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    Non upgradeable?

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by brian560sl, Feb 27, 2016.

  1. brian560sl

    brian560sl Newbie

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    I was thinking of buying a alienware 15 have found one locally for about $500 but it has the i5 cpu and lower end gpu when chatting with Dell they tell me these chips are now soldered on and non replaceable. Is this really true? I have an m15x now and it is so easy to upgrade that's why I considered the alienware 15
     
    brian560sl, Feb 27, 2016
    #1
  2. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    yes. if you want to upgrade then you're looking in the wrong place - get a clevo.
     
    thegh0sts, Feb 28, 2016
    #2
  3. con4n007

    con4n007 Notebook Guru

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    you can "upgrade" your GPU using AGA
    im pretty happy with the skylake i5 anyway
     
    con4n007, Feb 28, 2016
    #3
  4. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    You cannot upgrade 'm indeed. Only the larger Clevo's still offer this ability and the Alienware 18.
     
    rinneh, Feb 28, 2016
    #4
  5. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    pci 3 4x bandwidth (8x pci 2)
    idk how much this affects performance

    If alienware is your only choice, get the cheapest model with 6820HK and AGA from amazon (160~usd), then buy a 980ti or something like that
     
    Mobius 1, Feb 28, 2016
    #5
  6. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    that is by no means an "upgrade" more like a "band aid"!
     
    thegh0sts, Feb 28, 2016
    #6
  7. zergslayer69

    zergslayer69 Liquid Hz

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    Check the AGA thread, a guy linked an interesting article showing how pcie1 and pcie3 on a desktop 980 playing modern games is a max of maybe 5fps or less difference.
     
    zergslayer69, Feb 28, 2016
    #7
  8. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    That might be the case for the current gen GPUs, can't say the same with pascal or newer amd technologies.
     
    Mobius 1, Feb 29, 2016
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  9. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Just to provide an official word on this. ^^ They are all right in saying that the machine's GPU and CPU are embedded on the motherboard. You will need to replace the motherboard to get a different configuration or use the Graphics Amplifier with an external card for a better GFX performance.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Mar 2, 2016
    #9
  10. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    Speedy Gonzalez, Mar 2, 2016
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  11. Lozz

    Lozz Top Overpriced Dell

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    I would undeniably say that's the case. There's nothing in Arctic islands or Pascal that will change this.

    I see your point, I mean, for the same price as a MXM 980 ($900) I could have an AGA *and* a GTX 980Ti. I mean, who would want nearly twice the GPU HP for the same price?
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2016
    Lozz, Mar 3, 2016
    #11
    rinneh likes this.
  12. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    Mxm boards are indeed ridiculously priced its half the price of an actual 980m laptop.
     
    rinneh, Mar 3, 2016
    #12