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    Can one upgrade the core components of these things?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Wavebuster, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. Wavebuster

    Wavebuster Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been trying to decide on a new laptop to buy for quite a while now since I've been stretching my 2004 machine to its last legs. While I like the M14x since it appears to be the only current 14" gaming laptop in existence right now, I'm worried about upgrading the core components if/when I decide it's time for an upgrade.

    What parts aside from the RAM and hard drives are user serviceable? Do the Alienwares have everything else secured with a lack of solder to potentially allow a CPU/GPU upgrade or should I consider resale potential for the whole system right when I have one of them built? I would prefer not splurging for an entirely new laptop every time I wish for an Alienware upgrade.
     
    Wavebuster, Aug 7, 2012
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  2. Scharfschutzen

    Scharfschutzen Notebook Guru

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    To my knowledge I believe the things you can swap out are

    -Ram
    -HDD-
    -Add/remove mSATA drive
    -Swap out DVD/Bluray drive for a HDD caddy
    -WiFi Card
    - I do think you can swap out the processor, im not 100% sure on this though

    I know for a fact the GPU is soldered on, onto the motherboard. So that one is a no.
     
    Scharfschutzen, Aug 7, 2012
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  3. clautenslager

    clautenslager Notebook Enthusiast

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    Haven't got my hands on my M14x yet (only 10 more days :D ) but I can definitely confirm that the GPU is soldered on and cannot be upgraded. (posted a few seconds after Scharfschutzen lol)

    CPU wise I'm not sure but I assume it's upgradeable to higher clocked Ivy bridge, don't know about the next generation. Personally for gaming I think the ivy i7's should be somewhat future proof. In terms of basic tasks I don't think the i7's will become obsolete for a long time.

    However I think most will agree that upgrading to SSD in the future will help your laptop the most in terms of everyday productivity, especially when the high capacity 512gb+ drives go down in price in a year or two.
     
    clautenslager, Aug 7, 2012
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  4. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

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    m14x r1 board is able to swap out for CPU for sure and I am pretty sure r2 is the same. GPU is soldered on for both models but overclocking capability is there for future games.

    [​IMG]
     
    faiz23, Aug 8, 2012
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  5. Wavebuster

    Wavebuster Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the responses so far.

    Has anyone had luck installing their own BD-R into this? I noticed that a Blu-Ray recorder wasn't an available option on the AW site when I looked at the M14x last.

    Truth be told, I'm still a little bit iffy about the GPU being soldered on, as I'm hearing that overclocking the GPU has highly inconsistent results and its effectiveness is mostly down to luck. I need to give it more thought or see if a more customizable 15.6" laptop fits the profile.
     
    Wavebuster, Aug 11, 2012
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  6. salanos

    salanos Notebook Consultant

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    At the moment, I think you're going to have a lot of trouble locating a compatible blu-ray recorder. I know XoticPC offers a blu-ray recorder for the M14x, but they charge a $200 premium for that over the Blu-ray reader. Plausibly due to the scarcity of a slot-loading model.

    The M14x is incompatible with nearly any optical drive on the market simply because it uses a slot-load, instead of a pop-out tray.

    But since XoticPC offers it, if you must have one, try contacting them and see if they'll sell you one. Alternatively, buy an external one.

    As the other guys said, everything except the GPU is user upgradeable.
     
    salanos, Aug 11, 2012
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  7. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

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    faiz23, Aug 11, 2012
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