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    Advice on upgrading video cards in M17x-R2

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Docsteel, Dec 30, 2014.

  1. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    I currently have my old M17x-R2 (in my sig) that has Xfire 4870m's, a pretty weak card. If I was looking for a single card solution (at least to start), would everyone pretty much agree that the 7970m is the best route?
     
    Docsteel, Dec 30, 2014
    #1
  2. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Yup.. I have a 7970M if you want it.. Pm me and do let me know your location and your best offer...
     
    TomJGX, Dec 30, 2014
    #2
  3. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Did anyone test a 970m yet? If that did work it would be ideal.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Dec 31, 2014
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  4. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Don't think anyone has.. Svl7 got the 15x to work with 970M so I don't see how it won't work with the R2...
     
    TomJGX, Jan 1, 2015
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  5. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    I haven't followed the testing with a 970m, does it require a custom BIOS on the system and/or GPU to work in the M15x?
     
    Docsteel, Jan 1, 2015
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  6. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    No actually.. it's plug and play...Svl7 had to do zilch to make it work.. It's worth the risk IMO as even if it doesn't work, you can easily sell it off..
     
    TomJGX, Jan 1, 2015
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  7. Docsteel

    Docsteel Vast Alien Conspiracy

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    I would guess the only other requirement would be an x-bracket to mate the card to heatsink and pasting. I'd like to do something, its still a decent system even today (particularly with the RGB LED screen) and if I get a decent SSD as well....!
     
    Docsteel, Jan 1, 2015
    #7
  8. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Hidevolution sell an upgrade kit for the 970M with the screws, x-bracket, GPU, thermal paste so you'll be fine.. Just might need to mod your heatsink.. if your'e not willing to take the risk, I have a Dell 7970M which I'm selling..
     
    TomJGX, Jan 2, 2015
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  9. ssj92

    ssj92 Neutron Star

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    I think the 970M should work fine in the m17xR2. It works in the m15x without any modifications. They run cool and use less power than a 7970m. A lot more performance as well. A 920XM/940XM paired with dual 970M would extend the life of a m17xr2 even further.
     
    ssj92, Jan 2, 2015
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  10. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

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    If you can sli them ... That's the problem.
     
    toto29620, Jan 2, 2015
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  11. ssj92

    ssj92 Neutron Star

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    What would be the problem SLIing them? Didn't some people get 680m sli to work? I know 7970m crossfire works.
     
    ssj92, Jan 2, 2015
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  12. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

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    Nope 680m and 780m sli don't work, 580m sli can work with hacked driver that's all. The mobo's bios hasn't got the right certification so nvidia's driver don't allow sli to work.
     
    toto29620, Jan 2, 2015
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  13. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    970M/980M SLI would bottleneck with the 920/940XM so there's no point in it.. A single 970M/980M will already begin to bottleneck so honestly, a single GPU would be the best upgrade...
     
    TomJGX, Jan 2, 2015
    #13
  14. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Depends on the game and settings Tom, you would be surprised how much it could help if you push either the refresh rate beyond 60hz or resolution beyond 1080p.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 4, 2015
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  15. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Anyways anything above 580M SLI doesn't work.. A single GPU only works for NVIDIA cards...
     
    TomJGX, Jan 5, 2015
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  16. toto29620

    toto29620 Notebook Consultant

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    Have someone try hypersli hack ? It has been stop at 330.something nvidia driver so it might work with 680m and 780m.
     
    toto29620, Jan 5, 2015
    #16