Current state of my M18X R2

Well things just can't go better for me can they ?

did a disassembly of my R2 to install a new 980M only to find it was dead. My current 980M is a G-sync version and so doesn't play nice all of the time ... -.-

Got my money back for the fried 980M and as I am putting it back together my cat decides to jump up and breaks one of the motherboard connectors :O
Now I have a broken HDD connector (yay M-sata) and another one..what it does I dno but it still work for now.

I need parts .. parts that in the UK I can't find and P&P and import charges are not friendly on Ebay.
As it stands I need the following :-

* M18x-R2 motherboard
* 2x GTX 980M

Question is where can I get them from ?
Aliexpress seams to have everything I need as everything is made in china.
Motherboard I can find for under £200 or nearly £300.
GTX 980M can be had for just under £300 each.

Now the seller take paypal so kind of wondering if it is worth it since paypal should have be covered right ?

 

I think @woodzstack is able to source parts like this. He may be able to at the very least point you in the right direction.

 

thanks for the info ^^ Motherboards i find impossible to find unless its from China, that or prices are just unfair.
Also the service tag tends to screw me over, can't even go to dells website on this laptop without there website going into German thanks to my service tag being from Germany ;'(

 

I have an extra mobo , but it might be too expensive to ship oversea ...

 

thanks for the vote of confidence. I can find parts for people, and sometimes test them etc... but anyone can find parts, just saying

 

Just throw in a single 1060N use the laptop for a year to hold you over, and then save up for something newer.

You'll spend less than half as much and have almost as much power graphically, and then can even get more for your parts later one and all of those savings can go towards a newer PC, maybe a desktop or gaming laptop etc... thats my best advice there.

But yes, I can help you with parts, but I do not personally sell used videocards, and 980M new is almost twice the price of a 1060N.

 

his mobo broke

 

I only mentioned you @woodzstack because of your reputation. I, personally, have never done business with you but i have only heard great things. I think it only appropriate to echo that sentiment.

 

well an M18X-R2 board is kind of expensive, usually more then say the AW17 or M17X-R4 board are, it's just money your pouring into an older Sandy bridge/ivy bridge laptop. It's lived its fair amount of time, you would be better off with a newer laptop.
If your set on fixing it, well I can help you if you like.

 

I have always wanted to build an 18 and Max her out. I owned one for A bit before I sold it. It was fun, I just love the robustness of it. It is a dated system though. Still, would be fun to build one up.

 

Alienware 18s are junk. M18x R2 is the last great Alienware created

 

I agree, I love the chassis from that generation.

has anyone, or can anyone, mod the M18X R2 to accept twin 1080s? or SLI anything above Kepler?

*******NM********** Just saw your signature.

 

Read around. M18x R2 is easily SLI'd with 980M and performs wonderfully (3dmark11 scores of 17500 or there abouts). I got it to post with a single 1070 in SG/optimus mode. No way to SLI the 1070 or 1080 in here.

 

The M18X R2 does everything that I need even if it is an older platform, honestly I feel the newer Alienware laptops are just not as good.
I have a desktop PC but I always prefer to have a backup should anything go wrong.

Call me silly but I always prefer to keep what I have, make it look good and maxed out until It can't do what I need it to.
I recently bought one 980M from @Raidriar for a good price, just gotta wait for it to arrive.

Also the Msata port is SATA II right ? Would I notice any slow down using it for the OS or games compared to a SATA III SSD ?

 

I agree completely. Although I am a total tech junkie and buy things just because they are new or powerful, I still enjoy holding on to laptops and doing my best to upgrade and max them out. The attempt to prolong technology lifespan and continue to keep it relevant, is a noble endeavor and I always enjoy doing it.

As far as speeds, I am not sure but a quick google search will lead you to your answer.

I actually, really want to build an old M18x. They were cool machines and it would be fun.

 

Iv seen a few M18x on Ebay UK always wondered why they were cheap until I noticed how old they were.
I also like period correct tech, for example I have an I7 920 D0 and 2x EVGA GTX 590 3GB hydrop copper 2 waiting to be put to use XD Just unsure what 1366 motherboard was the best at the time besides the Rampage 3 black edition (impossible to find now)

 

I have parts laying around, namely the hard to find M18x R2 daughterboard, sata cable, and hdd caddy. Also have black or red bases


I have a 256gb Msata SSD that runs sata 2 but really isn’t noticeable difference vs sata 3. I load all my games on it and it works great