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    Need new GPU for my Alienware M17

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by M4rtyMcFly1985, Jan 23, 2014.

  1. M4rtyMcFly1985

    M4rtyMcFly1985 Newbie

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    Hi, I have a 2008 Aliemware M17-R1 which is working pretty well, but I'd like to know if I can change my graphic cards for new games like World of Tanks (runs at 15fps settings in minimum).
    I don't wanna change my laptop because it's working really fine for what I do. If someone can help me I'll be very greatful. Thanks.
     
    M4rtyMcFly1985, Jan 23, 2014
    #1
  2. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I believe the highest GPU upgrade you can do would be 5870 Crossfire for the R1. Unfortunately I joined the Alienware club at the R4, so I missed the good old days with dual GPU's in the 17" laptop.

    For future reference, there is a section dedicated to each of the laptops Alienware has. The M17x/AW 17 section can be found here: Alienware 17 and M17x Forum
     
    J.Dre, Jan 23, 2014
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  3. M4rtyMcFly1985

    M4rtyMcFly1985 Newbie

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    Thanks, but the problem is that I need a MXM-II GPU due to the age if my laptop. This is not a M17x it's still a old Pre-Dell model M17.
    I found the Mobility Radeon HD 4870 which is compatible but I need now to find where I can buy them. I looked on eBay but most of them come from China and I don't know if I can trust them.
     
    M4rtyMcFly1985, Jan 23, 2014
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  4. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Oh, my bad. I don't know anything about that laptop, lol.
     
    J.Dre, Jan 23, 2014
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  5. woodzstack

    woodzstack Alezka Computers , Official Clevo reseller.

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    you can trust them to the extent it says you can. i.e if they have a return policy or garuntee it in someway, you always have paypal/ebay protection as a buyer.
     
    woodzstack, Jan 23, 2014
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  6. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    The Pre-DELL machines are not really upgradeable. What's the exact model of your Alienware? You can get parts for your machine @ Ztronics.com
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jan 24, 2014
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  7. M4rtyMcFly1985

    M4rtyMcFly1985 Newbie

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    Thanks I'll check that on ebay.
     
    M4rtyMcFly1985, Jan 24, 2014
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  8. Rotary Heart

    Rotary Heart Notebook Evangelist

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    The highest you can get is AMD 4850, but they are almost impossible to find. So your best bet is 3870. Which ones do you have installed right now?
     
    Rotary Heart, Jan 25, 2014
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  9. johnfisher

    johnfisher Notebook Enthusiast

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    There are 2 graphics slots, both mxm 2.0
    The gpus can be upgraded to 4850m 2.0mxm (ridiculously hard to find) You will need a master and a slave card.

    Assuming you already have 3870m X2 in crossfire (if you don't get the second card ($80), you could roll back the graphics driver, the new drivers give performance, you would see a 20-30% increase, with the older graphics driver.
     
    johnfisher, Jan 30, 2014
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  10. MooMilk

    MooMilk Notebook Consultant

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    4850\4870 mobility would be hard to find in MXM 2.1 format,
    FX3700M or 280M GTX (flashed) should work in this model, and if you have only one 3870 installed - I would recommend adding the second one for the Crossfire (+you will need a bridge connector unless you have one),
    I happen to have a spare Slave 3870 Mobility card for this system (and a Master one also btw.)), PM if interested.
     
    MooMilk, Apr 16, 2014
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  11. simonmpoulton

    simonmpoulton Notebook Deity

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    You dug up this thread from January to try and sell your slave 3870?
     
    simonmpoulton, Apr 16, 2014
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  12. MooMilk

    MooMilk Notebook Consultant

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    Well, not really, but I haven't paid attention to the date, sorry.
    Just came across this thread, while bothering with 3870m Crossire proper working configuration on the same machine lately and BTW found a working Win 7 drivers for Crossfire:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...tems/723970-m17-r1-stock-vista-drivers-3.html

    (for a moment, why would you call "digging up" posting to a topic from the first page - it was a bit more than two months old, not two years afterall)
    Sure, I'm making up informative posts for an access to the Marketplace. Do you also need more posts? .))

    And it was not mentioned here, that Quadro FX3700M or 280M GTX cards are compatible with this model, while they are pretty powerful - a single card could actually be more effective than a 3870m crossfire configuration in some applications.
     
    MooMilk, Apr 16, 2014
    #12