Need A Better CPU

Alright my my m11x is starting to fall behind which is understandable I bought it from dell for $550.
Here is the thing I don't understand. I bought the intel core 2 duo SU7300 chipset 335m m11x. It has a VGA port. Which to my knowledge makes it a R1. But when I ask Dell or look up my service tag it tells me its a R2. So which one is it a R1 or R2?

What I really want to know is can I change the processor. Yes I know I the processor is stuck in there so can I just change the mobo? I assume I cant throw in a i5 mobo from a r2.
something like this NEW Dell Alienware M11x R2 i5-520UM 2.4GHz DDR3 Motherboard System Board | eBay

I am done with this stupid core 2 piece of crap. I am getting a i5 or i7 in the end it just depends on how it happens. Now assuming I cant throw that motherboard in my laptop could I buy just the r2 case and the i5 mobo? Going along with that will my keyboard I have now work or will that need to be swapped? Same with the screen?
Alienware M11x R2 parts lot (core i7 640UM) | eBay

Basically just tell me if I am going to end up building a laptop. Which I have never done and don't really want to do but don't have much of a choice.

Thanks for any help given!

 

Let's go with a maybe. Yea, this one should be counted as a R1. It could be the service tag is misrecorded, but if that's the case, what parts does it report when searching for it on the dell website?
There's no guarantee that the layout of the R2 mobo is identical and will fit in your current chassis. Using the r2 case and mobo could work, the question is what other parts might you be ommitting that are not part of the chassis or the mobo?
I'd honstly suggest that you sell your current lappy and just buy another one that actually works. Experimenting with hardware like this may be fun if you're doing it for fun in the first place, but if you're looking to switch or improve on your previous machine, you might just get yourself frustrated if it doesn't work.

 

Yeah it's a big maybe, it might not work or it might fit perfectly. IMO, I would just save myself the trouble and sell the R1 and buy a R2 second hand.

You definitely have the R1, I don't know why it shows as R2.

 

No magic in the newer processors unless you have a specific app that needs it. Vid encoding? A particular game (most are not CPU driven)? You might be surprised how little the gains are in common apps. If you need it, upgrade! But if you NEED it the i5 is already outdated.

 

I understand most games are not CPU driven but a 1.7Ghz 2 core processor is just not cutting it seems. I just bought more ram for it because I have 2 gb so that should boost performance by a lot. Also I want to change the stuff in this computer because I have a terrible time with drivers when trying to play different games. BF3 wont work with the dell drivers and then the Fn+F6 key wont work if I use the drivers from nivida because they are not designed to switch the GPU chips. It is all very frustrating and I don't think I would have enough money to buy a new laptop anyway.

 

If a particular app NEEDS more cpu then who can blame you but your strongly worded "stupid piece of crap" description tells me the i5 is gonna fall well short of expectation - if only a little later down the road.

The Core2 Duo is NOT the same as grandpas Core Duo from 6+ years ago. Having come from the [email protected] to the [email protected] there is a noticed diff just in my exp.

You likely need the i7 unless your only real concern is BF3.

Make sure your overclock is ON before you commit your cash. And "no" you cannot just add a few parts to become R2/R3. IMO its better money spent to get a complete working unit.

 

IIRC It was possible to put an R3 mobo in an R2, so maybe you can try it with the R1. It's a pretty weak laptop now, though. I'm just about to retire my R2.

 

]All I have is the R1 as well and I was wondering the same. I got this laptop off of eBay and i really don't know how to tell if it is an R1 or not. It has what I believe to be upgrades on it. Any help is welcomed! :hi2:

I also thought I saw somewhere that there were such things as external graphics cards for laptops to plug outside of the case. To reduce heat and for upgrading performance easily. Does this exist? Or was this just some amazing dream I had.

Here's my specs as far as i know as a noob: Alienware M11x R1 | U7300 (it doesnt say SU7300) duo core @ 1.3 GHz | 8GB RAM ( i dont know how to tell what type) | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS | 465 SATA Drive

Also if there is a better thread for someone like me, a noob you could say, I apologize for intruding. If you could help me out and point me to that thread (hopefully people are still active on it) then you are awesome!:thumbsup:

I mean, I don't even know how to install driver updates properly

 

You can connect a desktop GPU to a laptop, but it needs it's own enclosure and PSU. Although, it's rather impractical. If you want to use a desktop GPU, just save money and get a desktop. And yes, your laptop is an R1 if it has the C2D. In my opinion, it's not worth investing anymore in that laptop. Look at some Sager/Clevo laptops, they are cheaper and less flashy, but will get you much better performance.

 

Thanks RBEffect for answering so soon! I have wanted to invest in an actual desktop in the past, but for all practical reasons (being in college, spending 90% of my time at my girlfriend's house, using it at work and school and out with friends) I dont have the money to spare for it AND a laptop I wouldn't mind trading for a much more powerful laptop though. I got the M11x because of battery life, but quickly realized that no matter where I go, they have power outlets. So thats no longer a consideration. You say Sager/Clevo laptops, do you think these have some of the most powerful laptops out for sell (graphics and gaming-wise)? I don't mind buying a used one on the internet, but I would like it to last through some of these upcoming and just released games. Thanks again RBEffect!

I have to go to work, I apologize if I do not respond for a couple of hours. I understand everybody has their own schedule so thank you very much for any posts and advice at your own convenience!! :thumbsup: bye!!! :hi2:

 

There are several threads already about upgrading an R1 to an R2/R3 and in summary most will say: "NO", not for the money

 

Thanks GNandGS. So any advice on one of the best laptops for gaming is out there? I didn't feel like going through all those threads so thanks for telling me it was useless haha. Saves me some time.

 

By upgrade I meant modify existing laptop. To REPLACE with an R2/R3 is ok. "Best" is up to the individual but I lean toward strongest warranty for a given market. For ME its either Dell or Acer warranties. The other brands don't come close (usually)

 

To answer your question, yes, Sager/Clevo have powerful and cost-effective laptops for gaming. I suggest you look at the Sager NP9150/Clevo P150EM (Sager is just a clevo reseller, you can find Clevo laptops sold by other resellers as well.) It's a 15 inch laptop that you can equip with an nVidia GTX 680M, which is the top-notch laptop GPU as of now, or an AMD HD 7970M, which comes in at a close second. Clevo sells 17 inch laptops as well, but as with most 17 inch gaming laptops, they are not designed with portability in mind, and as such carrying them around is a nightmare. Anyways if you are interested check out XoticPC or Powernotebooks, two well-known Sager resellers.

 

Thanks so much guys, I'm going to look further into this and I think I will just upgrade to a better notebook and sell this Alienware. I appreciate all the help and apologize for having taken so long to reply. I have been swamped at work and with college exams soon so my apologies. Thanks for everything! You guys were really helpful!! :thumbsup:

 

I'm 99.9% sure it's an R1, those were the only ones using those series.

 

Modify R1 to R2/R3? Definitely a no-go.
R1 has VGA port while R2 and R3 do not have it.
If you use a lot of CPU intensive programs I think it's okay to upgrade to R2 (if you overclock the CPU) or R3.