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    How often is hardware (GPU) updated?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by gbelste, Jun 30, 2011.

  1. gbelste

    gbelste Newbie

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    I really like the m14x, but I don't think the GT 555m is going to cut it for me. How often does Alienware add new hardware to existing models? For example, they recently allowed the GTX 580m as an upgrade choice for the m17x. Will they do this for the m14x (not necessarily 580m, but perhaps the 560m?)

    Alternatively, how difficult is it to upgrade the GPU yourself? Would any cards be compatible? Or would the GT555m be good enough for gaming on medium for at least 3 years?

    Thanks :D
     
    gbelste, Jun 30, 2011
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  2. ted264

    ted264 Notebook Consultant

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    gpu is soldered on the mobo so no upgrading...

    You will prob be waiting 8+ months for a refresh.

    so far the gt555m has been perfect plays everything i throw at it
     
    ted264, Jun 30, 2011
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  3. clienterror

    clienterror Notebook Consultant

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    +1 It's a 14" laptop it probably can't physically for anything bigger due to cooling/space. OCed I get about 60-70 average FPS in BC2 with everything maxed (AF, AA off and shadows on low) so I'd imagine it should play BC3 on med/high at the same FPS or very close.
     
    clienterror, Jun 30, 2011
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  4. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    I agree. The only way they'll have a better gpu in this system is when a new system comes out. The graphics card isnt really a "card". More like a chip that's soldered to the motherboard. Other laptops with real dedicated graphics are actually a card with their own dedicated fan, etc. that can be taken out (sometimes not upgradeable though). Think of the m14x as an m11x, but bigger with a better processor and graphics. Doesn't have much modular parts. The gt555m is an integrated fast card with dedicated memory basically.
     
    niko2021, Jun 30, 2011
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