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    Alienware 17 HDD - replaceable? Which sound-card does it have?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by MonarchX, Feb 18, 2015.

  1. MonarchX

    MonarchX Notebook Geek

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    I noticed that Alienware 17 uses 47xxHQ CPU chips, which cannot be upgraded. Does the same apply to the HDD/SSD? I want to get Alienware 17 with the most basic HDD setup, but then replace that HDD with my own SSD. Is that possible?

    What soundcard do Alienware 17 laptops use? I can't find any specs on it... I was hoping it can use Creative X-Fi MB3 at least or SBX Studio Pro / SBX Surround Sound, which is very important to me as a gamer because I use headphones and technologies Dolby Headphone, CMSS-3D, SBX Surround help me locate enemies in MP games.

    Aside from technologies used, I need to know the actual name of the soundcard chip or the soundcard itself. Could someone with a recent Alienware 17 let me know what they see for their sound card in device manager, please? I just want to know if its X-Fi or some Realtek card...
     
    MonarchX, Feb 18, 2015
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  2. MahmoudDewy

    MahmoudDewy Gaming Laptops Master Race!

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    After checking the drivers page you will find that the Audio driver is for Creative Malcolm chip+Recon3Di AP ... So it doesn't have a realtek ... It has a Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D
     
    MahmoudDewy, Feb 18, 2015
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  3. Flaick

    Flaick Notebook Evangelist

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    I have replaced my HDD with a new SSD without problems and very easy. Unscrew the bottom and you'll see the Hdd bay. There are video/tutorial over the tube.
     
    Flaick, Feb 18, 2015
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  4. MonarchX

    MonarchX Notebook Geek

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    Dang that sucks. Recon 3D is the worst of all Creative solutions. Thank you for letting me know though! Could you let me know if SBX Studio is part of the package for that soundcard? I have to know for sure which Virtual Surround Sound solution is used and Creative uses only 2 - CMSS-3D and SBX Pro Studio (SBX Surround).
     
    MonarchX, Feb 18, 2015
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  5. MahmoudDewy

    MahmoudDewy Gaming Laptops Master Race!

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    SBX Pro Studio
     
    MahmoudDewy, Feb 18, 2015
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  6. MonarchX

    MonarchX Notebook Geek

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    Sweet! Thanks! With SBX Pro Studio, even Recon 3D isn't so bad, especially with the right set of headphones.
     
    MonarchX, Feb 18, 2015
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  7. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    The HDD is replaceable. We even have some videos on our Youtube channel on how to replace it.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Feb 20, 2015
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  8. kgh00007

    kgh00007 Notebook Evangelist

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    What are the right set if headphones? I'm looking a t getting an AW 15 which has the same soundcard.

    I'm trying to decide on what headset to get. Whether to get a decent stereo set and use the creative Studio Pro surround or to get a set if headphones with a USB 7.1 soundcard like a pair of Sennheisers! That would be all set up and ready to go!
     
    kgh00007, Apr 27, 2015
    #8