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    What are my upgrading options for pre-dell m15x?

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by xJaypex, Mar 10, 2012.

  1. xJaypex

    xJaypex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys, so my GPU needs to be replaced and was wondering what are my options? I see people manually installing the 6990m in theirs,wouldit still work on the pre-dell one? What about cpu? Whats the best cpu for it?

    I tried looking up info on this laptop but not having much luck.

    Would appreciate the help.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    xJaypex, Mar 10, 2012
    #1
  2. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    Best CPU possible is the X9000 and the GPU is the 280m, but it runs hot.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Mar 10, 2012
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  3. xJaypex

    xJaypex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks mate, any idea where to get a 280m thats mxm 2.1? Not having any luck on ebay. If i cant find it what would be the an alternative to the 280m?
     
    xJaypex, Mar 10, 2012
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  4. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    What do you have now?
     
    JohnnyFlash, Mar 11, 2012
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  5. xJaypex

    xJaypex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im notctoo sure, I just bought it a few days ago. It had no working gpu.
     
    xJaypex, Mar 11, 2012
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  6. Ari3sgr3gg0

    Ari3sgr3gg0 Notebook Consultant

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    Actually the pre Dell M17x can use the 3870m or 4870m I believe. I would use the 3870m if I were you since they can run cooler leaving more room for overclocking

    Forgot to mention, run them in crossfire mode
     
    Ari3sgr3gg0, Mar 12, 2012
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  7. el_corsez

    el_corsez Notebook Geek

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    Well, he's talking about the m15x, there's only room for one card inside of this one.

    I'd say the 3870 is your best shot, I just recently bought one and I'm very satisfied. Haven't tried gaming yet but under Furmark, the card is under 80°.

    As for the CPU, the X9000 is the best of the best.
     
    el_corsez, Mar 15, 2012
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  8. chr15g

    chr15g Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm running the ATI 3870 at the moment and its running pretty well. I've never compared them side by side but lots of people mention the 3870 and the Nvidia 8800GTX to have similar performance, with the ATI gpu running at much lower temps.
    I upgraded from the 8700GT and my temps dropped dramatically.

    Alternatively I have been eyeing this website for a potential upgrade to the 280m - the major issue is that the HDMI out is no longer supported:
    Alienware m15x upgrade guide
    and a new page I've just found:
    Alienware m15x upgrade guide

    Have just been looking into this, and sorry to hijack the thread but I've got a question for anyone who might know:

    Would it be possible to fit any MXM 2.1 card into the Alienware m15x? I've just had a quick look at the HD4670 and it looks pretty impressive, is MXM 2.1 and seems easier to source than the GTX280m.

    Surely MXM 2.1 is a standard interface, so it should fit physically and I'd imagine the interface to the motherboard should be standard too (provided you have drivers for it - which ATI provide) but I'm sure theres something I'm overlooking and if someone could point that out, that would be great.

    EDIT - obviously some serious modding of the heatsink would be necessary as well.

    Thanks!
     
    chr15g, Mar 18, 2012
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  9. el_corsez

    el_corsez Notebook Geek

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    From the benchmarks I can see that the 4670 is not an upgrade over the 3870, it would run a lot cooler though.

    The problem with 4xxx generation would be BIOS limitations, people tried 4870's and it didn't work, but I've yet to see someone try a 4850 (now that would be an upgrade if it does work).
     
    el_corsez, Mar 18, 2012
    #9