2630qm to 2960xm

I currently have a 2630qm (see signature for complete setup) and I have found a few 2960xm's on ebay for $399. That's a hell of a deal, but it's just the CPU with nothing else included. Can I reuse my heatsink? Also, I know I'll need thermal paste, but have never had to upgrade a CPU in a laptop before. What else will I need? Would anyone be kind enough to point me to instructions on how to upgrade the CPU?

I've also heard of heat issues with the extreme processors in the M17x R3. Should I be concerned? I only plan on a light overclock. My CPU is the weakest component in the laptop. I want to upgrade that and upgrade to 16GB DDR3 1600 RAM, but the RAM upgrade is pretty much self explanatory.

 

You're a bit mistaken on your components... your GPU is the weakest component in your laptop.

You won't see that big of a change in performance. However, that being said, you can reuse the heatsink on the current CPU but you'll need more thermal paste before you install the heatsink. That can be had for relatively cheap though, something like GC-Extreme is what I would recommend. The amount you get for the price is unbeatable.

 

According to the WEI in Windows 8 my CPU is the weakest (CPU scores 7.5 and GPU scores 7.6). I know that's far from reliable, but i'm quite content with my GPU. I play all the games I want to on either max or high settings. I'll upgrade that in a couple months when the prices on the 680m/7970m drop thanks to the new gen.

So I can reuse the heatsink. That's one question down. I use the Adobe Suite as well as game on my laptop so the added CPU power will definitely be nice considering the 2960xm is the best CPU that will work in the R3. The laptop has lasted me 2 years so far and that should breathe another 2 years of life into it.

 

Seems fair enough. And yep, sure can reuse that heatsink. :3 Be kinda dumb if you had to buy a new heatsink with every change.

 

Heat can become a problem as the M17x isn't really setup for XM processors, but you should be able to get a decent overclock.

 

Heck, even at stock he'll see a significant improvement. The processor runs at like, 3.4Ghz across all four cores. It was equal to the 2600k on the desktop side, and that's no slouch in any regard.

 

If you can oc, just get a 2920xm.

 

The 2960xm runs @ 2.7GHz on all 4 cores before any turbo boost. I'll probably overclock it to run at 3.2GHz or so (maybe higher depending on the temps I read), which will definitely kick my 2630qm's since it runs @ 2GHz.

I just might. As I said earlier I found 2960xms for $399 on ebay, but a quick search for 2920xms revealed a $300 - 350 price range. As I understand it they are exactly the same and the 2960xm just comes with higher clocks stock. Correct?

Also I've built plenty of desktop setups, but I've never actually had to install a CPU in a laptop. Can anyone point me to a guide?

 

I will wait for the new M17 cpu heatsink for the 4930XM and 4900MQ OC 4.3GHz option will fit perfectly, R3 2960XM 40,39,38,38 68W/75W 105A heat limit (42,41,40,40) 2 heat pipes simply won't work https://imageshack.us/a/img16/2206/71687.jpg

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...pu-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html#post8021785

 

Thank you! That guide is ridiculously easy to follow. This will be easier than I thought. I'll pick up one of the new 3 pipe CPU heatsinks later on when I feel the need to repaste and then the overclocking can really begin.

 

This will help M17x Retention Mod careful not to over tighten the screws too much pressure will break the CPU die.

 

I'm thinking the RAM upgrade will actually be the more annoying of the two simply because I have 4 2GB sticks, which means I'll have to remove the keyboard to get to the RAM.

I think i'll just go with the 2920xm unless someone can tell me any actual difference between that and the 2960xm besides the 200MHz clock difference, which doesn't mean anything since I'll be overclocking.

 

RAM upgrade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEC1U1WqG5Y airports...

 

Greetings,

From a user who uses Adobe just about every day you’ll want the extra RAM, yes is may be a pain to change but you’ll be very glad that you did. Depending on what you plan to do inside Adobe it’ll be a memory and processor hog. You say that there is only a 200MHz difference between the 2920 and 2960, but that all adds up over time. My system will throttle a little if I don’t watch the temps and drop back to base clock for a little bit till it’s able to crank up again. While it’ at the base clock that 200MHz will make a difference, just for everyday tasks as well.

I use to own the 2920 and now the 2960 so I speak from experience with everything, do the upgrade once and be done with it.

 

W/ proper cooling 4.3GHz 99W 112A flex 0, 42,41,40,40 next 24/7 htsnk mod.

 

...And in English? You lost me haha.

 

He's referring to the settings in BIOS, which you'll need an unlocked one to make the changes. I would start doing research on OCing to make it easier to make the changes once you get everything and are ready for the change.

 

I have the modded a12 BIOS. I already have the integrated graphics disabled and sata 3 running on on my SSD so i'm not completely clueless in the BIOS. I also have my GPU overclocked, but that's through a program. I've never had to OC directly in the BIOS before.

 

Guides http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-2960xm-cpus-m17x-r3-without-modded-bios.html

2920XM Overclocking Guide - Detailed Results

Unlocking TPL for all CPU's in M17x R3, 2920XM overclocking potential! - Page 2

Dell must equip the m17 / 4930XM with the proper Heatsink right from the start this time.