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    Alienware 18 (R3-2014) Upgrade plans

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by xmj000, Feb 11, 2016.

  1. xmj000

    xmj000 Newbie

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    Ok so I purchased a new Alienware 15 R3 as my daily carry gaming laptop, but I decided not to recycle my old Alienware 18 due to low recycle price

    So now I'm thinking of modifying and upgrading it
    Currently it has:

    CPU: i7-4810MQ
    GPU: Dual AMD m290x with Crossfire
    Optical Drive: Super Multi- DVD burner

    Upgrade

    CPU: i7-4930MX
    GPU: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M with SLI
    Optical Drive: BR drive with DVD burner

    Does this seem reasonable?? Should I look to use GeForce GTX 970M instead of 980M to save thermal capacity?
     
    xmj000, Feb 11, 2016
    #1
  2. tharok2

    tharok2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm looking to do the same thing to my AW18. I think it is worth it. I would never sell my AW18 for mush less than the $4k+ I have in it. After upgrading to 980m's I'll have over $6k in it.
     
    tharok2, Feb 11, 2016
    #2
  3. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Yes, that's totally doable.
     
    Mr. Fox, Feb 11, 2016
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  4. encor50

    encor50 Notebook Consultant

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    why 4930MX and not 4940MX ?
    i think they are the same price
     
    encor50, Feb 11, 2016
    #4
  5. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    4940MX gets totally stomped by 4930MX. I've never actually seen an example of a 4940MX CPU that overclocked very well, and there are numerous examples of 4930MX that overclock nicely. It shouldn't be that way, but it certainly appears to be. Not sure what Intel did to botch up the 4940MX as bad as they did.
     
    Mr. Fox, Feb 11, 2016
    #5
  6. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    980M is a massive upgrade compared to m290x
     
    GodlikeRU, Feb 12, 2016
    #6