laptops, but cuts cost everywhere else (touchpad, hinges, case, LCD, etc.). And whoever designed that keyboard layout, I hate him ..

Anyway.. heeeere Cleeevo!




Above temps are not even best ones - I can make fans work 100% and it is even better (downside is ear bleed from dual whine). Sound quality in Clevo is also better - it uses Creative x-fi, it does have external amplifier so it's louder and better.

 

So I think now it will be for the best to make two totally unconnected heatsinks. What do you think ? Would it be uncomfortable to have hot air blasting from both sides ?
I think that one heatpipe is not enough for more that 50W of TDP. Even now while I restrict RTX to 50W maximum, it may overheat itself to 80 celsius. When I used p5200 with beefier cooler, one pipe was enough. But I would love more to have heatpipes being able to cooldown GPU in seconds, like in Clevo. I need your objective opinion, people ! 😃

I will need to make additional holes in case for second fan (more airflow, routing space for second heatsink). I though about modding fans mounting because original one restricts it (vs. 8770w ones).




Spare 8570w in transit so I can safely try my modded original to eDP cable 🙂 and undervolt board. I am excited to see if my hack/mod works - Dreamcolor set is like unicorn (or Zod rune from Diablo2 - both fairy tales) these days.

I will record another videos when after work with cooling. I will make few of them this time - one for general simple showcase, one for show off work done, dissasembly and reassembly of laptop and two last ones separately for pure benchmarks and gaming. I think one long video may be too boring, even for enthusiasts !


Idea: fan mounting metal sheet - I marked zones to cut for more airflow (so it more cold air and no more whining sound [because it *chokes* now]).

Hi @GuitarG!

Thanks for keeping this thread alive and for all the updates! I’m really looking forward to seeing that 16” display upgrade; it’ll make those bezels look smaller and give the laptop a fresh feel.

As for my own project, I finally sourced the rare eDP DC2 panel, though it has some issues with color banding and flickering in both 8/10-bit modes(but I got used to it). Unfortunately, the GPU upgrade was even less successful, as I got scammed while buying the RTX 3000 on eBay. After the purchase my account got blocked, the seller never dispatched the card, and the support team denied any kind of help. I wasn’t able to get a refund due to the 30-day policy expiring, and since then haven't found any RTX 3000 under $300. Instead, I settled for the cheapest M3000M and upgraded to i7-3612QM, the only 35W TDP Ivy Bridge quad-core. All in all I'm ok with the specs right now, but the temps sometimes tend to spike dangerously high (up to 100°C at the hot spot), forcing me to disable turbo boost with ThrottleStop and underclock the GPU with MSI Afterburner.

Given your great results, what would you recommend: PTM7950 or liquid metal? Thank you in advance!
 

On 9/8/2024 at 6:54 PM, Prop64 said:

I am a bit late to this forum, but thought I would add something that may be of help to others in regard to the fingerprint reader on the HP 8570W. I have this laptop myself and struggled to get the fingerprint reader to be seen and function on Windows 10. I managed to get the onboard fingerprint reader to work using the following SP71833 drivers. After installing this SP pack my fingerprint reader is seen in device manager and functions perfectly. 

Hi there, @Prop64
You’re definitely not late! Your advice will be a lifesaver for anyone with that issue, so thanks for sharing it!
 

  

On 8/19/2024 at 1:49 AM, nforce4max said:

There are two common RTX 3000 mxm cards for which one is a pain in the ass to install yet has proven to be compatible with a lot of laptops out there. The one I've been daily using for the past 8 months thus far has been reliable but really needed better tooling for the heatsink mod. I would say go for it if you can stomach the cost.

Could you please share your mod here, @nforce4max? What did you do with the heatsink? How are the temps/performance?

As for the cost, if only RTX 3000 was priced lower than RTX 2070 Super from Clevo
Too bad 8570w can't support those. Still, it remains a superb workstation with incredible upgradeability — comparable nowadays only to the Framework 16, which feels like a spiritual successor to the HP. I just wish it was more affordable to get and upgrade 

[nforce4max]

The one I used with my M6800 is the HP version from the Zbook 17 G6 and the hod was only to the heatsink as the core is offset. It would be best with a drill press or CNC for example but I did the mod with a dremil which wasn't enjoyable nor precise. Overall it rarely got over 80c except for hotspot and I by habit manually set my fans to help avoid thermal issues.

[GuitarG]

On 9/15/2024 at 8:39 AM, Myro said:

Hi @GuitarG!

Thanks for keeping this thread alive and for all the updates! I’m really looking forward to seeing that 16” display upgrade; it’ll make those bezels look smaller and give the laptop a fresh feel.

As for my own project, I finally sourced the rare eDP DC2 panel, though it has some issues with color banding and flickering in both 8/10-bit modes(but I got used to it). Unfortunately, the GPU upgrade was even less successful, as I got scammed while buying the RTX 3000 on eBay. After the purchase my account got blocked, the seller never dispatched the card, and the support team denied any kind of help. I wasn’t able to get a refund due to the 30-day policy expiring, and since then haven't found any RTX 3000 under $300. Instead, I settled for the cheapest M3000M and upgraded to i7-3612QM, the only 35W TDP Ivy Bridge quad-core. All in all I'm ok with the specs right now, but the temps sometimes tend to spike dangerously high (up to 100°C at the hot spot), forcing me to disable turbo boost with ThrottleStop and underclock the GPU with MSI Afterburner.

Given your great results, what would you recommend: PTM7950 or liquid metal? Thank you in advance!
 

As for the cost, if only RTX 3000 was priced lower than RTX 2070 Super from Clevo
Too bad 8570w can't support those. Still, it remains a superb workstation with incredible upgradeability — comparable nowadays only to the Framework 16, which feels like a spiritual successor to the HP. I just wish it was more affordable to get and upgrade 

 

You sure 8570w can't support rtx 2070 ? I would surely check it out myself 🙂 If you think about that power connector, it is just another 20V connector for additional TDP.

 

Definitely ptm7950. Liquid metal you have to repaste often compared to thermal pad ptm, it is just a bit better in lowering degrees, very dangerous to motherboard, destroys silicon die AND heatsink (chemistry reaction). Totally not worth it.
With ptm you can even dissasemble laptop for some test, just wait for it to be in solid state, screw again - works like nothing happened. You can't beat that.

In my case, upgraded 8570w, PTM is ONLY solution that last more than 1 week. On CPU every other silicon grease is pumped out in one week, on GPU it's 1 month.

Sad to hear you were scammed. I hate both big companies and greedy people. Do you think it may be problem with DC board or DC screen ? I used gtx980, m5000m equivalent, never had problem with 10 bit mode, banding. Only high pitched PWM coil whine from LCD. I have my old spare from 8570W or I could find more from Zbook. Where you from ?

Have you modded heatsink yet ? I guess you have factory heatsink, so CPU and GPU may overheat, unfortunatelly with them. Mod it and 3940XM will be not a problem 😄 

And lastly, thanks for reading my posts! It makes me happy to share ^ _ ^

I have little suprise... I found out I may success in flashing Coreboot - it's name for open source bios. Why is that ?
Because it MAY allow me to use 4G Decoding and ReBar in 8570W! 😄 Can you imagine it ?
If I will succeed with porting that laptop to Coreboot it will be not only unlocked in every way imaginable but also even faster. That's theory.

 

Another idea is that to overclock 2133mhz or buy 2400mhz DDR3 PC RAM, use spare SO-DIMM boards and solder memory IC's. Native 2400Mhz RAM on laptop ? Hell yeah.

I had won P5000M for 100$, so I will mod spare 8570W.. with original cable 😄 !11oneone
It will be my reference for main RTX's HP. I will bake heatsink in separated version to test vs mine and vs clevo's 100W gtx.

 

[panda_zzz]

4 hours ago, GuitarG said:

I have little suprise... I found out I may success in flashing Coreboot - it's name for open source bios. Why is that ?
Because it MAY allow me to use 4G Decoding and ReBar in 8570W! 😄 Can you imagine it ?
If I will succeed with porting that laptop to Coreboot it will be not only unlocked in every way imaginable but also even faster. That's theory.

Greetings. I'm following your project, although at one time I chose dell m4800 and old alienware as platforms for experimentation).
Could you please provide a link regarding possible support for 4G Decoding and ReBar in Coreboot? Because it is a prerequisite to upgrade mxm gpu to Ampere generation.