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    Alienware 17 - Change gpu from 580m to 8990m

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by AJDC, Jun 17, 2013.

  1. AJDC

    AJDC Newbie

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    Ok so here is the thing. I need an Alienware m17 in a couple of months and I really like AMD (supporting the little guys). The best GPU I can buy at the moment is the Nvidia 580m but AMD is going to release (if the rumours are right) their new super awesome graphic cards in Q4 (Volcanic Islands). My question is if I can upgrade later down the road to a, let´s call it 8990m? Will the Alienware 17 support the gpu change? Probably a pretty hard question to answer since I guess no one have got the Alienware 17 yet but if someone has some input or thoughts about the subject I would appreciate it.

    Best regards

    Andreas
     
    AJDC, Jun 17, 2013
    #1
  2. sangemaru

    sangemaru Notebook Deity

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    It's not a hard question to answer because nobody has the Alienware 17, it's a hard question to answer because the 8990m (or whatever the Volcanic Islands flagship will be called) doesn't "exist" yet.

    In the current refresh-heavy GPU climate, I honestly wouldn't expect the 8990m (if it's released) or 9970m to be much better than the nVidia GTX-780m.
    Consider the fact that the 7970m is MUCH more powerful than nVidia's GTX-580m (about twice as fast) and a good overclocker may see 15-20% performance boost, bringing it nearby nVidia's 780M but at a much better price point. 780M is on average about 25% faster than stock 7970m.

    I'd say get the Alienware 17 now with 7970m and upgrade in the future.
     
    sangemaru, Jun 17, 2013
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  3. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    Completely agree.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Jun 17, 2013
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  4. AJDC

    AJDC Newbie

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    Thanks for your fast answer. The 7970m is not available here in Sweden anymore, only the 780m. I will not be overclocking and the price is not an issue. The company I work at will be paying for the laptop and I am not allowed to overclock thats why I want the fastest gpu I can find, but I prefer AMD.
     
    AJDC, Jun 17, 2013
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  5. sangemaru

    sangemaru Notebook Deity

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    If you want the fastest GPU available, the 780M takes top spot, with the 8970. a 20% distant second (in case it's available). If price is not an issue I'd go for the 780M.
     
    sangemaru, Jun 17, 2013
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  6. AJDC

    AJDC Newbie

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    Yes, but the question is, do you think I can uppgrade to the new AMD gpu when/if it is released at the end of this year?
     
    AJDC, Jun 17, 2013
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  7. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Depends, since Dell seems to have ditched AMD GPUs in their newest notebooks maybe of all the problems.

    You might need to have someone mod a BIOS to add support for AMD GPUs. But on the other hand, Dell might include 8990M IF it even arrives. If it does, then yes, you can upgrade to 8990M.
     
    Cloudfire, Jun 17, 2013
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