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    Reanimating old beast Alienware 18r1

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by yarema, Jan 30, 2020.

  1. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    So i just buy Alienware 18r1 from guys -who sold it for 400 bucks but i was persistent and buy it for 180 bucks - cuz the chasis is bad and one of 6990 is prob dead - it does not occure error 43 and detectable in Bios but i have troubles installing drivers on it
    The specs are:
    i7 2920xm overclocked@ 4,2
    16gb ddr3 1600
    raid 1tb HDD (very fast)
    hd 6990m Crossfire 2gb each

    Recently i found GTX 880m for a 100 dollars price (Yummy!!!)
    and thinking to buy -but dude sometimes has BSOD after windows reinstallation - is it safe to buy card which occurs this problem? he does not has 43 error or artifacts -just BSOD. What does it mean?
    I was planning to downclock the card by afterburner and i also have heatsink from 680m
    I also will get a new chasis from my friend and paint it to red color (Nebula red-like)
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  2. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    This is pics with my AW18R2 (3940xm, Hyperx 2133 16gb, GTX 1060 6gb)
    1580377732905.JPEG
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  3. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    1580377733571.JPEG 1580377733027.JPEG 1580377733523.JPEG 1580377734000.JPEG 1580377733571.JPEG
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
    #3
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  4. M18x-oldie

    M18x-oldie Notebook Evangelist

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    I wouldn't invest in a used 880m, safer to go the 780m/680m route, just imo.

    Also have an eye on the temps of the 29xx xm, they generate lots of heat when OCed >4 GHz.
     
    M18x-oldie, Jan 30, 2020
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  5. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    780 will cost me at least 250 bucks and i have opportunity to buy 880 for 95-100 bucks
    What does BSOD mean?
    What consequences can be?
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  6. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    Like i said before-it starts occure after new windows installations -periodically...
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  7. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    Ye Sandy Bridge generated a lot of heat cuz cooling radiator for cpu in 1st generation of 18x was 2-piped
    I will use by 3piped radiator from 18 r2
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  8. M18x-oldie

    M18x-oldie Notebook Evangelist

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    I cannot say exactly, but it may look like the card is on it's way out.
    880m basically is a highly overclocked 780m.

    Yes, 3-pipe heatsink and CPU fan of the r2, mostly recommend with the Sandy xms.
     
    M18x-oldie, Jan 30, 2020
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  9. geko95gek

    geko95gek Notebook Evangelist

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    Agree with the above!

    No wonder it was only $100 o_O
     
    geko95gek, Jan 30, 2020
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  10. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    I have 680 in very good condition. Prob use it ,then
    Also will sell HD6990 both and crossfire cable, i think 100 usd will be fair?
     
    yarema, Jan 30, 2020
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  11. M18x-oldie

    M18x-oldie Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't know the exact prices, as I'm not in the US, but that looks like a plan ;)
     
    M18x-oldie, Jan 30, 2020
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  12. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    That machine with the worn out lid needs a new paint job. I'd be all over it
     
    Maxware79, Feb 10, 2020
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  13. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    Well GTX680 installed
    Now waiting for case (upper with touchpad and keyboard) for replace -will send photos
    Maybe will paint this old soldier to red (nebula-red like) color
     
    yarema, Feb 13, 2020
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  14. yarema

    yarema Notebook Guru

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    Well here is the results - replaced keyboard and chasis) photo_2020-03-13_21-21-08 (3).jpg photo_2020-03-13_21-21-08.jpg photo_2020-03-13_21-21-08 (2).jpg photo_2020-03-13_21-21-08 (3).jpg photo_2020-03-13_21-21-08 (2).jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    yarema, Mar 20, 2020
    #14
    Maxware79 and M18x-oldie like this.