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    m15x upgrades?

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by B.Wagner, Jun 12, 2011.

  1. B.Wagner

    B.Wagner Notebook Enthusiast

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    After doing some reading on these boards I have started to wonder just how much upgrade ability I have left in my current system. My system stats are as follows:

    m15x Silver
    4GB RAM
    256GB Samsung PM810 SSD (Upgraded over factory HD)
    Intel Core2 Duo T9300 2.50GHz
    NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT 512MB

    About 8 months ago I had to self repair the hinges because all of the brass fittings had completely broken off the lit. I used some epoxy to make new bases, but 1 or 2 screws didn’t go back in. Now I’m scared that it’s just a matter of time till they break again. Also, the GPU fan has been sounding pretty bad (I think some of the broken lid pieces had gotten in and messed up the fan before I opened it up and cleaned out all the pieces) but it's still blowing air at least. So at a minimum I think I would need a new case (and updated hinge assembly so it does not just break the lid again) and a GPU fan. This would just get it back to factory specs.

    What options do I have as far as CPU / GPU upgrades and do you think it’s worth it to upgrade my current system or is it time for a new one?

    Thanks in advance for any advice!
     
    B.Wagner, Jun 12, 2011
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  2. FragZero

    FragZero Notebook Consultant

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    Not that much

    T9300 => x9000, 300mhz and the ability to overlock but i doubt you'll get very far since the m15x does not have great cooling so i'd expect 3-3.1ghz

    4gb => 8gb, will you ever use it? expensive and not sure it has been tested

    8700M GT => 280M way way faster (2-3x) but very hot, undervolting might be needed. And there is a problem with the newer drivers and the first gen gpu switching the m15x has. No HDMI and some games are just unplayable.

    An alternative is the 3870 mobility which is a decent upgrade but cooler and working drivers! A 4850 would be ideal but good luck finding one of those and it hasn't been tested as far as i know.

    280m would fit with yr current heatisink, the ati card probably not (cant be that difficult to mod)


    And all the lids have this problem. I think the best option would be to order a new lid and epoxy the hinges before installing it.

    Fans can probably be found online, just type to number in google.
     
    FragZero, Jun 12, 2011
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