Last try to upgrade Alienware m18x R2 from CF 7970m to SLI 980m

Hi guys.
So, after I completely fail the first attempt, and return the 2 980m because my system dont recognize it in all way, I try again for the last time to buy 2 980m and install it.
So I want start a fresh new topic for this new try.

I very need your support here.

I start to ask some usual and definitive procedure, because on internet I see defferent procedure..

Also any advise about what kind of version of the card is better to purchase, for example what memory? samsung? hynix?
I see different 980m with different position of the components, what is the right one?
what is the better bios and vBios I shoul use? (I receive different advise).

My system:

Alienware m18x R2
I7 3630QM
Ram 16GB (4x 4GB) Samsung
AMD 7970m (2x) CF
Bios A12 stock
SSD 512 Samsung 840 pro msata
Stock power supply
Windows 10 pro 64


Thanks to all

 

I am not on my pc so I cannot send files.

First of all, flash the a11 unlocked.

Second of all is if you want to keep your legacy or go for full Uefi.

Remove every existing driver, if you format the OS, skip that.

If the cards are clevo, then there will be no problem, if you don't know, then before install any GPU, set the system to SG mode from the advanced menu.

Install ONLY ONE GPU and get inside the bios. If you see both integrated and Nvidia Gfx on the menu, switch from advanced menu to Peg.

If the system boots to windows, make an attempt to install drivers. Latest don't need any mod ding.

Use the pc a little and if you don't have any crashes or abnormal behavior, install the second and the SLI cable. When it boots (will take longer), everything will be operational.

If something of the above fails, post here.

 

Contact @woodzstack for your GTX 980M cards, he can provide you the correct ones. You need Alienware vBios and unlocked BIOS is strongly recommended as well. Once you got the cards I suggest posting here again then.

 

ok, I try to contact @woodzstack
I am on UEFI now, and I am ok like this, no reason for use legacy for now.

 

yeah depends how you want top set up, but the latest bios from DELL and SLI and boot mode in UEFI etc... and if you enable legacy mode shouldn't make much of a difference because it defaults to disable the HD intel anyways when in SLI

 

Hi, dude! I also wanna upgrade to 980m. Here are some questions hope you can help me.

My bios is A12 and OS is win10 pro, so I don't need to flash a11 if I won't use legacy boot?

If I buy the following clevo card, I must flash vbios to dell and mod .inf file?

thanks.

 

If you have enabled full Uefi from bios and the GPU is a clevo (so it states) then you are good to go.
Drivers work as is. Latest can be installed without mod ding.

If you go single GPU and have A12 you propably won't be able to switch to internal anymore.

 

You dont need to flash DELL vBios, actually Clevo vBios works better in my M18X-R2(less throttling issues), Prema`s 2.0 VBIOS i`m using is based on Clevo vBios.

 

Prema has a Dell vBIOS specifically for AW18 notebooks. If you asked Prema for a vBios and told him you have an AW 18, then you probably run on his Dell based one. You can check in GPU-Z which Bios version you're running on.

Pretty sure you need to mod .inf files if you have clevo vBios, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I'm using Prema's Clevo 2.0 bios in my M18X-R2. Modding .inf files was only needed until before Nvidia decided to include native 980M Alienware support in their drivers.

Some time ago I flashed to Dell vBios, and noticed severe throttling problems when running intensive GPU games like Rise of Rome, so strangely I feel Clevo bios a little better in my notebook and decide to keep it.

Edit:
GeForce Hotfix Driver Version 387.98

Updated 10/12/2017 11:39 AM
This is GeForce Hot Fix driver version 387.98 that addresses the following:

• Fixed stutter when gaming on an external G-SYNC monitor connected to Notebook.
• Added support back for Alienware laptops with GM204 GPUs (965M, 970M, 980M).

 

Thank you, dude! Seems that I don't need to flash vbios, just keep clevo vbios and directly install newest nvidia driver!

 

You must flash Prema`s 2.0 Clevo vBIOS if you want to use newer Nvidia drivers in your M18X-R2, if you try to install newer drivers with default vBIOS you get a black screen in Windows.

 

Hey guys I need help!

I have a Alienware M18xR1, with like i7-2720QM (or something, at least i7 tho.) and Dual CF 6970m. Recently the computer has been getting quite slow.

Is this gaming laptop known to run too hot? It feels warm

 

Repaste might be needed. 6970m is known to run hot.

 

Hi Jerryzago,

I followed every step and when I switch to SG, I can see both integrated and Nvida gfx on the menu. But once I switch to PEG, I got 8 beeps.
When I try to install driver under SG, the driver gives me error as it could not find any card.

 

Updates:
Need to set disalbe legacy and enable Uefi. That you won't get 8 Beeps when set to PEG, but you will lose integrated graphics card.
Which leads to a fresh OS install.
After win10 install, get a modified drive and use safe mode and Disable Driver Signature Enforcement.
Install the modified drive.
Done.
I read that you don't need to mod drive for newly released drives, in my case,I still do.

 

I am glad you sorted this out. Do you have dual or single 980m? What is the device ID? If you have a gsync version, that is why you have to mod the drivers everytime.

 

I actually have to change PEG to SG because I got constant BSOD and black screen. But after the change to SG, the system runs smooth as.
I am using a single MSI 3g 970m, Device ID on GPUz is 10DE 1618 - 1028 0550.
not sure if I got the gsync version or not, but the driver modding will my last issue, which is no big deal consider I can use my system so smoothly.

 

Yes you have the gsync version, which means no PEG mode for you. Also modded drivers all the time. How is the system behaving in PEG mode?

 

That’s some extra work for me but I can live with that.
In PEG I got blue screen and black screen.
Which might be the system sometimes trying to switch to intergrated graphic card but couldn't, and cause the system to crash.

 

It's is possible the GPU is sending gsync commands and the laptop cannot translate, so it is blue and black screen. Keep the SG mode. Also SLI is not an option. Stay with one GPU. Performance is a bit slower, but the system will be fully functional in SG mode. Happy to be an assistance.