M18x R1 Upgrade > M18x R2 Motherboard

Hey Guys,

If anyone has a spare R2 mobo that he/she doesn't need, - please let me know. I'll buy it. I'm about to start another experiment on modding my beast

Thanks in advance!

 

I think it still might be a little early for R2 owners to have extra mobo's lying around .

If you don't mind telling, what kind of experiment are you cooking up?

 

I know it's early but I may not have enough free time for those experiments down the road.

At this point I'm trying to make a hybrid M18xR1-2. Next, will continue modding the CPU HS and finally, make both msata and wirelessHD work on the same machine. That's the plan so far.

 

funny, i was thinking about such a mod myself.
I wonder if it was attempted before ?
Aiki -if you proceed let me know how it goes, i might follow ur steps

 

Watching with some popcorn!! want to try myself but sadly none on ebay yet

 

I know it kills the warranty and is easier to sell the current rig and buy a new one, but I just got to try, for the heck of it, lol

 

We have some available. Please send us an e-mail to [email protected] and we'll help you with the pricing info.

 

Thank You! Email and PM sent. Like I mentioned before, Dell quoted me 400$+, that's too high, 250-300 is the max I can do

 

Remember you will need the IO card (HDMI in, card reader, usb ports etc) as well as the connector between R2 motherboard is different. Another thing you will need is the hard drive cable.


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Good reminders, Brother Dan.

Luis, I'll need prices on those also (email previously sent).

 

@DanXbix

What connectors on the M18x R2 are different than the R1? I know about the HDD and I/O board, are there any others?

 

From what I understand there's also a couple of "inverted" connectors (macro keys, power button panel, etc).

 

So, no one has a R2 mobo to spare? Looks like I might end up ordering from Dell for 400$

 

Ok, so I've got all the parts except for the motherboard. Anyone?

 

So what parts have you acquired so far? What is the status so far?


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CPU, IO board, HDD Caddy. The rest can be modded but I still need a mobo

 

How much did the IO board, HDD Caddy cost? very eager to try this also and i'll just use my 2960xm cpu

 

I got a set (QS 3820qm + I\O board + hdd caddy) so it's hard to say what was the cost for individual items. Contact Table21, maybe he still has extra parts.

 

Aiki, did you ever get that mobo? Really curious about the results of this..

 

Sorry, no. Even Dell has those on back order. For now, I'm staying with SB, getting a 2960.

 

That sux.. Oh well, hope you get it eventually!

 

Update: Several of us have upgraded our M18x R1 with an M18x R2 mainboard. I could not be happier. If fact, I ordered a new OEM 3920XM CPU to make the transformation complete. (Although, the Sandy Bridge CPUs are working flawlessly in the Ivy Bridge board.)

If you plan to do it, you will need to obtain the following components to upgrade your M18x R1:

• 9D7N3 - M18x R2 Motherboard (GRP9C, G6CJP, FRVMD are also valid parts numbers)
• YYFHR - M18x R2 I/O Daughterboard with ribbon cable
• XVNKP - M18x R2 3-Disk HDD Caddy
• M9T51 - M18x R2 SATA Interposer

 

Good stuff guys, I'm glad this mod is working so well. It really shows the versatility of the AW brand when it comes to future upgrades.

 

Mr. Fox's next purchase a 'medium size' mSATA drive to use it as boot

 

Good afternoon I am new here, I have an Alienware m18x R1, managed to put the mother board M18Xr2? is compatible? what you changed? which the the current configuration thanks awaiting my email: alonesoul_4 at hotmail dot com

 

Hello. See post #22 for necessary parts.

Your Sandy Bridge (R1) CPU will work in the Ivy Bridge (R2) board.

 

Did you know ''where'' i can found those parts? i like on Brazil i search on ebay and nothing , and i have another question maybe you know how fix, i change bios for a unlocked version, ok util then all fine , but after a time i change options on BIOS i dont remember ''all'' changes i do so laptop wont start not even BIOS.
He restart, black screen (without any beep) wont load bios wont do nothing i tryed :
I removed the battery from the motherboard, removed the notebook battery and power cord, trying it cause the motherboard back to original settings.
Do not have any idea worked and / or know what the problem is?

 

the board would that be?
Dell Alienware M18x R2 Genuine Replacement Motherboard GRP9C 0GRP9C | eBay

My laptop specs : I72820QM 1,5 TB RAID 0 (Dual 750 GB) HD6990m CF 16 GB RAM

 

I Think my problem is the same of this guy :

Alienware m18x Screen blackout all of a sudden.. No display... - YouTube

 

If you have a black screen from simply changing a BIOS setting you need to reset your CMOS chip.

See Mr Fox's Post #5 here

 

Order them Directly from Dell Spare Parts for less than the eBay price. There are multiple part numbers for the M18xR2 motherboard... GRP9C (Obsolete), G6CJP (Windows 8 Home), FRVMD (Windows 8 Pro), 9D7N3 (Replaces GRP9C) and any will work. The Windows 8 motherboards have the Windows 8 Product Key embedded (SLIC).

But, this part alone will not be enough. You have an M18xR1 so you will need the other parts listed above to complete the transformation.

If you only need to buy an M18xR1 motherboard, you will not need other parts.

Alienware M18X Avenger - C9XMR - $359.77 | Dell Spare Parts

If that does not work, a blind recovery flash should do the trick. I would do this before replacing the motherboard. It is probably just a setting that was changed that should not have been... probably on the video configuration menu.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ry-process-all-m18x-r1-case-corrupt-bios.html

Be patient and do not interrupt the process... let it beep until it is finished... might take 100+ beeps.

 

ok i go try all the process right now , something must work =T

 

Put that on you facebook Mr.Fox

Hello Fox , nice too meet you , My name is Eugênio i live on Brazil in http://forum.notebookreview.com/ and asked you on a topic about improving M18XR1 R2 need a '' CLASS '' because here besides not having the parts to be exchanged taxes are 60 % on everything coming into the country , I saw that some ten golden R1 insane and want to do something similar to mine in regards to performance , I do not know if you saw the post I put there about '' black screen '' ( Notebook alloy, keypad , but not bind the lights of those caps lock and tab as well does not turn the head of the alien behind the LCD ) after all because I put a A05 BIOS unlocked shifted where it should not in the BIOS anyway , I removed the battery , power cord , open the bottom of the note and I removed the battery from the board praying that is returned to the original settings when turned back the note , but it did not work , I also want to know what the strongest processor that is compatible with the board mãedo R2 that you put in your and all video cards are former R9 GTX880m compatible 290x , thank you already if you can help me , because here I 'll be packing the note and upgrade no specialized staff a good night .
ATT Eugenio

I tried all the tips / procedures NONE worked'll disassemble the note and remove the video cards

Notebook does not turn on, will not start BIOS, no beep, does not read the memory card, formatted in fat32 32bits, the eSata port with Archiving BIOS (PAR10MEC.fd) renamed to 99.9% PAR10X64.fd'm desperate.

 

I am sorry to hear that your system is dead. You will need to acquire the parts in the list already provided. For CPU there are only two good options, so it make the decision easy. Find a 3920XM or 3940XM on eBay and GTX 780M is the current GPU worth getting. GTX 880M may turn out better, but at the moment tuning the vBIOS is a work in progress. With taxed and shipping being very high in Brazil you may have to pay a lot to get all of this. If you can find a good deal on a complete and working M18xR2 with XM CPU and 680M SLI that would be best. Then you could only have to upgrade GPU. This might end up saving some money if you can find a good deal. Keep your M18xR2 for spare parts. Everything except for the parts mentioned above will be usable.

Installation of the parts is very simple if you have basic technical skills. You can use the M18x Owner's Manual for guidance and there a several good teardown videos on YouTube.

 

lap top works!! but now have another problem , when appears ''Windows loading'' all screen turns to white full white =x , but bios working and detecting now the 2 video cards any ideia? maybe LCD cable? :S

ahh before i forget Integrated grafics [Not Detected] on BIOS

 

Exact like this Alienware M18x Laptop White Screen *FIX* - YouTube

 

see some topics Intel Core i7 3920XM is better to OC , but there`s any other better than those 2?

 

9D7N3 - M18x R2 Motherboard (out of stock)
YYFHR - M18x R2 I/O Daughterboard with ribbon cable (out of stock)
XVNKP - M18x R2 3-Disk HDD Caddy (4.99)
M9T51 - M18x R2 SATA Interposer (18.99)

From my latest chat with Dell. May just pick up a cheap bare bones R2 and go that route if I decide to upgrade. Some go as cheap as 1K I noticed. Curious what you paid Mr. Fox for those four parts and how does a three drive caddy fit into the R1/R2 chassis?

 

No, 3920XM and 3940XM are the only two available that work in the R2 motherboard. Both overclock really well. You will also want one of these: 0MXJ5 CPU Heat Sink, XM CPU (3 pipes)

Under $500. The 3-drive caddy fits exactly the same as the 2-drive caddy. The foam rubber on the bottom cover is thicker on the R1 to fill the space between the drives and the plastic cover. On the M18xR2 bottom cover that foam rubber is about 7-9MM thinner, but it still fits... very snug, LOL. You can trim the foam down to make it easier to install the cover. Otherwise no difference and the parts are interchangeable. The R1/R2 chassis are the same except for the larger cut-out under the CPU where the mSATA drive goes. The plastic bezel on the right side around all of the USB, eSATA, SD, ODD openings is smooth on the inside for an R2. The R1 has some plastic spacers that stick out on the inside. You need to knock them off with a razor blade (very soft and easy to cut off) for the I/O daughterboard ZIF socket to line up correctly with the motherboard.

It's almost always more affordable to call and go through Dell Spare Parts by phone. Below are the web prices and they are often 50-75% higher than you get by calling them. 1(800)357-3355

Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - YYFHR - $53.25 - not sure of current phone price on I/O Daughterboard

Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - 9D7N3 - $387.31 - not sure of current phone price on Motherboard

check this alternate mobo - Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - FRVMD (may be available)​

Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - XVNKP - $33.99 - versus $4.99 - for HDD caddy

Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - M9T51 - $45.99 - versus $18.99 - for SATA Interposer

Alienware M18XR2 Avenger MLK - 0MXJ5 - $46.25 - versus $20.99 - for 3-Pipe heat sink

 

If you're feeling really adventurous you can try making your own Heatsinks. I did that with my R4. It's a dream to work with now

 

Do you have some photos of your homemade heat sinks that you can share with us?

 

I didnt document it but I will open them up sometime for you guys and put in a few photos. Having access to a CNC can work wonders

 

Please do. I would like to see that. Feel free to start a new thread to showcase your handiwork. It's a shame you did not document it with before and after thermal benchmarks and photos. That would have been really nice to see.

 

I am afraid I didnt really document that as well as I should have. Back then I was just an amateur modder and over time I am getting better. Having a solid copper heatsink was a lot of fun to machine. Unfortunately it's not as good as it could have been as I dont know how to solder heatpipes to I just machined the thing out of solid copper

 

hi guys , thanks for the information on prices of parts Fox later will note that the TA working good now open again re tightened the video cards I saw that the screws have sinks tightening sequence as well as the processor , reassembled it without '' push '' and so was everything perfect saw the tutorial on increasing the CPU clock got oa 106.22 ( 2820QM ) video boards unlocked the bios both are in the crossfire 830/1130 ( unlocked to 715/1200 ) has not had time to test the limit but the 830/1130 are around 50-60 º C , ok now let's go elsewhere ram I do not understand that data ( tCL , tRCD , tRP , tRAS , tRRD , tWR , tRTP , tWTR , tRFC , tFAW , tRC ) have 16 GB of ram can not remember the brand of memory is unlocked a05 bios , need help to know how much to put in each of these clocks , I'm pretty lost on what is best in which I saw at basic Intel extreme tuning utility that one is more than two together etc , but need some help in values, about what , and how much gets better , grateful for any help guys : D

 

nothing?

 

This is trial and error and won't be the same on all systems and all memory. Use XTU to see what the default values are and adjust from there to see what works. You should see what memory you have. You could also use something like Aida64 to see what those values are by default.

 

To be honest unless you are going for benchmarks the ram is really not important.

 

Definitely agree with that. It's kind of fun to tinker with if only to see what you can get away with, but the benefits are less than modest and pretty much don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

 

hi again won by councils, staff is as follows with the Throttle stop managed to make it work the 31x multiplier and after several attempts the clock to 106.15 more than this the notebook (playing battlefield4) lock / restart has to be done all process seen in the intel turbo boost my 2820QM processor is 3.7 GHz site is to make it work 24/7 on this clock? I'll send some pictures to see how it is now (I do not have access to the BIOS multiplier only by stop throtle)max 3.29GHz is that it works, I'll send pictures of the video boards too, if you give FOX helps me to half lost: x





I would lock the processor 3.7GZ (Turbo boost max) 24/7 is possible?
And where BIOS should not change the values for maximum performance, if you need to ask me to send photos of the BIOS, thanks