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    M18x R1: 4K and the best upgrade I can...

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by sev7en, Jun 23, 2015.

  1. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    Dear friends,
    I have an M18x R1 with:
    Motherboard Chipset Intel Cougar Point HM67, Intel Sandy Bridge
    Mobile QuadCore Intel Core i7-2630QM, 2600 MHz (26 x 100)
    CrossFire X of Radeon 6970M
    24Gb of RAM
    Disk Drive Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500G (500 GB, SATA-III)
    Disk Drive ST1000LM014-1EJ164 (1000 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-III)

    and Windows 7 Professional.


    I purchased a wonderful Samsung 4K TV UN65HU9000 but I tried all the connection available to get the 4K with no success... my laptop supports that video resolution of external display?


    And... I don't want change my Alien but I would like to upgrade it with the most advanced/powerful new tech. Which CPU and GPU can I install on it?



    Cheers!
     
    sev7en, Jun 23, 2015
    #1
  2. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Sorry friend, you will need a stronger graphics card to drive a 4K display. The max resolution of a 6970M is 2560 x 1600.
     
    Raidriar, Jun 23, 2015
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  3. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    Good morning,
    thanks! Which upgrade can I do to my system? Which one is the most powerful CPU and GPU (Crossfire X system) supported by my system?


    Cheers,
     
    sev7en, Jun 23, 2015
    #3
  4. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    7970M if you're staying with AMD. Most folks around here are going to tell you to go with a pair of Nvidia 680M or 780Ms.

    As for CPU, grab a 2920XM from eBay or similar. There are also 2940XM and 2960XM. Get one if you can find it for a stellar price, but you won't notice much over the 2920XM.

    If you go with Nvidia GPUs, you'll need two new 100 watt Nvidia heatsinks and an SLI connector.
    Also, if you don't have one already, you're going to need a 3-pipe heatsink for the CPU. XM runs too damn hot for the 2-pipe.

    I'm not saying that you'll be able to handle 4K after making those upgrades. I've never tried it on my setup.
     
    TurbodTalon, Jun 23, 2015
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  5. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    Dear TurbodTalon,
    thanks for the great reply. I would like use the 4k resolution to work not to play but I connected via DHMI and Display Port my Samsung screen and it was locked to the 2048px... the ports I have on my Alienware doesn't support a 4k resolution?
     
    sev7en, Jun 25, 2015
    #5
  6. Juang1985

    Juang1985 Notebook Deity

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    Juang1985, Jun 25, 2015
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  7. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    sev7en, Jun 26, 2015
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  8. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    sev7en, Jun 26, 2015
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  9. jacktheripper.wang

    jacktheripper.wang Notebook Geek

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    Hey you could just use your AMD headsink if it is marked as "100W", just scrap out that black plastic cover on top of the copper surface.

    I upgraded my m18x r1 from single 6970m to 780M sli this year.(had 6970m CF before but the other card died)

    880M is bascially overclocked 780M, and most people says 780M is more stable on R1. Unless there is ways to make 980M work on R1 in the future or you want to replace your R1 mobo to R2 mobo, 780M is the best GPU.

    Cpu wise go for 2920xm. Massive improvements comparing to 2630. It could be easily clocked to 4Ghz on R1. Just make sure you do the thermal paste right. Also get triple pipe cpu heatsink if you can.

    The active dual-link adapter can give you 120hz ability. I had one myself although I never had a chance to test on a 4K screen.
     
    jacktheripper.wang, Jun 26, 2015
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  10. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    First of all thanks!
    About the CPU, I placed now the order for that: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7...ie=UTF8&qid=1435302654&sr=8-1&keywords=2920xm

    About the GPU, instead, can you suggest a place there to buy? What's about the difference in performance and DX support between my CrossFire X and the final 780M of SLi?
     
    sev7en, Jun 26, 2015
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    drich1996 likes this.
  11. drich1996

    drich1996 Newbie

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    my r2 with 680m sli works on my samsung 4k curved tv fine, the games in 4k resolution were another thing, i only got like 10-15fps at max in 4k but it was beautiful
     
    drich1996, Jun 26, 2015
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  12. sev7en

    sev7en Notebook Consultant

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    I would like upgrade my system to nVidia as I don't like at all AMD...
     
    sev7en, Jun 26, 2015
    #12
  13. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    780M would be the best option. 880M runs hot/issues and the 980M doesn't work in the R1 as properly as a 780M would.
     
    Raidriar, Jun 26, 2015
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  14. jacktheripper.wang

    jacktheripper.wang Notebook Geek

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    780m supports DX 11.0 Not sure about 7970M though since I never had one.

    I bought it in China when I was there a couple of month ago. I had a dealer who had some inventory from dell so the cards are brand new factory packaged with screws, X bracket etc. I suggest buying from someone who could provide some warranty.

    It cost me around around $950 for two cards including shipping.
     
    jacktheripper.wang, Jun 29, 2015
    #14
  15. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Lol...of course the 7970M supports DX11 and will also support DX12
     
    Raidriar, Jun 29, 2015
    #15
    Mr. Fox likes this.