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    Area 51 M17x R1 Upgrad question

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by codename_48, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys, I currently have Sli 8600m gt's in my system, I know this system can take a 9800m GT in Sli. Here's the question:
    Would my system be able to take a 9800m GTS, I have looked at the specs and the 9800 GT is the much better card but they are 400GBP on ebay, Some dude is selling his 9800m GTS for $150. Seems like a good deal or should i just save up and get the 9800GT?
    Here's a pic of my current GPU

    [​IMG]

    Uploaded with ImageShack.us
     
    codename_48, Mar 6, 2011
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  2. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anye one??? Please?? :)
     
    codename_48, Mar 7, 2011
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  3. simonmpoulton

    simonmpoulton Notebook Deity

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    If i'm not very much mistaken the original m17x had different motherboards for different cards, so if you have 8600m's then theres no chance of putting 9800's in.
     
    simonmpoulton, Mar 7, 2011
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  4. usmc1488

    usmc1488 Notebook Evangelist

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    Mmmmm, Im not sure. Isnt the 8600m a MXM 2.1 form factor? If so a 9800m GT(S) with the same from factor SHOULD fit. Will the BIOs recognize it? I dont know, if Simon... is correct about the 9800mgt and 8600m having dfferent motherboards than it might not work.
     
    usmc1488, Mar 7, 2011
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  5. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ah ok, why cant alienware be more easy to figure out your exact model?
     
    codename_48, Mar 7, 2011
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  6. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    its an area 51 M17x R1 model, i have read somehwhere that you can upgrade to a 9800Gt, and when it came out the reviews on the system they reviewed their one's were with 9800GTS MXM 2.1 HE cards,
    Confusing ey??
     
    codename_48, Mar 7, 2011
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  7. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ahhh just found out on alienware's site that you can have the followinG:

    Graphics & Video

    Dual Graphics Cards
    256MB NVIDIA® GeForce Go 8600M GT
    512MB NVIDIA® GeForce Go 8700M GT
    512MB NVIDIA® GeForce Go 8800M GTX
    NVIDIA® nForce 100 with NVIDIA® SLI™ technology


    My system says on the bottom under the battery Area 51 m17x R1

    Heres the link on alienwares site. It doesnt have R1 anywhere though, i guess the R1 m,eans thats the only edition of it or something? Thanks for all the help guys!
     
    codename_48, Mar 7, 2011
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  8. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I called alienware tech support today, they wont sell me a card as my system is out of warranty, my model will definatley support 9800gt, 8800 and 8700, hopefully i can get the parts from somewhere,
     
    codename_48, Mar 8, 2011
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  9. usmc1488

    usmc1488 Notebook Evangelist

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    If your going to upgrade do the old girl justice and get the 9800m gt in SLI. I currently run an Area 51 M17x with 9800m GT SLI and she is a beast!! Still able to play games like COD, MOH, and Fall Out 3 NV maxed out on native res.
     
    usmc1488, Mar 8, 2011
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  10. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brilliant, all i need to do now is find 2x 9800 GT's at a good price, no of anywhere apart from mxm and ebay? I could try eurocom maybe or if anyone has any on here i could purchase? its a bugger it didnt come with 9800Gt and not 8700gt! cheers guys
     
    codename_48, Mar 8, 2011
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  11. usmc1488

    usmc1488 Notebook Evangelist

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    No those are the only two that I know of. The 8800GTX is the exactly same card. Why the name change, I do not know. But dont count them out in your search. The 9800 GTX will work too, but might run hotter the 8800 gtx/9800m gt is your best bet.
     
    usmc1488, Mar 8, 2011
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  12. codename_48

    codename_48 Notebook Enthusiast

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    cool thanks so much for your help dude, appreciated! :)
     
    codename_48, Mar 8, 2011
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  13. usmc1488

    usmc1488 Notebook Evangelist

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    Just trying to give back, I only know these answers because others have helped me out. I think the 9800m GTS is an "S" because it doesnt have the ability to run in SLI.
     
    usmc1488, Mar 8, 2011
    #13