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    Upgrading my Alienware 18 (CPU Overclocking)

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by JasperLee93, Jul 13, 2016.

  1. JasperLee93

    JasperLee93 Notebook Consultant

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    So, its soon about time, that I wish to upgrade my Alienware 18.

    However, I was reading on this forum and some other sites that, the Intel Core i7 4940MX seems to have an issue with overclocking and thermals.

    Is there any start point?

    My current system:
    Intel Core i7 4900MQ Overclock: 40 39 38 28 (Bios A12)
    2 X 780M
    1 X mSATA 80GB SSD
    1 X Samsung 850 PRO SSD 256GB
    1 X Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1TB
    16GB Ram
    MX4 Thermal Compound

    Upgrades:
    Intel Core i7 4940MX
    2 X 1080M (When available and if working I guess, if not, 980Ms)
    mSATA 1TB Samsung 850 EVO (shouldn't be an issue)
    32 GB SODIMM 1600Mhz (8GB X 4) Crucial Ram (Shouldn't be an issue)
    Liquid Ultra Thermal Compound.

    Also, a handful here know I use my Alienware 18 24/7, which isn't the case anymore. Currently, using Wake On Lan and at idle, would go to sleep when I am not using.
     
    JasperLee93, Jul 13, 2016
    #1
  2. Awhispersecho

    Awhispersecho Notebook Evangelist

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    I have the 4940mx, I do not overclock but it is a warm card. Mine never goes above 85c and usually sticks between 80-85c but it gets there quickly when gaming and makes sure you get alot of use out of your fans. I think alot of people would tell you to go with the 4930mx instead. My understanding is that it overclocks better, runs more stable and is not quite the oven that the 4940 is.

    In addition, for what it's worth, I am very happy with my 980's. You might want to wait but if you end up going with the 980's, you should be happy. Of course there are others who had some issues with them but at this point with the way Nvidia operates, that's not surprising.
     
    Awhispersecho, Jul 13, 2016
    #2
  3. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    4930MX is a much better CPU than 4940MX. See the sticky thread in this forum for overclocking info.

    How to Overclock the Alienware 18 and Haswell CPU (or actually have it run full stock Turbo Speed)

    All Haswel CPUs run too hot. If you use Liquid Ultra on the 4930MX it will run cool enough and outperform the 4940MX by a significant margin with overclocking. Not sure why, but Intel seems to have severely gimped the 4940MX. I don't remember ever seeing an example of one that worked well.
     
    Mr. Fox, Jul 14, 2016
    #3