Guide on how to replace the graphics card in the Acer Aspire 5920G

Kris Verbeeck

The 5920G is the first Acer notebook featuring MXM technology and has been around for some time now. Inevitably, this means that the ageing population out there will see an increasing number of failures in the times to come. Luckily, the days when you would have to abandon a notebook because it has a failed graphics card are over.

Removing the backpanel is a breeze: you only need a simple, not-too-big screwdriver. The entire backpanel can then be removed.

Once open, the inside of the notebook offers a slightly unusual sight. Normally, one would expect to see the MXM card with a heatsink on top of it. Acer, however, has chose to 'flip' the MXM card and mount it on top of the heatsink. As they have been kind enough to stick to a regular MXM card and just flip the connector (not like Asus who stick to a connector and flip the entire MXM card in some notebooks) this introduces no issues. In fact, because of this setup, Acer wraps it up with two less screws and, more importantly, can do without a bracket or threaded spacers for the MXM card. If you would choose the below 'Buy Now' links, you will receive a 'bare' card without threaded spacers. By simply removing the 4 screws, you can release the MXM card. Your card will either 'jump' up or may need a little pull on the edge most removed from the connector. The little pull may be required to release the card from the adhesion of dryed out thermal paste or the thermal pads.

The unit we had in our hands was already on it's second card and featured no paste or pads between the heatsink and GPU core. We feel this may have been a contributing factor to it's early demise. Often, repair centers will be contractors for a given notebook brand and will have little experience with a certain platform. In the absence of good instructions, mistakes can be made. To be safe, we suggest to use the gray heatpad that is included with your purchase as interface between heatsink and GPU core. While the thermal performance is slightly worse than (good) thermal paste, it guarantees a 100% interface, all the time. In your package you will either find one yellow heatpad and a gray one or two gray pads. The yellow one is of a slightly lower quality and will allow you to cary out some trials before installing the gray pad and close up the notebook.

We strongly suggest to take this opportunity to completely dust out your heatsink unit. A can of compressed air is an invaluable tool for this.

We have tested two cards in this notebook: one is the 8600GT, pretty much identical to the one you have right now, and the x1700. While the 8600GT obviously outperforms the x1700, the x1700 has a distinct advantage: price. Both cards fit without any effort. The x1700 will require a new set of drivers but that is the only problem you are likely to encounter.

You can find ATI drivers here. For Vista, you may want to try this method instead.

Your purchase includes the actual card, thermal material and a one year warranty. Shipping is also included. The 8600GT is shipped through regular registered postal servives inside the EU and through DHL for US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Turkey and Switzerland. If you need a specific quote for your country, please contact us. The x1700 is always shipped through regular registered postal services.

The below link may only be used for the Acer 5920G with 8600GT notebook. If it is used for any other platform, we reserve the right to refuse returns or warranty.

 

Acer 5920G 8600GT replacement kit - 180€

Out of stock! 
Acer 5920G HD4570 - 110€
There is no reason why this card would not be compatible but we do not offer a "Buy Now" option untill we know for sure. Contact us for further details or read this.