The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware 17 questions..

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by nightdex, May 5, 2014.

  1. nightdex

    nightdex Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    189
    Messages:
    436
    Likes Received:
    153
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Hi guys,

    I'm thinking about ordering the highest I7 CPU for my Alienware 17. I've had the back plate off and have had previous access to the GPU to re-paste. Is the CPU as easy accessible as the GPU is? Is it exactly the same procedure as gaining access to the GPU but the opposite side?

    My second question is, I'm sure some of you guys have seen my posts on here asking for an unlocked vbios for the 880m. Today I took a look at my bios settings and noticed that there's an over clocking feature for the CPU. Are these over clock settings anything worth tweaking around with?

    Lastly, I'm running the A09 bios at the moment. Is ok to update to the A10 bios that just got released?

    Sorry for all the questions guys. I appreciate any answers given. Thank you.
     
  2. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    3,159
    Messages:
    6,473
    Likes Received:
    1,165
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Even easier than the GPU to repaste!

    I read that you loose OC'ing capability with any GPU not sold by dell and since A0 7 you only get level 1 OC'ing and not 3 levels as previously so if it's working fine I would not update. The update may be to support a future GPU or CPU dell intend to sell, so they never put that info in a bios release notes :mad:

    If you cannot access the clocks then you will need to track down an unlocked BIOS...
     
  3. MogRules

    MogRules Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,228
    Messages:
    1,649
    Likes Received:
    973
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Man your just obsessed with OCing huh? I wouldn't bother upgrading the CPU unless your having problems, which you shouldn't be as the 4700mq should handle anything your throwing at it with ease and the 880m should play everything I can think of on max settings.....

    Unless I am missing something in the post about the new bios it is only really going to affect those with the higher level CPU's and those that are heavily into OCing. If your just using the system at stock speeds like most of us then I don't see it being a big deal but others may feel differently

    The 4700mq does not really let you OC much to at all, it is not meant for OCing. The 4800mq lets you OC a little, the 4900mq even more so and the 4930xm would be the go to for OCing but they are upwards of $700+ on ebay so not worth it IMO.
     
    MickyD1234 likes this.
  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    Just a friendly reminder, if you plan to play around with the overclocking feature make sure you monitor the temperatures at all times.