Alienware 17 R1 GPU Upgrade

Well, I don't care if score is a bit lower as far as it don't crash. I've read lot of topics on the forum and seen mixed review, I don't want to spend $200 if it's not working correctly and will instead go with a lower model like the 860m

 

Why would it crash? I mean it should work, if it crashes then it's a faulty card. The 17 was designed with Maxwell cards in mind, so at worst it's just an .inf mod away

 

Don't go for an 860M. If you don't want a 970M then grab a 780M as it's only about 5% weaker than the 970M. You will most likely need a modded driver for the 970M even though people say that support was added for the 900 series cards. I've heard of a bunch of people who still have trouble trying to install a newer driver without modding it.
The 780M is plug and play.

 

Thanks for the detailed answer!

780M is an option but then I will need to buy a new 220w psu (I think my 180w psu would be sufficient with 970m, TDP is only rated 10w more than my current 765m) and would probably need the cooler with 3 heat pipes, didn't open my computer yet but it's probably 2 heat pipes.

edit: I have a 765m not a 675m.

 

The 675M should have the 3 pipe as it's a re-branded 580M which was the previous top of the range card. I believe the 660M machines had the 2 pipe.

A 240W PSU would be a good idea but they are usually pretty cheap. I get 330W ones for around $65-70AUD ($40USD).

 

Hang on, I just realised you said you had a 17 R1 with a 675M..... The M17x R4 had the 600 series and the 17 R1 had the 700 and 800 series cards.

 

I'm so confused with Alienware Series, I live in Europe it's just called "Alienware 17" wait a minute I'll see if I can post a picture.


Edit: my bad it's a 765m I have

 

Ahh that makes more sense. A 780M is way better than the 765M and the 980M is much better than the 780M. As mentioned before, the 970M sits slightly higher than the 780M.

Then you can also think about the 1060 or 1070.....

 

mate, I want to replace those 2 cables as I think I damaged them.

I kinda get these artifacts on my screen (colour lines that go away in a couple of seconds after having appeared for a couple of seconds. I had upgraded my alienware 17 r1 to Dell 1070.
I have a 3 pipe heat sink. Came with the original ATI card that I replaced.

Got 2 questions.
1) Do you think going from 240 PSU to 330 would help as there maybe not enough power to juice the laptop? I know that my battery doesn't have enough juice to power computer games (laptop just shuts down on battery power only when I start a game)
2) What are the names of those cables that you mention? Is there a way to find out? I want to buy them on ebay.
3) I've got a 5 pipe heat sink in sitting away somewhere in my cupboard. Do you think going from 3 pipe to 5 pipe would help?

Might be something on overheating on the GPU problem. But again I've got that good 3 pipe heatsink that came with the ATI card. So I don't know.

 

Could you hint exactly where I can get a 330w for $USD 40? Cheapest I see is for $AUD150.

I need one

 

I just go to eBay. They aren’t Dell OEM but I’ve never had an issue.


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/142561623201


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This computer has 4 ram slots. Which one were populated by default when you bought the computer back then? The one under the keyboard I assume? And 2 free slots under the computer with easy access for ram upgrade? Thanks

 

keepna it's not clear who you're asking but I've got a 17 R1. It's 32 gbs of RAM. Attached is the picture of the insides with the bottom panel taken off.

 

Sorry. I wasn't asking anyone particular, just wondering which ram slot are 1,2 and 3,4. I think those under keyboard are slot 1,2 and those under the laptop (your photo) are slot 3,4.

 

If you want it to go dual channel test it semi disassembled which ones work in pairs. Right now I have two RAM sticks on it under the keyboard, and if I remember right the sockets are actually paired across the motherboard. But to confirm I suggest testing with keyboard unscrewed.

 

So i have questions about thermal pads which size should i use 0.5mm or 1mm

 

So hey brother i have some questions
Which thermal pad should i use 0.5 mm or 1mm on 780m and also 0n 980m
Moreover, if i use 980m pulled from alienware 18 will it work on AW17R1 with bios A13 i can't upgrade because i don't have a battery and after i am done with modding i can disable Optimus mode right? I have 60hz display so is it fine for 980m do i need to change headsink it's already a 3 pipe

 

I don't know.

Furthermore I don't really share information to those who can't follow the rules.