2960xm in M17x R3 & Heatsink MODs.

Quick question. When i install the 2960xm, will my system and bios recognize it and fire up? Im runnig on A09 bios. Do i need an unlocked bios to overclock as well??

 

1. Yes.
2. You need the modded A08 bios to overclock as well as Intel XTU 2.1 to change multis.

 

Or modded A09...

 

ok...does anyone have the links for these? Thanks for the help!

 

A08 Unlocked: ALIENWARE 17XR3 UNLOCKED A08 BIOS.rar
Intel XTU 2.1: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det..."&DownloadType=Software+Applications&lang=eng

Let us know how it goes

 

thanks geo.

I wish we had better bios like desktop mobos.

 

Well this unlocked one is probably the best bios you'll find on a laptop.. just don't change anything you're not 100% sure on.

 

well im gonna install it then when i get the 2960xm i will put it in and fire it up and just let it be for a bit. I only want to take it to 4.0ghz oced. nothing crazy, just something stable and wont cause too much heat.

 

You'd be surprised at how much heat 4.0 will generate in a laptop.

 

Only when it's on constant full load, and usually thats either a) benchmarks, b) video rendering.

Even editing isn't an issue because it happens in bursts. Gaming doesn't stress the CPU much either.

 

Just out of curiosity, why do you choose 2.1 XTU version instead of the 3.0?
Is it better for you guys?

 

3 doesn't work for me so I stick with 2.1 (i'm just increasing the turbo TDP)...but for Geo, he can't set multi's with 3

 

I don't think I could even change anything in 3.0! Just simply had all options locked;

http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/xtu/

 

I see, thanks.

 

Could someone clue me in on what XTU is? Thanks

 

Wow!!

I wonder if putting heatsinks on the mosfet will reduce the motherboard temp OR even give more stability to an overclocked system.
Has anybody tried that?

 

Complete cooling overhaul coming... Perhaps a custom modded NotePal U6

(Although I will not be able to shut the lid anymore )

 

I just wanna reiterate that the 4mm copper heatsinks need to be trimmed down to 3mm for the CPU heatsink. Otherwise they will press hard against the back panel, which you may even risk breaking by forcing it back on.

In order for them to fit on the GPU heatsink they need to be trimmed to about 2mm.

 

But what if I had a plan? I don't plan on trimming any of the heatsinks. They will stick out of the case. Instead I will stick some tall rubber feet on various places around the laptop allowing clearence and then place it on the NotePal U3. It can also be fastened with zipties so when I lift the laptop, the cooler stays on and doesn't move effectively replacing the rear lid. Plus it will help with the cooling as well I've found a place where I can score just the fans so I can have 6 fans running off 2 USBs. Hence the NotePal U6 teaser in my last post

 

Interesting...

 

sounds like a fun project. Please post pics once you get it all done.

 

Gonna take a while, plus I need the money. I'm looking to get the heatsink mods first though so this project might get half done for now.

 

With your 2920XM at 4.5 what are your settings(45x100?) What kind of temps do you get in games and how are you keeping it cool?

 

I don't. I only use 45x100 for benchmarking. And when I do, I get around 95C. I use 37/37/39/40 when gaming.

 

K. Thanks. Why do you run 37/37/39/40? Also for the heatsink mode what is it your doing? I've ordered some of those small ram heatsink that I will stick to the cpu heatsink after cutting out the bottom of the laptop cover in that area. Then I'll have a fan running under it on my UD3 to dissipate the heat.

 

37/37/39/40 means 37x on four and three cores, 39x on two and 40x on one core so I can still brag that I have a 4.0Ghz turbo speed all the time.

For my heatsink mod, I will have various different kinds of heat spreaders. I like to make things fancy so I will attempt to stick to as many of the original heatsink colours as I can. Copper heatsinks will go on the copper bits, aluminium will go on the grey/silver bits and black ones on the black bits. I know they will help reduce temperatures but I thought why not have some fun with aesthetics as well?

 

Because it's a nice boost and you can boast about 4Ghz. Also your plan is great, that will be some insane cooling, especially if you cut space out and put fans underneath.

Personally I don't want to go that far, so I've trimmed my heatsinks a few mm so that they dont touch the back panel, plus I'm actually able to close the back panel.

Edit - sniped.

 

@Geo how did you trim yours? What did you use?

 

Has anyone just attempted to run their r3 with the bottom cover off and place it on a laptop cooler? Would be interesting to see.

 

i just placed my order on those 4mm copper heatsink. now i wonder how to trim them =/

 

Use a metal file and file them down.