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    Graphics card upgrade - Please help this total noob!

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by MrMonster, Sep 11, 2013.

  1. MrMonster

    MrMonster Newbie

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    Hi all,

    I've been reading a lot of threads on this site and elsewhere as I need to upgrade my graphics card to play some of the new games I want. I had a few basic questions, that maybe someone would be kind enough to answer simply, I am completely new to upgrading parts etc...

    I just need a simple upgrade from my basic GTX 260m card, so thought a GTX 460m would be fine (I want to play games such as new fifa 14, saints row IV) and don't need the graphics to be maxed out or anything, just decently playable. Will this be pretty much plug and play?

    If I buy a GTX 460m card, will I be able to remove the old card, apply some thermal paste insert a new card and bish bash bosh that's it? More importantly, will I need a new X connector plate thing, or will the 460m fit perfectly?

    Will I need to update my bios from 07 to the latest (09?)

    Will I be able to just update nvidia drivers and not have to do any workarounds to get it working?

    Sorry if these questions are basic but I find this all very hard to understand, perhaps a kind soul would point me in the right direction?

    My specs:

    Alienware M15x
    Bios Ver 07
    Intel Core i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60 GHz
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 260M
    4gb Ram

    Thank you all!
     
    MrMonster, Sep 11, 2013
    #1
  2. dovy

    dovy Notebook Consultant

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    luckily 460m is officially supported by dell. that means its pretty much plug and play with no mods required. x bracket is also identical to 260m. I think old bios is fine too
     
    dovy, Sep 12, 2013
    #2
  3. MrMonster

    MrMonster Newbie

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    Brilliant, thanks for your help and answering my questions!
     
    MrMonster, Sep 12, 2013
    #3