Need help with upgrading M15x

Hi.
Here is the information

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q280 @1.73ghz 1.73ghz
Installed memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
System type: 64 bit

Processor : Intel i7 820QM(1.73Ghz,8MB) Mobile CPU
Display : 15.6in Wide Full HD (1920 x 1080) WLED
Ship Accessory : English Docs
Resource DVD : Alienware M15x
Memory : 4096MB (2x2048) 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Hard Drive : 250GB Serial ATA (7200RPM)
Optical Drive : Slot Load Blu-Ray ROM Combo (Blu-ray read only, DVD, CD read and write) Drive
Power Supply : Alienware 150W AC Adapter
Power Cord : UK 220V
Battery : Primary 9-cell 85W/HR LI-ION
Graphics : 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX260M
Gaming Software : Steam Gaming forum and download application
Wireless : Europe Dell Bluetooth 370 Card
Wireless : ROW Intel WiFi Link 5300 (a/g/n) Wireless LAN Card
Keyboard : Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Operating System : English Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)


From the windows experience index assesses key system components on scale of 1.0 to 7.9

Processor: calculations per second 6.2
Memory: Memory operation per second 7.1
Graphics destop: performance for windows Aero 6.8
Gaming graphics: 3D business and gaming graphics 6.8
Primary hard disk: disk data transfer rate 5.9


1: I want to upgrade the Hard Driver and my question is what is the best hard driver out there for M15X?
2: Do you think i should upgrade something else such as memory, processor... ect and what is your recommendation ?

I bought it like 2 years ago.

 

Probably you will need 1 more stick of RAM. As for the HDD depends what you need it for and how much you're eager to spend. You can go for SSD or normal SATA III HDD.

 

Hey thanks for quick respond man. I download a lot.My budget is about 1500-2000. I think that would be enough.Can you gimme a link of those products that you mentioned above ?
I am new and this maybe a stupid question but may i ask what is the difference between SSD and normal SATA III HDD ? and Which one is better ?

 

You can try with something like this for HDD
New Corsair Force GS CSSD F360GBGS BK 2 5 360 360GB SATA 3 SSD Solid State Drive 649528752208 | eBay

 

Thanks Bruv but i need more :[ 360 GB not enough for me ....im looking for over 700 GB - 1TB any recommendation ??

 

Western Digital 7200rpm 1TB HDD will suit you perfectly!
Alternatively if you want better performance get a SSD (Samsung or Crucial) and a 1TB external HDD.

Also how are you getting a WEI score of 6.8 for gaming graphics from a gtx 260m! That is impressive!

 

I would definitely get an SSD, 8GB RAM and a 460m - 5870m (you could also put a 560m there but it would not be supported by DELL)

 

Hey thanks
i have decided to upgrade to 16GB RAM
However i am still looking for SSD.... can you guy help me.... any recommendation and can you put the link of the products too please

Im so new and have to idea how to upgrade to 5870m :[

Appreciate your help guys! You rock !!!

 

Dont get the 5870m, honestly its a waste of money. Get one of these: 6970m, 660m, 6990m, 7970m. Do you really need 16gb ram? Best option for your hard drive needs would be a crucial m4 or samsung 830/840 and a 1tb in the optical drive.

 

I've read there is little point upgrading 16GB RAM for a performance boost, especially with the components you have.

Priorities are an SSD and graphics card. You can even buy a HDD caddy and put your old 320GB HD in there are use it as an external usb drive.
My Samsung 840 SSD works great! Graphics card wise I'm impressed at how the gtx 660m overclocks but 7970m, if you can afford it, will rock your socks.

Watch this informative video on how to upgrade the GPU. Its pretty straight forward really.

 

Hey fatboyslimerr
Thanks very much
I will definitely take your advice and recommendations.
However, can you help me to put the links of 840 SSD and 7970m here cause i am afraid that i will end up order the wrong one if i search on internet.

oh btw, do you think any SSD out there better than 840 SSD ? because im planning to upgrade the M15x for the long term not just 1 or 2 years

Thank you again mate. *handshake* :]

 

Just noticed you're in the UK so can I recommend Ebuyer. They are based in Yorkshire and are a really excellent company.

Here are links to various SSDs on their website.

First up is the one I went for, The Samsung 840 is very fast and works perfectly in an M15x.

MZ-7td250bw - Samsung 840 SSD | Ebuyer.com

An alternative is the Crucial M4 although the Samsung is on offer at the moment.
Crucial 256GB M4 SSD - 2.5" SATA-III - Read.. | Ebuyer.com

Both of these drives are futureproof with 500MB/s read speeds but unfortunately only 250-260MB/s write speeds (still much much faster than HDD).

If you really need the best go for a Samsung 840 Pro although I'm not 100% sure if they would work in M15x
Crucial 256GB M4 SSD - 2.5" SATA-III - Read.. | Ebuyer.com

The extra write speed of the 840 PRO won't make any difference in an M15x due to it only being SATA-II. These super fast read and write speeds require SATA-III. Fortunately Samsung and Crucial are known to use the maximum speeds possible from SATA-II; being backwards compatible.

The only place to really buy the 7970m (other than the NBR Marketplace) is on eBay from upgrademonkey. Prices are at the top end here but their service is good.
Original Alienware AMD HD 7970M 2GB GDDR5 -for M15x, M17x and M18x ,promotion | eBay

Probably best to look for one second hand in the marketplace.

Hope this helps!

 

you are brilliant mate !

Thank so much for your help. Im about to order now

:thumbsup:

 

Hey fatboyslimerr
Its me again XDD
So i was just about to order Samsung 840 250GB SSD however after that i saw Samsung 840 500GB SSD !

Do you think i should order Samsung 840 500GB SSD instead of 250GB ?

I ordered i7-940xm, 7970m and 16 RAM already. Now still confuse abut SSD because i have no idea which one is the best. Do you know any 1TB SSD out there for M15X ?

 

Do you really need 500GB of super fast storage? In principle there is no reason not to get one other than the hefty price tag.
If you're ok with that then go for it, otherwise get the 250GB and get a 1TB external hdd for about £40.
Not aware of any 1TB SSD because they would probably cost £1000....

Did you purchase the 7970m from laptopmonkey?

 

Wow You are super fast bruv.

The laptopmonkey not returnable so i ordered 7970m from a shop in Canada but more expensive :[

Yah bruv i download a lot but i dont like to keep in the external HDD cuz it annoy me when i move around

Anyway, thanks you so much bruv

 

if you want more storage, you might want to consider a seagates momentus hdd with 750gigs, that is if speed is not as important as storage. or you could replace the optical drive for an extra hdd

 

if you download a lot, its best not doing that on a SSD regardless if its 250gb or 500gb. best option is have 2 hard drives. ssd in main bay, and large hdd in optical bay.