AW17 Ranger CPU upgrade - what would you do?

Hello chaps and chapesses, I'm hoping for a bit of advice regarding potential CPU upgrades; I currently have the AW17 R1 (Ranger) with the i7 4710MQ processor and GTX880M card.
My main use of the machine is to run the CPU-dependent MS FSX Gold Flight Simulator with a fair number of aftermarket add-ons that are pretty demanding, and Railworks TS2015, (which is also a CPU hog) again with some quite complex add-ons.
I have two options open to me as potential processor upgrades, an i7 4900mq or an i7 4930mx.
Both are used items with sellers guarantee, and the cost difference is £75.00 GB more for the 4930mx compared to the 4900mq, or about $113 USD.
I'm sure you all have some opinions, I'm thinking of getting the 4930 but wonder which way would your decision go, and why......?

And one final question - I cannot see any difference in heatsink between what I have and the 4930mx in terms of part number - could someone with the 4930mx already in a 2013/2014 AW17 R1 kindly upload the part number and/or a picture of the hatsink?

Thanks

Dave

 

For only a 100 bucks diff. I would go for the extreme processor and max that machine from CPU point ... Then later if u need more graphics power u get urself a 980m & this machine will be good to go for the next 4 years ... I don't think there will be a major diff between ur processor and the 4900 ... But the MX can overclock like crazy

 

Sounds like a plan!

Thanks for your comments there Mahmoud - my thinking was along the same lines - the difference in price is not massive and the benefits from that extra few ££ in terms of overclocking are potentially quite large!

Cheers

Dave

 

I would advice to go with the 4930MX, I currently have the 4910 MQ and it has been a nuisance for me and has been a bit disappointing. The difference isn't that much so go for it.

 

Klk450 I will take your advice - the small difference in cost is more than made up for by the overclocking abilities of the MX,

So thank you too Sir!

 

I would advice to go with the 4930MX, but do not forget to buy liquid ultra. Hotwell extreme processors becomes really hot if you overclock these.

 

Cheers for the advice there Papusan; I've pulled the trigger on the 4930mx and hopefully should have it by the weekend!
I'm currently using Gelid Extreme paste - do you think it would not be up to the job?

Regards

Dave

 

You have no other choice than to use Liquid ultra if you intend to overclock this processor. I have tested several thermal grease types. Including Gelid extreme. Gelid is a very good thermal grease but not for this processor. A i7-4930mx can consume over 100W if it is overclocked . I've run xtu bench test with over 115w consumption of the processor and near 97w in Cinebench 11.5 test. Listen to good advice; Buy Liquid ultra no matter if you overclock or not with this processor ... I know this very well since I have this extreme processor ...

 

Good lord ! please tell me you have a 330w adapter

 

I have 330W power supply but my laptop also works with 240W . But I can't overclock the graphics card especially high with only 240W... Have already made one of mine 240W power supply unstable as it shut off power at 220W and sometimes at 250w.

 

Can you tell me the part no. of that PSU and does it require any modification or just plug and play ?

 

Plug and play... I use my phone now and haven't the part number in front of me. But it's the original power supply from Aw18.

 

Neat ! thx m8 ... have been waiting for someone confirmation on the compatibility of the AW18 on the ranger without modification for sometime

 

Also in the bios you can see that the Aw18 power supply is recognized as 330w...

 

@ Papusan; advice taken and Liquid Ultra ordered thanks!
@ Mahmoud Dewy; I have the 240w currently but browsing the Bay of E for a 330w unit; is there no compatibility issues using the 330w PS for the AW18, Dell part number XM3C3?

Thanks a million for all your pointers guys

Dave

 

I would say get yourself one of these big bad 330W

 

@ Trabant Dave
Works great . The power supply is recognized as 330w in bios..............
Be careful when you buy a new PSU...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...rs-lounge-thread.721578/page-517#post-9992322

Here is a guide for you... http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ps-before-i-start.741745/page-54#post-9992143

 

That liquid ultra is mean !

 

If I had a i7-4700mq or even a weaker processor, I had used Liquid ultra anyway. Will never use another thermal grease. The temperature on my mx processor has not changed at all in over a year since I started using this amazing cooling paste. A conventional thermal grease had not managed this... NEWER.

 

Is that the TIM that scratches the chip on removal or that was IC diamond ? also is it conductive ?

 

Some people claim that IC7 create scratches on the chip during removal, but everything is possible if you do not things right . If you are using Liquid Ultra and think about switching to a conventional thermal grease you need to prepare the heatsinks. But who will switch to something much worse ? Liquid ultra destroy everything except the chip and the copper of the heatsink ...

 

Seems like risky business

 

No...

 

Thanks @Papusan I will be following the guide to the letter - I've never used Liquid Ultra or encountered anything like it!
From the guide it's apparent you only apply a very thin amount, my intention is to use a fine modelling paintbrush to spread it on to the die and heatsink.
Does the thermal compound spread as a paint would, or does it try to ball up as mercury would?

As regards the PSU, I'm looking at this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271246459594?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

which looks like the genuine article - should be at that price!

 

IC diamond will create small scratch marks yes but it wont damage anything.

 

Use the guide... Do not apply too much Liquid ultra right away, then it becomes a more difficult application. I started with heatsink and continued with chip die. If there is lack of Liquid Ultra, it is easier to apply what is lacking on heatsink in the end.
Those who do not like or dare to use Liquid Ultra and IC7, then Gelid Extreme is a good choice. Gelid extreme is not a worse choice than IC7, but it is easier to remove without scratching the chip.