Alienware M18x R2 7970 CF, best GPU upgrade option?

Hi there.

I read many topic regarding upgrade the m18x with sli or single, 780,880,980.
But I still have many doubt...
I play PUBG and I have issue now with th AMD GPU, so I want take the chance to upgrade the GPU to nVidia, and possibly with something with more than 2gb of video memory like 680m.

But I see about 780,880,980 avery of this GPU cant work perfectly with no issue, in this case I prefer to change laptop, but if my information is old and some of this GPU work 100% with no issue about throttling and temps, I like to keep my m18x R2 because I love it.

I want of course better performance than now, so the upgrade to 780,880, have sense only if the SLII work with no issue.

in case of 980m, the single GPU is ok too if it work perfect, but in this case case I think is better a SLI of 780 or 880, what do you think?
I see the 980m in sli still have trhottling and performance issue.

Also, I think to avoid the 1060 and 1070 because I see the form factory is little different and is not possible to assembly it in the case pefectly. I travel with this laptop so I want avoid this.

I see the 880 sli have more problem than the 780m sli.
I know the performance is near, but I like the 880m for the 8gb of ram, because they can help me with GTA V and some time when I play with external 4k TV.
Anyway, if the 880m have issue, then I prefer to go for the 780 sli with 4gb.

But, for resume all, I like to upgrade my laptop with the most powerful solution of single or SLI GPU possible without have any issue, so what is your advice??

I need to keep windows 10 pro for work reason.
I like to keep the stock A12 bios if is possible, but I am open to change it with a modded bios if its needed.

About open the laptop and install the cards I am pretty confident.

Any advise my friends? Im still confuse...

 

The best and most powerfull option is of course 980M SLI, I haven't any issue about performance and to avoid throttling I just use the hibernation trick. Right now my gpus can maximize any game at 60fps when SLI is supported and I not even need to overclock them.
You're advised to install A11 unlocked bios and Prema's 980M vBios if you want to use it at full peak without any issues

 

thankyou for the reply!

So, you advise me the 2 980m SLI,

You have it, and you can confirm you can use it at full power, if I flash the vBios (I never do that, need to understand how) with Premas and flash the BIOS with unlocked A11.
And after I need to use this "Hibernation trick".
If I do this, I can play the games with no issue like every lapatop have a native support of the 980m, no throttling, no crash, no temps problems, no problem about when the PC go to sleep etc, no problem to use the last driver (but need to modded it).
Is that right?

My plan so:
buy 2 980m
buy the sli cable
buy a good paste, advise?
buy a good thermal pads, advise (fujipoly)?
buy the two heatsink for the 780m from the Alienware 18, is that right, no need modding right?

Install the A11 unlock bios (is that absolutely necessary?)
Unstall the AMD driver
I think to put the PC with the integrated GPU
remove the AMD cards
Install the 980m
both the PC with the integrated GPU
??now flash the cards with prema??
Install the mod drivers
Pray

Is that it?

I think to post all information if that work.

 

I just want to clarify that the 1060 fits perfectly, it's the same size as any other gpu supported for this computer.

 

Hi,
i see from this topic the 1060 dont fit perfectly, I miss something?

" Absolutely do not tight or strengt too much the gpu because has on his backside a big squared capacitator that push on motherboard"

https://www.techinferno.com/index.p...x-r2-another-socket-victory-against-bga-crap/

 

Nope..

Yes you're right, here my original post on NBR http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...tly-with-gtx-1060.804052/page-3#post-10528127
A big square (I don't know what electrical component is) located in the back of msi 1060n push onto motherboard, so you can't tight the screws too much nor the keyboard's screws etcetera.

outside these facts, is a really doable upgrade and very powerful gpu for his few watt

 

Some things you may need to do:

- A11 unlocked to avoid 8 beep problem when installing 980M in legacy mode
- Good Nvidia heatsink like the ones used by 680M (example: Heatsink P/N: KC5GV)
- High quality thermal paste and pads (Prolimatec Pk-3 or ic diamond paste and fujipoly 1 mm pad)
- Uninstall any existing gpu driver using DDU (reboot a safe mode when asked)
- Flash with vBios with Prema v2 Clevo version - this is needed to install the latest drivers
- Tech|Inferno modded drivers ([Alienware - Clevo - MSI] Aftermarket Upgrades Driver Support Modded INF) use oldest drivers if gpu isnt flashed yet
- With 980M SLI working, install HWInfo64 to control the fans using this guide(by Mr Fox): http://imgur.com/a/UYC3s#0
- Put the line "OpenFanCtrlMin=1" in HWInfo64.ini when done the guide
- Avoid throttling using hibernation trick

- Enjoy... At this point just play any game you want with maximum settings in 1080p or some games in 4K mode connecting to a 4K TV using something like a Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0a 4k@60hz Active Adapter

 

Hi, thanks for the info, please be patient, I still have some doubt...


Some things you may need to do:

- A11 unlocked to avoid 8 beep problem when installing 980M in legacy mode
I have windows 10 with all the bios settings to defoult, so i think fast boot enable, etc,
for install the 980m we need the legacy mode? is this the only way? (current I use UEFI mode)

- Good Nvidia heatsink like the ones used by 680M (example: Heatsink P/N: KC5GV)
do you think the eatsink for the 780m from Alienware 18 are ok and dont need modding?

- High quality thermal paste and pads (Prolimatec Pk-3 or ic diamond paste and fujipoly 1 mm pad)
any layout about where put the pads?

- Uninstall any existing gpu driver using DDU (reboot a safe mode when asked)
- Flash with vBios with Prema v2 Clevo version - this is needed to install the latest drivers
The vBios flas of course, after the cards are installed in my machine, not before, right?
Some guide about how to flash the vBios?

- Tech|Inferno modded drivers ([Alienware - Clevo - MSI] Aftermarket Upgrades Driver Support Modded INF) use oldest drivers if gpu isnt flashed yet
- With 980M SLI working, install HWInfo64 to control the fans using this guide(by Mr Fox): http://imgur.com/a/UYC3s#0
- Put the line "OpenFanCtrlMin=1" in HWInfo64.ini when done the guide
Its ok for me to do that, just I am curious what happened if i dont do it, the cards go hot?

- Avoid throttling using hibernation trick
I dont find link about this...

- Enjoy... At this point just play any game you want with maximum settings in 1080p or some games in 4K mode connecting to a 4K TV using something like a Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0a 4k@60hz Active Adapter
For now I dont have the 4k TV, but is in my plans, I was thinking I can use it with the normal HDMI out. is this not possible?
Also, I use a lot the HDMI IN, after the upgrade with the 980m sli, still that work?
I cant renounce to the hdmi in and out.
Also, the switch with restart from integrated to discrete graphics still work?
(when I travel i like to use it with the integrated so the battery have a nice duration)

Also, I dont overclock, my current PSU is enough? or I need the dual PSU?

Thanks

 

Why are you looking at heatsinks from an Alienware 18? You have an M18x R2? You should get the 680m heatsinks. They will work with 980m.

I think someone also got the 7970m heatsinks to work with 980m, but not sure.

I recommend getting the A11 unlocked BIOS even if you won't use legacy mode.

@Tulius What is this hibernation trick? I thought 980m SLI works fine without any issues at stock speeds?

 

It works but the problem occurs when the 980M card uses above 93~95% total gpu load... it start throttling down the core and memory clocks, so to avoid this we can use some tricks to bypass the problem(hybernation or restart trick) and use the cards with 100% gpu load with max clocks normally. See links:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ch-and-workaround.786903/page-5#post-10204532
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ch-and-workaround.786903/page-4#post-10204295
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-m18x-r2-with-980m-possible-throttling-fix.791358/

edit... improved unlocked bios version for m18x-r2:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/release-improved-m18x-r2-maxwell-legacy-bios.800447/

 

Sorry, another question.

I see all this topic talk about benchmark.

What happening if I leave the stock bios and vBios, in game?
I mean, I see all talk about the throttling in benchmark, but this mean I see the throttling in the heavy game too?

About the AW 18 heatsink, I thinking about the AW 18 heatsink for 780m is the same or better of the AW m18x R2 for the 680m, but just thinking.
I choice the first one because i can find it a better price.
Since I have the heatsink for AMD now, and need modding, but I want avoid to do physical modding.

Also, about the Ibernation trick, normally my PC stay awake all the time, so I can reach it from outside with teamwiever.
For let this card work correctly need to do this trick after every restart?

Also, i prefer to renounce at some performance, if in exchange I have a more easy installation and encounter of issue, so i am open to upgrade with 2 880m if they are plug and play, any advise?

Also, I see eurocom sell 1 1060m with a normal size, how about single 1060m vs 980m SLI?


sorry for many questions my friends, i just want be sure before start the upgrade, Im not rich so a mistake can be a very pain in the ass...

 

hey my friends don leave me!

 

980M SLI is faster than 1060.

AW18 heatsink for GPU is different from M18xR2 heatsink I think.

Eurocom is supposed to be releasing standard size mxm 3.0b 1070 and 1080 so might want to wait to see how that turns out first.

 

Hopefully I can test GTX 980 Desktop in the M18x-R2 ..... still searching for one lol....

 

For an M18xR2 or the 980 desktop? lol

 

M18x r2

 

What happened to the one you were receiving in a trade?

 

Apparently it got lost. I never received it. The barebone was shipped in two boxes. The most important part of the babrebone (motherboard) was the one that got lost. It was worked out ... and now on a mission to find a motherboard.

 

Do you have a picture of the GTX 980 you'll be testing?

 

It is the same size as this MSI GTX 1070 , which I no longer have.

https://goo.gl/photos/bH7c5zy7gjXJLfPx8

And this is the standard MXM card that I put on top of the MSI GTX 980.

https://goo.gl/photos/y5fLRV6F1MW95KyEA

The MSI GTX 980 does not require any addition power.

 

so do you think is better to wait for the 1080 mxm?
but I see the 1xxx series have problem with the display, and is not possible to use the SLI...
Are one 1080 mxm better than 2 980m sli?

 

Eurocom will supposedly be coming out with 1080 MXM 3.0B cards, but we will have to use optimus. Still, I'm debating selling my 980Ms now so I can save the cash for the 1080 MXM 3.0B card. I think even with optimus it will handily defeat the 980M SLI.

 

uhm, since, if one 1080 mxm is more powerful than 2 980m sli, and if we have chance the 1080 work at 100% with no problem in the m18x r2, I like to avoid the sli, and not problem to use optimus if it dont give any problem to che machine.
Do you think with the 1080 to, I need anyway to onluck the bios and flash the vbios of the card? Is not just plug and play right? maybe is more complicated tha the 980m.

Anyway, I dont want be negative, but I think we never see the 1080/1070 for the m18x with the normal size.
Clevo and MSI use different size that not fit correctly in the m18x, and I think is better to avoid mechanical modification, or the laptop is non a laptop anymore.
Maybe the ending of the m18x is the 980m sli... Anyway big life to this laptop, he stay with me from the 2011, and with 980m sli can stay with me another couple of years, but I think the 1080 is a dream never happen...


ps: someone need AMD 7970m?

 

You've likely already seen the post but...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/m18x-r2-works-perfectly-with-gtx-1060.804052/

Coming from 7970m crossfire PEG to a single 1060 Optimus

• The key aim for optimus is battery power. Coming from 7970m crossfire my battery life almost doubled. I went from having maybe an hour to being able to watch a movie without having to switch over to intel gpu. I didn't expect that but it makes sense.
• With optimus... do NOT use that little switch graphics card shortcut. Your computer will happily reboot into the 8 beeps and you have to remove the BIOS battery to reset the BIOS. Not a fun thing to do on the road.
• You have to let your system know (using the nvidia control panel) which applications you want to run on the dedicated gpu. By default everything runs on the intel gpu.
• You can put your computer on your lap while gaming again without barbecuing your future children
• All games that I've tried run at max settings on the 1080p display without any problems.
• The HDMI and DP outputs are almost useless as they go through the intel gpu. I couldn't get either of them to spit out even 1080p. I didn't try very hard though as that's not important to me. Let me know if you want me to try harder. This also means no go on VR because VR requires the outputs to go directly to the dGPU.
• When I bought, the 1060 was cheaper than a single 980m. The gain of 980m SLI was an average of 5fps quicker than the 1060 and of course the 980m SLI was much much slower when the game did not properly support SLI. In the end for me the decision was either 1060 or new laptop. It was an easy choice and I'm glad my m18x can last me through another few years.
• You have to modify the nvidia graphics drivers every time you want to install. It's not hard.... but worth mentioning.
• The encoders in the 1060 are sooOOoo much more efficient it's ridiculous. Jumping to the 10 series you get all of the toys that comes with it (H.265 encoder/decoder for an example). The 980m has CUDA 5.2 whereas thee 1060 has 6.1.
• Unlocked bios is messy and full of options that can be difficult to recover from. It's not hard to find what you're looking for but I still count this as a negative.

I could go on but I'm bored. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

here I found a 1060 with normal size, but the price is just ahah
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Upgrade-you...hash=item1c8ebebae0:m:mUT2b52PHvQUH1vdHOE75Og



another questions please,because is not clear...

I understand with the 1xxx series the hdmi in out never working anymore (I dont want do soldering mod etc..)

Ho about the 980m sli? the hdmi in and out dont work too after this upgrade?
I use this 2 ports a lot, so my upgrade have sense only if the hdmi in out still work..
so in this case maybe the 780m/880m sli is the only solution, if the ports still work

 

This is not needed since the system should switch when the dedicated gpu is required. I haven't change any setting for this and all my programs and games run perfect.

Who says that they don't work? I use both HDMI in and out every day with my 1060 without any issues. HDMI out for multi monitor setup and HDMI in for console gaming.

 

well, at this point, better to wait for the 1080... I think probably the price is to high but lets see... I just worried about how long time I need to wait...
So for now, maybe is better to wait.
Or, I can just prepare the system for the 1080, so, bios a11 unlock, nvidia 100w heatsink (I think my AMD 100w is not good for, right?)
also I want buy some good thermal pad, or do you think the thermal pad of eurocom was OK?

 

I heard these cards will come in this period, may be a question of weeks. I think that eurocom sells upgrade kits so they will give you all you need for your upgrade

 

hope so, If finally I can have sucess to install the 1080 in my M18x R2, thats absolutely the best laptop every, and last of the great era...
I just have some strange problem in my laptop, in the winter, when I open the pc the display on the down use to have some white row, like the pixel are frozen, but after some minutes the PC take temperature this problem disappear.
but for the rest, all ok, and the hdmi in is something amazing, you can use this monitor for play with console.
Im very happy, hope hear from eurocom soon some 1080 available, I update this topic when this happn, thanks all for now!

I hope anyway is the real 1080 mxm, and not the lower TDP version 1080 Max-Q...

And another dubt is... the 1080 mobile with no lower TDP need 200W... but the M18x R2 support at best 100W in 1 slot, right?

 

M18x R2 can draw as much as the PSU will let, there really is no limit. I've seen an R2 draw upwards of 700 watts.

 

some news from Eurocom
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...a-precision-m7710.804833/page-3#post-10590681

 

Oh thats nice, at this point I just delay my upgrade to decemeber, great news! XD

 

is this the sppose 1080 mxm?
http://www.aetina.com.tw/products-detail.php?i=201

not sure if it can fit......

 

that is an mxm card but aetina doesn't sell cards to users. you could ask @Eurocom Support for a mxm gtx1080

 

I think, we never see a nVidia 1080 into Alienware m18x R2.... I think the last possible upgrade is a SLI of 980m...

 

what are you talking about?!
gtx1070 is in testing for that model
ask @Eurocom Support

gtx1080 is coming

 

where is the topic of 11070 testing?

 

11070?

https://twitter.com/EurocomTech/status/915284554201669634

 

maybe you miss something..
I'm also in contact with EUROCOM to test an AMD RX580 and a Nvidia 1070GTX mxm3.0b

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-m18x-r2-upgrade-lazy-and-actual-guide.799324/page-14#post-10539772

LOL sorry, I missed something, that someone already reply to you..

 

If Eurocom achieve to produces a 1070/1080 MXM GPUs that works on a M18X-R2 in PEG environment, would be a instant must buy for me. If true I'm selling my 980M SLI right away

Is it too much to ask for a SLI connector in these boards?

 

if you guys, really think to finally I can have my Alienware m18x R2 working with a nVidia 1080 without any issue and using the full power, well, then you are my hero and I try to wait another couple of months before i try this upgrade.
Anyway, what do you think about the price?
How much for one 1080?
Any chance to have a SLI of 1080?
the heatsink of the 7970m, can be ok? need strong customization?
i read is some topic, ever if the 1080 can fit in the m18x r2, probably it can have very big problem about temperature... what do you think?

 

I am in contact with Eurocom about testing. None of their cards will support PEG in LVDS panel systems. The 1070 will NOT have SLI connector, the 1080 may or may not TBD. Both will be mxm 3.0 style but will require some heatsink modification regardless of amd/nvidia original setup as many of the power components have been shuffled around

 

Anyway , I can get on that testing board too for the M18X-R2 ?

 

I was contacted, not the other way around, so I’m not sure

 

As specified on back page, I'm also in contact with EUROCOM to buy and test a standard mxm 3.0b GTX 1070, because I've asked also for rx480/rx580 but these got a "themal shutdown at post".

Are you willing to try a 1070 on m18x r2? Because if yes I cancel my order (I'm not in urgent need if you can test before me, I can wait for the AMDs, because at moment my 15,6"laptop with GTX1080 look very sharp respect to the washed 18,4"s of m18x-r2)

 

I was not going to buy the card, merely install, run some tests, and send back to them. I’m not interested in dropping 700-1000$ on a GPU any more these days

 

I'll do the testing for FREE.

 

I have AW17 R1 but I'm sure they already have one of those for testing. Mine is eDP (120Hz) model.

 

Ask @Eurocom Support